what i want my children to know #9

remember your manners.  it seems like this in an antiquated thing, but do not forget to be polite in a time when face to face seems more the exception than the norm.  we are all a bit deadened by the constant digital communication.  do not lose yourself and politeness in the mass of emoji's and lol's.

what i want my children to know #8

be a life long learner and dreamer.  maintain your curiosity.  read. learn. do. share.  if nothing else, i hope your dad and i have shown you how to follow your dreams and teach yourselves how to reach always for the next step on your horizon.  dreaming and learning + trial and error = ultimate fulfillment.

what i want my children to know #7

always keep your child like sense of wonder.  there is so much magic around you, allow yourself to find joy in it.

what i want my children to know #6

simple is not boring.  embrace the simple in this fast paced culture in which we live.  you may find that time passes you by far too quickly, and the simplest things are the most memorable.

what i want my children to know #5

actions speak louder than words.  do not take someones words simply at face value, observe them, see if they walk the talk, that will tell you volumes about what kind of person they are.  be sure that your own actions reflect and affirm the beliefs that you so passionately believe.

what i want my children to know #4

listen to your inner voice.  you know right from wrong and have a very strong moral compass.  there will be temptations that challenge you, but i know that if you stay true to yourself you will thrive.

inspired by kamana at capturing joy everyday

what i want my children to know #3

family is sacred.  both your biological family, and your family of closest friends.  honor those relationships, they will sustain you throughout your lifetime.

inspired by kamana at capturing joy everyday

what i want my children to know #2

every day is a gift.  though it can be difficult, set your worries aside and savor each moment for what it is giving you.  take the time each day to be in the present, take a photo, draw a picture, simply observe the quiet or hustle around you and internalize these little snapshots in time.  these are the things that will keep you grounded.

inspired by kamana at Capturing Joy Everyday

what i want my children to know #1

smile.  you would be amazed at how much a simple smile, even just to yourself, can change your mood, lighten your heart and affect those around you.

**inspired by kamana at capturing joy everyday

What Will Your Verse Be?

Finding a good movie for family movie night has become increasingly a struggle.  We have hit all of the appropriate biggies from our youth and current and are always looking to be gently reminded of what we have omitted.  Last week I saw the new iPad Air commercial.  Not only was it great, but it reminded me of a favorite movie regrettably filed so far away, almost forgotten.

Friday night we watched Dead Poet's Society together.  I must say, though our kids have really taken to our music, we must have failed some in the important actor realm.. Upon the opening credits Charles said Oh, that's the guy from "The Crazy Ones ", I've seen a commercial for that.  Face, Palm.

I am so taken with this movie and both of the kids absolutely loved it.  In fact it led to the discussion of our beloved Puck, whom we lost almost two years ago.  She was named after Puck from A Midsummer Night's dream, the name inspired not only by my love of Shakespeare, but how moved B and I were by the powerful role Puck played in this movie.

It inspired me to immediately download and read Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman. Reflections upon this reading are leading me on a path of further discovery where Whitman is concerned which will be a blog post in and of itself.  Watching the movie brought on a trip down memory lane with B remembering  a lengthy paper that he wrote in college trying to dissect the thought process of Whitman's multiple revisions.  A paper that his College professor asked him to present at an literary conference.

So many beautiful lessons in this movie prompting you to ask questions of yourself.  Charles' only negative critique was that he felt the title was ridiculous.  "I thought it was going to be about a bunch of dead poets and really did not want to watch it."   Yet another lesson learned.  Don't judge a book by its cover.  There are so many great quotes in this movie.  One that really resonates with me and should inspire a mantra:

"That the powerful play goes on and you will have contributed a verse."
Whitman

Think about that bright and early on this Monday morning.  As the captain said:  "What will your verse be?" 

There's a Chicken In My Kitchen...

 And it's not for dinner!  We have spent quite a bit of time the last couple of days troubleshooting with "little squirt".  You may recall that she was born with a bum leg and fostered by some friends of ours.  When we got her back at a month of age and the others picked on her horribly, so we had to separate her in her own space.  As she has grown, her leg has been much more a hindrance than we had hoped and we fear that some tough decisions may lay ahead. 

Yesterday, B used some vet-wrap and tied the splayed leg to the other so that she could pull it under herself and attempt to walk.  Sidney introduced her to the outside which little squirt was quite skeptical about, so she came inside and hung out in the kitchen.  With her new "crutched" legs, she began to get around better than she ever had.  This morning when I went downstairs to feed and water everyone....she was gone!!  Not in her cage, door pushed open, gone!  We found her several minutes later as she had been exploring the basement.  Please note, that getting around in a 36" square space had been difficult up until this point. 

We still do not know what her future holds, but I am willing to bet that we are the only family North of Yancy's place on Walton's Mountain that has a Chicken roaming around the kitchen!