Woods Magic

We've just finished reading "Wildwood" by Colin Meloy and Carson Ellis.  It took us a ridiculous amount of time, given that is 576 pages and we read it only at bedtime, every other night, (Rob reads a different book with them on his nights).  I think it is safe to say we all loved it.  I especially loved it, and it was hard for me not to take it to bed myself after the kids had gone to sleep.  It will definitely be a book we purchase to keep, and I've just learned there are two more in the series of Wildwood Chronicles.  I can't wait!  The book was full of woods magic and fantasy, but with a modern world twist, and in a fairy tale manner different from Harry Potter or other recent fantasy books I've read.  It was a bit dark in places and has a long battle scene, but was not so gruesome that I regretted reading it with a 4 year old nearby.  He does have a thing for dark stories and can handle more drama than most 4 yr. olds, so I wouldn't really recommend it for preschooler--but was fantastic for Wylie and Juni.  Also, it is written by the lead singer of the Decemberists, who rock--so we knew it would be good.   

* Since writing this two days ago Juni has had one scary dream that seems directly related to this book.  I still stand by the recommendation though.  And, I forgot to mention three of the most awesome things about this book:  the protagonist is a girl, her parents are neither wicked, nor dead (why do they always have to kick of the parents?) and the illustrations alone make it worth reading.  Check it out.  If your kids are too young, read it yourself.   

On Wednesday we had a bit of woods magic ourselves.  On a walk through the woods to the neighbors field for sledding (its pretty flat, so is only fun when there's a good crust, and a hefty push) we found a decomposing blue jay. This was magical not because we delight in rotting flesh--the parts of the skeleton visible were pretty cool--but because Juniper is just finishing up a research project on blue jays and had been wanting some feathers.  

Then, feet a way from the jay, we found a dropped antler.  It is a beautiful 4 point (I've since learned) and must have come from a healthy, large buck.  We searched for the matching one but didn't find it.  I guess deer rarely drop two antlers at once, but we'll go back later this week to see if perhaps he's lost the other since.  

Later that afternoon we were driving to a friends when an owl flew across an open field--directly into our car.  I could see it coming, but since it was coming from the side I couldn't stop or swerve to avoid him.  The smack was loud and I was instantly sick with the thought of having killed the owl.  This is the second owl to have flown into a car I've been in.  

Fortunately we stopped and found the owl sitting upright in the road.  As I approached to help him off the road he hopped, spread his wings, and flew to the edge of the road.  A few minutes later he flew again, farther this time, taking shelter under some small pines.  Amazingly, thankfully, he seemed unhurt.  It was magical to get to see him up so close, and to watch him fly off after the incident.  And, a friendly stranger with a camera happened to stop as well, and sent us this lovely picture of him.  

   photo by our roadside stranger

The View From Here

This is a moment for sharing , inspired by SouleMama's "This Moment".  In her words,  "A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember."  To play along go to the SouleMama blog.

   

    Midcoast Community Chorus, Winter Concert--Wylie, 4th from left

A word about 4

In November I wrote a bit about how challenging 4 yr. olds can be.  But, it seems I may have been a little hasty in my judgement.  It could be that for our little guy 3.5 came a little on the late side, or that the transition to 4 was a rocky one.  Whatever it was it sure felt like our normally easy going, jolly guy had been body snatched and replaced with an angry, grudge holding troll.  Thankfully, I can report, now that we are solidly into 4, it is turning out to be a lovely age.  I can't really remember what it was like for the other kids but these few pictures seem to suggest relatively peaceful times:

        Wylie at 4 yrs.

                      Juniper at 4 yrs.

Kale is back to his friendly nature, sharing with friends, up for adventure, and willing to negotiate and compromise logically.   Either the aliens have retuned him or even trolls can change for the better.  Either way it's good.

     morning goofballs

Blogger has been acting up for me lately so every time I sit down to write I get a bit discouraged, and quickly move onto something else.  It seems to be working now, so a quick, uninspired, post about what we're up to....eventually I'll have something more interesting to say, and hopefully Blogger will cooperate then too.

Its been a month of whirlwind weather from 20 inches and below freezing for a week or so, to 50 degrees and torrential rains.  This morning we awoke to 3 fluffy inches of fresh white, with a flurry of 5-6 more sticky heavy inches today.  Its looking like winter again. Hopefully there's enough of a cushion for a ski later this week.

Wylie has begun what I like to refer to as his "social experiment":  public school.  I'll say this was not something I was voting for, and it isn't something I'm particularly enjoying, but I can see some learning experiences that will come of it.  At this point I'd be surprised if he expressed an interest in attending longer than our agreed upon length.  If he does we'll have to figure out the best choice for our family in approaching his schooling next fall.

I think I've written a bit before in this space about my struggle as a mother of older children, to include their intuition when making decisions.  I've always based big parenting decisions on my gut instinct--which so far I feel, has been successful.   But now that the kids aren't babies or toddlers, their own gut feelings must necessarily weigh in on decisions pertaining to them.  For Wylie's school situation that meant respecting his curiosity and desire to see how the majority of his peers spend their days.  So, even though it wasn't our first choice, even though it still isn't sitting right with me, we're rolling with it.  Trusting that his experiences homeschooling and being part of a respectful family and social group will allow him to approach this new experience with an objective slant, taking what he needs and leaving the rest.

At home things are a bit more mellow with just the two kids most days.  We're back into the swing of things school wise, back into lessons, meetings etc.  The long holiday stretch is so lovely and necessary, but It feels good to be on a schedule again too.

Pics:
*books by flashlight
* chess with cousins
*giant icicles after the ice storm
*snow play
* carols with friends
*Fowler Holiday Favorite Lights awards--delivered to 4 deserving families in the Belfast area
* Icy weather vane
* rockin' snow suit

Merry Christmas!

After 5 days of snow, rain, ice, ice, more ice, and grey skies the sun rose for us this Christmas Day.  It was nothing short of spectacular.  The kids are all still nursing fevers and cough, but I sneaked out for a few minutes of breath taking beauty (and fresh air).    Despite their illness it has been a low key, sweet kind of holiday with no one too sick to play a bit and eat too much sugar.  

We are of the fortunate few who lost power for only a day, while many of our relatives and neighbors are without power going on 4 days now.  It has been a hard, cold holiday for many in our area.  We feel fortunate to be enjoying the beauty of the ice from a warm home, with all of the conveniences of electricity.  Hope you are keeping warm where ever you are.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

   Merry Christmas! 

Happy Solstice!

Here's to a very merry holiday, may the light find you where ever you're celebrating.  Happy Solstice!

 

 

Snow

Those snowflakes on the window did the trick, and last week we went from 4 inches to 20 or so in a few short days.  We've been sledding and X-country skiing, appreciating this fluffy snow before it ices up or melts away.  For a week it was cold, cold, here, negative numbers well after sun up for a day or two.  Now that we're back to double digits 30 degrees feels downright comfortable.  But when its cloudy like today I really feel the low light.  Like an all day dusk we just can't seem to shake.  Only two more days, then we're on the up.  Those Pageans really knew what they were doing celebrating with light and festivals to tide through these dark days--and those Christians really knew what they were doing when they claimed this time for their most special of days.  I'm feeling grateful to all the faiths for the lights, song, and celebration that gets us through this month.   Mostly though, we grateful for snowsuits, mittens, boots, skis, snowshoes, sleds and snow, plus healthy bodies to carry us through and across it.  

Today we're cleaning and baking and setting up a bonfire, in preparation for far too many people to squeeze into our space come evening.  It is sure to be a crowded, chaotic mix of fun, good food, drink and joy. 

Merry Merry!