Saturday is always a work day for me, but I got up early for garden time, to do a bit of watering and search for little creatures. And who doesn’t love having tea in the garden?
Desperate times call for desperate measures: the mosquitoes would love nothing more than to cover my legs in bites, so the overalls come out this morning, even though you know I’m a skirt and dresses kind of girl.
Almost immediately on stepping outside I saw this medium-sized praying mantis. She was preening at first and did not even realize I was there.
Then she stopped and turned her amazing head my way. Sure makes one feel teeny-tiny. I wonder how the little bugs feel when she comes around! I say good-bye and move on.
The phlox is in bloom and the bees are drugged by it. They don’t even notice when I touch them, much less take their picture.
The lavender-colored phlox is blooming too and also covered in bees. My thoughts this morning are still very much on what curriculum I’ll use for Michaela. I want to have a good year.
Looking down over the garden reminds me of looking over all the curriculum choices at the homeschool store or conference. Quite simply, there’s a huge mass of things. Some are worthwhile, some would be a waste of money and only add problems to our schedule, and some things are like diamonds in the rough, just waiting for the parent to put them to work.
It seems overwhelming at times to know how to weed through them and find what is perfect for our family for this year.
Creatures of nature have instincts to send them to what they need. Is buying curriculum like that? At all? I do have some instincts. I’m drawn to certain philosophies, and even the graphics within some programs appeal to me more than others. But it’s more than instinct.
It’s what can I afford? And what do I have time for? And what is good for the children? And don’t forget: what will the children like? I realize that everything can’t be gumdrops, but if they hate it… And hating something that was 50 dollars is a whole lot easier to stomach than hating something that was 1000 dollars.
Ah well. Time to go inside.
Thank you for sharing my garden time with me. The rest of the day will be typing, unless I’m taking a break in the garden, that is.
Lynn
for you to leave a comment, but you can also e-mail me at lynn AT thehealthyhomeschool.com
LYNN!!!!!!!!
YOUR SHOES ARE AWESOME!!!!
Yes, we will meet someday…and gosh, won’t we have lots to share with each other? For now… we’re fortunate to have each other’s blogs to follow!
Do you have currants? I have a super easy recipe for currant jelly up on my blog. I’m still thinking of mint jelly.
Have a wonderful weekend in your garden!
Mich/ivy
Dear Lynn,
I love the shoes! And the critters. I’m sure the curriculum will come together; remember that less is more, and keep it simple!
Love,
Marqueta
Thanks, Michele.
They are bright shoes, no? I don’t have currants, but cannot wait to check out your recipe.
Marqueta, thank you! Thanks too for the reminder that less is more. I am tending to think I do better putting my own curriculum together, and again, I know I want to do Beyond Five In A Row, so still thinking on all the other stuff.
Lynn
Lynn – to one nature enthusiast from another…..
I am Blessed by your blog site!
I too spend many hours in the natural presence of critters. They bring so much joy.
With much appreciation,
Tana
Lynn dear, sorry I’ve neglected your always lovely blog! Life is so busy – just returned from the New England trip (which was great) and now have a short breather before heading West for 2 weeks. Following that, my life will center around home, hopefully, and as we head toward the end of Summer and into Fall (cooler and without dastardly mosquitoes!!) I plan to get up with you…….and go treasure/thrift shopping!
Please be patient with me – meanwhile I’m thrilling to your flowers, bunnies, good bugs…..and of course your shoes!
Warm hugs from Raleigh – Mary.
Tana, thank you so much. I was out again this afternoon just enjoying the variety of little creatures in a tiny yard.
Mary, I don’t feel neglected at all! I have most certainly been to visit your blog a couple of times lately and just been too crazy-busy with work and life to leave a comment.
I know we’ll get together, and things are always best when they happen in their own sweet time. Wishing you safe and happy travels and a peaceful home-time in the not-too-distant future.
Lynn