Laura Bourdo

> From: Kelly Ferry <kpacklight@...>
> Subject: Re: getting over fears
>
> I'm amazed that after a solid 15 years of working on myself and
> letting go of the disappointment and unhappiness of my childhood, that
> so many of these old things have risen up again. I should know better.


Hi Kelly --

You've been getting such good feedback on this, I didn't think I had much to
add to it, but this passage triggered a thought.

First of all, good for you to have spent so much productive time working on
your issues. I can really relate to how hard and time-consuming and
long-term a process it is.

Something that I found in my own process, however, was that my kids
triggered mini-crises for me at different stages in their development. I
finally figured out that I was coming face to face with some of my old
demons as they reached certain ages and situations in their lives. These
demons just had never come up for me before, despite all the work I'd been
doing, because nothing had triggered them. For instance, when my firstborn
hit adolescence, I ended up having to work afresh on some of my own
sexuality issues. I couldn't deal with her angst until I'd confronted my
own.

I'm wondering whether part of your emotional reaction to this part of your
son's life might be related to this. Is there something that he is facing
right now, or some way that he is reacting to his circumstances, that
reminds you of a place you have been yourself, and could this account for
these feelings of paralysis and such?

I might be way off base, but I thought it might be worth asking.

Peace to you,
Laura B.

Danielle Conger

I'm not sure how many folks here will be as excited by this as I am, but
I thought Sandra with her interest in music and background in English
might possibly be...

One of my favorite Romantic poets, William Blake, wrote the Songs of
Innocence and the Songs of Experience, some of which appeal to younger
kids, so my kids have a copy of each that includes pictures of his
original illuminuted plates--he was an artist as much as or more than a
writer, and his art is pretty trippy. My kids can actually recite part
of one of his poems because they love it so much, "Tyger, tyger, burning
bright/ In the forests of the night/ What immortal hand or eye/ Dare
frame thy fearful symmetry?"

Well anyway, a composer William Bolcom put all Blake's Songs to music
and the first recording of it is being released today. Supposedly, the
different Songs represent all kinds of different musical genres from
classical to reggae and jazz. I'm definitely going to purchase it--yet
more dots in our unschooling adventure!

You can read more about Bolcom below:

http://www.npr.org/programs/morning/ and here
http://www.bolcomandmorris.com/bolcom.html

--Danielle

http://www.danielleconger.com/Homeschool/Welcomehome.html

catherine aceto

I love William Blake, also. Do you have this book - A Visit to William Blake's Inn by Nancy Willard. Though written for children, I think I liked it more than my daughter the last time we got if from the library. But a fun book for Blake lovers. http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0152938230/102-7029996-2242532?v=glance

I love the idea of the music and will definitely plan to get it. Thanks posting about it!!

-Cat

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Danielle Conger

Yes, isn't it wonderful! I found it last year at a great little
independent bookstore in Gulf Shores, AL while visiting my mom.

--Danielle

http://www.danielleconger.com/Homeschool/Welcomehome.html



catherine aceto wrote:

>I love William Blake, also. Do you have this book - A Visit to William Blake's Inn by Nancy Willard. Though written for children, I think I liked it more than my daughter the last time we got if from the library. But a fun book for Blake lovers. http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0152938230/102-7029996-2242532?v=glance
>
>I love the idea of the music and will definitely plan to get it. Thanks posting about it!!
>
>-Cat
>
>
>

Anne O

Danielle: ***One of my favorite Romantic poets, William Blake, wrote the Songs of
Innocence and the Songs of Experience, some of which appeal to younger
kids, **

Have you read Skellig, by David Almond? It's a young adult book, and in it a wonderful homeschooled girl always quotes William Blake.

I think you'd like it...Jake and Sam and I really loved it.

~ Anne


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Kelli Traaseth

Quote from Skellig, Mina, the homeschooler, is speaking:


"My mother educates me," she said. "We believe that schools inhibit the natural curiosity, creativity, and intelligence of children. The mind needs to be opened out into the world, not shuttered down inside a gloomy classroom."

Then later, Mina and another main character is talking,,

"Our motto is on the wall by my bed," she said. "'How can a bird that is born for joy/Sit in a cage and sing?' William Blake." She pointed up into the tree. "The chicks in the nest won't need a classroom to make them fly. Will they?"



We also love this book, my dd(10) is reading it right now. We love Mina :) and this is our favorite Mina quote, <g>

Thanks Anne for recommending it on the Unschooling.com message boards.

Kelli~

Anne O <ohman@cit link.net> wrote:
Danielle: ***One of my favorite Romantic poets, William Blake, wrote the Songs of
Innocence and the Songs of Experience, some of which appeal to younger
kids, **

Have you read Skellig, by David Almond? It's a young adult book, and in it a wonderful homeschooled girl always quotes William Blake.




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Julie

We also love this book, my dd(10) is reading it right now. We love Mina
:) and this is our favorite Mina quote, <g>

Thanks Anne for recommending it on the Unschooling.com message boards.

Kelli~

We loved it too. I expected Jess (10) to love Mina too. They're both
outspoken and spirited (and like William Blake!) but he was completely
caught up with Skellig. He was fascinated by him and there was no room in
his mind for anyone else. He stills mentions him occasionally and some of
the characters he makes up for his games and stories have characteristics
like Skellig.

Julie

AnneO

Kelli Traaseth wrote:

> We also love this book, my dd(10) is reading it right now. We
love Mina :) and this is our favorite Mina quote, <g>
>
> Thanks Anne for recommending it on the Unschooling.com message
boards.

***************************

We STILL have *Skellig* conversations and we listened to the book
YEARS ago. It is very thought-provoking and mind-expanding...and you
get to go *You GO Girl* with homeschooled Minna's marvelous
quotes! ;-)

~ Anne