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Duncan and I have our first fencing class tomorrow evening.

Yep---as if I didn't have enough to do! <bwg>

But I've been reading up on fencing. Unfortunately all the library
books are ANCIENT!---nothing since 1975. <g>

Anyway, I ran across this passage and thought I'd share:

"It is up to you to make of the sport what you want. The achievements
will be yours. This is true of anything you study. The teacher can't
give it to you, like pouring milk into a pitcher that just sits there.
You must take it. You must look at it from several angles, think about
it, tear it apart and put it back together, try, make mistakes, correct
yourself, practice, ask questions, try again. The teacher can show you,
point out where you went wrong, suggest what you can do to improve.

"Happily, there is no time limit and no grading. Stick with it and you
soon will become proficient. You will know that you have made
progress---not in comparison to anybody else, but from your own
personal starting place, according to your own characteristics, and
toward your own goals, or for your own purposes."

The book is _Complete Fencing_ by Albert Manley.

~Kelly

Kelly Lovejoy
Conference Coordinator
Live and Learn Unschooling Conference
October 6-9, 2005
http://liveandlearnconference.org

[email protected]

-----Original Message-----
From: sandrewmama <sandrewmama@...>

How fun for you and Duncan! My daughter, Zoe (7) has been taking
fencing
since last January. Here's a photo of her (she's the one on the right)
http://www.pbase.com/desmoinesfencingclub/image/42672235

Her interest in medieval warfare is what got her started and fotunately
the
coaches are good at making footwork and skills practice fun most of the
time. It is one of
the least expensive activities she's been involved in.

-=-=-=-

Nice photo---she's using a French handle? Wow.

Duncan's interest came from Japanese warfare---anime and manga.

I have been interested since high school and college. It was offered in
college, but I never got around to it. Too busy at the stable, I guess!

This seems like a great excuse! <G> I just have to decide between foil
and epee. By tomorrow night. <g>

~Kelly