Wednesday, March 5, 2008
family fermentation
my mom and I are sharing our second batch of kim chee, a fabulous fermented food, made mostly of cabbage, root veggies, jalepeños, and handfuls of garlic. shredded, salted, seasoned, and shared with smiles in our quiet kitchen. every step is equally fulfilling.
Saturday, March 1, 2008
bald eagles
aint no lie. we've go bald eagles in Muir, Michigan. no kidding. down along the maple river lies the best kept secret of Ionia County. these majestic birds who bask in the glory and honor of our symbol of national identity have been blessed by more prayers and iconic replicas than any other critter on this continent. and in turn, we've been blessed by the sight of 'em.
my initial skepticism was squelched by the awesome sight of no less than 25 eagles, nearly 15 perched high in the stately branches of a proud and leafless tree, while another 15 or so bickered and bawked around on the snow covered ground.
weeks later as we drove up to the same site two mighty wings stretched out in flight before us. she soared no more than 30 ft above the hood of our truck. "that one's a young'ne," he smiled. "you see how the wings are still moulty, but the head is white? that means she's a two year, about to be a three year." he slowed the truck as a second winged beauty soared over us and he continued, "the first year's heads are greyish, while the second years are getting whiter, by the third year their colors are nearly matured and thier heads are bright white. she's a beauty isn't she?"
nothing like a bird of prey to spark a little romance.
my initial skepticism was squelched by the awesome sight of no less than 25 eagles, nearly 15 perched high in the stately branches of a proud and leafless tree, while another 15 or so bickered and bawked around on the snow covered ground.
weeks later as we drove up to the same site two mighty wings stretched out in flight before us. she soared no more than 30 ft above the hood of our truck. "that one's a young'ne," he smiled. "you see how the wings are still moulty, but the head is white? that means she's a two year, about to be a three year." he slowed the truck as a second winged beauty soared over us and he continued, "the first year's heads are greyish, while the second years are getting whiter, by the third year their colors are nearly matured and thier heads are bright white. she's a beauty isn't she?"
nothing like a bird of prey to spark a little romance.
Monday, February 25, 2008
letters
If I am not writing a letter than what am I doing? I learn the most about myself, express myself clearly, and write with such free abandon when I am writing letters. I've been a pen pal my whole life you see... my loved ones have always been far off. I don't quite know how to tell you I love you when you are near me, but I sure as hell know how to describe a frozen moonlit night when you are millions of miles away. So, I will keep writing letters until I run out of words.
Latest letter:
***I hope the prior receiver of this letter upon reading this don't feel less special that I have shared it with others... you see, when I write some letters, I just seem to spell out exactly how I feel, then I want to save the words... that's all. ***
I am not in Kalamazoo, but I would head in that direction if it meant playing music with you for an hour or two. I am living an hour north of there in a small Michigan farming town called Lake Odessa. I have a warm place to sleep, a very affectionate cat (not mine), a weekly old time music jam just six or so blocks away, and a job teaching Spanish to high school kids. truth be told, I am pretty content. I may be in love. and I may be full of shit. I saw 30 bald eagles a few weeks ago and just about lost my mind. grrrl, this cold, white, icy, and supposedly barren landscape may have a secret or two in hold for us.
truth be told, I would be as pleased as a pickle to sit down and make sweet, sweet music with you. how about a deal? you tell me a thing or two about what you are playing these days and I'll tell you a thing or two and maybe someday if we are in the same room we might be able to play a few things together. Sound good? Well, if this is the deal, (I guess I should wait for your approval) but just in case you approve of this deal I will go ahead and tell you what I got on my plate.... and that be... Shenandoah, Arkansas Traveler, Maple Sugar, Thali Wren Waltz (daisy may), well, and of course things like Angeline the Baker, Goodnight Irene, and Amazing Grace.
p.s. tell me your favorite old time tune cuz I want to learn the best of'em.
Latest letter:
***I hope the prior receiver of this letter upon reading this don't feel less special that I have shared it with others... you see, when I write some letters, I just seem to spell out exactly how I feel, then I want to save the words... that's all. ***
I am not in Kalamazoo, but I would head in that direction if it meant playing music with you for an hour or two. I am living an hour north of there in a small Michigan farming town called Lake Odessa. I have a warm place to sleep, a very affectionate cat (not mine), a weekly old time music jam just six or so blocks away, and a job teaching Spanish to high school kids. truth be told, I am pretty content. I may be in love. and I may be full of shit. I saw 30 bald eagles a few weeks ago and just about lost my mind. grrrl, this cold, white, icy, and supposedly barren landscape may have a secret or two in hold for us.
truth be told, I would be as pleased as a pickle to sit down and make sweet, sweet music with you. how about a deal? you tell me a thing or two about what you are playing these days and I'll tell you a thing or two and maybe someday if we are in the same room we might be able to play a few things together. Sound good? Well, if this is the deal, (I guess I should wait for your approval) but just in case you approve of this deal I will go ahead and tell you what I got on my plate.... and that be... Shenandoah, Arkansas Traveler, Maple Sugar, Thali Wren Waltz (daisy may), well, and of course things like Angeline the Baker, Goodnight Irene, and Amazing Grace.
p.s. tell me your favorite old time tune cuz I want to learn the best of'em.
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Why Waldorf?
Everyday I am realizing more and more that Waldorf Education is where my passion lies. My whole life has been preparing me to be a Waldorf Teacher. During the last six months I need only mention the word Waldorf or the name Rudolf Steiner, and personal connections come tumbling at me from all directions.
My first remembrances of Waldorf Education is when my younger brother, Adrian, was attending a Waldorf school up in Cedar Springs, Michigan. I didn't think about it much until years later when I spoke extensively with a family friend, Audrey, about her experiences as a Waldorf trained teacher. For hours I sat and listened, absorbed in her passion for Waldorf Education and delighting in the twinkle in her eyes as she described the role Rudolf Steiner's philosophy in her life thus far. This set my creative juices flowing. I read what ever I could get my fingers on both promoting and bashing this ever growing educational fad.
Shortly after this conversation I embarked on an exploratory adventure traveling through México. I was paying between 10-15 pesos per hour for these precious moments connected to the world wide web, but I continued my pursuit as diligently as ever. I found that Waldorf Education is a truly international phenomenon found in more than 80 countries across the world, including México. I eagerly contacted the nearest school. Goethe Elementary School is located in México, D.F. (Mexico City) and I was lucky enough to tour the premises and enjoy a delightful conversation with the woodworking teacher. He shared with me his own story as well as the history and direction of the Goethe school. I was enchanted by the soothing pastel washed walls, the aura of nature emanating from the woodwork, and the sound of the full school chorus drifting up through the patio as we sat in the faculty library. This was my first (purposeful) Waldorf experience, found right in the heart of the biggest, craziest, supposedly-most-dangerous city in the world, and it only left me with more questions and a deeper yearning to learn more.
Heading north, I contacted the Colegio Yeccan Waldorf in Guanajuato, México. There I found an even more welcoming staff, allowing me two classroom observations, tour of the premises, and even a lunch date with the English teacher. When I first arrived, there was a great commotion in the lobby where twenty or so children were practicing what I later learned to call eurythmy. They were constantly in motion, simultaneously exercising their mind, body, and heart. I sat in on the fifth grade class, where an engaging and experienced teacher led the empowered and excited children in dance, song, and main-lesson geography activities. The next day I returned and was pleased to observe the fourth grade main-lesson as well. I could feel the positive energy like the warmth of a mother's hug wrapping around me.
With each step in my path I continue to be greeted with confirmation and encouragement. With each step I feel closer to home.
When I mentioned my interest in this alternative form of education, my aunt Susan immediately handed me a book. Seven lectures from the 1920's that Rudolf Steiner gave to a room full of teachers who were planning to open a school based on his theories of anthroposophy. My godmother tells me she based her homeschooling heavily on Waldorf principles and she can't wait to talk with me more about my plans. My step-mom studied it. Another friend of the family, Pam's, bachelors thesis was a study on Waldorf Education. My uncle Ron said that he studied Waldorf Education back in the day, but wound up as a chiropractor. My aunt Kea told me she spent some time at the Detroit Waldorf School and has a stack of books I should read. My friends are interested in it, and my family supportive.
It is time for me to take a dive.
Waldorf history:
http://www.whywaldorfworks.org/02_W_Education/history.asp
Considering being a teacher?
http://www.whywaldorfworks.org/08_TeacherPrep/index.asp
My first remembrances of Waldorf Education is when my younger brother, Adrian, was attending a Waldorf school up in Cedar Springs, Michigan. I didn't think about it much until years later when I spoke extensively with a family friend, Audrey, about her experiences as a Waldorf trained teacher. For hours I sat and listened, absorbed in her passion for Waldorf Education and delighting in the twinkle in her eyes as she described the role Rudolf Steiner's philosophy in her life thus far. This set my creative juices flowing. I read what ever I could get my fingers on both promoting and bashing this ever growing educational fad.
Shortly after this conversation I embarked on an exploratory adventure traveling through México. I was paying between 10-15 pesos per hour for these precious moments connected to the world wide web, but I continued my pursuit as diligently as ever. I found that Waldorf Education is a truly international phenomenon found in more than 80 countries across the world, including México. I eagerly contacted the nearest school. Goethe Elementary School is located in México, D.F. (Mexico City) and I was lucky enough to tour the premises and enjoy a delightful conversation with the woodworking teacher. He shared with me his own story as well as the history and direction of the Goethe school. I was enchanted by the soothing pastel washed walls, the aura of nature emanating from the woodwork, and the sound of the full school chorus drifting up through the patio as we sat in the faculty library. This was my first (purposeful) Waldorf experience, found right in the heart of the biggest, craziest, supposedly-most-dangerous city in the world, and it only left me with more questions and a deeper yearning to learn more.
Heading north, I contacted the Colegio Yeccan Waldorf in Guanajuato, México. There I found an even more welcoming staff, allowing me two classroom observations, tour of the premises, and even a lunch date with the English teacher. When I first arrived, there was a great commotion in the lobby where twenty or so children were practicing what I later learned to call eurythmy. They were constantly in motion, simultaneously exercising their mind, body, and heart. I sat in on the fifth grade class, where an engaging and experienced teacher led the empowered and excited children in dance, song, and main-lesson geography activities. The next day I returned and was pleased to observe the fourth grade main-lesson as well. I could feel the positive energy like the warmth of a mother's hug wrapping around me.
With each step in my path I continue to be greeted with confirmation and encouragement. With each step I feel closer to home.
When I mentioned my interest in this alternative form of education, my aunt Susan immediately handed me a book. Seven lectures from the 1920's that Rudolf Steiner gave to a room full of teachers who were planning to open a school based on his theories of anthroposophy. My godmother tells me she based her homeschooling heavily on Waldorf principles and she can't wait to talk with me more about my plans. My step-mom studied it. Another friend of the family, Pam's, bachelors thesis was a study on Waldorf Education. My uncle Ron said that he studied Waldorf Education back in the day, but wound up as a chiropractor. My aunt Kea told me she spent some time at the Detroit Waldorf School and has a stack of books I should read. My friends are interested in it, and my family supportive.
It is time for me to take a dive.
Waldorf history:
http://www.whywaldorfworks.org/02_W_Education/history.asp
Considering being a teacher?
http://www.whywaldorfworks.org/08_TeacherPrep/index.asp
Friday, February 15, 2008
fiddlin' findin'
In searching for a nearby fiddle instructor I stumbled across the ThunderFoot Cloggers, a local gang of Appalachian style cloggers who also host a weekly folk jam. Right here in the quiet little village of Lake Odessa, the ThunderFoot Cloggers and I are raisin' the roof an' tearin' up the floor! Just 7 blocks out the door and across the railroad tracks I get my weekly fix of old-time American music. And these folks are old-timers. Not a soul in the room under 60, but they're as lively as spring chicks with some impressive fast tappin' toes.
My fiddle is still screeching a bit, but the Arkansas Traveler has got me inspired...
... oh, once upon a time in Arkansas
an old man sat in his little cabin door
and he fiddled out a tune that he liked to hear
a jolly old tune that he played by ear
it was raining hard but the fiddler didn't care
he sawed away at the popular air
though his roof tree leaked like a waterfall
that didn't seem to bother the man at all. (!!!)
My fiddle is still screeching a bit, but the Arkansas Traveler has got me inspired...
... oh, once upon a time in Arkansas
an old man sat in his little cabin door
and he fiddled out a tune that he liked to hear
a jolly old tune that he played by ear
it was raining hard but the fiddler didn't care
he sawed away at the popular air
though his roof tree leaked like a waterfall
that didn't seem to bother the man at all. (!!!)
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Maestra Me
Today I toured Belding High School. My future place of employment. Sra. Rivers made it real easy on me, basically she said I can do WHAT EVER I want. Not and ounce of presure from her! She recommended I cover chapters 1, 2 & 3. Mexico City, Pre-Colombian History, and FOOD! I couldn't ask for more appropriate subjects!
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