A blurb for gratitude

The day began with a cold grey sky. Only the eye of the sunrise--a great almond shape cut out of the cloud--was open to reveal dreamy blue, and flecks of gold. We started it right, with pumpkin pudding (a little too gingery, perhaps) and banana muffins. Me and Mama got school going, precariously reading, folding laundry and keeping G out of too much trouble. Elaina went to work on her still life, which is autumnal, smooth and (honestly!) beautiful. It may be my favorite of her paintings so far. Our morning walk was a rainy one, ranging from mist to pelts to a drizzle at tempo. Now that it is afternoon, there is only a foggy breath ensconcing the valley, and a thick comforter of clouds. There is no rain.
To say the least, I am glad that it is autumn. I'm glad that the school week was good, and that it is almost over! I'm glad for the (license-stimulated) chances to be with friends, whether praying together or cheering at a football game. I'm glad that Daddy will come home from a business trip tonight, and we will have a delicious family weekend. From grey sunrise to the people I love, I am glad!

Two Weekends

Last weekend was spent celebrating Mama's birthday at our favorite haunt--a quiet, rustic cabin tucked away in the shelter of the cascade foothills. We were so happy to relax there, just being together (and holding my peaceful, newborn nephew!), enjoying the river sounds and the clean mountain air. Me and Daddy even found time to go on a wonderful run up and (painfully) back down the mountain at our doorstep. We were so enthralled with the scenery on top of the ridge that, the next day, we took G up  there to explore, this time in our car. We found a beautiful glacier lake that was cold and blue and perfect for skipping rocks across.
Just as we were happy to hide away at the cabin last weekend, we are happy to be home now. I finished my second school week, plummeting from the heights of scholarly excitement to the plateau of a high-schooler catching up after Labor Day. I had to transfer one book (a very good book by Don Richardson) from my "school reading" list to my "to be read whenever I have spare time" list, which means that it will take an eternity to get through.  I groaned and vowed I would never take another holiday, if it meant so many extra hours of reading. But I'm sure I will. However, I hope that next time I'll catch up a little faster. For now, a good Sunday at home-ish. Which means lots of time writing, being in nature, and reading some Don Richardson!

Back to School (and a few good books)

My school-days begin with these:

And end here:

But between the running shoes and the bedside table are about fifteen hours of wonder. Honestly, it's exhausting. I have rediscovered that tiredness that comes from real labor (whether mental or physical) and consequently can enjoy the deliciousness of falling quickly to sleep each night, tired and satisfied with the day. The wonder is well worth the exhaustion: my school curriculum is a treasure trove of excellent literature that helps my roots to grow deeper and my fingertips to reach up among the stars. The Human Body: Fearfully and Wonderfully Made, by Dr. Jay L. Wile and Marilyn M. Shannon, M.A., is a perfect fit for this final year of high school, since I have always been excited about health and fitness, and plan on studying exercise science next year. I'm hoping to develop a solid foundation of knowledge in anatomy and physiology throughout the next few months, at least enough to prepare me somewhat for the college level courses to come. I am working through three government/politics works: The Complete Idiots Guide to U.S. Government & Politics (Franco Scardino), God and Politics (edited by Gary Scott Smith) and Basic American Government by Clarence B. Carson. I used to dread any politically-oriented discussion or article that popped up because I didn't understand them. I still don't understand them, but I am now on the way to understanding, and enjoying the journey. I'm also reading William Zinsser's On Writing Well, 100 Best-Loved Poems, edited by Philip Smith, The Elements of Style (William Strunk JR. and E.B. White) and (my personal favorite) Mortimer J. Adler and Charles Van Doren's How to Read a Book. I've always enjoyed reading, but that last has broadened my perspective considerably on the topic of reading, and over the past week I have already discovered some great tips on reading effectively.
I wasn't ready for school to start this year. But I am ever so glad that it has! If you need a good read, please consider one of the seven that I've mentioned--they really are good.