Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category
Letting Go
April 13th, 2010 | Author: Shannon
Today we made a trip out to our compost pile and found hundreds of happy little worms turning our “waist” into fertile soil.
I’ve been spending time lately thinking about what I want to grow for myself this year: in the garden, in my life, in my community. I’ve started planting the seeds by 1) heading out to the garden and planting peas, lettuce, spinach, garlic, onions, broccoli, and kale; 2) taking my ideas of how to connect children and nature into the broader Rhode Island community through workshops; and 3) starting a blog carnival each Wednesday here at Backyard Mama.
I am starting to see the fruits of my labor which fills me with satisfaction.
Of course there are disappointments too: some of my lettuce didn’t come up, some peas floated away in the flood, not all workshop participants were enthralled with my ideas and the first carnival was much more successful than the second.
It’s through these expereinces that my soil becomes richly fertilized. The mistakes or failures that I let go of, fall to the grown like leaves from a tree and as they are transformed through my thoughts, they become the compost of next year; ever reminding me that what I let go of today, will feed me tomorrow.
One reason I love to learn lessons from nature is the simplicity of the life cycle: birth (springtime), ripeness (summertime), death, (autumntime), and transformation (wintertime). As I connect inside to these outer processes, letting go becomes as simple as breath.
Many thanks to my worms for reminding me that my thoughts can turn the ”waist” of my mind into rich fertile soil in which to plant the dreams of my lifetime.
This post is part of the 30 minute blog challenge over at Steady Mom. It’s a delight to share my thoughts with all these great ladies!
Earth Day: Building Blocks for a Better World
April 6th, 2010 | Author: Shannon
I love the innocence of children.
Today I watched as my little ones ran through our flower garden, full of blooming daffodils they planted in the Fall. Jumping and singing and being totally present in their play.
A few weeks ago my son wrapped up blocks and gave them to me as presents. Then built me a “sink” (not sure why he picked a sink maybe it’s where I spend most of my day) but this is what he created:
He loves to craft and create and listens eagerly to us as we discuss modifications to the house or the yard.
Then in his play (like with his sink) he imitates everything he has heard (learned) from us adults.
I’ll admit, when I see him in the garden digging holes and “planting”; or building houses; or planning yard projects like adding compost to one side of the yard and moving rocks from one place to another; or when he gathers his tools to get some dirt from the forest.. I really smiles inside and out- because I know that as he imitates me, he is learning to care for the Earth.
We’re planning to pick up garbage for Earth Day, what’s your plan?
This is part of the Steady Mom Blog Challenge- dare I tell you the truth? Start to finish post time- 12 minutes.
Photo Friday #2: Tilling
March 26th, 2010 | Author: Shannon
Here I am, getting into the grove of tilling our newest garden row.
Photo credit: Jeremiah, 3 years old.
My Goals for Getting Outside
March 15th, 2010 | Author: Shannon
Debi over at Go Explore Nature gave me this idea, so I figured after the thrill of thinking about it, I’d share my discovery with you!
Our Backyard
We currently spend at least an hour a day outside, usually more… I want to keep this going.
I also want to explore our backyard more by:
- making a nature trail through our woods
- expanding our vegetable garden
- building a sunflower house (ref. Roots, Boots, Buckets and Shoots)
- having many backyard cook outs
- camping out in our pine forest this summer
- pick blueberries while canoeing on our pond
Local Exploration
We have an incredible number of local hiking places, yet we have so much fun at home, we rarely venture out… I want to:
- canoe or kayak down the Wood River
- wade in tide pools at low tide
- hike in Ninigrit Park
- visit Kettle Pond
- hike and take pictures at Trustom Pond through the seasons
- go to Normon Bird Sanctuary
- swim in the ocean
- take the ferry to Block Island
Further A Field
These are long term goals, so if I only get to one or two this year, I’ll feel successful but I’ve enjoyed thinking about some adventures for me and my little tree climber.
- go on an overnight backpacking trip with my son
- drive across country staying at National Parks and camp grounds
- go snowshoeing or cross country skiing in really deep snow
- visit organic or biodynamic farms locally and across the country
I’m excited, stir crazy and rearing to head outside!
A Gift of Heart
February 26th, 2010 | Author: Shannon
I love it when I see folks doing meaningful work with their creative genius. I went to school with the guys that made this video about the aftermath of the earthquake in Haiti.
Thank you Remedy for this gift from your Heart.
Guest Post!
February 8th, 2010 | Author: Shannon
Head over to Loving Nature’s Garden to see what my adventurer has planned this weekend!
Thank you Alison for this great opportunity!
Love Letters
February 8th, 2010 | Author: Shannon
According to Hallmark 188 million valentines cards are given world wide; which means the cards are manufactured, shipped, distributed, purchased, sent or give. A whole lot of energy and fuel goes into this love holiday.
I challenge readers to hand make valentines cards, chocolates and buy real plants or seeds for their loved ones this year. Find lovely verses, like the age old favorite, “roses are red, violets are blue, sugar is sweet, and so are you.” Hand write your love.
I challenge readers even further to let your love shine throughout the year with love letters. Make simple hearts out of construction paper and send them to friends and family, teachers, bosses, ministers, priests, librarians, all the people who serve our lives. I am going to send a love letter to my husband once a week this year. Reminding him of all the reasons why I chose to spend my life with him.
Homemade is special
In third grade, I have my teacher a handmade Valentines Day card, I made if from purple construction paper and glued dried flowers on it. When I graduated from eight grade, he gave it back to me as a memento from elementary school. Handmade cards mean so much to the giver and receiver.
Three years ago, instead of giving everyone in my family chocolates, I made a meal and invited all to share it with me. I decorated the table with chocolates, a beautiful table cloth and our best china, we spent the evening together. I did purchase little cards for each person, but I had a newborn baby and only had time for either cooking.
Three ways spend that special night
1) Have a potluck. Instead of heading to the restaurant, invite friends over for a candle light dinner; plan for a house large enough to accommodate kids with a movie and special dinner while the parents (adults) have a special night of conversation and cocktails. The romance can happen at home!
2) Go for a walk. Watching the sunset, snuggled under a blanket at the beach or on a mountain top or in a field of long grass is more romantic then any restaurant. Bring a picnic basket of your favorite finger foods, leave discussion of bills, and school, kids, or cars problems at home, and spend the evening basking in the last rays of the sun and the warmth of your honey’s arms.
3) Partner Yoga Find a class or get a DVD and roll out the yoga mats in the living room (maybe by candle light). Learn a new way of relating to your loved one by moving together through yoga poses to strengthen muscles, increase flexibility and bring you closer. (Other stuff can come later- that’s out of my comfort zone folks- I am talking YOGA here.)
What other simple fun (inexpensive) ways do you share your LOVE on Valentines Day?
This post was originally a contribution to 5 minutes for Going Green. Check out what the great writers over there have to say!
Share in a Spiritual Fasting
February 2nd, 2010 | Author: Shannon
Fasting means to “hold firm” or “have firm control of oneself”, it is associated with abstaining from food for religious observance or for medical reasons.
I woke up this morning thinking about fasting.
A few years ago, I did a weekly day long fast but with motherhood (and nursing) I abstained from fasting to keep my energy up. (Interesting that fasting- as in getting faster- is actually a way to slow down?)
But fasting is not just about limiting food; it can be about limiting some foods, or limiting “plugged in” time, or certain thoughts and words.
“Holding firm” or having “self-control” is what motherhood is all about. Motherhood (in some ways) is about fasting from self-centeredness and selfishness; it’s about making sure that our children learn self-control and discipline.
There are many ways to fast some are a physical fast (as in limiting food) some are more a mental fast (as in limiting thoughts or words).
Cleansing the body is partially about cleansing the mind- because it takes the ability to “hold firm” and be disciplined; and cleansing the mind is partially about cleansing the body.
I am interested in exploring the Master Cleanse for a physical fast and I am considering re-committing to a weekly day-long fast from food. This summer I would like to try a longer fast (10 days perhaps) when I have lots of fresh veggies in my garden and can prepare my body with abundant homegrown raw foods.
Ash Wednesday is next week and in some religious traditions lent (which starts on Ash Wednesday and ends at Easter) is a time of fasting. Some fast from sugar, or chocolate, but this lent I want to go deep within myself to fast from negative thinking, from being critical to myself, and from setting my expectations so high that they lead to disappointment.
Not as a Christian tradition, but as a human spiritual tradition, what might you cleanse from this lent? What can you let go of that’s keeping you from your highest purpose?
This is part of the Steady Mom 30 minute blog challenge. Thanks to Jaime for this great opportunity to link-up and share with other mama bloggers. Have a great day everyone and be gentle to yourself and eachother! Please read about and support Love 146.
Cardinal in the Climbing Tree
January 29th, 2010 | Author: Shannon
In the “blizzard of ‘09″ a few weeks ago… I looked out the front window to see this little cardinal playing in our climbing tree.
Only a few months ago, we spent many hours every day catching leaves as they fell from this lovely tree.
I love the contrast in these two pictures- the radiance of the red and green, the softness of the snow covered tree- with the bright red bird.
I am excited to see what Spring brings to the colors of our climbing tree!
Have a great weekend friends! Spend some time playing outside!
Is there a special place in your yard that you notice as it changes through the seasons?
Being a mommy and a daddy
January 12th, 2010 | Author: Shannon
Before I became a mother, I was a perfect parent; even in my early mothering days with a little infant, I still felt I had a lot of the answers and few problems.
I made a lot of great decisions for my son and our family:
Although he was born in a hospital, I labored at home till I was in transition (imagine driving to the hospital in transition- I so wish I had a home birth!)
We had a “natural” birth. The first time my son suckled at my breast, his umbilical cord was fully attached.
His grandmother (not a nurse) gave him his first bath.
We nursed… and the advice my midwife gave me was, “if you put a baby and your nipples in the same room, that baby’s gonna figure out how to nurse. Don’t listen to the lactation consultants, they are looking for what’s wrong, not what’s right.”
We took a mommy-baby yoga class and started forming lasting friendships with dear friends who are still in our life.
I wore him around the house in a sling, then a wrap, then a back carrier.
I think I followed the “attachment-parenting” model almost to a T without knowing what it was. (I refused to read books or go to classes- I wanted to parent intuitively).
My son met all the bench marks perfectly or early. Infancy passed (he was walking by 10 months old) and with toddler hood upon us, life got a lot more difficult.
My very confident baby, was now a very confident little person with a mind of his own and the physical ability to accomplish his wishes.
Since that time, I have made so many mistakes: I have yelled, thrown things, slammed doors, let him watch TV- all sorts of things my pre-motherhood perfection would totally snark at.
And sometimes I become hyper-critical of my mistakes. But really, I am great with kids.
Bring me a behavoral problem with a little background, I’ve got some viable ideas for how to attend to it…
I am temporarily a foster mother to a little girl and she is thriving in my care. But I do still need moments of reflection for better ways to attend to my own son.
Then last week, my son and his friend were playing with our little baby girl.
My son said: “I’ll be the daddy and you be the mommy. That means we hug her and kiss her and feed her and love her a whole bunch. And she’ll be okay.”
