May 9, 2021 Every progressive, inclusive thought is only as powerful as the ritual it permeates. – Swati Bhattacharya As our Muslim friends around the world prepare to celebrate the end of Ramadan this week, I have been reflecting on the importance of bringing a variety of festivals to children. I believe it is essential […]
Living Arts Weekly: Sharing Rituals and Traditions Read More »
May 2, 2021 As the Covid disruption continues, many schools have canceled their May Day celebrations. My little farm program in Wisconsin, however, made our very first maypole this year. The kids harvested their own pole by carrying a dead tree out of the forest and adorning it with ribbons. As we practiced the maypole
Living Arts Weekly: The Weaving of Community Read More »
April 25, 2021 Weaver John, a song by Benjamin Russel Hanby (1833-1867) Down in a cottage lives Weaver John And a happy old John is he Maud is the name of his dear old dame And a blessed old dame is she. Refrain Whick-ity, whack-ity, click and clan How the shuttles do glance and ring,
Living Arts Weekly: Circular Weaving Read More »
April 18, 2021 Accept the children the way we accept trees – with gratitude, because they are a blessing – but do not have expectations or desires. You don’t expect trees to change; you love them as they are. — Isabel Allende Recently, I visited my brother and sister to prune fruit trees at their house;
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April 11, 2021 Each of us is carving a stone, erecting a column, or cutting a piece of stained glass in the construction of something much bigger than ourselves. – Adrienne Clarkson Did you ever build an outdoor fort or tree house when you were little? Or a blanket-and-sheet fort indoors? I’ve been wondering about
Living Arts Weekly: Fort Building Read More »
April 4, 2021 The Easter Bunny’s feet go hop, hop, hop, While his big pink ears go flop, flop. He is rushing on his way To bring our eggs on Easter Day, With a hop, hop, hop, hop, hop. Have you ever wondered how the Easter Bunny became the ambassador for Easter? The tradition of
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March 28, 2021 When you discover something that nourishes your soul and brings joy, care enough about yourself to make room for it in your life. -Jean Shinoda Bolen This coming week is our unofficial spring break and a chance to give a big cleaning to the house. We have been setting in place some
Living Arts Weekly: The Seven Life Processes, Part Two Read More »
March 21, 2021 Like many, Spring brings me an impulse for days-long deep cleaning. I want to wipe out all the pantries, dust all the corners, sweep under and behind all the furniture and throw open the windows! Oh, I can feel it now. Close your eyes and picture it- I know you can feel
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March 14, 2021 The little brown bulb went to sleep in the ground, In his little brown nightie, he slept very sound. King Winter, he roared and he raged overhead, But the little brown bulb didn’t move in his bed. When Springtime came tip-toeing over the lea, Finger to lips, as soft as can be,
Living Arts Weekly: A Spring Story Read More »
March 7, 2021 Mix a pancake, Stir a pancake, Pop it in the pan; Fry the pancake, Toss the pancake, Catch it if you can. Pandemic life brought a welcome slowness to our days that has lasted through the year. It has been glorious, and just what we needed to navigate this otherwise strange experience.
Living Arts Weekly: Sourdough Pancakes Read More »
