Our Ekone Trip

We spent a wonderful weekend with some dear friends on Ekone Ranch. A wonderful time was had by all! Ladybug had a horseback lesson on Grasshopper, 25, who has trained many kids to ride, apparently including the instructor herself. The instructor was one of the most perceptive teachers I've ever met, she knew how to match the children with the horses, emphasizing that each horse had a different lesson to teach.


Ladybug is hoping to go to summer camp there next year. However if that is to happen, much saving needs to be had by all. It will be a lot of work for her, but very worth it.



Babybug had a great time throwing rocks, climbing hills, eating dirt (and ACORNS, oh my!), and getting carried by mama. Just he and I climbed a mountain. It was amazing.


We were treated to some amazing sunsets thanks to the forest fires in nearby Lyle.



My bestest friend's daughter has quite a fire for the outdoors. She was constantly catching bugs and frogs and investigating their magnificence. She also rode an amazing horse. I swear they are both smiling.

WeeFolkArt Giveaway!

Head on over to WeeFolkArt to be entered into a rainbow bean bag set giveaway! They have some really amazing ideas for crafts and fun stuff! Makes you want to own a scroll saw...

Calendar of the Soul-

Calendar of the Soul

[August 29, 2010 - September 04, 2010]

Twenty-second Week

The light from world-wide spaces
Works on within with living power;
Transformed to light of soul
It shines into the spirit depths
To bring to birth the fruits
Whereby out of the self of worlds
The human self in course of time shall ripen.
___________________________________

English translation by Ruth and Hans Pusch
___________________________________

Das Licht aus Weltenweiten,
Im Innern lebt es kräftig fort:
Es wird zum Seelenlichte
Und leuchtet in die Geistestiefen,
Um Früchte zu entbinden,
Die Menschenselbst aus Weltenselbst
Im Zeitenlaufe reifen lassen.
____________________________________________________________

Created for: The Rudolf Steiner Archive by:
The e.Lib, Inc. (c) 1990-2010

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A lot of fruits of the spirit born this week. We had an amazing weekend camping, with some enlightening experiences. Pictures later.

Busy Thursday

It's getting late. Or possibly early, depending on your perspective.

Thursday was Ladybug getting spacers for braces (the first half comes next week, the next set 10 days later). Then she and a friend went to the movies.

Taterbug and I cleaned carpets. This must be done again in a short time, I've waited far too long for it to be done, and now it's a disaster. It looks better tho, and his help was invaluable.

Saturday we are all going camping, half the family one direction, half the family the other direction, so tomorrow is planning and preparing. I would like to leave by 8am Saturday morning, the other half will leave much later in the day.

Friday I was supposed to work, but apparently there are not enough sick people, and so I was called off. Happy for the sick people, sad for my paycheck. Ah, well. Now, I'll get more done.

But first, I'd better get to sleep! See you all on Monday.

WIP-A weeks worth of knitting

I love knitting! Right now I have several things going (pretty usual!). This afternoon I rearranged the living room, and decided I needed a coaster. This is the end result (blocking), I think I'd like a second one. I have some yarn that is the same color as the teal in the heather which will become a second little coaster for the table next to my chair.


Here is a Tickle Hat for Tony. It needs a tassel and ear flaps. I'd like to be done soon because I have several more hats to go before Christmas!


These are some little finger mitts for Ladybug. I'll have a similar pair, only the main color will be turqoise, and Nana just might get some in green...



Very soon I need a list of things to knit or sew for Christmas. I'd really like as many things as possible to be handmade. A friend has promised me a scroll saw so that I can begin making some wood things, that is one skill I'm really looking forward to working on!

I can do this...

...self development thing. Right now I'm working on not letting a certain person at work intimidate me. How is it that one person can cause me so much anxiety. My mom would say that I'm in control of my own emotions, and I CHOOSE how to feel. Now I need to figure out how to choose differently.

I do feel myself getting stronger, building new skills, getting more self-confidence. I can do this, and with respect to even those who intimidate me.

Calendar of the Soul

Calendar of the Soul

[August 22, 2010 - August 28, 2010]

Twenty-first Week

I feel strange power, bearing fruit
And gaining strength to give myself to me.
I sense the seed maturing
And expectation, light-filled, weaving
Within me on my selfhood's power.
___________________________________

English translation by Ruth and Hans Pusch
___________________________________

Ich fühle fruchtend fremde Macht
Sich stärkend mir mich selbst verleihn,
Den Keim empfind ich reifend
Und Ahnung lichtvoll weben
Im Innern an der Selbstheit Macht.
________________________

Last week:

I feel at last my life's reality
Which, severed from the world's existence,
Would in itself obliterate itself,
And building only on its own foundation,
Would in itself bring death upon itself.

And the week before:

In secret to encompass now
With memory what I've newly got
Shall be my striving's further aim:
Thus, ever strengthening, selfhood's forces
Shall be awakened from within
And growing, give me to myself.

August by Elsa Beskow

AUGUST

August-the time of ripeness,
the corn glowing
the berries all ripening.

The magic stands guard,
watching,
the bilberries,
the raspberries,
blackberries,
cranberries,
and gooseberries,
the red and black currants,
the whortleberries,
cloudberries and more.

They dance in a ring,
the Berry Queen smiling,
clad in her August array.

And the magpie-
he just watches.

For he's not interested in August.

He's hungry.

Simple Joys

We spent a few days with my uncle this last week, and had a wonderful time. His home is in the mountains, all built by his own two hands, and so peaceful. He walks his kitties every day, I would love a life like that!



The view from a neighbors cabin:


Charlie didn't want to keep his shoes on.

And then on the drive home we stopped and played in the Deschutes river.