I had big plans to write a blog post and then, once again, life happened, so here I am a few days later... I guess I should start with an update. A bit over a year ago Nuriel and I moved to rural Vermont where I started teaching. Having enjoyed a year in the Farm & Forest Kindergarten at our school, this girl started first grade a couple of days ago. The last two mornings have been chilly, so here is the first grader, wrapped in woolen goodness on the way out the door.
She is a lucky girl attending a Waldorf school in rural Vermont with a most wonderful first grade teacher from New Zealand. My girl gets to hear a Kiwi accent on a daily basis. I couldn't be more pleased!
Noah is in his third year of college, studying political science. Quite the progressive thinker. Nathan is planning on pursuing a degree in graphic design/marketing. They share an apartment back in Virginia. After seven years of owning a house, I sold my home in Richmond this spring. It was bittersweet as Nu was born in this home, yet it was the right thing to do in moving forward.
I'm teaching twenty students in a combined 4/5 grade this year. Having taken a class from 1st through 8th grade in the "traditional" fashion, it's quite nice to be able to pour even more creativity into one's work with a combined group. I'm ever searching for ways to bring discussions on privilege and race to students and I'm looking forward to sharing my thoughts and what I learn along the way here.
Nu and I live in a small apartment {no dishwasher} by a beautiful creek. Sweet & simple living. A tiny food co-op in walking distance. And better yet, a bar, too! - We quite like rural Vermont life although we do live close to "the big city," population 7500.
I've found a new connection to nature and especially plants. I've received a grant to study with Annie McCleary at the Wisdom of the Herbs School. I'm looking forward to the experience and hope to share here, too, in the future. I'm very happy with these Calendulas I grew from seed. The flower heads are plump and they smell divine.