Reflections on Summer

During the summer there is almost no time to write.  My twin boys and I are busy with play, art, and work together and alongside each other.  In the end I hope they feel like they had great adventures, learned skills and developed deeper connections to nature and community in a way that complements the rigidity of school. We explore mediums for artistic expression. We invent. We play in the yard as well as go to urban parks for playful afternoons and long evenings.  It is important to me that we play often until the light of day has flickered away.  We built forts in the woods and we camped.  We tried to eat local food and chomp on corn on the cob outside as much as we could before the bees and wasps found us.  Here are some of the things that make you feel connected to the world  in the city or country:

Time with sky  I want the boys to grow up knowing to pay attention to the clouds above them and the horizon away from them.  They have learned the old adage "red sky at night, sailors delight and red sky in morning sailors take warning." I also want them to experience the crows flying over and the sounds of the world around them as the sun sets.

Stars and the Moon  We spent a couple of nights in New Halem and Colonial Creek away from City Lights, but ironically near the dams that provide so much of the City of Seattle's light.  We also look out the window or stand on the porch when brushing our teeth...looking for the moon.

Water, Exploring it by throwing rocks, searching for invertebrates, watching streams flow and experiencing the tides.

Wind  Playing with kites, hearing the trees, and knowing when to stay out of the forest.

Temperature Variations I am thankful that my boys can experience the hot humidity of the midwest on visits with family as well as that they can survive the cold rain on a summer camping trip in the NW.

All of these experiences occur by making time out of doors as part of life.    There are so many more, but by experiencing the elements, by paying attention to them, it seems we must be making memories more meaningful.