Happy Month of Thanksgiving! I want to say a heartfelt thanks to anyone who has been reading my blog long-term. I don’t know who you are, and maybe there’s only two of you, but for anyone who has stuck with me, I greatly appreciate it. I am also indebted to those of you who have reached out and sent me an email or message on social media. I appreciate your friendship so much.
I am not sure what compels me to keep writing on this blog. It’s just something I do to stay sane, I guess. But knowing it’s helpful to a few people means a lot, so thank you.
You may have noticed I’ve been blogging more lately. I’m trying something new as I reflect back on these years of homeschooling. I am writing posts that I might have liked to have read when I first started homeschooling. I hope that they can be encouraging to new homeschoolers. I don’t know how many posts I have in me, but we’ll see. And stay tuned because even though I hate my recorded voice, but I may try to do a few videos too. (Maybe.) Wish me luck!
I’m going to record more current, personal nitty gritty on my Patreon page, and I’m always happy to share more information with people via video chat too. I’m putting this behind a paywall partly for privacy and to make sure I connect with those who truly appreciate the information. I don’t want cost to be a barrier, however, so email me, if it is. I will add a few links below to some of the work my boys and I have been doing on other sites.
As I have been writing this, my son spotted a young hawk outside my window, and then I had the privilege of watching it for about fifteen minutes. I saw it dive down into the leaf litter and catch a red-bellied snake and eat it! Then I saw it go up into the trees again, fluffing up its feathers because it’s cold outside. It was always looking around, looking for prey, I imagine. A very nervous squirrel sat in a tree nearby and sent out warning sounds. I never saw another bird while the hawk was in our yard. The animals in our yard work well together when they need to, don’t they?
It was a good reminder to me to slow down and remember why I’m doing everything I’m doing even when it seems pointless. The fruits of our labor don’t always show up in tangible ways. I hope someday I will look back on this life and see that homeschooling and all the sacrifices we’ve made were worth it. I hope I’ll feel that I’ve done well by sharing my tips on this blog too. But I imagine it will be a lot like my nature encounters: The time I’ve spent savoring them will add up to time well spent, though only in my mind and heart. I can live with that.
My Patreon Posts:
What I Wish I Had Done Differently
Homeschool Parents: Keep Good Records!
(NOTE: I have a $1 tier for anyone who would like to support my blog and read my posts on Patreon, but you don’t need the support group.)
My pianist’s Patreon Posts:
Practice Video #1: Ginastera Piano Sonata No. 1, 4th Mov.
Chopin Etude Op. 10 No. 5
Music Notes: October 2022 (monthly newsletter of activities)
As for my 13-year-old, he’s thrilled to have almost 100 subscribers on his YouTube channel, and he’s working on a celebratory video for when he reaches that milestone. If you haven’t seen any of his videos yet, here’s one:
Mama of Letters 
Hi! Long time reader here – so there’s at least me! I don’t know how I first found you many years ago, but I’m also interested in nature (and birding). Our kids are similar ages – 14, 9th grade and 13, 7th grade (our youngest are a week apart!). My kids have been playing the violin and cello since ages 7 and 6, so we have the shared days filled with classical music as well – although mine are only hobbyists. Additionally, my husband is a university professor (neuroscience).
My always-homeschooled oldest chose to attend public high school this year – so our days have changed somewhat. It wasn’t my choice, but she seems to be adjusting well. Her teachers rave about her personality and her grades are high. It is nice to have outside validation, although I know this shouldn’t matter. We still don’t know what the younger will choose to do for high school – he’s always said that he doesn’t want to attend physical school, but I think this might change based on his sister’s experience. It feels strange to shift my role in the house. I long for the early days of homeschooling again, but it’s so exciting watching these young people emerge!
Just wanted to say hi! You are appreciated!
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Natalie, yes, you have been here with me a very long time. Gosh, thank you! I’m so glad to hear your eldest is adjusting to public high school, and it’s great you allowed her that choice. I have asked my younger son if he would like to attend a high school, and he’s always given me an emphatic “no.” I admit there’s a tiny part of me that would be relieved, if I didn’t have to do high school twice, but I think I would rather have him home with me. 😉 Hopefully we can make his high school years great.
I hear you about longing for the early days of homeschooling. I do too sometimes. I feel a bit unmoored with all the changes and college applications looming, but hopefully I’ll find my way again. I’m trying to appreciate every moment because it is a very exciting time too!
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