Monday, February 22, 2016

A Quiet Growing Time

A quiet growing time is a phrase usually associated with Charlotte Mason's description of the life of a young child.  But I found that it beautifully detailed my time last week on our rare vacation.  We spent a glorious week at the beach and during that time, I indulged myself in time to grow.

During our week, I spent time by the sea soaking up the sun.  (I was desperate, DESPERATE for the sun since we've had four winter storms in three weeks.)  In between long walks and games of paddle ball, I read my version of a "chick flick" title, Miss Buncle's Book by D.E. Stevenson.  I had started it months ago and just never clicked with it.  I enjoyed it, though, as a leisurely read.  This is the first in a series.

I have always picked up a word search puzzle book before every beach trip.  They are easy to do on the beach, especially in the midst of constant interruptions by boys.  I noted that I searched out any puzzle dealing with books, one on fairy tales, one on Rudyard Kipling, and the third, a list of "banned books", many of which are on my shelves!

I tucked in Anthony Esolen's relatively new title, Life Under Compulsion:  Ten Ways to Destroy the Humanity of Your Child.  I was challenged by his other book and this one will be no exception.  The Washington Times says, "Esolen's skewering of contemporary culture with all of its political correctness and shallow moral gestures is devastating."

Always make time for book shopping on any trip!  We chose a cooler day to scour the thrift shops, finding many treasures including a lovely dustjacketd copy of Wind in the Willows illustrated by Tasha Tudor for $3!  Three large bags of books are awaiting my attention to be processed and added to my shelves for children to enjoy including  Richard Halliburton, Marchette Chute, C.S. Forester, James Herriot, Winston Churchill, F. N. Monjo and many others.

One title I found for a dollar was a volume I remember seeing featured in a CIRCE podcast.  How Dante Can Save Your Life by Rod Dreher is something I would probably not have picked up on my own but I was thankful I recognized it.  I hid myself away with my knitting to listen to the podcast.  Now I'm wanting to tackle The Divine Comedy.

All this quiet growing made me realize how I've let day to day cares deprive me of my own humanity.  Busyness interferes with my own personal schole'.  Oh sure, I get lots of growth in learning with my children.  We read great books, have great conversations and share many adventures.  But rarely anymore do I engage in something just for myself.  I had the desire while away to attempt to meet with a few moms in a Mother Culture group of sorts.  I'm not sure what it would look like but it would be a way to hold one another accountable.  I'll have to think about that...

How have you grown lately?  Please share.

14 comments:

  1. This was absolutely delightful. I love reading so very much and need to make more time for it. Thanks.

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    1. Thank you, Amy! Too bad there are things like dishes and laundry. I have a stack of to-be-reads a mile high.

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  2. I really liked this, Robin. It gave me a feeling of pure joy to hear someone else echo what is going on in my life.

    I have finally settled on a good routine for reading. My goal is daily and most of the time I make that happen. Sometimes it doesn't but then it's waiting for me the next day. And I have a good variety going: fiction, spiritual growth, education, and some other non-fiction topic that interests me (might duplicate one of the other categories). It's all so life-giving.

    And the history knowledge I am gaining while learning alongside my boys is incredibly enriching and exciting. I am learning about World War I for the first time, it seems! To know, to simply know, makes me feel more alive.

    I have felt a good deal of uncertainty lately about opening a library, but I think I just needed a break. My vision now is to delay until my boys are much older and that gives me some peace. The current state of our country has made me begin to hunger for purchasing books again, though the funds are not there in abundance. But the dream of the library is still life-giving, even if it is not certain at this point.

    Sorry to go on and on. I've left this window open all day on my computer to respond and now you've got a whole day's worth of my thoughts!

    God bless you, Robin!

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    1. Thank you for sharing this, Kelly. "To know, to simply know, makes me feel more alive." I love that. I think I feel another post coming. :)

      The library will come in God's timing. I waited for 7 years. God is doing His work through it even in the waiting.

      God bless you, too, Kelly! You're a blessing to me!

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  3. I love the eclectic mix of books you brought on your beach trip. Thanks for participating in the #LMMLinkup.

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    1. I'm trying to be better at mixing myself up! :) Keeps my aging brain guessing.

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  4. What a treasure--Wind in the Willows. Nothing better as a souvenir than a bag of books! They are promising a winter storm here tonight...need some sunshine!

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    1. I search for books everywhere I go and I can usually remember where they come from. :) Beats a t-shirt any day.

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  5. Oooh, it sounds like you got some beautiful moments to read, grow, and learn. I love reading - on my own and to/with my children.

    Thanks for sharing (and for linking up to the #SHINEbloghop).

    Wishing you a lovely day.
    xoxo

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    1. It was much-needed rest of body and mind. Thank you, Jennifer.

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  6. Yes! We as parents need to make time for our own minds and well-being, and reading such a profitable endeavor. When my kids see me reading, they tend to grab a book of their own and read too. Thanks for sharing with #TheCozyReadingSpot

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    1. Sometimes we just need to say no to the distractions and pick up that book. It's a gift to give our children when we show them that example.

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  7. Lovely that you were able to have your own little quiet growing time! Thanks so much for sharing this at Booknificent Thursday!
    Tina

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