For several years now, Emily and I have been part of a Charlotte Mason book discussion group. Mothers come to a local restaurant once every six weeks and share a meal, followed by what usually proves to be a lively discussion of Mason’s ideas. Six weeks seems to be a manageable commitment for us, meaning eight meetings per year,… Read More Learning Charlotte Mason Together
Why is it that I often bemoan not having enough time to read? At the end of the year, the list usually surprises me because I read more than I thought. This must simply continue to prove my theory that, here a little, there a little, every day a little, gets you through a lot of books in… Read More What I was Reading Last Year
A brand new year is such a gift, a 365 day long new beginning in which to cast aside all the weariness and woes of the previous year and start afresh. This, in theory, should have rejuvenated and infused me with new energies, but the old year had spun out in a breathtaking round of activities culminating in an… Read More Living Up to the Call
I guess the trials of life bring common phrases to mind. I began the last update with “the devil is in the details,” and another common saying rolling around my head in this next phase of moving is, “the best laid plans,” the origin of which is a poem by Robert Burns, as well as a remark of Ma… Read More Moving a Library, Stage 3
I have written before about the atmosphere of reading, how the presence of books in the home, parents who read, and reading aloud to children influence our children’s embracing of reading as a way of life, so I don’t know why I am chagrined when my grown children, when some offhand remark about audio books occurs, comment, “The sound… Read More Reading with the Ear
The devil is in the details, it is said, I suppose because details can be overwhelming and confusing. For some, however, details are the bearings which make life roll along smoothly, and by taking care of the little things, find the big things fall into place. This is perhaps our perspective in managing to haul 17 thousand books from… Read More Moving a Library, Stage Two
If you’ve ever moved, you know the special agonies of the process. I say “if,” as though you’ve never had the experience. To be American is to move it seems, but my family has probably, and unfortunately, been above-average in this experience. The sight of boxes and packing tape make us groan, though their necessity is indisputable. Sorting and… Read More Moving a Library, Stage One
What can be better than reading a good book? When we are caught up in a story or narrative, whether fiction or nonfiction, we are infused with thoughts that originated with someone else. A fresh breeze of interest blows through our minds and dusts the cobwebs that tend to accumulate when we are in our normal round of activities… Read More Making Friends Through Books
What a joy it is for us to know that one of our best friends of all the books in our library will be back in print within the next month! For all of you bibliophiles out there, you will understand my use of that phrase “best friends.” It is one defining characteristic of a… Read More Oh, Happy Day!
I’ve been typing and typing to get all the amazing book offerings ready for the next sale. We have found a TON of books over the last few months (since carrying them to and from the library, it sure feels like a ton!) and we’re excited to share them with you and your children. It’s… Read More HUGE Booksale Update, Monday 10/6!