Worded Wednesday

From Ethan's "2012 Art Collection."

The Power of the Pen

Mine is a blog of random thoughts and musings...my mind is in constant motion trying to make sense of the world around me.

............

What does it mean to have freedom of speech or freedom of expression?

To the staff of the a French weekly newspaper, it meant death.

I believe in kindness. I believe in love. I believe that we should treat each other with respect. I believe in truth. But does that mean I'll always agree with everyone around me? Does that mean I won't ever offend someone? Does that I shouldn't ever offend anyone?

No.

People are born with a voice. Many of us are taught to use that voice responsibly. Some don't choose to use it. Others choose to use it in a way that may ignite others to think, to laugh, to feel. In doing this, it may offend some people.

The attack and slaughtering of the staff of the Charlie Hebdo was senseless. It was horrific. It was barbaric.

I don't agree with the content published in Charlie Hebdo. Politically-speaking, it is probably as far from my viewpoint as ever something could be. But that's my opinion. And it's my choice not to buy or read that publication.

That's because I know that you don't have to agree with someone for them to have the right to exist. You can think they're vulgar and offensive, and they can still exist. You can be mad at them for it, and they can still exist. But...

You DON'T have to kill them for it.

It's the equivalent of the playground bully coming and killing another kid just because the other kid said he was ugly.

My heart hurts.

And my head spins...because they may feel they silenced the "infidels"...but instead they awoke the giant.

In the name of freedom of expression and speech and as a fellow journalist: Je suis Charlie.

Worded Wednesday

As I usually do a wordless Wednesday post, I decided to do a worded one today to go with the adorable picture our 3-year-old drew last week.

He asked how to spell the word "tortoise" because apparently that's what the little guy is...not a "turtle" like I originally thought. *wink-grin*

My favorite part -- after the yellow smile -- is the feet. He could almost be on wheels or wearing sneakers.

I love the imaginations of children. Always thinking; always creating; always, well, imagining.

Wordless (mostly) Wednesday

The animals from Noah's Ark, after the flood...

H"art"ily Arty

Edward (center, in yellow) up on stage, waiting for the rest of his class so they can sing.

Yesterday marked the end of another year at our homeschool learning group.

The kids put on a little art show, and then the first and second graders sang some songs for everyone, and the kindergarteners "graduated." Edward -- our never-shy-at-all-now guy -- introduced one of the songs. I told him I was surprised to see him up there again, and he said that when they asked for volunteers he raised his hand so high he nearly touched the ceiling.



It's amazing and exciting to watch all the kids grow during the year. And, while it was fun, the end-of-year show was a transition time for Emily and Edward, too. A time to say goodbye. They both will be changing grade levels in the group, meaning new teachers and classes next Fall.

Out with the old (sadly)...in with the new (eagerly)?

* * *

On another note, my three high school journalism students finished their year with pride, folding and distributing their first-and-only newspaper. And I thought they did an awesome job. It made me proud when they told me how much they felt they'd learned this year, especially about how much is involved in making a newspaper. Like last year's crew, I can say without a doubt that I definitely saw learning going on...especially after they all "aced" their final exam!

Artful End Notes

All good things must come to an end, I guess.

Yesterday was the last of our homeschool learning group, and it included an art show and end-of-year program to give parents an idea of all the students had learned during the year.

Edward's class sang three songs related to the Americana theme of art and music for the year, and he even introduced one of them (with flying colors...no pun intended) -- "This Land Is Your Land," his favorite-most song. After describing my son as a "shy guy" for most of the past 7 years, you'll know that this was quite a feat for him and made me burst with pride (and, okay, okay, maybe a few tears) watching him. (Darn pregnancy hormones!) I guess the "bud" has bloomed, so to speak. *wink*

Emily's class sang a wonderful rendition of "The Lord Is My Shepherd." They sang it so beautifully that it brought tears to my eyes listening to it. (Darn the still-more pregnancy hormones!) *grin*

Both kids were excited to show me their artwork, which we are now proudly exhibiting at home.

All in all, it was a wonderful program.

* * *

On another note, my high school journalism students finished their year with pride, folding and distributing their second newspaper. And I thought they did an awesome job. It made me proud when they told me how much they felt they'd learned this year. I can say without a doubt that I definitely saw learning going on.

A Sketchy Figure

We spend an hour every Monday at the Goggleworks, a center for the arts in Reading, while Emily is in her dance class. Stuart and Edward usually play a game of chess, and I usually do some writing.

On Monday, a man we guessed was an artist approached us about drawing a quick sketch of Edward. It took us off guard as we were busy doing our various activites, but we agreed. He asked if we might give him a donation for it if we liked it when he finished.

How could we say no? The man looked like he could use a few dollars.

The man looked rather scruffy and had a few teeth missing in his mouth, but he chatted with us in a friendly way as he sketched. He'd started drawing when he was about Edward's age, he said. He had a small, beat-up leather case and sketch pad. And he obviously loved art as he talked about the various different artists' paintings around us.

Edward sat so still, staring at him while he drew. He was thrilled to be chosen as a model.

In about 10 minutes, he showed us what he'd created. It was amazing. Not a Picasso or Monet -- perhaps more of a Gauguin? -- but a very talented sketch, nonetheless. We gave him the donation and many, many thanks. Edward showed him some of his drawings of ships and airplanes.

I think it brightened his day....

I know he brightened ours. Edward can't wait to hang the drawing in his room.

Treasured "Junque"

I love how people's perspectives change.

We went to visit the Goggleworks, a center for the arts in Reading, last Tuesday. We visit it every Monday when Emily has her dance class there.

This time we went with our "school" to see "Mr. Imagination" and his artwork. While the artist himself was not there -- he'd broken his hand the week before -- we did get a tour of his art displays and make some of our own artwork.

What's unique about "Mr. Imagination's" artwork is that he uses "junque" for all his sculptures. Old brooms, rakes, springs, bottle caps, buttons...you name it, he uses it. It's called "found object art."

And the kids loved it!

Most people know that I tend to be rather a "pack rat" myself. In recent years, I've been desperately trying to change that about myself. It's a long, slow, hard road, made harder by two sweet cherubs trying to save EVERYthing -- including old band-aids and candy wrappers.

Well, you can imagine how excited they were to hear the artists helping out say that they (the kids) should keep lots of cool things so they could make this kind of art.

"See, Mommy?" said Emily. "There is a reason to keep it all."

I sighed. If only she could understand that our house will eventually implode from all the "junque" we collect.

Oh, well.

For the sake of such fun art, we'll keep the occasional "odd" or "end."