Thursday, November 17, 2016

Cameras and light

Cameras weren't around, 200 years ago.

A hundred years ago, people needed to be very still, to have a photo taken, and they were in black and white.

Now, wonderful photos can exist without needing to be printed. That's good! But they are sometimes less permanent than the older, paper images people framed and handed down. Use your cameras, but let images come and go. Pixels, like light, can be beautiful and be gone again.
SandraDodd.com/photographs
photo by Holly Dodd, of herself

Wednesday, November 16, 2016

Familiar things

Favorite tools, stored in the same old way, make your home special, and will be part of a child's memories. Love your normal stuff.
SandraDodd.com/dishes
photo by Sandra Dodd of some familiar things at Polly's house

Tuesday, November 15, 2016

How long?

How long should you be calm?

Longer than you think you need to be.



SandraDodd.com/calm
Thanks to Amber Ivey for saving a quote from a workshop I ran in Arizona.
photo by Sandra Dodd

Monday, November 14, 2016

Props

Props and costumes can help children to perceive the world in a slightly different way, and those thoughts add to their knowledge.
SandraDodd.com/imagination
photo by Lydia Koltai

Sunday, November 13, 2016

What we know

We can't tell by looking at a child that learning is taking place. When unschooling is working well, though, we begin to know know that if they are interested, engaged and thinking, they are making their own connections, large or small.
SandraDodd.com/proof
photo by Chrissy Florence

Saturday, November 12, 2016

Deposit the good stuff.


When people ask about being happier and more positive, the answer can't help but be the same. BE happier. BE positive.

But as with any accounting (think a bank account), withdrawals deplete your reserves. Every negative word, thought or deed takes peace and positivity out of your account. Cynicism, sarcasm—which some people enjoy and defend—are costly, if your goal is peace.


SandraDodd.com/negativity (which is really about positivity)
photo by Janine
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Friday, November 11, 2016

A useful gate

"Rather than experiencing you as a gate that either opens or closes, let him experience you as someone he can depend on to help."
—Joyce Fetteroll
in a discussion November 10, 2016
photo by Sandra Dodd

Thursday, November 10, 2016

Food and art

Food can be art, and there is art about food.

Some thing are obvious, like cake decoration, or piemaking. But even when you make a sandwich, it can be cut artfully and arranged nicely on a plate. You could use matching dishes, even if you're only feeding one child.

Aesthetics! Look for beauty, and create a bit of it.

SandraDodd.com/foodfun
photo by Jacki, Hannah's mom, long ago
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Wednesday, November 9, 2016

What do you call it?

This photo shows healthy, blooming native plants, layers of natural hillside, and hand-hewn cedar fence posts.


Or I could tell you that there's a state highway up above a mis-matched bunch of broken-down fence around an overgrown cemetery.

Both are true.
Which made you feel better?

Help others to see beauty and to feel abundance.

SandraDodd.com/words
photo by Sandra Dodd
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Tuesday, November 8, 2016

Confidence deepens

Karen James wrote:

"Be present. Be engaged. Celebrate the joy of a child doing anything and everything they feel thrilled about. Notice what they're learning as they play and watch. It's all pretty amazing. Build on what you learn about your child. Confidence deepens when a child is supported in whatever they find captivating. Confidence grows for the parent when they're paying attention to what the child is learning from their chosen activities."
—Karen James

SandraDodd.com/karenjames
photo by Janine Davies
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Monday, November 7, 2016

Seasons

Another year, another hemisphere, flowers now gone.

Orion in New Zealand

Seasons and flowers are variable, and local. Deserts and jungles, mountains and shorelines, all have special things to discover at different times of the day, and of the season, and of the year.

Be still and appreciate the many peaceful moments. Store up gentle memories.


SandraDodd.com/day/ebbandflow
photo by Jihong Tang
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Sunday, November 6, 2016

Patterns from reflection

Barbara Handley wrote:

"Quiet time is an integral aspect of self-discovery --- apparent periods of laziness can actually be the most fruitful intellectual and spiritual discovery times. Imagine a sand art frame...first you shake it and the result is a chaotic pattern of colored sand and water; then you let it rest. The sand falls to the bottom of the frame forming intricate and beautiful patterns which would never be revealed if you continued to shake the frame. The same applies to our process of positively integrating information so that we can make sense of the world; time for reflection and contemplation is a critical part of the process, allowing the patterns to be revealed."
—Barbara Handley

Quote's source
photo by Lydia Koltai
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Saturday, November 5, 2016

Old and new

New things are added to old things. Antiques are repaired. New children meet old people. Forgotten toys are re-discovered.
Change is part of growth, of life, of past and of future.


SandraDodd.com/change
photo by Sandra Dodd

Friday, November 4, 2016

Naturally...

I grew up not far from Camel Rock, which was on US 285 near Pojoaque, where my dad worked. All of that is in north-central New Mexico.


Does it really look like a camel? Probably it helps that everyone calls it "camel rock." There was another sandstone formation north of there that my very-young sister called "camel elephant"... because it looked like an elephant's trunk to her. Words can help us see things that aren't there, confusing us and others.

The important thing is that it's not a real camel. Consider what is "natural" and what is perception, language and culture (all of which are also natural). Find joy in words and imagery, but try not to let them confound you.

SandraDodd.com/gettingit
photo by Sandra Dodd

Thursday, November 3, 2016

Stretch your thinking


"There are loads of places I can go to get people to agree with the standard mode of thought. Why would I want more of that? I'm not looking for approval of what I do. I'm looking for people who will stretch my thinking and help me grow."
—Joyce Fetteroll

SandraDodd.com/tvchoice
photo by Holly Dodd
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Wednesday, November 2, 2016

Holly is 25

November 2 is Holly's birthday, and in 2016 she's turning 25.
Holly grew up with two older also-unschooled brothers.
Thank you, all who have befriended
and been kind to Holly.

SandraDodd.com/holly
photo by Holly Dodd herself

Tuesday, November 1, 2016

Thinking and feeling

How are you thinking?
How are you feeling?

How you are thinking and feeling is how you are living and learning.

SandraDodd.com/mentalhealth
photo by Marta Venturini Machado

Monday, October 31, 2016

Like magic


Since my kids were little they could have all the Halloween candy they wanted, and since they were little that has been no problem at all, because by the time they gave away what they didn't like and traded for favorites, and saved it and shared it with kids who came over for the next few weeks, there was still candy left.
. . . .

We were confident that it was control, not access, that made kids eat, do and want "too much" before we ever considered unschooling. Others come to the idea the other way around—unschooling first and releasing other control-urges later.


SandraDodd.com/eating/halloween
photo by Pam Sorooshian

This is a repeat from 2013
because the photo is great
with text from 2010
because it's still true.
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Sunday, October 30, 2016

Harvest


Fewer folks farm than used to. It's understandable.

Even without a farm, though, what's planted might grow. What is tended thrives.

Not everything can be controlled, but many things can be accepted and appreciated. Mentally gather up the positive results in your life and be grateful for your harvest.


SandraDodd.com/gratitude
photo by Lydia Koltai
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Saturday, October 29, 2016

Light goofs

Find things to smile about in small casual moments.



Happy Halloween-costume days.
SandraDodd.com/wonder
candid tomato-slice photo by Sandra Dodd

Friday, October 28, 2016

Thursday, October 27, 2016

Your kids know

close-up of cat behind big leaf
Joyce wrote:
"He can feel you hovering over him waiting for him to do something that will calm your fears."

Sandra adds:
Your children know when you're anxious or nervous. Don't think you're sneaking up on them. It's important to relax, not just to pretend to be relaxed.

JoyfullyRejoycing.com/how-to-unschool
photo by Susan Gaissert

Wednesday, October 26, 2016

No time out

Time can be geological, historical, millenial, generational, eternal or poetic. Current time can involve years, months, seasons, weeks, days, hours, minutes, seconds and subparticles thereof. Time can fly or drag along. It can heal everything or be the enemy. There's no time out from time!



SandraDodd.com/time
photo by Sandra Dodd
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Tuesday, October 25, 2016

Succeed

It's easy to think there's not much to unschooling, and then to fail at it.

Read a little, try a little,
wait a while, watch.

Do that so many times that you don't notice you're doing it all the time.

SandraDodd.com/howto
photo by Celeste Burke
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Monday, October 24, 2016

Trash or treasure?

You can use antique shops or junk stores, charity shops, thrift stores, as museums to visit with your children. Many things are neither trash nor treasure, but can be interesting examples of art, technology, geography, politics, function and design.

In deciding which link to use with this image, I settled on the history page, and noticed a paragraph I wrote over a decade ago. Now, two deaths and a Nobel prize have entered the story:

History can be nearly current, like comparative pop/funk of the '80s— is Prince really all that much greater than Michael Jackson? Is it because he plays guitar? What about the history of the guitar? Does Minneapolis create better musicians than Gary, Indiana, or does it even matter? Is Bob Dylan evidence for Minneapolis? One thing leads to another. Thinking about Minneapolis can lead to thoughts of U.S. history, of early 19th century border fortifications, the Mississippi River, the French in Canada, and in Louisiana. You can let your mind float downstream (or up). "Hiawatha" would've been set in that area, and Longfellow wrote that and many other things of childhood, and parents, and night time.

SandraDodd.com/history
photo by Sandra Dodd
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Sunday, October 23, 2016

When you breathe

When something makes you sad, breathe in a lovely thought.

When you're worried, breathe in hope.

When you're afraid, breathe in calm.

Let breathing bring you closer to better, for your family and for yourself.


SandraDodd.com/breathing
photo by Jo Isaac
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Friday, October 21, 2016

Curiosities

Learning proceeds from being able to touch and see things, maybe to hear, smell or taste things. To discuss new or unexpected things. To think about interesting things.
SandraDodd.com/museum
photo by Sandra Dodd

Look for light


Look for light, literally and figuratively.


Early, in the kitchen, a basket of light:


One side is white with dark holes. The other side is dark with pink morning sun. Had I used a flash, both sides of the basket would have looked the same and the soft spots would have been gone.

Downstairs, another light show:


SandraDodd.com/mysteryart
photos and little video by Sandra Dodd in 2010

Thursday, October 20, 2016

Sweet and playful

10/20/16 Sweet and playful photo Look how long our shadows are

"Don’t underestimate how wonderful your happy presence can be for your kids. Be sweet and playful and optimistic and involved. Give them lots of your time."
—Deb Lewis

SandraDodd.com/deblewis/abundance
photo by Eva Witsel

Wednesday, October 19, 2016

Remember...



"I will never forget how I realized that I could be an independent person from watching "That Girl," or how seeing Barbara Jordan give the DNC speech as the first Black Woman ever to do so impacted me in ways that stay with me to this day."
—Jocelyn Cooper

You remember learning things. Your children are learning, too.

Read more: SandraDodd.com/t/memories
photo by Sandra Dodd


Sorry for the American references, but here:

"That Girl" was a game-changing television program, and Barbara Jordan (a U.S. Representative from Texas) gave a speech aired on TV at the 1976 Democratic National Convention at which Jimmy Carter was nominated to run for president.

Tuesday, October 18, 2016

Traction

Get your footing so you can make progress.


"That picture you paint for yourself will get in the way of seeing the whole, real person right in front of you.

"Be precise in the words you use to describe those you love, aim to support and care for. Be as generous as you can too. The clearer you see your child, the better you can respond to their needs. The better you learn to listen to them, see them, and be of useful service to them, the more they will have confidence in your ability to have their best interest in mind."
—Karen James

SandraDodd.com/condemnation
photo by Sandra Dodd

Monday, October 17, 2016

Cats, for real


For fun, today, maybe think about the nature of cats. There are pet cats, acting-and-modelling cats, folklore and humor about cats, fantasy cats, cartoon cats, imagery, song, and story of cats. Wild cats, musical cats, cool cats. Thinking about what IS a cat will help with thinking about the "is"ness of all other things.

SandraDodd.com/reality
photo by Brie Jontry of painting by Noor JontryMasterson
who also created the cat art here: SandraDodd.com/art/

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Saturday, October 15, 2016

Kirby is married

Kirby, our oldest, was married October 14, 2016. The wedding was in the foothills of the Sandia. The reception was at "Event Palace," a rental facility, but the party (with karaoke) moved to our house and is still going on while it's time for me to create this post. So I will report a new daughter-in-law, many compliments tonight on Kirby, Marty and Holly all, and gratitude that Kirby's new wife loves him.


SandraDodd.com/gratitude
photo of Kirby and Destiny singing "A Whole New World,"
with her sister listening
by Sandra Dodd

Friday, October 14, 2016

Same door

The same door can lead to different spaces, different times, different associations and memories. This door has seen joy and sorrow. People have passed through merrily and dreadfully. They wore clothing, shoes and hats of many different times. They thought of their relatives, their jobs, their problems, and their hopes.

I passed through that door in 2016. I saw the stone arches, the flint wall, the woodwork, the iron latch. I saw the sunlight without and the darker, quieter space within.

Our days are full of doors and portals, some physical and some in our thoughts and ideas. Bravely see with your very own eyes.


http://justaddlightandstir.blogspot.com/p/doors.html
photo by Sandra Dodd

Thursday, October 13, 2016

Stronger, and calm

As you understand unschooling better and have stories of your own child's learning, you will be stronger, and bigger, and relatives will start to love those stories of natural learning, too. It takes a while. It will always take a while.

When the stories are about YOUR children, and not just other people's children, you'll be in a more stable, calm place.

SandraDodd.com/knowledge
photo by Sandra Dodd
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Wednesday, October 12, 2016

the best Now



Colleen Prieto wrote:
"I know that no matter how wonderful a childhood he has—no matter how accepted, nurtured, loved, and cared for he is—I can’t control his Future. His Someday is his—and he will run up against a whole world that is full of potentially confusing and potentially damaging things and people. We give him the best Now we can, in hopes that’ll carry him through his Someday as well as it can."
—Colleen Prieto

That's an almost-direct quote. There's a "but..." coming in the original,
but you might not need it today.
SandraDodd.com/addiction
photo by Sandra Dodd

Tuesday, October 11, 2016

Really reading



My recommendation to worried parents is to smile and wait and hold your child lovingly and to do no damage to his happiness while you're waiting for the day he can really read.

SandraDodd.com/r/real
photo by Quita Gray
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Monday, October 10, 2016

Simple joys


If you practice noticing and experiencing joy, if you take a second out of each hour to find joy, your life improves with each remembrance of your new primary goal. You don't need someone else to give you permission, or to decide whether or not what you thought gave you joy was an acceptable source of enjoyment.

SandraDodd.com/joy
photo by Kirby Dodd
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Sunday, October 9, 2016

Magic (it isn't)



Read a little, try a little, wait a while, watch.

Unschooling cannot be learned by reading or writing.

SandraDodd.com/readalittle
photo by Sandra Dodd
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