A Journey in Homeschooling

BARBARA HEDGEWITCH

Summer 2000

Summer is a time when our learning shifts gears as we head outdoors. Litha at our home in the Pacific Northwest often includes clouds and rain. The good weather will come in about two more weeks, when we can usually depend on about 6 weeks of real summer weather. Our Litha ritual includes the Oak King/Holly King rematch, with the Holly King winning this round. We also have a bonfire and take delight in leaping it after the flames have died down a bit. After a tentative first jump last summer, son John really got into the spirit of things and had a grand time leaping the fire. His younger sister was happy to be lifted over as she held on to our hands.

The swallows have returned and are nesting in our barn, their babies peek their heads out of the nest and peer down at us. The parents do a remarkable job of keeping the mosquito population in check.

One of our summer projects is the building of our labyrinth. Last summer I staked it out with wooden stakes and string, and mowed the paths with a push mower. Towards the end of summer, the grass got away from us and we finally ended up having to mow over everything. This summer we are building a concrete stepping stone path for more permanence.

This summer brings two wonderful homeschooling conventions for us. The first will be a one day affair in a nearby town put on by a Christian homeschooler. Our state homeschooling email list has helped develop a good solid network among homeschoolers of all varieties. Over time, we have worked hard to put aside our differences and to focus on our similarities, so that now homeschoolers of all beliefs and philosophies can come together for a great day of workshops, networking and fun. The second convention is a state convention in Sacramento, California, the California Home = Education Conference. This too, brings homeschoolers of every stripe together for a great weekend. This year my entire family will attend. I am eagerly looking forward to seeing some of the friends I met there last year.

With the coming of Lammas we see the fullness of summer. Everything is lush and ripening. As we shape our Lammas loaves, we sing (to the tune of Rose Red):

Lugh, Lugh, Lugh
Art thou really, truly dead?
We can see thee living
In our bread.

We will be celebrating a special milestone in John's life this summer. He is now 12, and going through puberty. He's grown taller, shoulders broadening, voice cracking. It is time for his Coming of Age ritual. The men in our pagan community will join together to carry him across the threshold of childhood into young adulthood. As his mother, I am both thrilled and saddened. Thrilled at the fine young man he is becoming, and saddened at the loss of the child he once was. He has chosen to have his ear pierced as a sign of his new maturity.

Late summer means Fair time in our county. John annually wins prizes for his elaborate LEGO spaceship creations, and this year Raven is old enough to enter some of her colorful paintings. At 5, she paints fantastic happy scenes of apple trees, sunny skies and beautiful rainbows. If I finish it in time, I will enter my applique' quilt of women dancing in the moonlight.

Have a bountiful, fruitful summer!