Early Childhood Education and Common Sense: What's new for me

?Here is today's post from over at Mullin Avenue Workshop. I've decided to discontinue posting here, and at my other blog -it feels like 1 year has been a good run for me.
I've really had so much fun blogging, and the best part of it was meeting nice people from all around the world. My first "follower", was the wonderful Jenny from "Let the Children Play". She followed me after I'd left her a comment, and she was welcoming, and supportive. Jenny loves the "bloggy world" of early childhood education and her enthusiasm is catching!

I know I'm not alone in feeling appreciation for her AND? "Let the children play".

I will certainly continue to read blogs, and use them mostly as my tool for personal reflection and growth in my work. I'm sure I will comment now and then, as well! :)

Thank you friends for your wonderful support, and for reading along with me here!
Cheers!

In the following post I've written abit more about what I hope to do with my "precious" time. :)

I've been enjoying blogging now for just about 1 year, and I've had a whale of a time - learning the ins and outs of Blogger, making friends, reading so many interesting blog posts...which truly has made my world so much bigger.

Presently I will not be writing posts here or at my early childhood blog, I've decided that one year was enough for me.
I'm not very computer literate, and do find some of the ins and outs of writing blog posts abit difficult and time consuming.I work 8 to 4 and sometimes found myself struggling away up until 1 at night - well I know you get the picture.

This past 2 weeks I spent less time on the computer and felt noticeably fresher and energetic for my day.

As well, although I'd hoped to use this medium to write creatively, I'm not.

I AM writing when I post, however and this is definitely a good exercise.

I think I just need to do much of nothing for some time - working, walking, reading, certainly but also just nothing, daydreaming and wool gathering. I may choose not to write, or I might start writing at any time.

I have some projects in mind...

I might like to continue making illustrations to accompany stories by my friend Bessie. Bessie was a short story writer, and the Registrar for the Saskatchewan branch of the Canadian Institute for the Blind (CNIB) most of her life. I met her when she was 90, back in 1991, and she shared with me wonderfully animated tales of the life on the farm where she grew up.
We taped these, I transcribed them, and have done some drawings, and fabric art to illustrate them.I think her stories are wonderful, and would make an interesting childrens' book. I know my drawings aren't the best, but I just enjoy the process.

As well, I'm enjoying several crochet projects, I have 2 baby blankets in the works, and I'd like to try some soft crochet animals and a sweet girl's sweater for my youngest niece.

I tried the Lumosity program recently and loved it, and hope to enroll in this and use it on a regular basis.

The days are getting longer and the weather is so mild that I've been able to start walking home from work, and within a month I might begin walking to work - I'm really looking forward to this. The walking path I take is so beautiful, and the exercise is so beneficial to me.

I am loving reading on the Kindle, I'm just finishing "True Colours" by Kristen Hannah, which is the second book I've now read of hers. I first read "Magic Hour", after reading Teri's review of it at Goodreads. Kristen tells a very good story, and "True Colours" has lots of twists and surprises.

I now have 122 books on my Wish List, so I know I won't run out of reading material. The next book I plan to download is "Irma Voth", by Mirian Toews, who is a writer from Manitoba, Canada. She is an excellent writer, who won the Governor General's Award in Canada for her work (one of two major literary awards in Canada).

There is such a wide variety of books to select through the Kindle store, and I've downloaded some crochet books, as well as books on teaching. I'm presently rereading "Between Parent and Child" by Dr. Haim Ginott, and love it.

I've found books I'd forgotten about until I set my mind to remembering favourite books from the past, and have added "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn", and "Black Like Me" onto my wish list.

And I will continue to read over at various blogs at least once per week, and I'm sure I will find lots to say in my comments to you. LOL

Sharing the antics of my two feline friends has been one of the more enjoyable parts about writing posts...we do all love our pets, and animals really give us so much in return. I plan to spend more time just chilling out, reading in the company of my two wise cats.

Arthur is an amazing cat I must say. He was a little stray, who made himself welcome on a neighbour's step by jumping up into their arms. Then he followed me home, and made himself right at home there. My son tends to prefer dogs, but Arthur has won him over, he follows Paul around, and waits for him outside his bedroom door. When both Arthur and Herbert hear Paul's car pull into the parking lot, they seem to know if it's him, and stand at the door waiting for him. (They only will do this for Paul, they will perk their ears when someone pulls in, but don't get excited if it's not Paul.) I guess their senses are so much better than us humans, when it comes to hearing.

This year I learned that I have close family connections to a Metis leader from Manitoba back in the 19th century - this was definitely an eye opener to me, and did explain some things for me about my mother's French Canadian family. I've made some lovely connections with some people through this, and hope to one day visit Winnipeg to see a museum called The Old Mill. My great great great great grandfather, Cuthbert Grant made the first water mill for flour, in Manitoba, and as well was a respected and trusted "medicine man" - in this I mean he had studied medicine when in Scotland, and brought his knowledge to the people of southern Manitoba. His box of medicine and supplies is at the museum, I believe. A great great great grandfather was a Member of the Legislative Assembly in these days in Manitoba, Pascal Breland. I might take time to explore some of these connections more.

I do plan to read a book called "A Good Man" by Guy Vanderhaeghe. This is the last of a trilogy of books he's written about settling the west in the 19th century, and it's filled with interesting, eccentric, heroic people, and he describes all the political, social, and human dilemmas in how the west came to be settled. A friend let me know that an individual, Pierre Leveille is a character in the book. Pierre Leveille was a a Metis scout who was well known and respected as a skillful mediator between the Cree and the French/Metis settlers. He was also know for his size - apparently over 6 feet, and about 350 lbs. I'm looking forward to reading about this great great great uncle.

Seeing, this every day on my way to work, and back is always a pleasure to me. It's also a little reminder that one day I hope to return to take a few interesting classes in history, or social work, or whatever strikes my fancy.

The absolutely best part of blogging has been meeting wonderful friends - I will not forget you, and as I said, will be visiting you frequently. :)

One wise blogging friend suggested that I post what I like, and not worry about pleasing everyone - and really this is such good advice for blogging and living.

I am going to leave you with a song video, by Willie Nelson. Not liked by many that read here, I think - but I've come to enjoy his music in the last while. However I believe the song is so pretty, and the video accompanying it is very nice.I hope you might enjoy it.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Hugs!

Oops, Herbert told me I forgot the Headbonks times two!!! :)

Love and Hugs!!!

Source: http://common-senseinearlychildhoodeducation.blogspot.com/2012/02/whats-new-for-me.html

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