Lilac Window

so things are still moving along here. Some things we have been up to include:

Getting an iphone.

To me that seems a little bit superfluous, but I have been surprised how much I use it and how quickly it has become indispensable to me. I may actually get more blog posts, as the pics from it are great. (this one of M at the park was taken on my phone!) I dont carry a day timer, but the calendar is totally great. I mean, I actually remember to bring this thing a long with me, and I find I am doing my errands and bits and pieces while the kids play in the park… so that when they are in bed, I can actually rest… rather than do research on the internet… so I am really loving it.

Marketing

My brain is working over-time trying to think of ways to let people know about my little art school. I have been knocking on doors to tell people in my neighborhood as I think its the most direct way to inform people. At first I was a little apprehensive about going up to people’s houses. But every time I finish a day of talking to people I feel so full of respect for folks, and appreciation for just how simply nice people are. Its amazing how lovely everyone is with me. I get the most encouragement from people I dont even know. So thats really great.

Playing

yes, there has been a little time for playing. Going to the park here and there, visiting science world, the Bow river, Edworthy Park, Sandy Beach park (where there is, sadly, no beach… but lots of trees!) Its been a good couple weeks home.

I am so excited to announce that my website for my school is up. Thats what I have been working on the past few days. I also have to mention that I am scared, and nervous and totally overwhelmed at the thought of it…but I am aware that this is the time to take the leap. I will be marketing and promoting my school the next month, as well as setting up the classroom, preparing the program and getting the supplies and equipment ready. Yeah, I am going to be busy.

Check out the site, let me know what you think, and if you are in Calgary, I would love to see you! (Or feel free to, like, send it to everyone you know and tell them its going to be amazing, and that they would love it, and well, you can add-lib!)

http://www.lilacwindowschool.com

On another note, my email subscription service was having some trouble, I have changed it and now, anyone who has already subscribed, will have to do it again (same as before, just click the link on the home page, and fill out the form). Sorry. I wont do this again. (as long as this thing actually works…) Thanks.

We have been visiting and marketing today. Its been so nice to catch up with a few people, and hear about their life out here. We heard stories about farming, raising animals and keeping them  alive.  The weather, food, disease, and predators are real challenges. The idyllic vision of small scale farming is brought to a sobering reality for me.

In light of all that we watched a little DVD called “Island on the Edge” about Vancouver island food production and it was very enlightening. I would recommend it to anyone, as I think it applies across the range of agricultural worlds. In it there is a young woman who is starting her own little farm. We met her today at this market and enjoyed hearing her stories. If you can get your hands on the DVD, its worth it.

This little market is really just as charming as it looks though. People bring crafts, little animals and food to sell. Its meant for locals, by locals, so its small, pretty and everyone knows each other. (Not that you cant go and partake…its at the red church at Cowichan Station every wednesday 3-6pm.) I am so excited to give my money to these people who are working so hard to make the world better.

I think the best decision we made was to figure out how to put the bikes on the car. It was not easy, and we had to fit the bike trailer on the roof, but it has so been worth it. I would even venture to say that the best times we have had as a family on this trip have been when we were on the bikes. When all is new, and the kids are tired and you just can’t sit in your campsite, or in someone else’s living room, or in the back yard any more, the bikes are awesome. They are such a great way to explore a new city, without having to get in the car…. again.

Today we took the bikes and rode around town. We found the local water park and as we pulled in Marcel exclaimed “Its beautiful! I love it here!”. We rode along the beautiful river valley, stopped at the comic book store, the local library and then the ice cream shop. Thats my idea of a good day together.

I have to say that small town life is definitely conducive to days like today. It makes me think about our car-centric world. I think even if I lived here, there would be so many days I just take the car because its easier. Ideally I would build a bike-port, so that its actually easier to take the bike than the car. Bike paths, places to access by bike, and pedestrian friendly roads sure help too.

I’ve got lots of images for new paintings in my head, and ideas for designs for houses and urban spaces. I also have ideas for my classes, and for ways to re-organize my house so we can feel more relaxed at home. Im still all tingly thinking about light-clay buildings. Though it may be a while before I can do anything about that…

Having recently started the study of Book 5 of the Ruhi institute courses*, I would like to share some of my personal reflections on what I have covered in the first half of Unit 1. The learning has been profound and a source of much personal reflection. I feel this type of learning is critical for developing communities, though please understand that these are my personal reflections and definitely do not take the place of doing the course for yourself. This is the 5th book in a series and to fully benefit it would make sense to do all the previous books. In light of my interest in working with preteens, (from here-on referred to as “junior youth”) I would like to present some of the inspiring topics we have so far covered. I hope that this may inspire you to look more thoroughly at the Ruhi courses, or at the least bring out some interesting points to study.

The first part of the book is about envisioning what we think the youth would be like after having completed our ideal program. We look at skills we would like them to have acquired. Incredibly, these skills are ones that I need to work on, and remind me of how I want to live my life. Certain skills brought up include: “the ability to reflect on the results of one’s actions”, “have an open mind and approach learning with humility”, “be passionate about the study of arts and science”, “derive joy from learning to work for the progress of humanity”, and my favourite: “recognizing contradictions between ones beliefs and actions.” Oh, man, those contradictions!

There is discussion about the importance of reaching the age of 15. This age is considered the age of maturity. Interestingly, I have been reading “Kids are worth it” by Barbara Colarosso, in it she points out that youth, at 15 have reached an age where you can no longer parent them, but you become a mentor. In the “Book 5” it asks us to consider whether, at 15, he should be able to engage in meaningful service to humanity, have the capacity to understand social progress and analyse the forces influencing his life. Granted, if this was so, then these are certainly high standards. Ones we can all strive to achieve. But isn’t it thrilling to imagine a young person faced with this incredible challenge?

*please note, book 5 for junior youth has yet to be published, but is available for study through the Baha’i community. Contact the Baha’is in your area if you want, or you can see the national website who can direct you. The Ruhi curriculum is written and promoted by the Baha’i community and is meant as a community development tool, where small groups learn through study and action.