So how did the Skyeless week go?

Busy, busy, busy

We did indeed end up making all of our social obligations, the Emmy party(congrads again to all our friends that were nominated, extra shout outs to Ron Franco and Susan Eschelbach) , Visionfest(amazing event, hats off to all filmmakers and especially to friend Sean Hood), SDSA General Membership Meeting,(thank you to Jim and Charles and Charles), Friday night at MUSH enjoying good surroundings and wonderful martinis and then on into the evening with friends Sondra and Max.

Yes the evenings were occupied and it was exhausting and wonderful.

But I started the week off in the library to figure out Skye's path to learning. I was intrigued and inspired by a book I already had "What are schools for?' Ron Miller, which lead me to wonder how people had learned and what education had been and meant through the ages. So when I hit the bookstore and then the library I was there forever and a day. Realize I check out the contents, skim the bits that interest me and then reread and digest chunks that seem to be pertinent, by no means an in depth study on any of the books or subjects. But I am feasting.

Ancient Education, William Smith--1955 interesting but smacking with old ideas and prejudices. But an interesting inquiry.

A Brief History of the Mind, William Calvin --The table of contents take a reread. Intense, informative, as easy to digest that he makes it and he does it well it is heavy and I am still enthralled. Will report more

Critical Lessons, What Our Schools Should Teach, Nel Noddings--Hers is one of several books that discuss "critical thinking" in our system. Many interesting points are made. We need to be open to controversy. We are no longer a homogenized society, and the world is much more connected than ever so we need to be able to discuss our differences. This book brings up a lot of interesting topics.

The End of Education, Redefining the Value of School, Neil Postman--Crazy good so far need to delve deeper.

The Gutenberg Elegies, The Fate of Reading in an Electronic Age, Sven Birkerts--reading in progress, cannot report but must say touches on some issues that are very close to me.

Jefferson's Children, Leon Botstein--So this title really hits all the six degrees of separation notes,... lately "A Jefferson Education" has been on the tongues of the home school groups and lately I have been getting in touch with people from my brief college experience at Bard(Leon Botstein was and is the President) so how I happened upon this was cool. And it makes me realize why even though I was only at Bard for around 9 months, why it struck such a cord and I have always wondered what my life would have been had I finished my schooling there. It could be one of my regrets in life. I still am not sure. But the book is amazing. What a visionary, how confusing and refreshing are his ideas.

The Curious World of Carnivorous Plants-- I have come so close to buying a book on these bizarre creatures. They are truly strange and otherworldly. So odd and beautiful...

Somehow getting these books for free at the library, inspired, emboldened me to fill in the gaps at the bookstore(Yes I know I sound insane)

To the Jefferson Education--Kevin Hayes, The Road to Monticello-- I have always had a place in my heart for Thomas Jefferson. I have studied him a bit, but not nearly as much as he deserves. What a Renaissance Man. An informative and fascinating look into the "Life and Mind of Thomas Jefferson" IMPORTANT READ.

How To Teach Reading When You're Not a Reading Teacher--Some nice new ideas, inspiring

And then there is that crazy garden life which deserves it own world but we'll hit it while we're here.
Grow Vegetables--Just a great resource

Home Preservation--Brought on by my beautiful peppers that I could only use a fraction of.

Herbs and Spices --Same as above so many herbs so little time.

Pool Maintenance --Enough said.

Too tired to continue.... That was a taste of our easy week, ha ha ha