So, this blogging thing is a bit slow to get started, but since I won't be homeschooling anymore or at least full time, then perhaps I'll be able to attend to this little endeavor.
We uprooted from our home in the Blue Ridge to relocate in a valley (TBD) near Lake Michigan. My spouse finished grad school and is now embarking on a journey of his own into academia. We pulled up stakes at the end of June and on July 17 we spent the first night in our new town. Before settling in we managed to spend 3 weeks on another glorious Michigan lake, canoeing, kayaking, fishing, sailing, water skiing and swimming.
After 2 weeks and a lot of cleaning in the new house, we hit the road again for a quick trip north for a music festival. One day kicked my butt, but none-the-less we saw many favorites including: Leftover Salmon, The Del McCoury Band, Punch Brothers, Cornmeal and my new Michigan favorites a group of musicians from Earthwork Music. More about them another time, but just listening to them makes you happy.
My oldest discovered the joys of drumming at the festival and spent the better part of his day drumming w/ a bunch of 20 something artisans who were more than happy (and gracious) to have a 7-year old banging on their drums. He even managed to get lessons on both drumming and drum making. Now if they could just teach him to read.
Banjo, the youngest, hula hooped successfully for the first time. His instructions were, "shake your booty." He has always done this well and that skill came in handy.
Festivals are one of our ways of connecting to a place. We find community in music and even though we spend a lot of time chasing the guys, we manage to get grounded, relax and learn something special about our children.
Another way I've discovered that connects my children to a place is thru living history. As an unexpected surprise, we stumbled on a small "old timey" village not far from the festival in Glen Haven. They have a small maritime museum, an old cannery that houses old boats and a blacksmith. The blacksmith not only spent time answering their questions, but also had them assist in running the old grindstone that sharpens saw blades! It was so stinking cool.
After another trip next week, we'll finally be home for a good long while. My oldest has a great desire to just be at home, he wants to buy a house and stay put for 4 years...the same amount of time we were in central Virginia. We are renting for now, just because we need to get a feel for the place, the neighborhoods, people, job, etc. We don't want to be caught up on the economic uncertainty that surrounds us, so we are leaving our options open. Us parents are adventurers and are trying to instill that spirit into our offspring. Is it working? I don't know, but hopefully they enjoy it and will keep coming along for the ride.
