Always Something to Worry About

Since Putin has invaded Ukraine there is a low level anxiety that has been thrown over the world like a blanket.  This is laying right on top of the apprehension we were already feeling as a result of Covid-19.  And that pandemic disturbance is on top of the political concerns we have had for many years due to the climate created by the past president. I just do not understand the ego of powerful mad men.  Decisions that disenfranchise, uproot, injure, maim or kill human beings seem rooted in evil. 

"Wars are always madness: all is lost in war, all is to be gained in peace." 

Pope Francis

 

And Another One Bites the Dust

Someone had to go first in this family...and statistically, it made sense that it was me.  I see so many kids at school each day, and this was the first week I didn't wear a mask!  The mask mandate was lifted and perhaps a little foolishly, I decided to not wear mine.  That was on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.  Then, on Friday, I felt a bit under the weather and woke to a sore-throat on Saturday.  I tested for covid then, but it came back negative.  On Saturday night I felt even worse.  I went to bed and woke up with a very sore-throat, headache, and felt plain old lousy.  I was supposed to do a second day of a printmaking workshop I had started on Saturday. I tested again Sunday morning, and sure enough, this time it came back positive for Covid.  I cancelled my workshop and headed into 5 days of isolation - out in the barn.  Anna and the boys have been testing daily but no covid for them...yet.  Let's hope they don't get it.  My symptoms remain steady after a couple of days - very sore throat, headache, runny nose, and generally feeling rotten.  So, here I sit, catching up on the blog while I have so much time on my hands.    Always the silver lining. 

Burlington City and Lake

Anders is doing BCL this semester in high school.  It really is an amazing program in partnership with Shelburne Farms, and he is lucky to be a part of it.  BCL uses the city as a classroom, and together explore Burlington; how it works, what the problems are, and how it can be better.  I love that they spend so much time connecting with other students, with teachers, and with community members.  All of it sparks their thinking. They will be doing an art installation piece with artist Rebecca Schwarz, they have met with architects who are planning the new BHS and BTC buildings, as well as many others from our community.  Here are a few photos from his time at BCL (one of him spinning the infamous "Birthday Wheel") as well as some quotes Anders has written that are on the BCL blog.

 

 

https://btvcityandlake.org/blog/

The Abenaki were the original caretakers of this land that we live on, yet even though we are learning more about them now, why is it that this history isn't a part of our early learning and present history.  Wendy Hallock, from Shelburne Community School, wrote "It's encouraged that we include indigenous history and really all perspectives when we teach any history." Why is it encouraged and not a mandatory part of our curriculum, when other parts of history that only involve rich white men are a mandatory part of history class? 

Anders 

It was really fun to work with community partners as equals and  to be able to have a say in our design.  All of the designs for schools were really interesting and preferable to the school system now. Many groups said that school should be a place that students want to go.  Why hasn't' the school system changed?  Why does it stay the same even when so much is changing in the world?

Anders

For a community to fully thrive, people need to trust the systems and all the systems need to benefit everyone and not just a select few people.  For our BCL community to thrive we need to trust each other and listen to others ideas...Morning Meetings and Circle help us to get to know each other better, build trust with one another and that helps our community to thrive.  

Anders 

Anders and Adeline

Anders went with me to visit Grandma.  This was the nicest photo of them.

 

Friends with Masks

Kuba has been staying after school on Thursdays with a group of kids to paint some wall murals.
They always take off as a group at the end to go take a selfie.  Here's the selfie from this week! 

 

Look Who's Driving

 Yes, it's true.  Anders has his permit and is now learning to drive.  He's taking it very slow!