Book Cover for The Circle of Law

What fun I had, last month! Lia London's book, The Circle of Law, hit the printing presses this week, and she offered me the chance to do the art work. Am I satisfied with the results? Not really. There were so many things I could have improved. However, these projects are frequently on a short time line. The art has already been submitted, it works, it's building interest in the book, and everyone seems to be responding positively to it. I forget that most people want to enjoy art, not analyze it to death.
The next step belongs to advertising. It will be interesting to watch. There is also a possibility that I will have a role in the festivities. I just found out that I need to write an artist's bio (something I've managed to avoid), and we're chatting about some additional pen and ink sketches for the website. Lia and her marketer have lots of ideas. It's all a bit surreal. And if I am having butterflies, what must my friend be going through?
It's always tricky, trying to decide the level of involvement in a project. For now, pen and ink character sketches are calling to me. Of course, they will need to find a niche between painting bedrooms, planning curriculum, and summer time with my family... but ah, it was so good to be able to do an art project for a friend again!

A New Semester

Yet again, I discover my blog. I shall dub it a "bi-annual" blog, and get over any lingering guilt. Done.

New semesters are so invigorating! Finals are behind us, and promise is ahead of us! My prayers are said, my hope is strong.

Last semester was more challeging. My estimates were off, as to the amount of time needed. The three major blunders: classes that were too ambitious; not realizing that the Art school had homework (whoops); and a Ballet rehearsal schedule which challenged my seventh-grader's ability to focus on school work.

I've corrected what I can. My Sophmore is half way through Junior year Chemistry, so we're sticking with that. I've dialed back two of her other classes, and we'll be working ahead, to prepare for the youngest's "Ballet Season."

On my own plate, I've decided to only take one art class, instead of the three I took last semester. This is to offset the other teaching class I took on. I now teach IEW Writing, Graphic Novel, and Cartooning 201.

I know what the end of spring semester brings. Stress. There will be performances in both Ballet and Theater, class finals, and the yearly CATs and SATs.

But for now... Whee!

Return of the Brains

Summer has finally arrived, and my missing brain has returned. I also suspect the reason it went AWOL. Stay with me, and I'll explain. There is an idea circulating, which states that men's brains function like a warehouse of boxes: a box for each person, job, project, etc. I do not pretend to understand this, though I have tried to implement it. Women's brains function more like a ball of wire: people, jobs and projects constantly overlap, intertwine, and affect each other. Men keep their subjects separated. Women keep everything connected.

Now that the groundwork is laid, lets pose a question.

What happens to a man who has too many things going on? Well, if there isn't enough time in the day, certain boxes simply don't get attention. Something gets dropped. Eventually, someone will point out the ignored box. Depending on the delivery and reception, this information can start a fight, or change a flight plan.

What happens to a woman who has too many things going on? When all things are going at once, life becomes a cacophony. The noise level rises in every area, not just the one which is experiencing difficulties. Life becomes overwhelming and she becomes stressed.

For the homeschool Mom, there is blessedly less to keep track of with the arrival of summer. Classes are over and grades have been given. We can dismiss all thoughts concerning schoolwork. We can also dismiss the satellite issues that come with school. Keep in mind, that the issues do not have their own boxes, and are ever present. These include: each child's calling; each core class/elective; grades; imparting motivation, and spiritual, ethical, moral growth; kids' social lives; self learning; and keeping guard over commitment levels. Add the people connected to each outside activity. For co-ops, add planning meetings, and obligatory 'social' events. Fun? Sometimes. Insanity? A definite possibility.

And then summer arrives! Our brain, released from it's bondage of constant overload, re-discovers thinking. For some of us, our emotions tentatively peek out from their hidey-hole. For others, our emotions touch ground for the first time in months. We stare at the life around us. We are in awe. We notice all kinds of things, bringing them to the attention of those around us with the amazement of Columbus discovering the New World.

Yes. I have discovered what happened to my brain.

It's a good think I didn't try to figure this out during the school year.

Getting Some Balance

I have a problem. I haven't done any Writing since July (witness the blog). I haven't done much art, either.

Admittedly, I'm busy. We homeschool. Our kids are older and we have more to juggle. Colleges have definite requirements. My kids still want enjoyable classes. My job is to plan, teach, record, and hunt down curriculums which fit our needs and wants. Of course, with all the options available nowadays, finding materials should be a snap.

So what's the root of my problem? I've developed a bad habit. I constantly re-evaluate my curriculum. There are so many materials out there, how do I know I've found the best one, unless I understand all the choices? It's gotten out of hand.

Now I'm a smart girl. There is no perfect curriculum. There is no publisher, 'method', or 'school of thought' which does not have it's detractors. No holy grail. If I were still working for the school district, I'd give up on perfection. There's just not enough time in the day.

So why the perfection? It began slowly. When the girls were young, we sampled from a smorgasboard of subjects and experiences. We could change direction mid-course, to follow our curiosity. Now, however, we have more structure, brought on by a need to track credits. There's less wiggle room; less time before they graduate. We're on a schedule. Being limited to six 'in-depth' classes (again, only so much time in a day), I wanted to give them the best. I became choosey about quality. Oops, make that picky.

Perhaps I can let go, now that I've put words to what I've been doing. My husband said something a few weeks ago, "Fun Mommy needs to come back."

Balance is good.

Other People's Blogs

Once a month I remember that I have a blog, and set about creating something to justify it. Not that I claim any brilliance in the posts, but even something simple gets it checked off my 'Guilty' list. Most days, I wander through other people's blogs: playing catch up, gleaning skills, dropping a line or making a comment.

Today, I get to reference Mike Lynch's page. I'd like to say I discovered the update while surfing, but my sister beat me to it, emailing me the link. Mike has posted a sample of what cartoonists used to rely on before the Internet: Arnold Wagner's prozine.

It was good to see Dad's work being referenced. Very good.

Three Summer Ideas

As summer kicks off, and my mind runs in fifty directions at once, I've highlighted a few paths which tickle my fancy.

One: Gardening. With a twist. When my poor Farm Town (facebook) crashed, I went into withdrawal. My cows, chickens, and rows of vegetables were kaput. Remembering the dirt outside my back door, my fertile mind saw the solution: towering tomatoes sheltering cheerful plastic animals. Posting photo's of my little world, brings magic and frivolity into a overworked hobby.

Two: Spying. No, not the kind that gets us arrested. The kind that sharpens, beckons, and expands our curiosity. Sandra Foyt's trip to D.C. is the inspiration. I might not make it to D.C. any time soon, but we can steal some of the sneakier ideas.

Three: Design time. The girls want style and splash in their rooms. I want something they'll still like in two months. We'll mine HGTV for ideas, and try our hand(s) at making swatch boards before we start. I've already told them they won't be crossing to the dark side, in wall colors. It must be able to be painted over - in less than four coats.

These are only three... of many. Other commitments lurk in the shadows, waiting to fill our carefree calendar.

Pre-Summer Classes

Monday morning, and all is well. With three weeks left in the school year, and major commitments completed, it's time for mini-planning. What should be attempted these last few weeks?

Most major subjects have finished their runs. Only Math, History and Art are left along with the more physical activities of horses and ballet. Summer calls. Do I let the schedule ride?

No, I think I'll add just one item. Gardening. The requisite plant experiments were done in grade school, but why not expand their knowledge a bit? Instead of planting seeds - rooting cuttings. Instead of watching seeds sprout - plant dissection. Throw in some soil testing and companion planting for a low key, season appropriate mini-course.

I'm off to the library.