{Keeping} :: My Commonplace

On Deliverance

Now I began to construe the words mentioned above, "Call on me, and I will deliver you," in a different sense from what I had ever done before; for then I had no notion of any thing being called deliverance, but my being delivered from the activity I was in; for tho' I was indeed at large in the place, yet the island was certainly a prison to me, and that in the worst sense in the world; but now I learned to take it in another sense. Now I looked back upon my past life with such horror, and my sins appeared so dreadful, that my soul sought nothing of God but deliverance from the load of guilt that bore down all my comfort: as for my solitary life, it was nothing; I did not so much as pray to be delivered from it, or think of it; it was all of no consideration in comparison to this. And I add this part here, to hint to whoever shall read it, that whenever they come to a true sense of things, they will find deliverance from sin a much greater blessing than deliverance from affliction.

Robinson Crusoe 

Daniel Defoe

Ch 12, p111

{Keeping} :: My Commonplace

I actually finished Davy Crockett's Own Story, as written by himself a few weeks ago. I noticed it sitting by my bedside tonight with a bookmark still stuck a little past halfway. Remembering I do this to mark something I want to enter in my Commonplace, I decided I'd best take a look because I didn't remember if I ended up transcribing what important words Mr. Crockett penned. Turns out I hadn't!

So here it is, a modernized, frontier-style Davidic psalm, if you will... beautiful.

We were alone in the wilderness, but all things told me that God was there.

The thought renewed my strength and courage.

I had left my country, felt somewhat like an outcast, believed that I had been neglected and lost sight of:

but I was now conscious that there was still one watchful Eye over me;

no matter whether I dwelt in the populous cities, or threaded the pathless forest alone;

no matter whether I stood in the high places among men, or made my solitary lair in the untrodden wild,

that Eye was still upon me.

My very soul leaped joyfully at the thought;

I never felt so grateful in all my life;

I never loved my God so sincerely in all my life.

I felt that I still had a friend.

p269-270

History Alive: the Alamo!

Last week our family enjoyed a week away from normal. We ventured south a bit to enjoy some time with the grandparents and to make a visit to the Alamo.

This past year's Ambleside Year 3 readings of American Tall Tales has sparked a wonder-filled world of frontier life and awestruck fascination with Davy Crockett.

Let him ... linger pleasantly over the history of a single man, a short period,

until he thinks the thoughts of that man, is at home in the ways of that period.

-Vol 1, p280

As Royal's interests gravitated toward this hero of the 19th century, I began to keep my eyes open for books he may enjoy and found a handful at various thrift stores:

Davy Crockett, Young Pioneer

Davy Crockett, Defender of the Alamo

The Story of Davy Crockett

Susanna of the Alamo

I also ordered Davy Crockett's Own Story, As Written by Himself.

I confess I did this because I was inspired by my son's interest, along with the notion that this book could be an option for Year 10's biography selection.

From my Commonplace:

(I can't help but think that Charlotte Mason would be proud to read this as well!)

What a pity it is that these theaters are not contrived that everybody could go;

but the fact is, backwoodsman that I am, I have heard some things in them that was

a leetle too tough for good women and modest men;

and that's a great pity, because there are thousands of scenes of real life that might be exhibited,

both for amusement and edification, without offending.

p168

----------------------------------

Let a child have the meat he requires in his history readings, 

and in the literature which naturally gathers round this history, 

and the imagination will bestir itself without any help of ours;

the child will live out in detail a thousand scenes of which he only gets the merest hint.

-Vol 1, p295

With all the past year's talk of Crockett and the Alamo, playing at frontier life and singing the Ballad of Davy Crockett, my kids were ripe for a visit to this shrine of Texas history.

Photos are not allowed inside the mission, but it was amazing to view relics once used by so many involved in the Texas Revolution...a Bowie knife, Crockett's rifle, a large wood piece from his Tennessee home's chimney, and his leather wallet (which we sketched to try replicating in the future, as Royal is now beginning to do leatherwork). 

Talking with various museum attendants:

... we learned where Davy Crockett's battle position at the Alamo was and where his body was found afterwards 

... we enjoyed handling a real flintlock rifle and .69 caliber round balls 

... and did you know Phil Collins (he was seriously my favorite rock star growing up!) is an Honorary Texan because of his generous donations of Alamo relics he has collected over the years? He has amassed around 250 articles relating to the Alamo and the Texas Revolution. A select few are already on display at the Alamo, but the rest Mr. Collins has asked specifically that there be a place where the entire collection can be housed together. These plans are in the works now.

For a bit of History in the Headlines, read this article: Phil Collins has always Remembered the Alamo

my little Davy Crockett & Jim Bowie

-------------------------------------

The Church of San Fernando,

one of the oldest cathedrals in the USA

and the marker for the official center of the city of San Antonio lies on the floor of the back chapel:

Besides being beautiful on the outside,

the inside is quite lovely as well:

And in the entrance on the left side of the church,

another piece of history:

History is now alive in our minds!

"Education must be an appeal to the spirit if it is to be made interesting."

{Keeping} :: My Commonplace

Think of a place you have traveled to that was the most amazing, enthralling, wondrous, breath-taking sight you have witnessed. 

Perhaps someplace unexpected, or even not-so-far from home...maybe a destination you had excitedly planned to visit, 

but experiencing it first-hand was even more awesome than you could have imagined.

Do you have it in your mind? 

Do you remember those feelings?

---------------------------------

Although there was no enemy or other danger to be perceived, 

they felt the apprehension and doubt of those who have come unawares upon some awe-inspiring place where they themselves are paltry fellows of no account. 

When Marco Polo came at last to Cathay, seven hundred years ago, 

did he not feel

--and did his heart not falter as he realized--

that this great and splendid capital of an empire had had its being all the years of his life and far longer, 

and that he had been ignorant of it? 

That it was in need of nothing from him, from Venice, from Europe? 

That it was full of wonders beyond his understanding? 

That his arrival was a matter of no importance whatever? 

We know that he felt these things, and so has many a traveler in foreign parts who did not know what he was going to find. 

There is nothing that cuts you down to size like coming to some strange and marvelous place where no one even stops to notice that you stare about you.

Watership Down

Richard Adams

p303

----------------------

I can just imagine what Hiram Bingham felt as he came upon this forgotten Incan city in the clouds.
And after clearing away all the over-growth, what a spectacular fortress for all to see and wonder about.

{Keeping} :: My Commonplace, on being out-of-doors

"You see," said the stick, "there were as pretty little children once as you could wish to see,

and might have been so still if they had been only left to grow up like human beings,

and then handed over to me;

but their foolish fathers and mothers, instead of letting them pick flowers,

and make dirt-pies, and get birds' nests,

and dance round the gooseberry bush,

as little children should,

kept them always at lessons, working, working, working,

learning week-day lessons all week-days, and Sunday lessons all Sunday,

and weekly examinations every Saturday, and monthly examinations every month,

and yearly examinations every year, everything seven times over,

as if once was not enough, and enough as good as a feast --

till their brains grew big, and their bodies grew small, and they were all changed into turnips,

with little but water inside; and still their foolish parents actually pick the leaves off them as fast as they grow,

lest they should have anything green about them."

The Water-Babies

Charles Kingsley

p332

{Keeping} :: My Commonplace

A few varied thoughts from:

• the Bible
• Charles Kingsley
• Karen Glass

Moses answered the people, 

"Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. 

The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. 

The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still."

Exodus 14:13-14

I am always in awe and grateful to know that when God calls us to a task, it is HE that does the work. 

We only need to be obedient by showing up!

 

.......................................

Little boys must take the trouble to find out things for themselves, or they will never grow to be men.

The Water-Babies

Charles Kingsley

p268

This reminds me of Charlotte's words: There is no education but self-education.

.......................................

We are not reading books merely to check off a list or to be able to say we have read them. 

We are reading to grow as persons, to know more that we may understand more, and ultimately, it is to be hoped, to act according to our greater wisdom.

Consider This

Karen Glass

p90

I am a list maker and love to make lists and check them off!

I can totally relate to this quote. 

It is a good reminder to me of the whole point of reading living books. 

Although, yes, it is enjoyable, the greater goal is to be educated and awakened to higher thoughts in order that we may act in a more right manner.

......................................

...a man is a slave to whatever has mastered him.

2 Peter 2:19b

Hmmmmm....what am I a slave to?

Also food for reflective thought!

{Keeping} :: My Commonplace ... Lessons from a Convict

A couple of weeks ago, as I was perusing our library's digital consortium, my interest was piqued as my eyes rested on the title: Shakespeare Saved My Life: Ten Years in Solitary with the Bard, by Laura Bates.

I was easily lured into reading this because of Shakespeare in the title; however, I did not expect to be enthralled by Larry Newton's personal tale and drastic life change as an inmate ... Or how prison education programs like Shakespeare greatly benefit the personhood of prisoners, which consequently affect the betterment of society! It was an eye-opening read. 

And the incredible wisdom of Larry shine throughout the book. I just had to make several entries into my Commonplace for this one. Granted, most of his comments are regarding prisoners and prison life, but I also found many of them to be universal truths.


p. 162 ... on pride (And who can say they don't suffer from this? I can't!)

It is not our conscience that torments us over our image; that is our ego tormenting us. 

Our conscience torments us when we behave in ways that are contrary to our values. 

When you look in the mirror and cringe as a result of your shame, it is conscience. 

When you look in the mirror and cringe as a result of how people think of you, it is ego. 

Which of the two is more prevalent in your life?

p. 168 ... on instructing younger inmates in the Shakespeare program. (Isn't this what we, as Charlotte Mason, educators also strive to do?)

That's the idea behind real change. 

The idea is that we make them question things that we don't question...

The idea is not to give them the answers, but to make themselves question.

p. 188 ... on preparing the younger inmates for the study of Shakespeare. (Another plug for reading good, rich literature!)

You are going to have to dig inside yourself and come face-to-face with parts of you that you never knew existed. 

And, yes, the language is tough. These facts aren't meant to scare you away. 

I just thought that you should know that this is no cake walk. 

But I have every confidence that you are more than capable of stepping up into the "big leagues" of intellect. 

Others may want to water things down for you, because they see you as mere juveniles. 

But I know that you are not simple-minded kids.

p. 224 ... on questioning the purpose for providing education programs to prisoners and appealing to one's sense of right and wrong. (Talk about conviction!)

"Why should we do good for bad people?" 

The answer is because "anything else would be bad."

{Keeping} :: My Commonplace

Habits.

Discipline.

These two words embody the life-blood of a Charlotte Mason education. 

And they are powerful, whether it be the absence or the presence of them.

I am frequently reminded of where I am needing improvement.

The following excerpt from The Blue Fairy Book, of all places, is no exception.

I was reading a portion of Prince Darling today with Alice (Year 1).

As I said the words out loud, I couldn't help but feel the conviction again that our lives (starting with mine) need little adjustments.

Lord, help me. This is difficult!

When the Prince grew old enough to understand, 

he soon learnt that there could be nothing worse than to be proud, obstinate, and conceited, 

and he had really tried to cure himself of these defects, but by that time his faults had become habits; 

and a bad habit is very hard to get rid of. 

Not that he was naturally of a bad disposition; 

he was truly sorry when he had been naughty, and said:

"I am very unhappy to have to struggle against my anger and pride every day; 

if I had been punished for them when I was little 

they would not be such a trouble to me now."

The Blue Fairy Book

Prince Darling

Andrew Lang

p281

{Keeping} :: My Commonplace

Just a few words that struck me during our read-aloud time of late...

The truth is, that folks' fancy that such and such things cannot be, 

simply because they have not seen them,

is worth no more than a savage's fancy that there cannot be such a thing as a locomotive, 

because he never saw one running wild in the forest.

 Wise men know that their business is to examine what is, and not to settle what is not.

The Water-Babies 

Charles Kingsley

p92

{Keeping} :: My Commonplace ... and some reflections

I have just begun a fun-for-me read entitled: Between Worlds: Essays on Culture and Belonging

I was drawn to this for a couple of reasons:

1. I love learning about & experiencing other cultures and hearing other people's stories about living abroad.

2. We were missionaries for 6 years, and although I did not grow up abroad, I definitely began to have a sense of being in between worlds ... like I didn't have a place of real belonging, either in the States or in Latin America. It was a strange place to be, so I can totally imagine what a Third Culture Kid (TCK) may sense.

(Oh, and #3: it was free for Kindle the other day!) teehee :-)

So the author, Marilyn R. Gardner, was an MK (missionary kid) in Pakistan. Her parents began their work there in 1954.

Here is an excerpt of a portion of one of her essays of the many memories she holds dear while away at boarding school:

I've written before that there can be strength in remembering. 

And the Chai Shop is a memory that gives strength.

... ... ...

Rumor has it that the building that housed the chai shop has been torn down - one more brick taken out of our wall of memories. 

Perhaps writing helps keep some of the bricks intact, because memories are precious and, if used properly, give strength for the present.

I can't help but connect what she reveals here with the idea of Keeping. She is keeping her memories alive by writing them down and reflecting on how her past has had a profound impact on her present.

I am really enthralled with this idea of keeping notebooks, and in The Living Page Laurie Bestvater expresses well what Miss Mason proclaims about the "blank page":

[It] secures personhood by slowing us down, causing us to reflect, choose, sort, and ruminate.

-p 112

And isn't this similar to what Mrs. Gardner has done in her essays? She has apparently done much reflecting, choosing, sorting and ruminating in order to secure her personhood.

...

Would that we all look back ... Or even better yet, start now to make notes of important, vital happenings, thoughts, quotes, poems, hymns, natural discoveries, and everyday observations. And in this writing, perhaps it will also help us to keep some of the bricks intact.

{Keeping} :: My Commonplace

After seeing repeated references to "my Commonplace" pop up throughout the AO Forum and various blog posts, 
I found myself perplexed. 

What in the world are they talking about?!?

I don't remember if I googled the term or if someone finally alluded to Laurie Bestvater's The Living Page, but eventually I was caught up to date with the rest of the Charlotte Mason society of homeschoolers.

I had heard many accolades for the book, and it was in my Just for Me wish list on Amazon for awhile. I eventually transferred it to my shopping cart and bought it, so now I am reading through the pages slowly and becoming more aware of how important keeping is, and how much it contributes to the learning process.

There are all sorts of options to choose from and add into a full education; however, I decided to start with the most general: 

the Commonplace.

So what in the world am I talking about?!?

A Commonplace book is basically an empty journal that you fill with striking thoughts, quotes, poems, Bible passages, etc.

 It is very general in its focus.

The definition of commonplace from an online dictionary:

• pertaining or belonging equally to an entire community, nation, or culture; public
• joint; united
• widespread; general; ordinary
• of frequent occurrence; usual; familiar

Pretty much whatever you come across in your daily life!

-----------------------------------------

So when a crafty friend of mine passed along a Pin on how to make and bind your own book, I thought, "Hey, perfect timing!" 

So I made my Commonplace book!

My first page's entries include quotes from David Hicks (Norms & Nobility), which I have never read; however, he is quoted in Laurie Bestvater's The Living Page; Charlotte Mason, and Laurie Bestvater herself.

David Hicks' words are my first quote of my Commonplace, and, I think, very appropriate to what education is:

The purpose of education is not the assimilation of facts or the retention of information,

 but the habituation of the mind and body to will and act in accordance with what one knows.

-----------------------------------------

Yesterday's entry is from Isaiah 50:10-11 ... a passage our pastor preached on. It really speaks to me in regards to walking by faith and surrendering our desire to control to the Lord, 

even when it seems our lives are taking routes away from where we feel God has called us.

Who among you fears the LORD
and obeys the word of his servant?
Let him who walks in the dark,
who has no light,
trust in the name of the LORD
and rely on his God.
But now, all you who light fires
and provide yourselves with flaming torches,
go, walk in the light of your fires
and of the torches you have set ablaze.
This is what you shall receive from my hand:
You will lie down in torment.