rerouted rambler

Okay, so it's been a while since I posted. I know that's nothing new here, but as I did pledge to regularly update my blog, not that long ago, in fact, I feel a little guilty for being away so long. I have been writing, however, so I don't feel too guilty. I just finished up something for this story competition—not that I'm really competitive or anything. I just drawn to deadlines and due dates.

Before that I was working on a short story. Yes, the dreaded short story. You were once my Achilles heel, and now I embrace you wholeheartedly, which gives you a new place to stick your poisoned arrow. We are working out the kinks in this complicated relationship. It helps to listen to the New Yorker Fiction Podcasts, and to spend some time actually reading short stories. I've always been a little "anti" the short story, partly because I hadn't read many that were any good; largely because I couldn't write any that were even decent. (I ramble and have completion issues.) I'm slowly coming around.

I'm actually pretty pleased with my recent output, especially considering the many changes in my life. We moved on April 15th to... No, not New York, not Jersey, not anywhere that follows any line of reasoning. We moved to Philadelphia. It made perfect sense at the time, and despite the occasional bouts of "What were we thinking?!?" we stand by our insane decision. So far, so good. I love how walkable this place is; how easy it is to live without a car. And after living in New York for a bit, I greatly appreciate how manageable this city feels. We're digging it.

Luna seems to be totally in her element. The energy of the city suits my aquarian child. She's ready to go every morning; up for the newest adventure or discovery. Sometimes I find her sitting at my bedroom window with the blinds pulled all the way up. She tells me, "I want to see the whole city. I like the way it looks."

Sol is adjusting pretty well. He was initially very put off by the idea of living in a city. I think his exact words were, "I could never live in the hustle and bustle of a city." He now says he likes city-life, but he misses our old house; his secret hide-out behind the hedges on the side yard. He really misses his friends, too. That's been the hardest part for all of us—leaving our circle of friends, our unschooling community.

I think it's being in-between real-world communities that inspires me to rejoin the virtual communities of writers, mamas, and unschooolers. We are still unschooling, and getting better at everyday. Actually, Sol and Luna are naturals; I'm the one who has to work at it.

Comments

[Mike Janssen]

Just the other day I was yearning for more blueperiod. Thank you. But more! more! At bottom, though, I just miss you and your family, not just blueperiod. And Louisa does too.

[Lorraine]

We miss you, too!

[kirsten a.k.a. triple P]

You're back! And in Philly!

If you are really yearning for some unschooling goodness, we're having the first annual Good Vibrations Unschooling Conference in San Diego next September;)

Come visit!