Arts, Environment and the Child: Walking the Wheel of the Seasons

Today we as a class went to the organic farm. I attended a presentation on farming in South America. I was very touched by the amount of work that the two students put into the presentation, and the energy they put into reaching out to learn from the peoples that they met. I also attended the children's art activities that our class put on and made and help a few kids make Luminaries.

Today was my first day working with the kids at Mariah Art school. Though it was a bit intimidating, once I realized that the kids were probably just as intimidated as I was, my walls came down and I was able to observe and participate with two eyes open instead of one.

We started off by sitting in a circle, all together there were 11 of us. Each child said there name and one word that came to mind when they thought about Fall. I had the incredible realization that just like adults, each child is different and unique in his or her own way. It's not that I didn't see that before, but phrases such as kids will be kids some what categorize children as a whole.

I loved listening to the children as they talked about the fall and candy and falling leaves. some kids were shy and said only one word but others kids were full of things and words that came to mind when thinking about the fall.

Today was my first work day out at the skokomish sacred medicinal garden. I left early in the morning with my dear friend Nicole, who is also very interested in sacred and medicinal herbs.

As we drove out to the reservation we were gity at the though of working with plants. The day was crisp but the sun was shining. We pulled into a gravely parking lot, got out of the car and instantly were welcomed by our new friends. The garden was a work in progress, which was very exciting .

We started off our day by hauling 75 picnic tables out of a huge truck, they will go in the meeting structure one it is all built. At the moment it is only an Idea. After the Puccini table unloading, we moved to hauling top soil to the first part of the garden, where many different plants will be planted. There is something so powerful about planting I love the way the roots feel, I love the idea of removing plants from small pots and placing them into the earth where the roots can thrive and grow!

It is a very powerful experience working out there in exchange for working we are able to pick fresh herbs to make what ever we choose.

Today I had the chance to go down to the pregnancy loss art show. I was very grateful to have had the opportunity to attend something so powerful. Once again I was blown away by the strength of women and the strength of art.

I was very impressed by the coordinators of the art show. It was very clear that they out in a lot of time and energy. Though it was indeed an emotional experience, I was very impressed by light that was brought out of such a dark and emotional loss.

My second meeting with the children and Julia! It was a wonderful day. The sun came out for a brief moment so we ceased the opportunity to go outside and take a brief walk. I asked the children where they wanted to go, we could pretend to go anywhere in the world they wanted. so we took a vote and walked to nome land which is located under the big tree near garfield.

It was truly amazing to have the chance to walk slow, being that their legs a quite shorter than my own, and listen to the children talk amongst themselves about where we were going. Taking the time to really listen to what children have to say is just as good as listening to your favorite type of music.

on our way to the land of the gnomes we stopped and looked at mushrooms, AKA fairy and nome dining room tables. we decided that it would be a good idea to walk very carefully to big tree so that we didn't step on any "tables"

I am always amazed at my own imagination when children are around, something's that you think are lost just need to woken up by spending time with children.

my second Thursday at the garden. I think this is my new favorite day of the week. Jacob and Elise, the two project coordinators, were hard at work and very happy to see Nicole and I. There is so much to be done!

We started the day off by laying down tons of weed guard in the structures. In only one week all three structure frames have been built. There is a smoke house, a hanging house, and a meeting house. The gardens are coming along! Last week we planted about 17 kinnikinick,(Uva Ursi), and I think 4 different kinds of mint, and Lemon balm. I learned that it is wise to plant mint and Balm in their own area being that they flourish and can really take over!

We also had the chance to harvest tobacco leaves which I learned is a sacred plant. I am in the process of drying the leaves and I will be making a smoke mix out of them.

Well today was my third class at mariah art school!! It was more of a day of celebration, I should say. We had a harvest party, and it was one wild and crazy day. There ghosts, walking around with princesses, spiderman and darth Vader were bobbing for apples together, while gorillas and cats were drawing pictures. Even cinnamon toast was there smelling like cinnamon.

I had so much fun today. We told scary stories but really found ways for the children to interact with the stories. Instead of just sitting in a circle we had different story telling stations! Once one story was finished we moved on to the next chapter. And each chapter had a different noise and a different activity. The kids loved it! I think that for young children interactive stories are the best way to keep the engaged, because they don't always understand what the words mean or even the pictures, but when you allow them to make there own movements and sounds the stories I am assuming makes a bit more sense to them!

We then had snack which consisted of juice and treats!!!! Let me tell you it was a bit crazy after that. And by the end of the day I was & tired.

Wow how time flies out here! It has been so amazing being part of something so beautiful. Watching something grow and become a dream come true for some people is a true gift.

It is really amazing how four hours of work can seem like only 2! Today the weather was rainy and cold!! This was the first time it rained as hard as it did while we were working. It was pretty tedious laying down weed guard in puddles but we made the best of it and continued working. It is really humbling working in the rain. It gets you out of your comfort zone and allows you to prove to yourself that...yes I am dedicated to this project.

I have found that working on gardens really allows you to connect with people, in a way that I have not yet experienced. I think hat maybe for myself gardening and planting makes me very mindful and conscious of what I am doing thus allowing me to be more present when conversating with people around me. What ever it is it feels almost magical, and I am so grateful to be a part of it.

Today was my fourth meeting with the class! I think that I am going to continue coming even though I don't have to. Mariah is so close to my house and it is such a great way to spend friday afternoons. One way that participating with the class has helped me is this is usually the time of year that I hide and hibernate only coming out of my house if it is completely necessary, and coming to the class really helps me stay a float with what is going on out side and with other people.

I came a little later than I normally do this time to participate in the after school program. I must say it is a little bit more crazy than one class. Kids from all over come in some from Lp Brown, Lincoln, Garfield, and more! There were a lot of games and fun activities.

I especially thought it was interesting watching the older kids interact with the younger kids. They're dynamic is so different! Some are more protective and some are a bit more on the mean side, but all in all they all seem to get along pretty well.

We also made a haunted house just for fun, because some kids didn't get to go to a haunted house or corn maze so I decided to help them build a house out of huge card board boxes!

After all the kids went home julia and I had the chance to meet and talk about My lesson plan. She asked me to continue coming back After I give my lesson and I though that was a great idea!

Today the painted word group met in the morning for poster distribution and just to reconnect and see where we were all at. We decided on who would help at the public workshops and who could attend which one. I

It was really nice to reconnect with people and share cups of tea and coffee and talk about how the class was going for each person.