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

I was surprised at how much fun the Sunday afternoon program with Mylee was. All of the kids, whose ages ranged from 3 to 14, seemed genuinely interested in that session's project: puppet making.

Mylee began the session with a "seminar" on her own puppet-making experiences. She had each of her puppets perform, and all the children were able to see the creative and simple ways that puppets could be made. Then, the students were instructed to construct their own puppet out of a toilet paper roll, fabric, and funny faces which they colored. Some of the younger students needed a lot of help putting together their puppets, but overall, it was an easy yet creative project for the group. Lastly, the children put on creative little puppet shows.

Today we made nature hats! Katie and I led the students around the Evergreen gardens and had them collect natural materials such as pine cones, leaves, and moss. Well, we tried to lead them, but the sunny day seemed to have awaken them from their Pacific Northwest mid-winter slumber. (Ever notice how people get down right zombie looking during this time of year?) Their spirits were high as they ran around the campus lawn, exploring all the knolls and nooks and playing their serious games.

After we hauled them back to the classroom, we set them free to construct hats. Using newspaper and construction paper, they made a basic crown and decorated it with paper, paint, and the natural materials that they had collected on the nature walk. This project allowed for a lot of creativity, and the end results show this:

Final reflection on working in the Skokomish medicinnal garden: A Garden filled with empty spirit

I never used the trio of port o' potties that stood on the edge of the property. I guess I never had a need for one. With wide eyes we whispered among ourselves that maybe the residents of the houses used them, but I couldn't tell you if they ever did or not. I never saw anyone come. I never saw anyone go.

There were the usual signs of habitation of course, cigarette butts, soda cans, vague grey vehichles that silently appeared and disappeared, but these vestiges of daily life were only slight indicators of presence, remaining about as memorable as the clothesline in the side yard. My penchant for the mundane never fails me.

One of the most perplexing signs was the one that was erected in the middle of the highway. It claimed that the highway was closed and under construction. We always swerved around it, disobediantly, tentatively, not certain that we were on the right path. But as soon as we saw Sunday's empty church at the front of the garden, we knew that we had made it.

The houses that surrounded the garden were built up high on some sort of platform contraption, something that my ignorance in construction prevents me from describing more accurately. I heard talk of flooding in the area and let my imagination run wild with images of the phantom residents holed up in their tall houses, riding out a flood that bobbed all their grey cars around them.

I listened, too. But there wasn't much to hear aside from our polite, halting conversation that was usually drowned out by the rain and drizzle. Scattered bones and carcasses, gnawed and treasured by a pack of large dogs who always continued to look hungry and anxious, greeted us each visit. They ran wild through the garden and yards, functioning more like mischevious garden gargoyles rather than the somewhat unruly pets they must have been. Someone must have given them their treats, but who?

I worked in the garden with my hands unclothed, naked and sensitive to nature's touch. With my hands stripped, I mingled with baby slugs, I got scratched by blackberry thorns, and dirt filled my fingernails. I wore a large wool sweater, one ignored by my husband, and a bright red wool cap, one that I wouldn't have worn anywhere else. My wool sweater and hat held the ever present rain, taking on that peculiar smell that wool takes on when presented with rain....

...and the church sat still and empty.

William had the students costruct insects out of egg package holders and other materials. It was a good project to observe children grasp art and crafts projects. I discovered that the younger childern (ages 5 and under) got too caught up with glitter glue and had a hard time finishing their insect, while the other students just went to town. It was a good art project and great to observe and assist!

Seattle Asian Art Museum

I went with my husband and son to view the Chinese paintings on exhibit. The simplicity of classic Chinese landscape carries such strong and powerful -- if quiet -- emotions. I guess that's what you'd call 'zen'. Anyway, it was a fine exhibit, and I'm glad that I got a chance to view it. I have to say that it was quite the struggle trying to keep up with a very energetic toddler who ran from room to room!!

Lunar New Year Taboos: What NOT to do

I have been doing it all wrong, all wrong. No wonder the heater went kaput during one of the coldest months of the year and the sump-pump caused a real stink -- I have been living in Lunar New Year taboo! Sure, I ate my black eyed peas (Southern tradition), thought about making a resolution (Ditch the caffeine and suffer headaches? Uhm, maybe next year...), and popped a few fireworks illegally (Oh, that's not legal within city limits?), but did I really stop and think about the perils of hairwashing on Lunar New Year? Apparently, washing your hair on Lunar New Year is a big no-no. Vanity, it will get you every time.

Seriously, I don't mean to make light of Lunar New Year taboos. The whole purpose of this log is to illustrate my knoweledge into the traditions and superstitions associated with the celebration. These taboos and traditions are a useful and practical construct which help tie, mend, and strengthen familial relations.

Lunar New Year Do's and Don'ts

*Wear red. It's a powerful color that will give you the stregth to move through the new year in luck, harmony, and style. Unless, of course, red is not your color.

*Leave the credit card in the wallet. This is very important as all debts and loans are not even to be considered. If you start the first day of the new year in debt, so follows the rest of the year. However, you are allowed to exchange red envelopes filled with one dollar bills.

*Set off some fireworks. Do I really need to elaborate?

*Do not cry. Under no circumstances are you allowed to cry. Even if your dog dies or you get pulled over by a cop and are compelled to sniffle in order to get out of a ticket, you should not cry. This is very important 'cause if you cry on Lunar New Year, you could cry all year and no one likes a crybaby do they?

*Do not curse. It's just not polite.

*Be careful who you talk to. The first person you engage in conversation with on Lunar New Year could effect the tone and outcome for the rest of the year. At all costs, avoid the Grumpy Gus types.

*Don't run with scissors. Don't walk with them. Don't even use them. They could prove to be a negative force when it comes to finances. The same goes for a knife.