AisA Academy

New Chicks March 24, 2011

Posted by Beth in Personal.
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This brings me up to eight backyard ladies. The new additions are a buff catalan, a cream brabranter and a Sicilian buttercup. If I could just add a silkie and a frizzle, my flock would be complete. Here’s what they will look like when they are grown.

Buttercup (note the cool comb) Buff catalana

cream brabranter

I used to have a partridge silkie and a white crested black polish—but lost them to the circle of life with the help of the neighborhood raccoons.

My current flock of hens include

Dark Brahma Milles Fleur Aracauna

Silver-laced Wyandotte Black Star

This post has been sitting for 3 weeks waiting for me to finish it. Guess I will need to do that later.

Note to Self: The universe is waiting on you March 23, 2011

Posted by Beth in Note to Self.
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This quote was at the end of an email from Dave Allen of Getting Things Done. I like it.

“If you aren’t yet at the point of clarity, then make that your first goal. It’s a big waste of time to go through life being unclear about what you want. Most people wallow way too long in the state of “I don’t know what to do.” They wait for some external force to provide them with clarity, never realizing that clarity is self-created. The universe is waiting on you, not the other way around, and it’s going to keep waiting until you finally make up your mind. Waiting for clarity is like being a sculptor staring at a piece of marble, waiting for the statue within to cast off the unneeded pieces. Do not wait for clarity to spontaneously materialize—grab a chisel and get busy!”

-Steve Pavlina

Setting Your Own Hoops January 21, 2011

Posted by Beth in Education, Personal.
Tags: Education, Personal
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My daughter is trying to decide whether or not to take two AP classes next year.

The work is demanding, although not particularly enriching or even of clear educational value. Yet—to take the “regular” courses is to be separated from the bright, motivated and more responsible kids in the school. Yet—the shear volume of work will make it difficult for her to have the time to let her musical creativity blossom.

The decision is hers, and it is not an easy one. What I am trying to help her do is to make the decision based on her own goals. To let her know that she can take the harder classes, and get whatever she wants to get out of them, i.e. not stress about the grades–or she can take the less challenging courses and concentrate on activities which are more meaningful for her.

The fundamental point which came to me and that I hope she can understand and accept is that school is a tool for her to help her reach the goals she sets for herself. It is not a measure of her intelligence, or competence, or worth as an individual. The grades are important only as the means to achieve what she wants to achieve in her own life.

The world is full of people who can successfully jump through hoops—-hoops that others create and set the standards for.

What the world needs more of are people capable of identifying and generating their own values. People who are able to take their own measure and ask questions like: Does school measure up to my standards, my needs, my values…rather than do I measure up to theirs.

This is not to say that external measurements are worthless, only that they must be held in the context of one’s own personal goals, values and standards.

This is one of the gifts our friend Auri gave to those who were lucky enough to know him. He not only set his own hoops, he spent his life helping others set theirs. Gently. Lovingly. Truly an inspiration. Thanks, Auri.