I didn’t write a What I’m Into Post for the last two months because I wasn’t into much.
I’ve been so busy with appointments with Felix, grappling with more and more diagnoses, struggling against depression, and, to make matters worse, our libraries have been closed due to a labour disruption. For over three months. Yeah. It sucks. That has meant very little reading and very few movies for us.
We went to the thrift store a couple of times and took home armfuls of mediocre children’s books. We’ve also had to rent movies from the local movie rental store (Yes! We still have on of those in our town!).
Homeschooling is going just fine. Lydia is enjoying tap dance lessons. I started seeing a therapist. Which is good, but it’s yet another thing to schedule in.
So today’s post is brief. But I figured I’d share the couple of things I enjoyed this month.
Books
How Children Learn by John Holt. For those who aren’t familiar, this book is one of the original classics in unschooling. In it, the author recounts his many years of personal observations of children, both in their homes and in classrooms. The intro was a little hard to get through, but after that it was a fun and inspiring read. I love John Holt. He strikes me as one of the nicest people who ever lived. He has profound respect for children and it shows in the way he interacts with them. I loved the experience of sitting at his feet and soaking up his wisdom.
Everything Belongs: The Gift of Contemplative Prayer by Richard Rohr. After hearing Rob Bell’s breathtakingly awesome interview with Rohr on his podcast, I decided that what my life needed more of was a 75-year-old Franciscan priest. I’ll read a few pages before bed each night to help ground me. I can’t wait to be old and wise like Richard Rohr.
Movies
Man Up – I was eager to give this movie a try when I saw it featured two of my favourite actors, Simon Pegg and Lake Bell. Their characters meet when Pegg mistakes Bell for his blind date and she decides to go with it. This movie is WEIRD and HILARIOUS and I LOVED it. Pegg is adorable and Bell is just brilliant. Their performances knocked my socks off. Ben and I both laughed so hard when we weren’t groaning in pain from the awkwardness. I’m still thinking about it weeks later.
Anne of Green Gables – I’ve been interested in watching this movie since I read the book last year in the hospital and was surprised by how much I loved it. Can you believe I’d never read or seen the book or movie?! Megan Followes is perfectly charming. But I have to admit I found the movie a teeny bit boring. (Please don’t hate me! It seems like everybody on the internet loves it!!). It didn’t help that both kids whined and complained through the whole thing. (We watched it in three parts.) I’m kinda looking forward to the newer movie versions coming out to see how they compare.
That’s about it for now! Hope you are enjoying fall.
Hi Kathleen,
I discovered your blog the other day, and I’ve been captivated since. I wanted to reach out, because though we’re very different, I feel that we have much in common. I hope that you are well.
Sarah
I’m so sorry you’re struggling. I’m praying for you. I read this Bible verse today and I wanted to share it with you. “Surely God is my help; the Lord is the one who sustains me” Psalm 54:4. Simple, but I hope it can bring you some comfort knowing that God can sustain you. Sending a virtual hug your way!
I’m sorry to hear you’re struggling with depression. It can be an ugly and lonely fight. I’m glad you’re seeing someone. My therapist saved me. As melodramatic as that sounds. She even came to my wedding.
I love your movie reviews. Can’t wait to check out Man Up. Eric and I adore Simon Pegg.
Hang in there! I love your blog and you were one of the ones who inspired me to start my own this year. Good for you for making the time for the therapist even when you have none. I feel like I spent all of last year going to doctors, massage therapists, acupuncturists, and physical therapists after a car accident. Then some more bad stuff happened and I had to add a counselor to deal with PTSD. Not what I had in mind, but I’ve graduated beyond all of it now and it was a huge help.
I’m so sorry you’re struggling with depression. I’m there, too, some days. Life is just hard. Hugs from a distance…
I have many close friends and a lot of ears willing to listen, but therapy helped me so much this past spring and summer. No matter what people say, it’s for fighters and people who want to change and are willing to put the time in. Good for you. Daily excersize helped too, I’m not going to lie.
And library strikes!!! That’s crazy! How sad. Oh Canada. So many good things, but this seems unacceptable!
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Hi Kathleen,
You share a useful and informative post always so I wait for your next post. Another wonderful post indeed. Sounds like the the book ” how children learn” is really amazing.
As I have heard about you that you’re struggling, I would like to remind you that our life is full of difficulties but we have to fight from it. A good books and a good movie can change our life. I inspired by reading the books of great personalities and also watching movies too. So the books and movies are the best way to learn and enhance the knowledge and entertainment too.
I prefer books so much while traveling. Thanks for suggesting the two of important and informative books.
Have a good day.
– Ravi.
Kathleen,
I’m so sorry to hear that Felix continues to experience health struggles, and that you are struggling on and off with depression. I, too, struggle with depression at times. I have had an incredibly rough 2-4 years (car accident, multiple surgeries unrelated to that accident, serious medical complications). This verse has really brought me a lot of comfort and grounded me during the past year, especially:
But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord,
I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.
Micah 7:7
I hope that it may, even in some small way, provide you some comfort as well.
Thank you for sharing your story with us. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and experiences with us. I’ve been captivated since first reading your blog a few years ago. I will continue to pray for little Felix and for you.
Nan
THank you so much for your words and for that Scripture, Nan. It really does help to remember that he hears us.