What won't publish

March 13, 2014

I knew this day was coming. It's been on the calendar for two years. I really thought I'd get these ideas published, or at least some of them:

Our family mission, and writing a mission statement resources. (We actually have a family mission now, it only took me about 8 years to write it!)
The one thing (it's a four letter word) that has held me back from full-force, open-hearted, and abundant living over the past couple years. And what's changed in my life to break free from that, so that I don't feel held back the way I used to.
My bucket-list. I finally have the courage to write on.
My thoughts on:
- the cycle of transformation
- being an encourager
- following in other's footsteps (be careful where you place your feet)
- blowing the roof off our expectations, and more.
Digital organization.
Creative living and working cycles.
An update on our plant-based diet.
Making friends and creating community wherever you are.
Mis-fit vs. misfit.
The truth about teenagers and our goals for the teenage years - fun, adventure, social engagement, and challenging experiences.

And of course I always have ideas percolating about homeschool (and education-in-general) philosophy and practice.

Here's a few posts I have in draft mode:

Finishing the elementary curriculum series I started three years ago. (Brienne has one more official year of elementary school, so I'm not too far behind).
Being a resource person vs. a stay-at-home teacher.
How we keep high school records and preparing for college/university.
A review of The Teenage Liberation Handbook and other out-of-the-box homeschool high school resources.
Why I don't believe in making learning fun (yes you read that right).
A dyslexia update.
Writing to communicate, as a means of learning how to write.
Thoughts on foreign language learning (it's hard and it must be learner-motivated).
Our experience homeschooling without a library.
Scheduling for joy and freedom.
The myth of a well-rounded education.
Learning on a need to know basis.
What our kids learn when we study.
Inspire, not require. What does that really look like? Does it work?
Family project day (if you subscribe to our video series you'll get some of this).
Springboard science.
Redeeming twaddle. Viewing the video games, graphic novels, and other things you might consider "twaddle" in a different light.

But as you are all well aware (or maybe you're new - welcome!) our family is set to start hiking the Appalachian Trail in mere days. I won't be publishing any of these ideas soon.

Maybe later, or maybe not.

I've noticed something in years of blog writing. My most salient ideas keeping bubbling to the surface and find expression, somehow. Those ideas that won't let me rest till they are published find ways to get out. And the ones that never do see the light of day I trust weren't meant to.

Hiking the trail is going to change me. It will change my priorities and I do believe it's going to change the course of my life, in a good way.

It goes without saying then that this experience will change my writing, as it changes me. I don't know what I will look like on the other side so there's no way to know what FIMBY will look like either.

There's a very good reason I was taking selfies in the drugstore. Ok, maybe not a good reason for the selfies, but a good reason for using the camera in the drugstore. I was taking video footage and while I was bored, waiting for Damien, I took selfies because I liked the way my pony tail popped out the top of my head. My pony tail that is no more. You'll have to watch the videos to get the goods on that story.

Stephanie Stevens on March 13, 2014, 8:20 p.m.

Waaaahhh! All of those things sound so intriguing ,so I really hope you return to them one day! Meanwhile it will be fun to see what you write about on your hike. :)

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Tonya on March 13, 2014, 8:44 p.m.

Priorities:) But I sure do love reading your work.

Love your hair cut! I was wondering if you were going to keep it long for the hike.

Thinkinig of you,

Tonya

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Divina on March 13, 2014, 9:20 p.m.

<sigh> All those topics look wonderful. I hope they will see the light of day ... some day. But until then, you will not be short of stories to tell.

Compliments on the nice new do :o)

Oh, and Brienne's fashion journal(?) looks awesome!

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ariana on March 14, 2014, 10:06 a.m.

I would absolutely LOVE for you to tackle those topics upon your return. They sound fantastic, particularly a dyslexia update, the elementary series, and writing to communicate, because they are all (selfishly) pertient to where we're at right now in life.

My family and I are thrilled for your trip and can't wait to follow your journey via video - it is part of our kid's "homeschooling" curriculum. We are hikers and campers but have yet to begin backpacking. Your blog and upcoming videos have been and will be inspiring our kids, getting their hearts excited for similar adventures for our family in the near future!

I didn't write to offer you up a place to stay while on the trail because our home is a 2-3 hour drive from it in PA but we love to hike and have plans to hit up the Pinnacle this summer at some point, so perhaps it will coincide with your travels through our fabuously rocky state. Our pace will be a bit slow this summer, as we're hoping our soon-to-be 3 year old will be able to tackle a mile or two before needing a lift on mama's back. But we'll keep our eyes out for you on the trail and be watching our inbox for videos of your journey. Best of luck!

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kyndale on March 14, 2014, 4:07 p.m.

I always stop by to see what you're up to. Is it too late to donate to your fund in order to see your videos!? I am always in awe of the amount of things you think about and write about. My life seems pretty mundane. But! My youngest is still a bit younger than Brienne. I look forward to all your posts. I'm particularly intersted in the dyslexia update! I hope you have a great day! Much love. ♥

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Shelly on March 15, 2014, 2 p.m.

Oh, I would love to see how you plan to do record-keeping for high school. I'm contemplating not using the diploma program we had planned on and just issuing the credits and diploma myself, but I'm very iffy about how that's going to work. Love the selfies! Is that Celine or Brienne hiding behind you?

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- renee on March 15, 2014, 2:15 p.m.
  
  In a nutshell: I am issuing our own credits. Then we'll work with individual schools, if Celine wants to apply to them, to meet any criteria they have. We'll show them the work and experience Celine has (which I am keeping as credits and Celine is keeping as a portfolio of projects) and then Celine will take any exams they require, complete any specific courses etc... We'll jump through whatever hoops we need to when the time comes and my job till then is too keep good records and "spin" Celine's interests and projects into "edu-speak" (smile).
  
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Shelly on March 15, 2014, 2:18 p.m.

Are you issuing grades? I'm leaning more towards a narrative transcript, but I haven't seen too many examples of those.

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- renee on March 15, 2014, 2:26 p.m.
  
  Nope. I have no way to do that really. I've never graded my kids work. Our high school records will be a chronicle of subjects she's studied. A narrative transcript like you say.
  
  If she does a graded course, online or whatever, I'll include that also.
  
  Have you read Teenage Liberation Handbook. It's a great resource for a different high school paradigm.
  
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  - Shelly on March 15, 2014, 2:28 p.m.
    
    I haven't, but I've seen it on Amazon. I may just have to get that. Thank you!
    
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Lisa on March 16, 2014, 6:33 p.m.

Just wanted to offer our place if you need a small break from the trail. We are in Hanover, NH and the trail goes right through out town. You are welcome to a night (or a few) here, showers, a hot meal, fruit smoothie, whatever you need. I e-mailed you, but with all your preparations, I am sure e-mail is low on the priority list! :) If you'd like to come, e-mail me any time and I'll get you our contact info. Best to all of you for a wonderful, amazing and safe trail experience!

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- renee on March 16, 2014, 6:48 p.m.
  
  Lisa,
  
  I'm so sorry I missed that. I've followed up with you privately. :)
  
  (and thank you!)
  
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Heather on March 24, 2014, 3:20 p.m.

Following your adventure Renee. I've been on the trail many times (I used to take students to hike on the Maryland section of the trail) in several locations and stayed over on the trail, but I've never thru-hiked.

Would love to see you revisit some of those project based homeschooling topics when you return. Had the Teenage Liberation Handbook in my hands at one point and didn't finish it. Maybe it's time.

Fair winds and following seas er...skies

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Heather Jeffrey on April 23, 2014, 5:02 p.m.

Such a great adventure! With all the ups, downs and inbetweens! Not sure where you are on the trail - but we are in VA - heading for a section hike this weekend near Rt 66 with my son's BS Troop. Happy to offer some trail support - food/supplies depending on when you are in the area? We could figure something out between HW 64 & 66 - Great memories all around.

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