Open Eyes (& Ears)

No firsts to report, but I wanted to note some changes -- in myself. I've been hearing & seeing the chickadees more lately. And I pause to check on our little caterpillar in his cocoon in his little jar. I've been outside more - we all have. I spend more time watching my ponies, the chickens, and the trees.

I've no doubt the warm spell helped, but there is more. I'm reading "The Burgess Bird Book" with my 6yo, "Pagoo" with my 8yo & 10yo, "The Storybook of Science" (where was this book when I was a child?) with my 10yo, and "Wilderness Predators of the Rockies" with ... myself. And I'm trying to keep up with the "Handbook of Nature Study" group on the AO Forums. I really think all this reading is sharpening my senses, or perhaps just my focus. So I'm seeing, hearing & feeling more. And I like it.

(Please note: I'm not tasting more. Unlike my kids. Who seem to be infatuated with tasting snow. Weird.)

Well some actual firsts!

We've actually found the first icicle of the season (which my 6yo proudly placed - all melty - on my refinished hardwood desk). We also had our first rain of the calendar year. I wasn't sure on recording the rain, but I though we just as well -- it might help signify what type of winter we have has, since you could also say it's the first rain this winter, as opposed to snow. Sadly I'm not sure what our first snow was, but I could probably find it on facebook, since I'm sure I complained about it...

I recorded them under January Firsts and reformatted the pages to have more space between dates.

Some links from members of the Ambleside Online forums:

• Redeemer's Charlotte Mason files -- search for "nature note book"
• Journey North -- has a 'report your sightings' feature
• Nature Calendar -- the 19 seasons!

Charlotte Mason's Book of Firsts

In the book Home Education, Charlotte has some wonderful advice for nature study:

Calendars.––It is a capital plan for the children to keep a calendar––the first oak-leaf, the first tadpole, the first cowslip, the first catkin, the first ripe blackberries, where seen, and when. The next year they will know when and where to look out for their favourites, and will, every year, be in a condition to add new observations. Think of the zest and interest, the object, which such a practice will give to daily walks and little excursions. There is hardly a day when some friend may not be expected to hold a first 'At Home.'

Read more here (scroll down to page 54).

This is our humble attempt at a modern book of firsts - one that won't get wet, torn, or lost!