What did you do this summer?

1 

I did not mean to take a month-and-a-half summer break from blogging!

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So much catching up to do. Aside from blog posts I have promised, hinted at, or just owe somebody somehow, I have a few projects to work on in real life. So I'm here today, but where I'll be tomorrow remains to be seen. Do let me know you've been by, and I'll try to check in again soon! (Hey! I take requests!)

3 

We're almost ready for the new school year. This year I have five official students and two who are of kindergartenish age. I know we're a bit late compared to most schools and even lots of homeschoolers, but I've always started our year on September 1. I like it that way. I bought school supplies and packed them neatly into little bundles--Luke can't wait for his. He takes after his mother in this respect, bless him. I remember when one of the best parts of going back to school was that stack of neat, fresh notebooks, newly sharpened pencils, and brand new ball-point pens ready to glide over the page--blue Paper Mates® were the best. 

Anyway, I'm still putting lesson plans into concrete, week-by-week form. We frequently get lost in the syllabus, but I find that if I have a detailed plan of work for any given day then we all do better, even if we don't stick rigidly to it. Plus, Natalie and Aidan are both old enough to work independently for most of their subjects. Having this plan worked out ahead of time makes a real difference. But there's no question it's a lot of work on the front end. 

4 

And it's a lot of reading this year. I thought about doing a back-to-school reading list on the blog, and it's certainly not too late for that. Maybe one for me and one (or several) for what the kids will be reading this year for school. With the proliferation of New Year reading lists and summer reading lists, I'm surprised I haven't seen any on other blogs yet. 

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Then again, I haven't been frequenting the blogosphere like I used to. I have so much catching up to do, not just on my favorite blogs, but that would be enough to keep me occupied for a week if I didn't have any thing else to do (like pay bills or cook meals). I usually read (or at least pretend to read) enough posts in my reader to keep the unread items hovering 500 or 600. 

I once told someone that if I get more than a few days behind I have an urge to start writing apologetic notes to the blog authors. Weird, right? But she felt my pain. Anyway, if you see me here and have a blog yourself, (or if you read something you feel like passing along,) feel free to drop me a line and share a post or two.I've got plenty to read, but it's always more fun with a friend.

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For example. 

(I'm just bookmarking here, you might say, to remind myself.) 

Melanie Bettinelli is blogging slowly (as in, just my pace) through The Waste Land by T. S. Elliot. Secret: I have always been intrigued beyond words by this poem, and by the Grail/Fisher King myth in general. I was so glad to see her sharing her thoughts this way, and I still feel way over my head. The index is here, because even at her once-a-month rate, I'm still only on the epigram and dedication. 

On the other hand, I am eagerly awaiting the next few installments of the Flannery O'Connor Reading Club, and hoping that all is well and Mr. Jonathan Rogers will soon be on schedule with the rest of the projected posts.  My favorite stories--"The Enduring Chill," "Revelation," and "Parker's Back"--are due up soon!

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Some things we did this summer:

Birthday fun

Swim lessons

A trip to the beach

Playing in the rain

Rock unit study

Not too wordy, I know. I'm blogging on borrowed time here. Back to work!

See more Quick Takes at Conversion Diary. What did you do this summer?