Birdsong Botanicals

This morning I was reading a book on how to build influence on the web and as usual, I made connections to the field of education.  While my site has products for sale,it is also very much about education, mainly our human connection to the planet we live on and to all species.  The comment in the book discussed not losing our “humanity and connectedness” as a salesperson.  I really appreciate that comment by the way.

I substituted a few words in the following comment: “Because standardized testing can be measured, and because the only acceptable way numbers can go is up, education has evolved into a much more mechanical process.” The words altered are italicized.   All the teachers I know are dedicated caring professionals who struggle with this mechanization of education via standardized tests.

I woke up this morning thinking about the experiences kids have or don’t have and their ability to do well (score proficient that is) on standardized tests. Often it is what a child knows and is familiar with, that anchors new ideas and concepts. If children cannot to relate to the state approved curriculum because it has no meaning for them, they may need to have more real experiences. I’m talking about language arts in particular as it relates to early education.

My students had not experienced the Fir Scented Room Spray when they happened upon a bottle on my desk. They sprayed it and loved it! Kids really seem to like the orange, lemon, lavender, juniper and now the fir. Fir really smells like a walk in the woods or for them a Christmas tree! Very accurate.

I went to a thrift store and was thrilled to find a brand new stuffed mountain gorilla toy. It was put forth by the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International foundation. Since I just finished reading the story Buddy by William Joyce to my 3rd graders it was a timely purchase. Our language arts theme right now is Incredible Stories and  Buddy truly is an incredible story. It is based on the true story of Gertrude “Gertie” Lintz and a mountain gorilla she adopted and named Buddy. It is an amazing but somewhat sad story because while it highlights the compassionate nature of human beings it is also is a reminder of the cruelty in which  mountain gorillas are still hunted in the wild (parents shot, babies taken and sold) and there are so few of them left! I think my students will enjoy this addition to the classroom and I bet I know what they will call him!

I guess the real work begins now. Blogging is new to me and I will be learning as much as I can. Any suggestions from the blogging world on how to really get started?

I get by with a little help from my friends! I want to share a wonderful product with anyone who loves handmade skincare products. My friend Michelle Zagorski of Zagorska Skin Care can be contacted via her website: www.zagorska.com. Type it in the address bar to quickly access the site. I have been using Michelle’s products for several years now and see a noticeable difference in my skin. She uses ingredients that have well know healing properties and blends them in a way that I’ve not experienced with many skin creams. Michelle and her husband, Jacek are dear friends of ours and they allow us to wildcraft Incense Cedar and Douglas Fir on their beautiful So. OR property. Thanks for your friendship and support Zagorski family!

with love,
Cathy

Hi World!

Just wanted to say thanks to everyone who has supported me in my endeavor: past, present and future.  Thanks to my family who knows I’m capable of anything.  Thanks to my city friends, my rural friends and all in between for your encouragement and inspiration.  Big thanks to Earth and all creatures because so much of the knowledge gained has been direct and genuine.  The inspiration is infinite!  Special thanks to my friends who allowed me to wild craft on their land and to the plants who allowed me to wild craft them.  Thank you Western Meadowlark!  Thanks to Jody for honoring my label layout and working with my ideas to manifest them and giving me great color ideas.   Extra special thanks to Amy for taking my text, photos, quotes and poems and complete newness and creating an amazing web design that is colorful, beautiful and easy to navigate.

With love,

Cathy