Julia has been sewing in her own for almost a year now.  Mending socks and underwear in her own fashion.  Using embroidery floss with needles and making designs.  Collecting thread and needles.  She has steadfastly refused instruction from me and from respite providers.  Two days ago I showed her a YouTube video about making a simple skirt for an America girl doll.  She wanted to do that.  We fished material out of what is left of my sewing supplies and she cut the pieces she needed.  She ironed the pieces.  Then she learned to use the sewing machine.  I explained and demonstrated and helped when thread was tangled or pulled or a few of the million other things that can go wrong when sewing.  She sewed rows of stitches for almost 2 hours.  I sorted sewing supplies and puttered around carefully containing the bubble of excitement that Julia may be interested in something that I am rather good at and don’t find the time to do.

Continue reading →

Settling into home—we have some summer heat although I’ve only used my air conditioner twice, two weeks of morning swim classes for Julia and a weekend reunion of our China travel group coming up.  Ponderings percolating about traveling together, what I need for a much longer journey, Julia’s ability to enjoy and learn from experience. Julia’s interest in galleries and churches grew as we travelled.  Umm, there was a morning in Venice when she said, “no more churches” but I was poised to go a overboard.  I have a weakness for old churches.

Most days, we did some academic work, some of it informed by the places we visited.  A kid’s biography of da Vinci was ingested and commented upon days afterwards.  An email travel journal sent to friends, mostly adults, was a good way to get her to remember and write about daily doings.  The friends responded to Julia’s mail and we talked about those responses.  In every one, the writer commented about what Julia wrote, told Julia what she was doing and asked at least one question.  I was grateful for such socially appropriate friends. We talked about this form, especially the asking questions part because that mirrors a therapy goal.  I don’t think she wrote a single question, but she kept writing.  Her present teacher asked her to continue writing at home, something that Julia has not done spontaneously.  It is part of today’s tasks.

Continue reading →

We have been home a week and I am catching my breath.  Finally.  Wash is done.  Some friends seen.  Some discussion.  Most notable, Julia finished a week of Girls Rock Camp.  And rather spectacularly. Girls Rock was a challenge – for me, for Julia, for the staff.  I don’t know how much accommodation they have offered in the past.  Some of the staff are educators who understood a lot about Julia.  But I need to back up.

The blurb from the website:

“Girls Rock Camp Madison is an intense, one week day-camp for girls ages 8-18. Campers of all skill levels learn guitar, drums, keyboards, bass and vocals, form a band, write a song and perform at the end of week for friends, family, and hundreds of screaming fans.” (http://girlsrockmadison.org)

Continue reading →

With the cold snap last week, I was out morning and evening attempting to salvage my vegetable foolishness with a few buckets upside down on basil plants and an old thick flannel sheet.  After a few days, three little tomato plants began to flag.  Two of the three basil plants limped along.  Leaving me feel like a bad (and crazy) mother.  The lettuce, parsley and arugula were none the worse for wear.  Last night, with the promise of the high 30’s I didn’t cover anything.

Ah, the work we make for ourselves.  What is the work I am making that I don’t see?

Continue reading →