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So Many Projects, So Little Time

Written on: October 13th, 2008 in Learning Journeys

Honoré here: Come the next Great Depression, thanks to my many learning paths, I’ve a myriad of projects – and the attendant supplies, tools, resources, etc – to keep me well occupied for easily several decades. All kidding – only half seriously – aside, this weekend I took inventory of my PiPs: projects in progress [or not]. These projects range from journaling in all its variations to knitting to needlepoint to quilting to scrapbooking to, to…

Recently, my interests have been focused on knitting, inspired by the book The Gentle Art of Domesticity I blogged about several weeks ago. I’ve been reading all things knit (writ) by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee, aka as the Yarn Harlot; re-reading Zen and the Art of Knitting and others from my personal library, including my favorite, Sally Melville’s The Knitting Experience: Book 1: The Knit Stitch. And as is my pattern, I also checked out the magazines. One I discovered, Interweave Press’ Interweave Knits is a magazine of highest quality. From it, I was introduced to Inspired to Knit by Michele Rose Orne. An exquisite book that oh so lives up to its promise.

One is inspired not only by the 21 beautiful handknit items designed by the author – and way out of my league – but moreso by the process (her learning path) she shares for finding and developing her own inspiration. Arranged by season, starting with autumn, are four workshops to help you: gather ideas to create a mood board; develop a color palette; swatch creatively; and sketch silhouettes to incorporate into finished patterns. I’m only up to winter (develop color palettes) – thus the impetus for the PiPs inventory – and I’ve not knit a thing, but oh, how I lust!

Quite popular among knitters is the knitalong. You can also join Inspired to Knit’s  KnitAlong and Mood Board Project.

Nope, I’ve not joined it…yet!

Cheers~

Mapping Our Thinking and Learning

Written on: October 7th, 2008 in Learning Journeys

Honoré here: One of the ideas Kathy, Annie and I have been toying with [in our learning journey project] is to develop some type of tool that visually documents – or maps – our learning journey. If you have attended one of our programs you may recall the cluster or mind-maps we created as we captured the conversations about reading interests, hobbies, ways we track our learning paths.

Recently, I started Visual Tools for Transforming Information into Knowledge by David Hyerle. According to recent brain research, as shared in the book, "Neuroscientists tell us that the brain organizes information in networks and maps." ( p.2). How often, when thinking of what you need to do or creating a shopping list, have you found yourself doodling or adding symbols, such as numerals, stars, asterisks, exclamation points, arrows, circles, etc, to your list? What about color? Ever create a mini-map showing the places you need to go and the order in which you’ll make your stops? What about tracking or documenting a learning path?

I am only on page 2 in the Introduction of this book – 18 pages preceded the introduction – and already, I am captivated. About two weeks before I received this book, I ran across two titles on mapping our experiences, ideas, imagination, learning and life’s journey. They are on my reading stand – each one beckoning to me. Lots of maps awaiting. I shall keep you posted. The titles of the other two books are listed in the sidebar under What Honoré’s Reading.

I encourage you to try your hand at mapping your learning journey or your to-do list. Just use one of the blank pages in your journal and turn it sideways – horizontal – and map away!

Almost…but not quite

Written on: September 29th, 2008 in Learning Journeys

Laura here: When you simply can’t get into what you thought
would be a good book, what do you do? Do you try again later: different mood,
different place or time? Do you give up and move on to the next book in your
stack? And if so how far into the book do you read before you decide to move
on? One chapter, two, or does it need to grab you within the first few pages?

Here’s why I ask. I traveled to Las Vegas recently and only took one wonderful book
which I finished while I was there: The Wednesday Sisters by Meg Waite Clayton. On the
way home I picked up a book out of desperation: I needed something for the four
hour flight and the airport newsstand had slim pickings. I grabbed Alice Sebold’s
The Almost Moon along with a snack and figured I was all set. Settled on the plane I was shocked by the
first few pages and what the protagonist does and that kept me reading but I
stopped after a dozen pages and watched the in flight movie Flawless with Demi
Moore, which I thoroughly enjoyed.

I’m not a huge Sebold fan, I worked in an independent
bookstore when The Lovely Bones was on the bestseller list and I joined a book
discussion group and read it. I thought it was dark and depressing but the book
group did help me to see some insights that I would have missed on my own.
However,   I
devoured Sebold’s memoir Lucky and as dark as it was I enjoyed it.

Back home and in my own bed I crack open The Almost Moon and am again aghast at
the protagonist’s behavior—I’m really not sure I like her. Am I supposed to?
Well I need to care enough about her to want to find out what happens to her,
and at this point even with the parallels between her mother and mine I can’t dredge
up any sympathy or empathy. What to do?

For now I’ve set it aside which pains me. If an author takes
the time to write it and a publisher takes the time to publish it the book must
have some redeeming qualities don’t you think? And as a writer I would want my
readers to stick with it and trust me to take them where they need to go. But
if the author has betrayed your trust as a reader what then? Inquiring minds
want to know what you’d do or have done in this situation. And if you’ve stuck
it out with Almost Moon…does it get
better? 😉

Life is a verb

Written on: September 9th, 2008 in Learning Journeys

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Honoré here:
Last week I did a quick run-through of my favorite bookstore in Annapolis to see if any
new quarterly magazines that I like had hit the newsstand, yet…and also, to
check out the newest books in my favorite categories: Quilting; Writing/Journaling;
Self Improvement: and whatever other subject is currently on my radar
screen. [An aside: I go to the bookstore to browse the displays, see what’s
new. Book jackets and titles do catch my attention and encourage me to pick them
up, do a quick on-the-fly exam…most times I make note to check my local
library to see if the title’s available or if I have my Kindle, I’ll check it
for availability, but that’s the subject for another blog post. Sometimes, I
will buy the item.]

 

I hit the jackpot with a new title: life is a verb: 37 days to wake up, be mindful ,and live
intentionally by Patti Digh.
The blog is her book is her blog is 37 days, prompted by her stepfather’s death
just 37 days after being diagnosed with cancer.

Added to each blog entry in the book:

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Added to each blog entry in the book:

• Action Challenge – primarily focused free-write exercises
• Movement – actions to do for 37+ days
• Illustrations – artwork created by readers

 

The format of the book is colorful, much
like a scrapbook and the content is thought-provoking, reflective, both
humorous and serious, contemporary, and liberally peppered with appropriate
quotes and words of wisdom, etc.

 

In many ways, the "book is a blog is a
book" is a learning journey and journal. Case in point: You may recall
several months ago, I started on a
learning path to learn how to see—to draw. The Action Challenge for one blog entry: "Get Off the Ship"
requires you to photograph, journal or draw an object from at least twenty different angles. I chose to use the book as my object and wrote 21 different descriptions; I next
plan to draw the book using those descriptions and then, take photos. Three ways
to see! Isn’t it interesting that as we look at things from different perspectives, there is a deeper meaning and the possibility of
an entirely new learning path opening.

Fan mail

Written on: September 3rd, 2008 in Learning Journeys

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Hi Kathy, Honoré and Annie-

Thank you so much for a great workshop and a wonderful journal.
I really enjoyed hearing about your experiences with the journal. Your displays
were so different and so creative. I really enjoyed the chance to get to know
you better.
I am helping a friend move into a nursing home and had had a sad and stressful
day.
I put the journal next to my computer and started – well, it felt like I was
playing with it.
First question, where should I put my name? After about two hours, I had a
bookplate. The whole time, I was totally absorbed. At the end, I was so pleased
with my creation, and I was relaxed and rejuvenated.
Next projects – a title page – possibly "Searching for Absalom Jones"
– and maybe a frontispiece.
You’ve done a great job!

 

P.S. At first, I wasn’t sure about the color, but
I’m beginning to like it.

Stories on the silver screen

Written on: August 25th, 2008 in Learning Journeys

Laura here: I’m a movie lover and summertime means the big screen, a
cool dark theater, and popcorn! I recently saw a preview for an upcoming movie
Nights in Rodanthe based on the bestselling novel by Nicholas Sparks. This will
be his fourth novel to be made into a blockbuster film by Hollywood. The film stars two of my favorite actors
Richard Gere and Diane Lane
so I was intrigued, it’s one I may want to see. I hesitate to commit myself
because I always think the book is far better than the movie, especially when
the screenwriter changes the ending.

Although here are two movies (one based Spark’s book) where I felt the alternate ending actually improved the story line: Message in a Bottle, and The
Horse Whisperer. The endings were one hundred-eighty degrees different than the
novel they were based on, more romantic, happier maybe? But for me they worked—the theatrical version of The Horse Whisperer was more in tune with the characters
and their morals, and I like happy endings. 😉

My all time favorite novel that’s been made into a movie?
That’s simple: Lord of the Rings. I think Tolkien would have been proud; it took my breath away! And well I’m at it I think Nick’s best book is Three  Weeks with My Brother which is non-fiction.

Have a favorite adaptation to share, or one you think was a disappointment? We may not be the "big" screen, but we’ll share your comments here on our little screen. 😉

Following our own learning path

Written on: August 18th, 2008 in Learning Journeys

Kathy here: An interesting
question about learning developed in the semi-annual Delaware Division of
Libraries staff training last week. Obviously, lifelong learning is a core
value for our library staff; but, is there a prescribed "type" of
learning tied to that value?

The question arose around our State
Librarian’s strong interest in management and business development. Annie was
quick to point out that these topic areas were her choice, her self-directed
path as much, if not more, than a necessity for her position. And, while we may
be forced to endure her management experiments, this is her path. We need to
make our own paths. I followed with reminders about Gardiner’s Multiple Intelligences
and how each contributes to the wholeness of our
agency…and enriches what we offer library users…and our families, our
communities, our nation.

You could almost feel the
peacefulness float through the room…not relief, peacefulness.

Explore you own intelligences
via the assessment found here. You may be surprised…since one of my strongest
intelligences is Self, no big surprises for me this time.

When does one become wise?

Written on: August 11th, 2008 in Learning Journeys

Kathy here: Do we wake up one day and say,
"Hey, I’m 70 now…I must have wisdom." Of course not. Wisdom dwells
deeper than knowledge. According to Dictionary.com, one is wise when one "possesses
discernment." I really like that view. Now, just think how discerning we
can become – at any time, at any age – if we are conscious of our
self-direction. If we recognize where our reading may—or may not—be leading us.

Dr. Gene Cohen, Director of the
Center on Aging, Health and Humanities at George Washington University tells us that
we reach an age "when we have something to say." We want to build our
own memoirs, record our wisdom. He also
says that the future of humanity "will be born in webs of human
conversation and through compelling questions that will arise via collective
learning." But, does this need to be confined to the oldest of the old?

Imagine those conversations and
that collective learning among people of all ages who were intentionally moving
toward wisdom through their reading and learning. Just imagine.

Journals, blogs, and conversations

Written on: August 4th, 2008 in Learning Journeys

Honoré here: Last week I was reading the Autumn 2008 issue of a quarterly magazine: "Artful Blogging." One profiled blogger, Lesley Austin, shared a passage from Louisa Mae Alcott’s Little Women’s "letterbox-in-the-hedge"…The blogger goes on to say: "To think that Alcott’s description…helped me sort out my relationship with my online journal—for blogging is not like letter-writing ,… emailing, and not like a real, live conversation, but it is like me leaving something to be found if someone passes by and lifts the lid … and sometimes I find something left for me." Artful Blogging" Autumn 2008, p.119.

This passage resonates with me:

• I really liked Little Women as a child – centuries ago – and immediately thought, I should re-read it, so on my list "to-get "it went and maybe I’ll even watch the latest movie version;

• It [passage]caused me to stop/reflect and contemplate what it means to my own blogging efforts – sometimes I think they’re very futile ’cause I’m not sure I’m clear on my purpose and expectations. I love Artful Blogging – the pictures are lovely and it’s most interesting to read all the profiled artists’ hesitancy and expressions of awe, wonder, and appreciation for the community of bloggers support and encouragement. I am inspired and eager to create a blog worthy of my own appreciation, moreso than any one else’s and ahh- therein lies the rub…

• I journal and document my reading and learning nearly everyday…how is it I’m not translating that experience and having that conversation among the online community? What do I need to do differently—or at all?

In her July 23 post, Kathy talked about paths winding back. I find as I am documenting my learning journey that the path is not circular but it twists, turns, goes up/down, in/out; is helter-skelter, scattered, messy, and so intrinsically me: I am like a magnet and immediately attracted to ideas, inspiration. Right now I’m clearly on an art/visual and tactile journal path… To be continued? Will I take to having that conversation with the online community via my own artfully-inspired blog? Let’s talk over a virtual cup of tea. 😉

Books have power

Written on: July 29th, 2008 in Learning Journeys

Blogger, Kevin Kelly poses this question on his blog:

“Books still have the power to change lives. Which ones have
changed yours?”

Read the entire article here and share your thoughts in
answer to Kelly’s summary back here on BTL:

“What’s your list of Books That Changed Your Life? It has to be more than a list. A book cannot be said to change your life unless it can be annotated with the tangible consequences you made as a result of reading it.”

Happy list making. 😉