The
Gentle Art of Learning:
The Charlotte Mason Homeschooler
Karen Andreola
Parents as Inspirers
From whence do you derive your inspiration?
Ask anyone in Lancaster Coun- ty, Pennsylvania, about the annual end-of-summer ag- ricultural fairs and you will
be told that they are serious business.
They’re fun, too. Our town’s fair begins
with a parade. The streets are lined with
enthusiastic faces. Three days of exhibits
on the fairgrounds follow. Ferris wheels
and all other rides are barred from the
fair, and so are prize stalls. Therefore no
ticket stubs litter the ground.
The fair is free. Many volunteer to run it.
Many more enter. When we had recently
moved to our town, the first time we visited the fair and stepped into an exhibit
hall, I was astounded. I wasn’t expecting to
see so many entries, so carefully crafted by
both children and adults (displayed safely
under plastic). Within moments a tear
filled my eye. I couldn’t help it. But I wiped
it away instantly, not wishing to appear
emotional in public. I was impressed. The
most wonderful thing is that I felt inspired.
I examined the knitting, sewn garments,
quilts, and embroidery and knew from
experience the unmarked hours that had
gone into each entry. I marveled at what
was home grown. Flowers more beautiful than in a florist shop. Whole rows of
fruits, vegetables, herbs, baked goods, and
preserves glowed more appealingly fresh
and delicious than what can be bought at
the grocery store. Indeed things are still
made in the USA—as long as there are
pumpkins . . .
34;September;2012;•;The;Gentle;Art;of;Learning
www.TheHomeschoolMagazine.com
