In the sixth post from A Summer of Stories, which has been focusing on different examples of self- directed learning, I’m sharing snippets and snapshots of the things that pique our interests everyday. And by people, I mean a variety of people – people that I’ve seen out and about, talked to and those in our own family, myself included.
It’s been fun to highlight particular passions that people work hard toward and share with others … hobbies and talents that nudge, or even drive, them forward and a few of the posts so far have really celebrated that. That being said, we all do and learn many things on a daily basis that might just be something of interest that particular day or even for a passing moment. It could even be a rediscovery. It’s not always fancy. It could be quite ordinary.
You can read the first six stories as well as our introductory post here.
In our part of Canada, and in much of the world, we’ve had an unprecedented (anyone else tired of that word, but also not found a new one?) five months. A spring that would typically have us awakening to new growth in the natural world, end of year concerts, church picnics and graduations of all kinds, instead saw us trying to figure out what was happening, how to respond and hanging onto a seesaw between under and overreaction. In all cases, families have had to reinvent their daily rhythms, and reinvent they have!
I’ve been fascinated and heartened to come across this reinvention. Sometimes it’s been people trying new things; other times it’s been people doing their regular things and finding a new way to do it.
So, for the snippets and snapshots …
A couple of weeks ago as I was sitting on the grassy bank above the creek in a local park, examples were everywhere …
A father and daughter grinning and walking enthusiastically toward the creek with their fishing poles.
A middle-aged man packing up his blanket and bible from under a tree after some peaceful time spent reading.
A group of young children splashing and exploring and working together in the creek.
Two children and their mother splashing, exploring and playing in the creek.
All kinds of people out with dogs, laughing and swapping information and canine stories.
A man under a large oak tree overlooking the creek, playing his Indigenous drum and singing traditional songs.
Families running down to see a mother duck and her ducklings, who seemed to be gently carried downstream by the current.
A sea of purple dresses and red hats, announcing the arrival of The Red Hat Society. They found a perfect, socially distanced way to meet outdoors.
An older couple learning photography techniques from a young photographer, walking to different parts of the park to try their hand.
A family with a picnic lunch and a blanket full of board games.
Cyclists of all ages.
A girl learning to roller blade.
A boy and his grandfather racing sticks down the creek.
A book club meeting on a series of blankets, books open and keenly listening and sharing.
A few days later, S was at the skatepark for the first time in months. Everyone there was working on new things, testing their limits, supporting one another, asking questions. I was curious about the short, wooded trail between that park and the library. I checked it out and walked along the path until I came to the library with yet another park behind it.
So many things going on again …
A family of four was on a Pokémon Go mission.
A mother and some teens pulled in and took a blanket and picnic basket out of the car.
Children came skipping out of the library, face masks and all, carrying bags of books and games.
Families enjoyed the water park.
A family set up a classic game of horseshoes.
To be clear, the last few months have been difficult and for some, devastating. There is no denying that. What I do think it’s shown, though, is that given relatively safe and healthy circumstances, we are a resilient lot. In fact, even without ideal circumstances, many people have managed and thrived. There has been so much more open time for some and fewer directed activities and many people are doing well. Maybe we self-direct our learning more than we give ourselves credit for?
History is full of innovative people and not just the famous ones😊. Throughout time, everyday life has meant learning, figuring out, sharing ideas, creating. I’ve enjoyed looking around and still seeing that happen. Sometimes it seems we think we have to “fill the time” for adults and children alike, and get it all figured out ahead of time for ourselves and others, but maybe that’s not as much the case as we think it is. Humans are natural born learners.
Sometimes it’s about self-directing time … realizing you have a certain amount and thinking through what you want to do with it.
S decided to actively look for additional newspaper routes to earn more money to purchase a new computer he’d like for projects he’s planning on.
L often spontaneously decides to paint or sketch, beginning something and adding to it as she has time and inspiration. Sometimes she’ll hang a piece of art up that might still be unfinished and just come back to it as she’s ready, with some paint and the next possible part roughly sketched out.
D is intensely learning a lot about chiropractic care and home construction, not because he plans to pursue those things, but simply because he’s become fascinated by it.
S enjoyed some tea biscuits the other day at his Gran’s and decided he wanted to make some, so he got the recipe and did. No big deal – just one more recipe learned, but sometimes the ordinary is enough.
I came across some Usborne Stargazer’s Journals that I had tucked away and decided to claim one as my own and start following the night sky through the seasons, accompanied by the Skyview Lite app (if you haven’t spent time exploring with this app or a similar one, I’d enthusiastically suggest it, even if it’s just once or twice. It’s quite fascinating). I have meant to do this for some time, but hadn’t gotten around to it. The journal is usable for all ages (although designed with those younger than me in mind) and I was quickly joined by a couple of other family members when they saw I’d found them.
There have been all kinds of necessary things we’ve been figuring out, from managing medical appointments to paid work to figuring out how to best keep in contact with people and celebrate socially distanced birthdays to what seems like a hundred other things. It’s all been new and like everyone else I know, we’ve figured it out as we’ve needed to.
Everyone at our house seems to have more projects and ideas to work on than we have time to get to … losing some of the scheduled recreation and commitments hasn’t led to a lack of things to do.
And then there are those things that spontaneously come our way. The things we can’t plan for but are interested in as they come up.
A few evenings ago I was sitting at the kitchen table on a conference call, papers and forms spread out in front of me. S suddenly appeared at the window and hissed in a stage whisper through the screen that the sky was amazing with colours, clouds and rainbows.
I hustled outside, phone in hand, and yes, it was awesome outside. There had been a rain and then the sun came out quickly afterward. Everything was glistening and drops of water were hanging from leaves and flowers. Snails were making their way up the front of the storage shed. The air was fresh.
I finished my call and then we spent some time outside just looking at the sky from different angles.
There is no way to plan time for exploring spontaneous things, it seems, except to just seize the moments as they come up, if you possibly can.
So, yes, let’s seize the ordinary and enjoy it for what it is! Everyday, ordinary learning. The “one offs,” the recipe tried once, the book we’d like to read just for the sake of it, the misty evenings and starry nights that come our way. And even the snail making its way up a wall ever so slowly … maybe there’s something we can learn from its slow and steady pace.
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Outdoor book clubs, reading under a tree, picnics and board games, stargazing and Pokemon Go, so many glorious images. A wonderful series Erin, thanks for capturing and sharing these ‘ordinary, everyday’ moments that make up the magic of our lives. Loving it 🙂
Thanks Hayley! It really is fun to just see what people are up to in their day to day lives:).
Really like this! This has been similar to what I’ve been noticing as well. We have been doing a lot of baking and trying lots of new recipes. Many of them have been “one offs” as you said. Once the library began having pick up service, we took full advantage of that also.
Thank you, Allie:). Yes, trying new recipes is fun! It’s nice when you find one that’s not a “one off” as it means you can add it as a favourite,lol. The library pick-up service is great. It is different than just milling around and browsing though, isn’t it?