We’ve entered the heat wave in North AL. Last week was lovely — even walking weather. This week we’re seeing “feels like” temps of up to 105 degrees. And it usually happens this way; the 4th of July is usually brutally hot and yet, we gather together anyway. My daughter and our neighbor have been hosting a 4th of July celebration in the park behind our house for seven years now and though it’s taken many forms through heat waves, and rain outs, and even a pandemic, we continued to do it. There is something about getting together with neighbors and friends to play games, pray, and eat burgers, to recite old documents and sing, that just feels right this time of year.
Let’s kick off July with a poem…
“O beautiful for spacious skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain!
America! America!
God shed His grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!”
These are the familiar opening lines to the song, “America the Beautiful” originally written as a poem by Katharine Lee Bates in the late 1800s. The whole thing is worth a read with its moving snapshot of America’s short history up to that time. I wonder how many people today know the lyrics to this song, as well as many other folk songs and hymns that tell the story of who we are as a country.
We enjoy the privilege of living here because as the song said God has “shed His grace on thee,” but do we understand what our duties and responsibilities are? Why we’ve been given these freedoms, how fragile they are, and what they have cost? I love my country and I think it’s important we are passing down this love to the next generation, despite our many warts and scars. Our founding documents and the stories of heroes; our stories of struggle, remorse, survival, redemption, sacrifice; tales of hard work and ingenuity, our grit and ability to learn from our mistakes…they all weave together to make a beautiful picture of who we are as Americans.
I apologize to my friends reading from across the pond (sorry, not sorry) but I do get all sentimental about this land that I love this time of year. I’m a history buff and a veteran’s wife so I suppose it’s understandable that we are a patriotic bunch. A backyard BBQ with neighbors and friends, and of course, a big firework show are all a part of our 4th of July celebration. I encourage you this month to dig deeper into American history and learn the stories, documents, songs, and traditions worth passing down. Take time to pray for America and its leaders and appreciate all that makes this country great.
July Everything Guide1: Keep reading to the end of the newsletter to get yours!
I’ve changed the format of this little newsletter mostly because the end of the month “Worth Mentioning” email kept bumping into the “…Everything” email in the beginning of the month. I hope you like it; feel free to let me know either way.
Substack
New: Nothing this month
Throwback: On Planning the School Year
Podcast
New: Nothing this month but look…two interviews!
Interview: A Dad’s Perspective on Autism: A Conversation with Lee Rinna
Interview: Patriotism in an Age of Cynicism: A Conversation with Dawn Duran
Throwback: How to Get Started Homeschooling (series)
Product
Click here for the Get Started Homeschooling guide.
My Timeline Book is available as a digital download. This timeline book can be used alongside any curriculum over the course of your student’s education.
Social
I have a love-hate relationship with social media. When I am in the “love” phase, you can find me on Instagram.
My husband always wants the same thing for Father’s Day: To do nothing and eat ribs for dinner. This year’s day of leisure included a LOTR marathon and I was happy to oblige.
I’ve really been enjoying the old issues of Victoria magazine that I borrowed from a friend.
Rachel Kovac’s high school resources are gold. If you haven’t read her book yet, listen to this convincing podcast episode and then order it ;).
I’ve been really into Tsh Oxenreider’s Substack lately.
Our family is a bit obsessed with Jonnypops in the summer.
We are using this summer to purge books, toys, crafts, hobbies, school supplies, and clothes. So many of these items haven't been appreciated in years.
Our family, in general, has a hard time saying good-bye.
Because school and all the things start back early August where I live, the 4th of July always feels like a bit of a turning point. We still enjoy summery activities, but the heat becomes so unbearable that my mind turns to schoolish thoughts and I get excited to plan the upcoming term.
I used to try and knock this out in one weekend but I’ve found as the kids get older and schedules get heavier, it’s better to do a little bit at a time over the month. I start with individual schedules working youngest to oldest and then pull from those what we plan to do as a group. Then I layout a weekly and daily routine to fit it all in.
I hope you take some time to reflect this month. I hope your summer has been refreshing so far and that the excitement of a new school year is beginning to bubble up inside of you. I hope you are captivated by a fresh appreciation for this land of the free. And no matter where you live, I pray your family enjoys this season of community and brotherhood.
Until next time,
Cindy :)
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