Thursday, October 20, 2011

Family Reading Night

Last night we three gathered (in our very unfinished to-be living room) for our once a month family reading night. Prior to our get together, each of us picks out something that we would like to read aloud and share. Then one person reads while the other two either sit and listen or do some handwork while listening.

Papa Pea tends to choose articles that he's come across in the previous month that he finds interesting.

What did he share last night? 1) Mourning the Passing of Common Sense, 2) Can Bacteria Think?, and 3) Four Personal Finance Principals That Would Make Your Grandfather Proud. All interesting and containing much food for thought. (Maybe even more than I was up for at the end of a busy day.)

Chicken Mama took advantage of Papa Pea's reading to do some hand work. Here she's creating the tail/tassel for a crocheted hat she finished last night.

Her choice of reading to share was selections from "Once Upon An Isle - The Story of Fishing Families on Isle Royale" with Paintings and Companion Stories by Howard Sivertson. These days we surely have no reason to complain about hard work or having difficulty making ends meet. Those hardy folks literally risked their lives daily fishing on Lake Superior trying to eke out a meager living while living far, far from civilization without any of the conveniences we all have today.

A fascinating book with gorgeous illustrations.

Even though I may look half asleep in this shot, I was wide awake and listening. Or maybe I was thinking. Or maybe I was half asleep.

What did I read last night? I started reading "The Thanksgiving Visitor" by Truman Capote. I thought it was appropriate for the upcoming season and I'll continue on with it on our reading night next month.

Sometimes it's hard to find an evening for the three of us to sit down together but I, for one, am very glad that we've managed to keep this new family tradition going for several months now.

22 comments:

Sparkless said...

What a lovely family tradition. And that you've kept it up is wonderful.

Judy T said...

What a wonderful family tradition!!! We have family movie night but this is SO much more interesting!!
Judy

Dirt Lover said...

Great tradition! You are closer because of it, I'm sure. Nice to see the construction slows down a little for it!
~~Lori

Mama Pea said...

Sparkless - We use to read aloud when daughter was growing up, but then of course it went by the wayside when she went out into the world. Now it's the perfect opportunity to start doing it again.

Judy - Ha! The three of us would NEVER be able to agree on a movie to watch! It is amazing the conversations that come up from our reading. We discuss things that we probably never would otherwise.

Lori - I gotta say that after dinner most nights, I'm not good for much except something that I can do in a sitting (or prone!) position!

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful tradition! May I borrow it? Hubby is not a reader, but my 3 daughters and I all love to read. With just 1 of 'em left at home, we could do it a couple times a month, or even weekly.

Jane @ Hard Work Homestead said...

Um, I keep thinking there is a reason for the photo of the close up of Papa Peas feet but I cant see it. But maybe it is saying something about the photographer, Mama Pea ;) That might explain your trance photo.

Mama Pea said...

Ruth - Do adopt it for your own! I think way back prior to TV and even radio (!) families read aloud together of an evening. Now it seems we're way too busy . . . what is more important than anything that brings a family together to communicate and share thoughts? I think kids can hardly be too young to listen to reading . . . even if they don't "get" all of it.

Jane - Well, thanks, Jane, for completely shooting my attempt at artsy photography down! (Kidding!) With a camera I'm strictly a point and shoot kinda gal so during reading night I was inspired to "be creative!" Guess I need to go back to the drawing board, huh? (Or perhaps ignore any inspiration that hits me after 7 p.m.) ;o]

Jenyfer Matthews said...

I too wondered about the feet - especially as we could see he had kicked off his shoes in the previous shot. And since you brought up the "hand work" idea, I assumed you were going to say something about his socks needing darning or some such! LOL

A very nice tradition. The kids and I read to each other but it's all in the name of homework at present.

Mama Pea said...

Jen - Okay, all you art critics! Just wait until you see the "artsy" photos I come up with next. I can give ya somethin' to talk about! ;o]

Susan said...

That is such a wonderful tradition - and so important, I think. Taking time to sit down and spend time with each other is priceless. And such interesting choices in reading materials! I love that story by Truman Capote - he is one of my favorite authors. I am going to put CM's book on my 'to read' list. And what was the consensus on bacteria - can they, or can they not think!??!? Don't leave us hanging!

mtnchild said...

Well ... with no one here but me, SueAnn (dog)and Joey (cat) it is hard to find something to read that will interest us all ... hmmm. I do look through the knitting/crochet books/magazines, but all they care about is the finished products. Well, at least that's something ... LOL
Hugs to you all
Yvette

Rebecca Shockley said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
judy said...

mourning the passing of common sense sounds like something I'd read or would like to hear about-common sense -flew right out the window along with a ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure

Mama Pea said...

Susan - Yes, Virginia, bacteria CAN think!

Yvette - Well, maybe you're selling SueAnn and Joey short. Do you know of the "Cat Who . . ." books by Lilian Jackson Braun? Supposedly the main character read to his two cats all the time . . . and they enjoyed the readings immensely!

judy - The article was actually kind of depressing. To think of all the just plain common sense things that have gone by the wayside in our society today. Arrgh! It's sad.

Karen L. said...

I love this idea/tradition! I am going to pass it along to my daughter who has two young sons. Both she and her husband are huge readers so this should be right up their alley. And what a great way to help the boys learn to read in front of others and get together with the family on a regular basis. Yes, definitely, this is a stupendous idea! I always read to my three kids from the moment they could sit up (or be propped up). They are all great readers now. (PS: You are right. We, you and I, are hopeless when it comes to pie/cookies. But is that such a bad thing? At least we are not felons ... unless you start stealing pie and I do the same with cookies.)

Mama Pea said...

Karen L. - You were so wise to read to your kids. What child does not like to sit and hear a story read to him?

I promise if I hear of you starting to steal cookies, I'll come perform an intervention so you don't end up in the slammer. Will you do the same for me if pies in my area start going missing?

Chicken Mama said...

GAWD, it will be *nice* when we have a real living room to sit in!!!!

Mama Pea said...

Chicken Mama - Believe me, Chickadee, NO ONE will be happier about that than your mama!

Amy Dingmann said...

I just adore this family tradition. Completely adore it! And those articles that Papa Pea shared...those are right up my alley!

Mama Pea said...

Mama Tea - I gotta admit some of Papa Pea's reading choices are a bit on the esoteric side for me. But then I've always maintained that in our relationship, he's the brains and I'm the brawn!

Erin said...

We are still reading together as well, and I love it. I really look forward to those nights, even if the kids sometimes grumble about it! Sounds like some interesting selections were read!

Mama Pea said...

Erin - I'm betting once the reading starts, your boys are totally into it!