While I Gently Weep (the Start of Another School Year)

“While my Guitar Gently Weeps” from the Beatles White Album is one of their best, IMHO. I love the guitar chords and the stories of how it became the version we know today.

The song was supposedly inspired by I Ching a Chinese Book of Changes, which George Harrison found at his mother’s house one visit. Some say Harrison had trouble convincing the band the song was any good. After several attempts, the band had a little help from their friend, Eric Clapton, and got it right.

Whatever happened, it is hard to argue the beauty and longing in this song. It reminds me of how change sometimes feels.

So many changes happen in September: back-to-school, football, autumn, and transforming leaves. I keep thinking how much our kids have grown this year, how much fun we had this summer (most of the time), and that they’re heading back to school. It makes me smile, and yet, I long for those seemingly simpler days when we went everywhere together. It wasn’t really simpler, just different.

Our family investigated the world and the kids asked a million questions, usually while I was driving. It was fun, crazy, exhausting and…everything all at once. And it was beautiful. So, in honor of change, and beauty, and longing, I’ve compiled my top five versions of ‘While My Guitar Gently Weeps’ by some truly great musicians: The Beatles, Eric Clapton, Santana, India Arie, Prince, and Tom Petty, just to name a few.

Let’s listen, maybe weep a little, and get through the start of this new school year together. Feel free to share your favorites too!

1. Santana, Yo Yo Ma feat. India Arie

https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/while-my-guitar-gently-weeps/id457800639?i=457800647

2. Beatles “White Album” (with Eric Clapton)

https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/while-my-guitar-gently-weeps/id401126224?i=401126346

3. Jake Shimabukuro playing near Strawberry Fields

https://youtu.be/puSkP3uym5k

4. Eric Clapton

https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/while-my-guitar-gently-weeps/id277510547?i=277510621

5. Prince, Tom Petty, Dhani Harrison, Jeff Lynne & Steve Winwood

https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/while-my-guitar-gently-weeps/id425064523?i=425064557

Summer Reads — A Family Finale

It’s back-to-school time, and also time for the final post for this Summer Reads season. Check out these fun children’s books, and a little something for parents, too. Enjoy the school year!

Jamberryby Bruce Degen. Take a cute romp through the berry patches, before winter, with a little boy and a rhyming bear.

TheGoing to Bed Book by Sandra Boynton. A sweet read to share with your little one.

Pete the Cat: The Wheels onthe Bus by James Dean. Read, sing, and laugh.

Schooled by Gordon Korman. Looks fun, if I ever get time. Excerpt from Amazon: Capricorn Cap Anderson has been homeschooled by his hippie grandmother, Rain. When Rain is injured in a fall, Cap is forced to attend the local middle school. Although he knows a lot about Zen Buddhism, nothing has prepared him for the politics of public school.

After only a couple days of school, I can see we are probably going to want a few books like these soon.

Mom’s Ultimate FamilyOrganizer by Amy Keroes. Calendar, directory and planning pages. I need something like this right now!

Weelicious: 140 Fast, Fresh,and Easy Recipes by Catherine McCord.

The 7 Habits of HighlyEffective Families by Stephen Covey.

Back-to-school tips and links

Whether your kids have been in school for a week or are about to go back, here are some helpful tips for heading back to school.

Photo Ops

No matter how busy it gets, have your camera handy the first week of school for capturing a few memorable moments. Here are some tips:

1. Charge the camera or phone the night before.
2. Take a snapshot the first morning before they leave. With a sign or backpack, or without. Try to get a photo in the same place year after year to measure their growth.
3. First afternoon at pick-up or when your child arrives home, if you didn’t manage to get an early morning pic.
4. In the classroom during an open house. Remember to ask the school first, be as unobtrusive as possible, and don’t take photos of the other kids without their parent’s permission.
5. Take a photo during the first week while your kid is working on homework or reading a book.
6. Outside, anytime. Late summer and early fall provides a colorful backdrop for outdoor photos, and your little ones get to unleash some energy while you try to get a great action shot. 

Here’s a link to a fun DIY photo frame kit.

http://www.metroparent.com/Blogs/Make-It/August-2013/First-and-Last-Day-of-School-DIY-Photo-Frame-Project/

Check out this Back-to-school Survival Guide for tips on how to get in good with the teacher and how to start the morning off right.

http://www.annarborfamily.com/b2sguide.pdf

Design a Kid Friendly Workspace for Homework Assignments.

http://www.scholastic.com/parents/resources/article/getting-organized/design-kid-friendly-workspace

Find back to school food ideas on Pinterest.

http://pinterest.com/search/pins/?q=back%20to%20school%20food

Big Book of Schools 2013

The Metro Parent Big Book of Schools is out and online. Click the link for listings of area private, public and charter schools. There is also information on top teachers, guides for college and tips for choosing a school and getting kids the right amount of sleep. Just in time for school. 

Findlay Area Family - Tons of Back to School Tips

My latest articles published in Findlay Area Family offer tips on everything from first day jitters to healthy lunches. Check out the great advice from teachers, dietitians, counselors and moms in Edible Energy and Study Guide. You can find more online at Findlay Area Family or in the August issue available now.

Photo: Alphabet Soup by Kristen Gibson