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$100.00 Gift Certificates
Q. I was wondering if there is a specific date to draw for the gift certificates. There is no mention on the contest page. I really enjoy all your reviews and comments in the CBD catalog, and look forward to enjoying the website. Thanks for all your hard work.
--Sharon Greb

A. Dear Sharon,
The contest drawings will take place March 1^st, June 1^st, and Sept. 1^st. 2004. Thanks for visiting with us!
--Dean

From a Support Group leader in Western PA.
C. Dear Dean and Karen
I feel as though I know you two! I received every volume of your Charlotte Mason Journal [Parents' Review] that you published and have recently submitted it (bound & packaged) to our local library. This library has recently set up an entire room for the homeschool community- The Homeschool Resource Room.
      We live in a rural area of Western PA, but have a fairly large support group of about 70 families. Part of the support that our co-op (Clarion County Homeschoolers) offers is a Charlotte Mason Support Session. Using your books as well as the writings of Susan Schaeffer Macaulay, this support session provides for several families who are utilizing Charlotte Mason's premises. As president I am frequently encouraging many new homeschoolers to at least try her methods in one subject area of their homeschooling. (Many people are not willing to set aside their preconceived notions about education wholesale, and can be encouraged to step in a little at a time!)
      I was delighted to be directed to this web site by CBD and will add this site as well as www.charlottemason.com to our CCHS resources list. Thank you for your wonderful work in this area. May God bless you for it.
Sincerely yours,
--Deborah Frampton

R. Dear Deborah,
Thank you for sharing our work and the Charlotte Mason message to your friends in Western PA. Keep planting seeds and God will water them. Who would have believed that so much would have happened since Karen’s magazine, Parents’ Review and our little Charlotte Mason support group in 1990 in Tennessee?
--Dean

I am so happy you have found our literature helpful. It does take a step of courage to leave the classroom style of educating (those preconceived notions you mentioned) to live instead, "the educational life" Miss Mason advocated. I call it taking the “living book plunge," because it is like jumping into cool water on a hot day. It is natural to hesitate or to dip in one toe at a time to get used to the water little by little. When immersed in the water at last, how wonderfully refreshing it is for the hardworking, conscientious mother. Thank you for your leadership.
--Karen

Just a simple note of thanks.
C. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and wisdom gathered over the many homeschooling years. I personally share many of your opinions and look forward to reading more!
--Lynne Woodwood

R. Dear Lynne,
Homeschooling does have a way of teaching the teacher as well as the taught, doesn’t it? Mothers are growing in ways they would never have grown were they not teaching and nurturing their own children. Thanks for your note of appreciation and anticipation. Yes, there is more to come. Karen

	Boyhood and Beyond: Practical Steps to Becoming a Man Bob Schultz / Great Expectations Co / 2004

A. Dear Carroll,
We do indeed have such a book! It is being published this month (January '04). It will be available through this site as we are a CBD affiliate member. It is titled, Boyhood and Beyond: Practical Wisdom for Becoming a Man by Bob Schults. The author is a homeschool dad from Oregon. I have searched for almost ten years for a book worthy to go along side of Beautiful Girlhood but was mostly disappointed with what I found. Then I read Bob's down to earth manuscript! I have written a review for the upcoming CBD homeschool catalog. Soon it will appear in the book review section of this website. If you have boys (or are even thinking about having any) then this is the one for them to read!
--Dean

The Beauty of Motherhood
C. I just discovered your beautiful web site. I have copied your articles to put in a notebook for future encouragement. The artwork is lovely and reminds me of the beauty of motherhood. Thank you for your time and effort and for sharing your wonderful insight into what God would have us do.
Your sister in Christ,
--Linda Baker

R. Dear Linda,
It is good to know our artwork is a pleasing part of visiting HH. Care was put into making HH into a sort-of greeting card to my fellow homeschool mothers. The occupation of wife, mother, homemaker and home teacher is a high calling. I wanted a bright and positive feeling of dignity and beauty to be reflected in the words and illustrations of HH in honor of motherhood (and the joys of childhood.)
Thank you Linda,
--Karen

Looking for Like-minded Moms
Q. I am looking for a Charlotte-Mason support group or like-minded family in the Seattle
area. Any suggestions?
--Karen Fergason

A. Dear Karen F.,
Although we do receive letters from mothers, from time to time, telling us that they have started a group where they live, we have not kept a national database of support groups for those interested in CM. Their letters tell us that their topics for discussion (and questions) are taken from A Charlotte Mason Companion. We've gather that Miss Mason's practical method of education is popular in the state of Washington. Perhaps one of our readers from the Seattle area could post us a recommendation for you.
      One way to meet like-minded mothers is to place a message in your state homeschool newsletter. I did this in 1990. My message was actually an invitation. Because I had not met anyone in my area interested in Charlotte Mason's ideas I started my own group. I was happy to find it to be a very good way of making friends. My meetings were held in the early evenings while our young children were just snuggled in their beds for the night. Both moms and dads came to our get-togethers. We always served light refreshments but I remember that at one meeting we served a supper of lasagna (which was announced ahead). In those days, Dean helped lead discussion with me because I was shy. More recently, he still contributes sometimes, when meetings are large or when dads attend.
      Starting your own group is a good way to grow in understanding of the method while being affirmed (or even challenged) by others on the same path! Chapter forty-seven in my Companion was written in hopes of offering practical hints and encouragement for anyone wishing to form a group.
--Karen

Of Mice & Redwall…
Q. My son has read and loved The Redwall Series by Brian Jacques.
I have only come across one (Christian) review of his books (it was very positive) Are you familiar with his series?
--Diana Moore

A. Dear Diana,
We had an interesting experience with Redwall a number of years ago. Karen and I were out one night browsing a large national bookstore chain. We noticed a long line of people forming throughout the shop. After a while I inquired of the clerk. She told me that author Brian Jacques was doing a book signing, and would be leaving soon. She politely asked if we were fans. We had to admit that we had never heard of him, but based upon the clerk's enthusiasm I got in line and in short order was standing in front of this very British, elderly gentleman. Mr. Jacques graciously signed a copy of Redwall for our son Nigel. He liked our son’s English name!
      In answer to your question, Nigel also enjoyed the book, but has not read other books in the series. He liked the setting, characters, and story line and the fact that there were no or spells, magic or witchcraft, (as found in other popular children's books) just a battle of good verses evil in a historical setting…at least in the first volume.
--Dean

California, here we come? Maybe some day.
Q. Susan
I am new to homeschooling and just happened upon your website. What a blessing!! Do you offer seminars/workshops in California?
Thank you,
--Susan

A. Dear Susan,
Thanks for your interest in our message. We have been contacted in the past to speak in the great State of California, but always seemed to have a schedule conflict. Also, he fact that Karen is basically a homeschool mom, like many of our readers, and California is a long way from Maine, has deterred us. On those rare occasions when she is coaxed away from her nest, she gives wonderful heart felt presentations crammed full of all that she has researched and learned over the years. So if you would like to see her someday, put in a good word to your conference coordinators, I will do the same with Karen, and who knows what the Lord may arrange?
--Dean