There were several things I did not appreciate in the public school system. One of these things was the perpetual crayon shortage at my elementary school. Have you ever read The Art Lesson by Tommie DePaola? My experiences were worse! I distinctly remember trying to color with building blocks when there were no crayons. That’s right, blocks. I literally rubbed the blocks as hard as I could back and forth on the paper so that the paint came off and produced a light shade of color on my paper. Need I explain how dissatisfying this was to the artistic child?
Equally frustrating to me was the question, “What’s your favorite color?”, which was asked on a daily basis. When it was time to share the rare small box of 12 crayons between 15-20 kids the question came,”what’s your favorite color?” When it was time to pass out popsicles during recess the question came, “What’s your favorite color?” And when it was time to pick a mat at nap time it came again, “What’s your favorite color?” I never could seem to choose just one. Numerous teachers were irritated with me over the years as I yelped my reply, “rainbow!”.
My love for all colors goes way back. When I was young I collected glass prisms. Each year around Christmas time my parents would take me to the Armadillo Christmas Bazaar in our hometown of Austin,TX, and I would pick a new prism for my collection from one of the hippie vendors. My mother carefully strung them with clear fishing line and hung them in my bedroom window (yes, just like Pollyanna). In the afternoon, the sunlight would stream into my bedroom painting all of my walls and ceiling with dancing rainbows. I loved my prisms and I knew them all by the names of their unique cuts–baroque, snowflake, tear-drop, almond, spear, tiger’s-eye, octagon, wing and drop. They might as well have been diamonds to me–my very own collection of crystal clear, sparkling jewels.
My mother always knew I loved rainbows. One of my favorite gifts she ever gave me was this music box. It is made from glass shards coated with an iridescent material resulting in highly prismatic reflections of light. You wind up the top and place it in a sunny window and watch the colors fly!
Today, my eyes are still drawn to rainbows. I recently found this gorgeous little notepad at my local Barnes and Noble bookstore.
This pad is my favorite color.
I’m so thankful for the opportunity to teach my own children. We don’t even have crayons in the school room-we have Prismacolor pencils, Derwent Aquarelles, Stampin’ Up markers, glittery gel pens, and of course, rainbow leaded pencils. My 7 year old changes her favorite color every 48 hours or so, and I can totally relate.
The color question reminds me of another question that I find difficult to answer, the one that asks, “What’s your favorite Bible verse?” I cannot pick just one. The options are too numerous. The miraculous variety found in the color spectrum is like the limitless majesty of so many hundreds of verses. The number of choices is staggering. I give up. So if you want to know my favorite color, I’ll have to stick with my grade school answer–it’s rainbow. And if you want to know my favorite Bible verse I will tell you what it is today, but ask me again tomorrow.
I can relate to your color/Bible verse thing! They are all so beautiful…how can we choose just one? Great post. 🙂
So, I HAVE to ask…where is your prism collection now? I’ve wanted to do that across my schoolroom windows… Years ago, I got in trouble for removing all the easily accessible hanging drop-things (I don’t know the correct things 🙂 ) from my mother’s dining room chandelier and hanging them across the window of my bedroom a la Pollyanna – it was after I had seen Pollyanna for the first time. 🙂
What wonderful memories you brought back! I’m with you on the “favorites.”
S-
I had the whole collection up until 2006 when most of them were badly chipped/cracked in our cross-country move 🙁 I may have to start a new collection, though, because I really miss them-especially my big double-faceted ball–I used to pretend that it was the famous Baseball Diamond from The Muppet Caper 🙂
that should be correct “names” not things…you can always tell when I’m interrupted while typing!
S-
I have to agree with you on the “favorite Bible verse” topic. I just seem to stumble upon so many great ones each time I peek between the covers!
Oh my word. Will you be my friend? Just kidding, sort of. I found your blog because we have a common theme of blogging about Proverbs and discovered you are also a homeschooler and love a blank book and good art supplies and rainbows.
I have to tell you a short story. Last week I was in the shower (TMI, Sorry) and something about the beveled mirrors, lights, wet glass door, created the most beautiful little spectrums. I was filled with delight and wanted to go collect a bunch of prisms and hang them up in my window. Then I second-guessed myself, “Would that be too Pollyanna?”
My favorite color ARE. . .
and seriously, favorite Bible verse? It’s like asking what’s the best thing your mom ever said to you?
I am not a crazy stalker lady, just excited and inspired to find a like mind out there.
Be Blessed.
Hi Christina-
Thanks so much for your enthusiasm and encouragement! I’m having a lot of fun with this blog so far and comments like yours really keep me motivated to stick with it! Have a great weekend!