The women's march in January was powerful for the children. They were impressed with the number of people who felt so strongly about injustice. They were impressed with how it felt to be standing in a united mass hooting and hollering in a call and response rhythm as individuals spoke in their outside voices and from their hearts. The children's senses were peaked by a curious knowing as they experienced the type of communal chanting that is in their bones but not their current culture. The unifying beat of the drum circle enchanted them as their legs and bodies began to syncopate with something outside of their own heartbeat. It was an experience we always hope to find more of for them - the experience of being part of something bigger than themselves. An experience that naturally puts their lives in perspective by illuminating our interconnection.
It was powerful.
Which was too much for the powers that be.
Two days later E.P. saw a news post about Trump mocking the Women's March and we are still, three months out, healing the hurt feelings that it created. In a moment, in which traditionally a child trying on the values that his nation champions would see a healthy and helpful response from the President, he saw behavior more like a peer, and one that was acting out inappropriately. Far from inspired by the President, E.P. felt like he had been attacked on the playground by the second grade class bully. It sucked for all of us.
Since he was understandably NOT interested in joining The People's Climate march we decided to show our love of the earth in our own creative way. We rose to new heights by heightening and celebrating our senses and our sense-abilities! We hosted a 5 Senses Feast and for this potluck friends were invited to bring something to delight any of our five senses. It was sensational:
...and, it was an act in saying , "Fork it!" Rather than trying to voice our values to individuals unskilled in listening we've decided to resist by living our values to the best of our abilities. And, we are going right to the belly of the beast regarding climate change - we think that it's time for a GOOD FOOD FIGHT! Empowered and inspired by Anne Lapp's *Diet for a Hot Planet* we are taking up the challenge of addressing our climate crisis by changing what's on the end of our forks! And the five senses feast was just the beginning. Be on the look out for other opportunities to feast and fight climate change in The Warthog School's Loose Leaf Kitchen.
* Held outdoors our Five Senses Feast was the perfect time for a sensory scavenger hunt in nature. We highly recommend it!
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