The CMP Review — Week of August 4

August 4, 2025

“Intimacy with Animals.—A fourth relation is to the dumb creation; a relation of intelligent comprehension as well as of kindness. Why should not each of us be on friendly terms with the ‘inmates of his house and garden’? Every child longs for intimacy with the creatures about him; and—

‘He prayeth best, who loveth best

All things both great and small;

For the dear God who loveth us,

He made and loveth all.’” (Vol. 3 p. 80)

@tessakeath

August 5, 2025

What is it about biographies that move us? It’s not that they present us with perfect people. The stories relate imperfections. It’s not that they present us with information. They give us something more valuable than that.

A the 2025 Living Education, Leah Boden spoke about “stories that last,” and she explained the three invitations that biographies give us. As I sat in the audience I was captivated by the message. As a result, my key takeaway from the Living Education Retreat this year is to make sure that biographies play a big part in our homeschool program next year.

Have you ever heard Leah Boden speak? As I sat in my chair by Lake Koronis in Minnesota, there was something magical about listening to her voice. Hearing her accent and her personal account of England felt a bit like Charlotte Mason herself was visiting us. Or at least, a Modern Miss Mason.

Now you too can hear her talk. Find about stories that last here.

@artmiddlekauff

August 6, 2025

Who’s back to school?!

@rbaburina

August 7, 2025

“When you and I are gone,” wrote Charlotte Mason, “the ‘P.R.’ will be long quoted and made much of in the annals of Education.” She was writing to Henrietta Franklin in 1911, and P.R., of course, stands for Parents’ Review.

The Charlotte Mason Poetry team works with volunteers every day to make this prediction of Charlotte Mason come true. Her intent was never that the wonderful articles of the Parents’ Review would be hidden away in a handful of libraries around the world. No, she intended that the articles would be quoted and studied even in our day.

We are doing our part to “make much” of these precious educational gems. Indeed, in the same letter Mason wrote that the Parents’ Review is “quite unique in all languages and in all times.”

Our team follows a rigorous process to bring accurate transcriptions to you for free. Multiple typists and multiple eyes go through each article to ensure every sentence, word, and letter is correct. But before typing can begin, we need to find the articles.

And I am so excited about my newest finds. Keep watching this space because I’m terrible at keeping secrets. Especially when the secrets are articles that Charlotte Mason wanted the whole world to see.

@artmiddlekauff

August 8, 2025

Burdock burrs, in all of their purple-y, thistle-y, glory!

I don’t think I’d ever really noticed them outside of their winter versions. Their summer colour is amazing!

They’re not the “worst” of the winter burrs in terms of their sticking factor. But they are pretty clingy and resilient!

@antonella.f.greco

August 9, 2025

MY LONELY PLACE

A small wood is my lonely place,
With sweet smelling flowers and it is quiet too,
With a little stream flowing through,
A lonely place to be sure.
A small wood is my lonely place,
Where birds sweet music sing
And even the blue bells seem to ring,
A lonely place to be sure.
A small wood is my lonely place,
Where I like to laze,
And at the swaying trees I gaze,
A lonely place to be sure.

JACQUELINE PULLIN
(Age 9 years and 9 months)
Hopelands PNEU School
Stonehouse, Glos.

(PNEU6 p 107)

@rbaburina

It is perhaps the most famous and cherished parable in the Bible. It offers hope to everyone and presents an irresistible picture of God. “But could it actually be true?” asks Miss Mason.

She answers her own question with one of the most profound stanzas in all of her poetry, an answer that sheds light on the foundation of all of her thought:

I have the word of One,

Alone can know:

The sole begotten Son

Hath told me so!

Read or hear Charlotte Mason’s wondrous poem here.

@artmiddlekauff

🖼️: The Prodigal Son by Peter Paul Rubens