The boys and I finished reading Beowulf today. It was a most excellent afternoon. I love to finish the reading with an additional reading of a chapter from Gardner's poem, Grendel. It's the epic of Beowulf, but told from Grendel's perspective.The chapter I selected starts from the night that Grendel attacks Herot Hall and finds Beowulf and a most miserable end. I get all crazy and insane, changing my voice to imitate that of the "my precious" ghoul from The Hobbit. I enthrall the boys with my rendition.
During one of the morning classes, a boy fell asleep towards the end of the reading of Beowulf. I began my reading of Grendel. When I approached the part of the story that has Grendel getting his arm ripped off and howling, "MAMA!" I howl it as well. Well, my howling woke sleeping charming up, he being dazed and confused ran from the room! I had scared him senseless! He didn't know what to think. We all got a good laugh out of that one.
The weekend promises a relaxing time which I'll use gladly to relax, think and ponder my plans for Christmas. Selecting the baked goods, presents for the kiddos and getting my cards and annual letters mailed off seems a most enjoyable way to begin the holiday season.
