It is appropriate indeed that this rune begins the Futhark. I reviewed in the first, introductory installment of this column. Many runologers try to get too mystical and esoteric in their runework. Runes don't play around. They get down to the nitty-gritty, whether it be pleasant, unpleasant, or as is so often the case, a mixture of the two.
Runes are more a part of daily life than some flight of fantasy.
While your suggestions for experiencing runic ideas sound like fun, and will do much to clarify basic meanings to those eager to know the futhark, I wonder if some might take these as conclusions rather than beginnings. I find that it is much easier to understand if put in the context of daily life. If I don't perform maintenance on my Blazer, change the oil, add fuel, wash it, then that asset will cease to serve me. The same basic principal goes for friends and family. All are Fe.