photo credit: downing.amanda

Greetings Nature Detectives! Can you believe it’s November, and the Holiday Season is upon us?!

But remember, just because it’s cold outside doesn’t mean you and the kids can get out there and play and explore nature! Dress is layers and keep moving, you’ll keep plenty warm. Besides, it’s a great excuse to make hot chocolate — to warm up after an outdoor adventure!

So, let’s get to our Mystery Critter. Put on your thinking caps and let’s get to it! And remember — no cheating.

CRITTER CLUES:

• I make my home in pine-oak forests and woodlands
• I have a unique voice
• I was once almost hunted to extinction
• I am a fast runner
• I am a polygamist

So, what am I?

Make your guess then go to eNature for the answer and more interesting facts.

Did you get it right?

If not, no worries. You will have another chance soon!

Remember, when looking for wildlife, keep your eyes and ears open! What critters can you spot in your neck of the woods this weekend? Be sure to tell us!

And don’t forget! Join the Wildobs community and share your wild adventures with the world.

See ya outside! ~ The Grass Stain Guru

photo credit:

Perspective. Practicing what I preach. At the beach. At play. Critters and sandcastles. Happiness. Joy.

See ya outside! ~ The Grass Stain Guru

At The Beach

You roll down the window
And even before you see it
You smell that salty, ocean scent
You already know your there
At the beach

Where the breeze is best
Where the sun is most powerful
Mother Nature’s birthplace
At the beach

There so much to do
Starting from building sand castles
To finding shells so odd looking
To riding tsunami on your surfboard
To tanning yourself like bread in the toaster
To fishing with your grandpa
To snorkeling with fish
To going on cruises
To riding a dolphin
Just so much to do
The list is as big as space
As long as infinity
At the beach

As you walk on the shore
You see the sky red as the sun sits on the water
You feel the sand filling the gaps between your toes
You hear the soothing sounds of the waves
At the beach

Some claim to see the most wondrous things
Like beautiful mermaids sitting on rocks
Or the mysterious Loch Ness Monster
And even the lost city of Atlantis
At the beach

There nothing better than the beach
Where beauty was given its name
Where Happiness cannot be expressed
At the beach

~ Khalid

Who’s ready to get guessing?!

It’s that time again — time to play Mystery Critter! So put on your thinking caps, grab the kids, and let’s play.

CRITTER CLUES:

• I have horns
• I feed in groups
• You can find me in parks, woodlands, and even your yard
• I can hang upside down(!)
• I am found throughout North America

So, what am I?

Make your guess then go to eNature for the answer and more interesting facts.

Did you get it right?

If not, no worries. You will have another chance next week!

Get outside and explore the wild in your world. Spring is the perfect time to reconnect with nature.

Don’t miss a minute of the greatest show on Earth!

And don’t forget! Join the Wildobs community and share your wild adventures with the world.

See ya outside! ~ The Grass Stain Guru

photo credit: WellspringCS

“Young people today live media-saturated lives, spending an average of nearly 6.5 hours a day with media.”

- Keiser Family Foundation

According to the report quoted above, today’s youth are increasing the amount of time they spend with newer media (computers, internet, video games) without reducing the time they spend with traditional media, such as television. Like with many things in today’s society, more is more. But is it anything else?

It’s a truly remarkable statistic, if you think about it. And that’s exactly what I would like you to do. There is much more to say on this subject, but for now, I leave you to mull it over and to enjoy the whimsical, winding words of Shel Silverstein, and his commentary on TV.

Jimmy Jet And His TV Set by Shel Siverstein

I’ll tell you the story of Jimmy Jet–
And you know what I tell you is true.
He loved to watch his TV set
Almost as much as you.

He watched all day, he watched all night
Till he grew pale and lean,
From “The Early Show” to “The Late Show”
And all the shows in between.

He watched till his eyes were frozen wide,
And his bottom grew into his chair.
And his chin turned into a tuning dial,
And antennae grew out of his hair.

And his brains turned into TV tubes,
And his face to a TV screen.
And two knobs saying “vert.” and “horiz.”
Grew where his ears had been.

And he grew a plug that looked like a tail
So we plugged in little Jim.
And now instead of him watching TV
We all sit around and watch him.

See ya outside! ~ The Grass Stain Guru

photo credit: S.C. Axman

]]> http://grassstainguru.com/2009/08/26/time-to-pull-the-plug/feed/ 29 noisetosignal Creative Commons License http://grassstainguru.com/2009/07/05/a-new-kid-on-the-block/ http://grassstainguru.com/2009/07/05/a-new-kid-on-the-block/#comments Mon, 06 Jul 2009 01:57:24 +0000 Bethe http://grassstainguru.com/?p=2365

My friend Carol Torgan has launched her blog and it’s a fresh and fantastic resource in the blogosphere. Kinetics: From lab bench to park bench, explores our bodies in motion and at play. She also has a great post on the 100+ Top Play Resources and I am just tickled pink that The Grass Stain Guru made the list. Carol is a scientist and a very neat lady, and I am thrilled to have her voice out there for folks to hear. Welcome to the sandbox, Carol!

See ya outside! – The Grass Stain Guru

photo credit: jakesmome