“I like nonsense, it wakes up the brain cells. Fantasy is a necessary ingredient in living, It’s a way of looking at life through the wrong end of a telescope. Which is what I do, And that enables you to laugh at life’s realities.” ~ Dr. Seuss

Last month, I wrote a different type of New Year’s Resolution post — one that focused on more balance, joy and play rather than deprivation, which is the usual theme. 

What I’ve discovered over the years is that if I don’t check back in on what I wrote down, then the process of writing down goals or resolutions — new year’s or otherwise — doesn’t do a bit of good.

So, let’s have a check in, shall we? How are you doing in your quest for more balance, joy and play?

To refresh your memories, here is the list of items to pursue with abandon in this glorious year, 2012.

What should you Do More of in 2012:

1. Laugh (to the verge if incontinence)
2. Play (like your life depends on it)
3. Dance (whether there is music or not)
4. Hike
5. Skip
6. Hop
7. Jump (for joy)
8. Frolic
9. Make time for your friends
10. Garden
11. Walk barefoot
12. Sing
13. Soak in a bubble bath
14. Stargaze
15. Camp
16. Make s’mores
17. Bike
18. Cook
19. Be kind
20. Travel
21. Try new things
22. Trust yourself
23. Shoot for the stars
24. Be fearless
25. Dust yourself off and begin again

What have you been doing to make sure you put some LIFE into living?! Please share.

I took a break from blogging for a few weeks to regain some balance. It was really important to give myself that time to have some fun and make time for friends and play. Definitely recharged my batteries.

Play on, my dear friends. Your life, as it turns out, depends on it.

See ya outside! ~ The Grass Stain Guru

 photo credit: wolleydog

Snowball

by Shel Silverstein

I made myself a snow ball as perfect as could be.
I thought I’d keep it as a pet and let it sleep with me.
I made it some pajamas and a pillow for it’s head.
Then, last night it ran away.
But first — it wet the bed.

Woosh!

photo credit: lancefisher

The bear emerges from his den…

photo credit: lancefisher

Weeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

photo credit: kamshots

Look out belowwwwwwwwwww!

Look out belo photo credit: kamshots

You’re mine!

photo credit: edenpictures

Here it comes!

He photo credit: edenpictures

I made him all by myself!!

photo credit: foilman

A little snow never stops imagination…

photo credit: Nanagyei

Mmmmmmmm — look what’s waiting…

h
photo credit: kevinmarsh

3 cheers for snow play!

Don’t let a little cold weather stop you. Bundle up and get out there! Reconnect with the joys of play and share them with the children in your world.

See ya outside! ~ The Grass Stain Guru

Can you believe this is our 55th case together, nature detectives?! Time flies when you are having fun (and talking critters!).

So put on your thinking caps and let’s get to it! And remember — no cheating.

CRITTER CLUES:

• I may be small, but I have a lot to say.
• I find tree sap delicious!
• I’m not something you can see any old time you want.
• Some have told me I have bulging eyes, which while true, really is quite rude to say, if you think about it.

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!

You will hear this Mystery Critter long before you see it. 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: Harclade

I can’t believe it — we’re on our 50th Mystery Critter Game!! Thanks for stopping by each week to play.

So, let’s get to it. And remember, no cheating!

CRITTER CLUES:

• I am large and black & white
• I am a conservation success story
• I sometimes make my home on a beaver dam
• You may not see me in person, but adults and children alike recognize me

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!

So, unplug and go spend some time outdoors this weekend. Here in The States we get an extra day, so make good use of it!

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

And, thanks to my good friend and Not-So-Mystery Critter, @MrUku, I give you this great video.

Can’t help but sing along…

Have a safe and fun-filled weekend, all!

See ya outside! ~ The Grass Stain Guru

photo credit: daveograve@

It’s that time again — time to put your nature knowledge to the test. And, since some of you have been writing me and saying I make these too hard, I’ve decided to go easy on you this week.

So, put on those thinking caps and let’s play Mystery Critter. Have FUN!

CRITTER CLUES:

• I change color throughout the year
• I can only be found in Alaska and Canada
• I have adapted extremely well to my environment
• Both males and females care for the young
• I store food for winter

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!

Now, head outside and see what critters you can spot today! Join the Wildobs community and share your wild adventures with the world.

See ya outside! ~ The Grass Stain Guru

photo credit: daveograve@

Mmmmmmm. Pie.

Warmest wishes for a Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours! I am thankful for all your support here at The Grass Stain Guru and appreciate you all so much.

I will be very busy eating pie for a few days, but will get back to blogging on Monday.

After the turkey coma wears off, don’t forget to unplug and go outside and play. Go hiking, build a fort, go sledding if you already have snow on the ground — just enjoy your extra time off and play and then play some more!

See ya outside! ~ The Grass Stain Guru, lover of pumpkin pie

photo credit: Maggie Hoffman

Wow — 29 Mystery Critters! Can you believe it?! Don’t worry — I won’t ask for your guessing record.

OK my wildlife detectives, let’s get to it. Put on those thinking caps and let the guessing begin!

CRITTER CLUES:

• I am found throughout much of North America, but not in the Rockies or Northern Plains;
• I am beautiful — the showiest of my species;
• My habitat includes wooded rivers, ponds, and swamps.
• In the late 19th century, I was almost hunted to extinction; and
• My numbers have bounced back, and there are now over a million of us in North America. (Yay!)

What am I? Make your guess, and then go here for the answer and more interesting facts. Did you get it right?! If not, no worries — you’ll have another chance next week!

You may have never had the chance to see one of these beautiful critters, but no doubt you have seen one of its cousins. Take a water-side walk and see what wildlife you can spot this weekend. Nature has something to offer around each corner of this amazing planet of ours.

And don’t forget to let everyone know what you see! Join the Wildobs community and report your wildlife observations. It’s a great way to keep track of your wild adventures and share info with others.

See ya outside! ~ The Grass Stain Guru

photo credit: JoshuaDavisPhotography.COM

TGSG Note: Readers of this blog know I am crazy about children’s books and wildlife, so I am very excited to have author Rebekah Raye stop by TGSG today and discuss both! Bear-ly there is written for children in Grades 3-6, and is full of fascinating bear facts and beautiful illustrations. I hope you enjoy the interview — and the book!

See ya outside! ~ The Grass Stain Guru

1. What type of child were you, and how does that influence you as a children’s book author?

I had the natural curiosity that all children seem to have and would be happy drawing alone , but was hardly ever alone, being the oldest of 5 children.  My artist father is a great story teller, expressing wonderful details which always transported me to the places he talked about. I found box turtles and frogs, tried to catch a rabbit in a box tilted up by a small stick, with carrots as bait in the back yard.  My dreams were always of animals.  I loved animal stories, and drawing them. Some things seem to stay with you “forever and a day”.

2.  Why do you think spending time in nature is important for today’s kids?

Through understanding nature and the creatures in it helps us become aware and care about the world and it is the basis for understanding ourselves.

3.  Tell us a bit about Bear-ly There. Why did the story need to be told?

Wildlife is having a hard time in our day and time.  It seems if we can learn to care about and live with these amazing animals, the better for all of us.  The editors at Tilbury House felt it was important to address the problem of a bear that truly visited our backyard, which seems to happen to many others, and express some simple solutions to this issue.

4.  Name three nature activities you think all kids should participate in.

I love to encourage children to draw in nature, science journal books,  drawing detailed plants and animals.  Tree identifications, leaf and bark studies by bark and leaf rubbings on rice paper with flat crayons. Make a wildflower poster, drawing and pressing a piece of the plant and identifying each characteristic of the plant.  Taking frequent walks outside looking for birds and listening to tapes of bird songs to learn their particular songs.

5. Do you have tips or advice for parents struggling to get school-aged children to enjoy reading?

I would suggest having the child draw a character they really liked, could be their favorite pet and have that pet do something completely out of the ordinary.  Their kitty who could  go to a place from a book they read and what would he be doing. Would he be friends with the main character, would he help solve the problem in the story.  Drawing always helped me read. Reading always helped me draw.

6. OK, silly question –  but we love silly at  The Grass Stain Guru.  If you could be any animal, what would it be and why?

I love the amazing Hummingbirds and their ability to fly across the oceans during migrations. Their speed, agility, and beauty. Their desire to seek out nectar from the most beautiful plants. In contrast, a black bear, for it’s survival tactics, ability to be in the shadows of the forrest looking out as we go by.

Author Bio: Rebekah Raye is an artist beloved for her bird and animal paintings and sculpture. Her warm, expressive work is derived from her affinity with the natural world around her studio and home in East Blue Hill, Maine, where she had a bear visitor not too long ago. Rebekah also wrote and illustrated The Very Best Bed, and illustrated Thanks to the Animals by Allen Sockabasin. You can follow Rebekah on Twitter.

Visit Tilbury House Publishers for more information on the book.

Editor’s Note: As part of the book tour, author Rebekah Raye and publisher Tilbury House have arranged to give out some great prizes. See all the info below. I hope a TGSG reader wins!

Blog Comment Prizes:
They will draw 9 lucky winners from all of those who leave comments on the participating tour posts, including this one, from October 16-30 to win one of the following prizes:

• A set of four art cards (2 sets available)
• A signed wildlife art print
• An original sketch from Bear-ly There
• An original sketch from The Very Best Bed
• An original sketch from Thanks to the Animals
• A copy of Bear-ly There, The Very Best Bed, or Thanks to the Animals, signed by Rebekah Raye

Winners will be announced on Oct. 31, US/Canada addresses only, please.

Twitter Prize:
Everyone that participates in the Twitter Book Party, and/or posts anything about the tour using the hashtag #BearlyThere from October 15-30 will be entered to win a complete set Bear-ly There, Thanks to the Animals, and The Very Best Bed, all signed by Rebekah Raye.

Winners will be announced on Oct. 31, US/Canada addresses only, please.

“Trees are your best antiques.”

~ Alexander Smith

Happy Frolic Friday! It’s time to put on your sneakers or hiking boots, and get out there and enjoy some much-needed time in nature. This weekend, make sure to make time away from chores and errands to play and recharge your batteries.

Why not…

• Plant a tree! Fall is the best time to plant trees and shrubs, so get diggin’.
• Hug a tree! That’s right — I said hug. This is a classic activity to do with kids or even groups of adults.
• Get crafty and make leaf rubbings. I don’t care how old I get, this is still one of my favorite activities!

As always, it doesn’t matter what you do, just get outside and play this weekend. Mother Nature is waiting…

Now if you will excuse me, I am off to find the world’s most perfect maple leaf.

See ya outside! ~ The Grass Stain Guru

photo credit: di_the_huntress

TGSG Note: Parks are such a rich part of my childhood memories, and are still very much a refuge for me today. I am thrilled to have Nancy Heltman from Virginia State Parks stop by and share this post with us. Nancy is a great advocate for connecting kids and all of us with nature. I grew up in Virginia, so these beautiful patches of the planet hold special meaning for me.

See ya outside! ~ The Grass Stain Guru

I am hard pressed to resurrect a childhood memory related to being inside. Far and away the most memorable times are keyed to having fun outdoors. From simple treats like lying on my back in the grass and watching the clouds, feeding the ducks at Ridgway Park, flying kites at Gosnold’s Hope Park, visits to Buckroe Beach, family vacations in the Great Smoky Mountains, Cape Hatteras National Seashore and Shenandoah National Parks; having fun outdoors is what I remember.

I trace the legacy of the love of playing outdoors to my parents. My mother celebrates her eighty-fifth birthday this month and often talks about her childhood growing up in New Jersey. New Jersey, often maligned for industrial areas near New York City, has great community parks and beautiful places that earn its motto “The Garden State.” Growing up, my mother was always within walking distance of a local park. She reminisces about ice skating in the winter and playing year-round in these parks with one or more of her younger siblings. During my childhood I stayed with relatives in New Jersey during the summer and still remember the many parks in walking distance.

Growing up in Hampton, Virginia, we had parks but not within walking or biking distance from where I lived. My mother worked during the week so my favorite weekends were spent at Ridgway Park and later Gosnold’s Hope Park and Buckroe Beach in the summer. My father introduced us to National Parks on family vacations and also instilled in us a love for outdoor fun like fishing, hunting and horseback riding.

My seven year old nephew does not play outside. He has a nice backyard with fun play equipment but he prefers watching TV and playing computer games. What will he remember of his childhood when he reaches the half a century mark? At seven I spent daylight hours outside jumping rope, playing hopscotch, riding my bike. I remember making a tent fort out of the clothes line and trapping lightning bugs in old mayonnaise jars.

Those of us in Parks and Recreation have rallied around Richard Louv’s book Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children From Nature-Deficit Disorder. We already knew about the demise of free play but Louv’s book reached a broader audience and started a movement well overdue. It has inspired partnerships and major campaigns to counteract the addiction to the indoors and changes in society that have reinforced the behavior. Just last week our National Parks, America’s State Parks (via the National Association of State Park Directors) and local parks (through the National Recreation and Park Association) forged an alliance to work together to help reconnect children with nature.

Watching the Ken Burns series on National Parks it is clear that those behind the movement that created our National and State park systems had incredible foresight. Love for the beauty of nature and need to protect the wild places in this country spawned the National Park movement and America’s system of state parks. Local communities skimp and save to provide parks and recreation to its citizens. But what will be the fate of these special places if our children do not develop a love for the outdoors and the natural world?

While nature experiences certainly start in the backyard, more and more suburbia represents overly cultivated lawns and very little of what is wild about the natural world. City dwellers have the additional challenge of even finding the grass. In other words, today’s at home opportunities to experience nature outdoors are of very little interest to children when compared with multi-media experiences indoors. I grew up in suburbia and often escaped to the more wild “woods” and a marvelous borrow pit lake that freaked my parents out when they discovered I had been there. Today more than ever our local, state or national parks are the best place, if not only place, to celebrate the wild places still accessible to the general public.

Working for Virginia State Parks [http://www.virginiastateparks.gov] I love hearing the stories from adults about their visits to our state parks as children and how they are bringing their children to the same parks today. This is a legacy that your children remember and pass on for generations. If you are blessed with local parks or can work to develop them, your children will thank you. If not, spend vacations and weekends celebrating the fun you can have in simple play and outdoors. Help your children make the memories they will look back on in their adult years.

Guest Blogger Bio: Nancy Heltman is Operations Director for Virginia State Parks. While she has always loved the outdoors, she stumbled into her career in State Parks after fifteen years in private sector management. She lives in Yorktown, Virginia with her husband, David, mother, four cats and three dogs. While her job involves all of the boring indoor park stuff like budget, procurement and paperwork, her responsibilities for volunteerism and marketing give her the chance to visit Virginia’s great state parks. She is their social media guru, so follow her on Twitter or read their blog.