“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

TGSG Note: I reminded you last year, and I promise to do it again in 2012. It’s that important.

The stark realization has hit: It’s almost the middle of August. And the incredible summer days and nights we dream of most of the year are quickly passing us by.

GASP. I know.

Even if you LOVE fall, you can’t wish summer away. It takes so long to get here!

So consider this a little Public Service Announcement from your friendly neighborhood Grass Stain Guru…

GO OUTSIDE & PLAY.

Do not pass go. Do not collect $200. No more excuses.

Get out there and…

1. Catch fireflies
2. Run through the sprinkler or have a wet sponge fight
3. Roast the perfect marshmallow or challenge yourself to come up with a gourmet s’more recipe
4. Head to a nearby fishing hole.  Take a child who has never had the opportunity and watch their eyes light up.
5. Try geocaching
6. Have a watermelon seed spitting contest
7. Camp. Backyard, tree house or nearby county or state park — it doesn’t matter as long as you sleep outside
8. Eat a popsicle under a shade tree and play The Cloud Game
9. Find a nearby trail and hike when the sun is not too high — early in the morning or at dusk
10. _________________ (Use your imagination and share in the comments section! What’s your #10?)

When September comes and the kids head back to school and the summer light starts to fade, you will have such fond memories of time spent in the pursuit of play — and making the most of this gorgeous planet that we call home.

Trust me — this fact will make you happy. The end.

Don’t miss out. Mother Nature has something great waiting for you…

See ya outside! ~ The Grass Stain Guru

photo credit: anieto2k

TGSG Note: It’s not often that I have celebrities stop by The Guru, so I am beyond tickled that Cheecker took time out of his busy schedule to sit down and chat with me. As you can imagine, a spokes-squirrel has a lot on his plate.

If you follow me on Twitter, you know I am a huge fan of Cheecker and the work that he does getting children and families outdoors. So enjoy the interview, then listen to the smartest squirrel I know — unplug and go play outdoors! Bethe

1. Why do you think it is so important for children to connect with nature and explore the forests?

I live my whole life outside and I’m a better squirrel because of it.  I love climbing trees, running through the brush and playing with my forest friends, and it is really important for children to do the same thing because it gives them a greater appreciation for the environment.  Not to mention that it’s healthier for them! Studies show that kids who have more time to explore nature are generally healthier, more imaginative, less stressed and more respectful of themselves and others.

2. Speaking of children, what was your childhood like, Cheecker?

Funny you should ask, Bethe.  I have so many great memories of running through the forest with my brothers and sisters as a young squirrel.  Things weren’t so much different back then.  We still climb trees, hang out in our houses in the trees (we call them nests), gather nuts (acorns are my FAVORITE) and run around together.

In fact, I guess you could say that my childhood wasn’t too much different from a human childhood!  I see children running around, climbing rocks and exploring nature with their families in my forest all the time.

3. What tips do you have for parents to help get their kids unplugged and out into the forest?

Today, there are more cool video games and electronic gadgets for kids to play with than ever before, so it’s no wonder kids spend less time outside.  The best way for parents to get their kids unplugged is to show them early on how much fun the forest can be.

You don’t have to wait for your batteries to run out to go on a real-life adventure!  There are all sorts of awesome and exciting things to explore in the forest, and if parents can show that to their kids when they’re young, children will have a greater desire to discover nature as they grow.

Here are just a few activities parents can do with their kids to get them outside:

1. Find a local creek or body of water to let out your fishing line, observe some marine life, or even go for a swim. Water provides a range of activities that will lure your kids away from their electronics and promote activity as a family.
2. Read about plants native to your region and try to identify 10 different species on your hike. This is an excellent way to engage your kids and foster a family conversation about nature!
3. Camping: This classic outdoor activity proves to be even more exciting when you leave the tent at home. Treat your family to the stars when nighttime falls!
4. If your family is less experienced in the outdoors, pack a picnic and just relax in a meadow or field. Sometimes relaxing outside is the best way to unwind together.
5. For those weekend wilderness warriors, this is a great occasion to learn how to do something new and create shared memories with your kids! Find a guide to teach you how to fly fish, repel or even rock climb.

I love following animal tracks.  If you haven’t noticed by now, I’m a pretty friendly squirrel.  I love hanging out with all my forest neighbors, so I follow tracks to find my friends.  What I love most is finding a track I’ve never seen before.  It usually means I have a new neighbor!

By now, I know how to identify almost any track – bears, birds, humans – you name it, I’ve seen it.  I’m probably the best animal tracker in my forest, but I’ve seen some humans that know tracks almost as well as I do – that’s impressive.  There are some kids and their families who visit the forest who have animal tracking down to a science.  They even have books to help them identify what they see out in nature.  It is really neat!

Need more inspiration to unplug and get outdoors? Check out the great PSA from Cheecker and his friends at Discovertheforest.org.

Want to learn more about Eastern Gray Squirrels? Check out eNature to learn more –  and see what other wildlife you can spot near you!

Me & Cheecker will see ya outside!

~ The Grass Stain Guru

Guest Bio: Cheecker is the official spokes-squirrel of the U.S. Forest Service.  He is usually found in the forest playing and searching for nibbles and wants to teach everyone how to get outdoors and discover the forest. He shares his knowledge with his loyal Twitter followers at @Cheecker and can also be found on Facebook.

“I still get wildly enthusiastic about little things… I play with leaves. I skip down the street and run against the wind.”

~ Leo Buscaglia

Thought I would take a minute so share this great video. Just a little more inspiration to get off the fast track and GO PLAY!

See ya outside! ~ The Grass Stain Guru

Why is it that most adults have such a problem with play? Even the word seems to make many people uncomfortable.

Play, while made up of four letters, is not a 4 letter word — but many of us treat it as if it were.

Play: a range of voluntary, intrinsically motivated activities that are normally associated with pleasure and enjoyment. (Garvey, 1990)

Recreation: from Latin recreatio restoration to health, from recreare to create anew, restore, refresh. (Webster)

What delicious thoughts! Intrinsically motivated. Pleasure. Restoration. Refresh.

Um, yes please!

We’re very serious  in today’s society. Focused on the bottom line, what letters we can string together after our names and what the Jones’ have that surely, we must have too. And bigger seems to always be better, and more seems to be the only answer.

Hmmmmm, more. Why not:

• more laughter
• more joy
• more time connecting with our kids instead of driving them to this or that
• more depth in our friendships
• more connections with our community
• more time in nature
• more creativity
• more work – life balance
• more life in living…

Are you one of those studious types that needs a little scientific evidence to set you on a path? OK. I understand.  Check out:

• The Serious Need for Play (Scientific American)

• Play: How It Shapes the Brain, Opens the Imagination, and Invigorates the Soul (Dr. Stuart Brown)

If you want more — just let me know. But I think if you do one simple thing, you will convince yourself of the power of play. Go do something you love. Let your hair down and play. When you are done, take time to reflect.

How do you feel? How are your interactions with others? How is your creativity level or ability to problem solve? I bet I can guess, and I bet you can too.

Give yourself permission to play. Be proud of it. Play as if your life depends on it, because truly, it does. (And don’t worry, nobody will take your Adult Card!)

I think Descartes didn’t go far enough. I play, therefore I live has a nice ring to it, I think.

Now if you will excuse me, I am off to bust a play move. I need a good belly laugh and to feel the wind on my face.

See ya outside! ~The Grass Stain Guru

photo credit: celine nadeau

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

Happy Frolic Friday — time to “let down your hair” and have some fun. This weekend was just made to get out and celebrate the great outdoors. Make like the bunny above,  (Um, how much do you love the picture?!) and hop to it!

Why not…

• Take advantage of free National Park admission day September 26th! Entrance to all 391 parks is free in honor of National Public Lands Day! Hike, take a picnic, go birdwatching — whatever suits your fancy.
• Volunteer for a park or trail clean and lend a hand on National Public Lands Day.
• Check out Ken Burns’ new film, The National Parks: America’s Best Idea, premiering September 27th on PBS.
  

Whether it’s a favorite park from your childhood or a cherished trip to Yosemite, I have no doubt that you have fond memories of parks and the role they have played in your life. Take this weekend to get outside and celebrate these treasured spaces.

See ya outside! ~ The Grass Stain Guru

photo credit: midiman

It’s summer. SUMMER! The season for extended play and fun.  Kids do not need to go to computer camp,  foreign language camp, or the “academic enrichment” camp du’jour. They have been living at a break-neck pace all school year and are ready for a break. It is, after all, why they call it summer break.

That said, if your children are old enough and finances allow,  good old fashioned summer camp ROCKS. Hiking, fishing, and crafts akimbo. Nights by the campfire — telling stories and roasting marshmallows. Falling in and out of “love” with the cutie in Cabin 7. Bug bites and independence. Sharing secrets and making friends. Starting to figure out who they are outside the home, which is a crucial lesson.

Ahhhh, I can almost smell the cabin now. A mix of suntan lotion, dirty socks, cookies from home, and laughter. Priceless memories. I went to camp as a child, and later, went on to become a camp counselor. It was there that I met my career path. Yes, at summer camp.

So give camp some thought. If not this summer, maybe next. And don’t just take my word for it. Think back on your own memories or, listen to these words from some other former-campers you might recognize!

Need help finding a camp? The great folks at  ACA have got you covered.

Now if you will excuse me, there is a s’more with my name on it.

See ya outside! – The Grass Stain Guru

Hooray! It’s Frolic Friday — time to kick off our shoes and get down to the business of fun! You have a hall pass from “Life” and chores for a bit. The only thing that is on your schedule is recharging those batteries.

Why not…

• Rent a canoe or paddle boat at a park near you;
• Go fishing and swap stories about the one that got away; or
• Spend some time trying to master the time-honored tradition of skipping stones.

A day by the water is such a treat. Relaxing and beautiful. Pack a picnic and a pair of binoculars if you have them. As always, it doesn’t matter what you do, just take the time to enjoy life and let yourself play. Remember, it is your right!

Now, if you will excuse me, I have a picnic to pack. I always bring too much food, so feel free to join me!

See ya outside! – The Grass Stain Guru

photo credit: susteph

photo credit: jenny downing

A round of applause for the kids and kids at heart who have worked hard all week. (Insert clapping noise here. You in the back, feel free to wOOt!) Now, it’s time to get our play on! In honor of May Day, we are kicking it old school for Frolic Friday, and bringing back  blacktop and neighborhood games. (Yes, the ones you LOVED!) I have vivid memories of  May Day celebrations at school — cotton-candy colored ribbons dancing in the spring breeze, skipping around the Maypole and welcoming the beauty of the season with my friends. What a lovely tradition.

Today, let’s take back recess — not only for the kids of the world, but grown-ups, too! It’s time for adult recess, and it has nothing to do with Happy Hour — just good, old fashion fun. You would be shocked at how many of today’s kids do not know how to play old school childhood games. It’s time to reverse that trend.

Why not…

• Play Hopscotch;
• Get a game of Kickball, Kick the Can, or Hide & Seek going; or
• Break out the frisbee and reclaim your childhood glory!

Seriously — could you have a better homework assignment than to go outside and play? Grab the kids in your world, friends, and family and have some old fashioned, unplugged fun. Would love to hear about the games you played in your neighborhood growing up! No matter what you do, make sure to take the time to get outside and play. Recharge those batteries and feast on fun!

Now, I’ll be the one dancing around the Maypole if you have any questions. Then, I’m off to Kick the Can!

See ya outside! – The Grass Stain Guru

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