Feeling Grateful: 10 Summer Memories to Cherish

September 10, 2011

“There shall be eternal summer in the grateful heart.” ~ Celia Thaxter

Bumblebee at Work #2
TGSG Note:  As readers of this blog will know, I am a HUGE fan of summer. In fact, I love it so much that I truly struggle with the changing of the seasons. It’s not that I don’t like fall per say. I mean I get it —  it’s colorful and beautiful in its own right. But the coming of fall means that I have to say goodbye to summer for so long, and all the rich and wonderful bits of magic and play that only summer can bring. Heavy sigh. 

I originally post this two years ago, and if anything, I mean it more today than I did then. Like a child getting out of school for break, summer will always hold a magical place in my heart. ~ Bethe

 

As summer draws to an end, I can’t help but be a little sad. I am a sunshine girl –  a true lover of summer and spring. As much as I love Mother Nature, I am not fond of her winter dress nearly as much.

 

When I read this beautiful quote, I decided that this year, instead of being sad to see summer go, I would be grateful and give thanks to summer — celebrate its glory and let that celebration and those memories keep me warm in the cold days ahead.

10 Grateful Summer Thoughts:

  1. The bright burst of summer colors everywhere the eye goes
  2. Glorious sunsets, striped candy-colors of orange, pink, and purple
  3. Warm summer rains, just made for puddle jumping
  4. Walking barefoot through the grass, in the sand, and across warm sidewalks
  5. Picnics and paddle boats
  6. Orange popsicles enjoyed on a walk-about
  7. Stargazing on warm nights
  8. Dangling my feet off the dock
  9. Cookouts and volleyball games with friends
  10. Bright blue skies and seemingly impossible puffy white clouds. Skies so welcoming, you can hardly believe your luck at being alive and having such a day given to you.

Surely, these thoughts and sense of joy will keep me warm this winter.

What are some of the things you are grateful for about summer? I would love to have you share them in the comments section.

Now, if you will excuse me, I have some late summer fun to go enjoy. Get it before it’s gone, folks!

See ya outside! ~ The Grass Stain Guru

Creative Commons License photo credit: pasukaru76

By Bethe | Posted in nature, Perspectives | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments (19)

Sighted: Kids That Really KNOW How to Play!

August 16, 2011

I’m going to let you in on a little secret: I have been a bit discouraged lately. I have met so many children in the last couple of years who have no idea to play — or at least no interest.

I’m not gonna lie, it breaks my heart.

Whining about being bored. Showing no interest in non-electronic play. Melting down if they are told they cannot watch TV, surf the web or play video games. Children in national parks who never look up from their hand-held devices. Sadly, I could go on. But I won’t — you get the picture.

My little grass-stained heart needed a lift. And lucky for me, I got one.

I was lucky enough to spend a week in the English countryside with four amazing children ages 8 and 10 who really knew how to play. KNEW. And not only did they know how, they initiated it.

No really. And I have the proof. Check it out!

Wands were whittled and spells were cast.

 

Rocks were tattooed, then hidden around the garden for the best rock hunt ever.

Soap was made and Crazy 8s were played.

Masterpieces were drawn and secrets were shared.

Nature was explored and cherished.

HOURS were spent in the tent engaged in flights of fancy. And sometimes even sleep.

 

Running, jumping, chasing, laughing…This yard was the scene of activity from morning until night.

The swam until they were pruney. The played games with no names. They went for nature walks. Point is, they played. Real, honest to goodness play. And related to each other.

No batteries required.

Thanks to these wonderful, spunky, funny and slightly kooky kids — and to the parents who are raising them with screen time limits and unscheduled time to just play and be kids.

You all did my little grass stained heart good.

See ya outside! ~ The Grass Stain Guru

 

By Bethe | Posted in parenting, Perspectives, play | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Comments (48)

Attention Humans: Summer is Almost Over…GO PLAY!

August 10, 2011

198/365: Refrescante
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

Creative Commons License photo credit: anieto2k

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By Bethe | Posted in Perspectives, play | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments (68)