Write You a River
Posted on Tuesday, September 21st, 2010
The summer after my daughter LucyKate graduated from college, we wrote a daily Haiku. It was a really fun way to recap the day, or put our hopes and dreams out there for the universe. [...]
continue readingDig in the Dirt
Posted on Monday, September 6th, 2010
Last week I rebuilt my “pondless waterfall” for the third time. I’ve lost the illusion that it’s the third and LAST time. Gardening is all about the process. A potential home buyer asked my friend [...]
continue readingEnjoy Summer!
Posted on Monday, June 28th, 2010
It’s been just over 2 months since the first ever Iowa Outdoor Youth Summit; at least two young Iowans attended the Outdoor Nation Youth Summit and Festival in New York City, and summer is here [...]
continue readingJoin the Movement
Posted on Sunday, March 7th, 2010
Go outside! It’s spring, and Iowa is joining a broad based movement to renew a close, personal relationship with the out of doors.
April 10-11–As part of Iowa’s “Reconnecting Children with Nature” effort, the Department of [...]
continue readingRide a Bike
Posted on Saturday, February 20th, 2010
I remember the first time I rode down the hill toward the city park after my dad took my training wheels off. Such a feeling of exhilaration and freedom! I still like to ride my [...]
continue readingLearn through Service
Posted on Saturday, February 6th, 2010
Service learning is more than picking up litter and cutting down trees. Kids and adults can have fun and learn a lot from doing such activities together. But to have a bigger impact, service learning [...]
continue readingRide a Horse
Posted on Thursday, February 4th, 2010
After reading and re-reading my favorite horse books–Misty of Chincoteague, Black Beauty and My Friend Flicka–I bought a horse when I was in college. Well, actually two horses. The first was a green-broke Arabian gelding named Pegasus. He [...]
continue readingEmbrace Winter
Posted on Saturday, January 9th, 2010
It’s been an especially cold winter in many places, but kids (and adults) can have fun and get healthy by going outside even in frigid, snowy weather. Each winter I resolve to renew my relationship [...]
continue readingFind Refuge
Posted on Sunday, October 18th, 2009
I just applied to make my yard a certified wildlife habitat. I figured I might as well, since the deer have plucked my rosebuds one by one this summer and fall. Really, it’s a small [...]
continue readingGo Outside!
Posted on Sunday, October 11th, 2009
Last week my friend Anne and I built a “pondless waterfall” in my backyard. I had a great time digging in the dirt, getting muddy from top to toe and
watching my little Tater cat explore [...]