I always go outside with the expectation that there will be something interesting.
Sometimes you have to look harder to find it than other times.
Nature study has made me more of a positive person...I expect to find something outdoors to make me joyful. I expect that there will be something that we can observe and notice.
There is just so much to see and learn about, but we need to train our eyes and hearts to be open to the opportunities that arise.
The simple truth is that everyone has something special and unique to explore in their own backyard or neighborhood.
Here are a few things from our hikes this week.
Wow! Look at the color of this fungi? We think it is called Witches Butter.
I am amazed by these seeds. As many times as we have hiked down this same path, by this same plant, I have never noticed these really great seeds but there they are.
There were lots of fresh critter holes along the trail this week. This one was especially large. We see signs of lots of mammals as we walk and holes are some of the most intriguing signs that we are not alone.
The ferns are growing right now like crazy. Every day there are more and more to enjoy.
Keep your senses open to any opportunities and you may be surprised what you find to be interested in along with your children.
I got to thinking about all of the simple things we have in our own backyard that we have noticed over the years.
Trees: leaves, bark, twigs, roots, flowers, cones, needles, seeds, pods, nests, birds
Patch of weeds: leaves, roots, bugs, flowers perhaps
Dirt: worms, gravel, stones, seeds, mud
Sky: clouds, sun, moon, stars
Air: temperature, wind, smells, breath on a cold morning
Birds: flying, pecking, eating, chirping, hopping, shapes and colors, beaks, wings, tails, feet
Sounds: wind, frogs, rain, leaves, crickets, bees, fly buzzing, mosquitoes
Weather: rain, clouds, temperature, snow, ice, dew, wind
Flowers (garden or in a pot): petals, pollen, roots, leaves, stem, fragrance, shapes, colors, seeds
What can you put on your list?
Above all, have fun and be joyful!
Barb-Harmony Art Mom
