April 23rd, 2012

It is, in today's modern age, sometimes difficult to adhere to concept of nature worship. Of course we recycle, we tend a garden, we try to use nature-friendly cleaning products, and all that is wonderful. However, as a student, I am constantly besieged by commitments to homework, family, friends, and the omnipresent television shows, apps, and Facebook. Today, I realized that it has been ages since I was outside for more than a few minutes, walking to the car or back from the bus stop. Some of this is due to the weather; it is only just now spring, and after the recent rainstorms, it has been cold. However, it is nevertheless a personal duty and joy to be outdoors, something I'd rather forgotten. So, after an initial argument, Nick talked me into biking to a nearby business district, rather overrun with trash that had blown off the garbage truck. We took some bags, headed over, and picked up as much of the junk as we could shove into our bags. And here's the funny thing, the thing daily life has made me forget: being outside feels good. It's good for everything. The sun causes your skin to produce Vitamin D, your brain releases endorphins (a natural mood booster), and the natural world helps strip us of some of the toxins that comes from being inside all the time. The body feels refreshed, revitalized. When I got home from school today, my backpack had made my shoulders ache horribly. Now I hardly notice. I think if we all got outside a little more, people might find themselves to be happier more often. On that note, I'll leave a song for you to consider...

October 10th, 2011

In celebration of Columbus' taking credit for the discovery of the New World, I had a day off of school today, so my younger brother, Nick, and I took a 10-mile bike ride around the forest preserves in the area. We saw four Woolly Bear caterpillars, a garter snake, a flock of grasshoppers, turkey vultures, and a praying mantis. Here are some of our buddies:



Nowhere is the Lord and Lady more present than in the great outdoors. There's just something indescribably spiritual about speeding down a hill on a bike, the wind whistling through your hair, and leaves falling around you. Once we got home, I printed a Pagan Faerie ABC book and colored the first few pages. I know, I know: I'm a bit old for ABC books, and probably even coloring books in general. But you know what? I like coloring, and I really like Pagan coloring pages. If you, your kids, your grandmother, or whoever is interested in said coloring book, it can be downloaded and printed at: http://www.proudtobepagan.com/kidshome.htm . Indeed, they have a number of kid-friendly activities.