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This is the true joy in life-

the being used for a purpose 

recognized by yourself as a mighty one;

the being a force in nature,

instead of a feverish, selfish little clod
of ailments and grievances

complaining that the world will not devote itself 

to making you happy.

-George Bernard Shaw

Look at the bearded robber fly-  he’s got a fly in his mouth!  

…at the same time that we exclude mankind
from gathering berries in our field,

we exclude them from gathering
health and happiness and inspiration,

and a hundred other far finer and nobler fruits than berries,
which are found there….

-Henry David Thoreau

In case you didn’t know, we are in the midst of Take a Child Outside Week.

Children between the ages of 2 and 18 spend an average of 40 hours a week exposed to some sort of “screen media”- TV, video games, computer- outside of school hours.

That’s a full-time job!

A preschooler’s risk for obesity increases by 6%
for every hour of TV watched per day.

If there’s a TV in the child’s bedroom,
the odds jump an additional 31% for every hour watched.

-Susan Linn, “The Case for Make-Believe”

A preschooler’s risk for obesity. It sounds like an oxymoron.

Take a child outside. Don’t worry about planning things to do. Cassie’s favorite game is “scratch away at dirt with rocks and sing to yourself.” This will occupy her for the better part of an hour.

Cultivate their sense of beauty, their sense of wonder.

Help them to be a “contemplative observer”.

Take them to “the wonderful, deep, dark woodland- a cathedral of stillness and peace”.

Quiet, unstructured time outside naturally brings about creativity, empathy, movement, and curiosity.

And it’s time not spent in front of a screen!

It’s good for you, too. When will they start a week to “Take an Adult Outside”?

Clothes are our weapons,
our challenges,
our visible insults.

-Angela Carter

Of all the things you wear,
your expression is the most important.

-Janet Lane

Flies have noses! Big ol’ fleshy ones, in this guy’s case. He reminds me of Droopy Dog.

I’m a bit grumpy today, the sky is gloomy, rain in the forecast, and I am again, profoundly tired, and I’m so glad it’s Friday.

Cliche as it may seem, whenever I get down like this I like to dress up with some attitude. Fake it ’til you make it, as they say.

Today I am thinking some cowboy boots will give me swagger (I’ve never outgrown that childhood love of clunking around in noisy shoes), and maybe something flowy will take the edge off.

And a hat. Rainy days are a good excuse for a hat. I have a green cloche that is beckoning me.

Huh, I feel better already.

What I need is a swank umbrella that can take some abuse. Any suggestions?

What are you wearing today? Hopefully a smile on your face (a smirk will do!)