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30 March ~2008
I spent the day relaxing at home because I have been so busy lately. Last week I had four nature programs, on Tuesday through Friday, and worked late each day to make up the time I was gone leading the programs. It was worth it though - the kids had a great time, and the teacher and parent leaders were appreciative, and helped the children to stay on the trail and pay attention when I was talking. During the course of the week we saw Abert's squirrels, herds of deer three of the four days, a Downy Woodpecker, and lots of wildlife sign (gopher eskers, deer and elk and coyote and fox scat, and bark marks from deer and elk chewing and rubbing).
The best way to do these programs is to be calm and pay attention while we walk, looking for something in nature to show to the kids. Nature is the best teacher, and there are countless fascinating things out on any given day, if you just look for them.
I walk a long ways, and it seems like a big adventure for the children. Most of them don't get out into a natural environment during a course of a week very much. That is a shame, because children grow up differently when they are comfortable with the space and mystery and beauty of wild nature.
What I am strongly opposed to is making these nature programs resemble a classroom experience too much, which can happen if the leader is focused on a set curricula. Children get enough of that in school, and it is best to let them just take a walk and look around, to be inspired and fascinated from the world they are a part of. Teaching can blend right into that when an attentive interpretor is along, without the children even noticing.
Before I sat down today to read some books and go through my photos I took a walk on the Green Belt with Ben and Maggie. The trees were still covered with last night's snowfall, and it was gloriously beautiful. The green belt trees and meadow and woodland paths are home just like the trees in my yard are, as well as the this peaceful confines of this house.
There was a robin in a shrub, who seemed to be waiting for the midday sun that would melt all the snow.
On the way home I came across a weedy mint (Glechoma hederacea) blooming at the edge of the sidewalk, a sure sign of spring, along with the frogs that have been croaking in the pond on warm evenings.One day last week during an evening walk a Great Horned Owl was at the top of a tree waiting for darkness, when it would swoop down and lift mice out of the meadow. It turned its head and watched us as we passed.
The moon was sitting at the top of the ridge just then. I clapped my hands as we started the trail up, to clear out any skunks or foxes or even mountain lions or bear that have been known to come along the ridge.
I was downstairs for quite a long time this afternoon, reading through my books, looking for a story to tell the third grade classes in two weeks. That is my favorite room, which is pretty much now a library. A few years ago I took everything out of it except a couch and a chair and a computer, and lined the room with bookcases. They are all full. I figure if I bring in more books I have to get rid of some. Eleven bookcases should be enough for a man living alone.
With all my activities - my job, volunteer work, and then dancing sometimes five nights a week, alone feels pretty good.
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