September

September is one of our transition months, a time when we leave one season behind and begin a new one. Where I live, the warmer weather is already beginning to wane a bit and there’s already that very slight chill in the air that makes me want to keep a light sweater close by. While I actually love this weather, I know in the back of my mind that it’s a sign of the cooler times ahead. It also reminds me that we need to take advantage of the great outdoors as much as we can right now. Before we know it, the cooler weather will be upon us, and we’ll be spending more time inside. That’s why this week, while the summer is still with us, I’m paying homage to Mother Nature!

You can immerse yourself in Mother Nature’s gifts by visiting a state or national park. The great thing about state and national parks is that they almost always have hiking trails and picnic areas, so you can enjoy a good hike and then stop for a picnic lunch. Some even have nature centers with bird-watching spots, as well as special activities and tours to get introduced to the local natural environments. I was happy to discover that more people are visiting parks this year. I hope that also means that they’re taking care of them because our parks and public lands are treasures.

But if you don’t want to venture too far from home, you can enjoy your own backyard or local parks. Years ago, before television, computers, tablets and smartphones occupied our leisure hours, stargazing was a common pastime that we can still enjoy today. Spending a late summer evening on a blanket in the garden staring at the night sky can be extremely pleasant and relaxing. You can download current star maps to help you locate constellations and planets that are visible in our changing sky. Or better yet, download a star gazing app onto your mobile phone. Just point it in the direction of the stars or planets you’re wondering about, and it’ll identify them for you immediately! While you’re at it, take a picnic basket, go early and enjoy a full evening of relaxing fun.

Let’s don’t forget about local fresh fruits and vegetables in the late summer and early Autumn. Look in your local paper or online for places where you can pick your own berries, peas and beans, squash, orchard fruit and more. You might spend a little money on this activity,but consider it a trip to nature’s grocery store. Not only will you enjoy time outdoors, but you’ll also be eating healthy unprocessed foods, fresh from stalk and vine, that are chock-full of nutrients.

If you look around, you may find other opportunities for fun outdoor activities, like biking or visiting gardens and zoos or going to the beach. Be on the lookout for late summer and early fall festivals, like fruit festivals, and craft street fairs. Check your local venues for dates and locations of concerts in the park, where you can take a blanket and have a picnic while you enjoy music at sunset or under the stars.

The idea is to enjoy the great outdoors in whatever way suits you best. That could mean venturing out on a hike on a trail, staying closer to home and settling in with a good book on your porch or in your backyard hammock.

I wish you a wonderful week and hope I’ve given you some suggestions to enjoy Mother Nature and these last weeks of summer!