ANN’S WINDOW TO NATURE Connecting with nature can be done indoors. Yep. Consider watching the birds from your window or reading a book on bird behavior. In fact, we can readily connect with nature in many ways. Consider sketching, painting, journaling, photography, and even games and puzzles. When it’s wet and cold outside consider setting up a family puzzle table. We…
ANN’S WINDOW TO NATURE The “dog days of summer” are here and the kids are “BORED!” How about a fun, inexpensive, outdoor activity? Break up the day by getting them outside for bit of sunshine, and fresh air each day. They will benefit greatly from a change in scenery and time away from screens. Set up a bird feeding…
ANN’S WINDOW TO NATURE By Eagan Store Manager ANN MCCARTHY The phrase, “the good ol’ days,” means something different to everyone, and depends largely on age. To me as a 60+ year-old woman, the good ol’ days were wistful, carefree days spent outside. I remember birds, butterflies, bees, and fireflies. I remember diggin’ in the dirt looking for worms, catching…
ANN’S WINDOW TO NATURE Social media. Politics. Aging. Covid. Disability. Geography. Economic factors. For whatever reason, loneliness is on the rise nationwide according to Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murty in a recent NPR Morning Edition interview. Loneliness can impact mental health resulting in depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and suicidal ideology. Loneliness can also impact physical health resulting in obesity, a…
ANN’S WINDOW TO NATURE The land ethic simply enlarges the boundaries of the community to include soils, waters, plants, and animals, or collectively: the land. –Aldo Leopold Thirty-five years ago, after a major health scare, my perspective shifted. I became more focused on big picture stuff. You know… why are we here? What can I do to make a difference?…
ANN’S WINDOW TO NATURE What do we mean by the phrase “a sense of place?” To me, a sense of place suggests an emotional bond or a tangible connection to a place. We can see it. We can feel it. We know it well. We hold it dear. We feel safe. We feel nurtured. When I think about a place…
ANN’S WINDOW TO NATURE On a cold winter’s day, there’s nothing more beautiful than a cardinal perched on pine bough heavy with snow. It’s almost as if nature has given you a gift. Gifts from nature come regularly to those who feed the birds: woodpeckers on suet, jays on peanuts, and finches on Nyjer®. We delight in watching juncos peck…