There’s No Such Thing as Bad Weather

Posted on March 11, 2021May 3, 2023 by keepinthesunlightblog@gmail.com

2017
by Linda Akeson McGurk

I have to say, I am a total wuss about weather. I’ve spent most of my life living in mild, warm climates. I easily get “too hot” or “too cold,” and being a homebody anyway, it’s a safe bet that turning back to go into the house comes quicker to me than most.

All that being said, I KNOW in my heart the importance of being outside. I can feel it. When I was a kid and we were outside for recess or break, regardless of “weather” ( I will say heavily in quotes), I loved the feeling of wind on my face or a chill in the air or the warm sun shining down and heating my head. As a grown-up, I have the ability to go in when it’s the slightest bit uncomfortable. But, oddly, I miss the “uncomfortableness” of being outside in different weather.

Every time I read The Secret Garden, I vow to spend our entire days outside. I want our kids to run and be out in nature. Not only for their health and mental well-being, but as a way to connect with the natural world. To love it and care for it. Our world needs us as much as we need it. Having people trapped inside and staring at devices all day isn’t doing our world any good for gaining supporters who will step up for our precious Mother Nature. A huge disconnect has happened, and people don’t make the important connections about where their “stuff” is coming from and what will happen to it when they’re done with it.

I’m digressing though. There’s No Such Thing as Bad Weather is the author’s story and exploration of children’s time with Nature. Although her girls were born in the U.S., Linda was born in Sweden, where kids are encouraged to be outside playing, no matter the weather. So, when her family has a 6-month stay in Sweden after news of a sick family member there, the author takes the opportunity to reflect on the different approach taken in her native country.

In Sweden, outdoor time, especially for children, is highly valued. School tests and academics at ridiculously young ages are something this mom faced in her American hometown, but when her girls enroll in Swedish schools, the emphasis on play and Nature far outweighs stressful academic benchmarks. Linda goes on to reflect on other parental issues, germs and technology and when to give kids more freedom.

This book has truly been an inspiration, and I hope to re-read it again soon. Even as a parent who highly limits screen time, I find that, especially with Covid, our outdoor time has been lacking this past year. Getting out of the house with the kids is TOUGH, and I appreciate that the author acknowledges she faces these same struggles too. Sometimes, even just to step onto our front step feels like a major accomplishment. But this book has helped me realize what I’ve known all along. It’s always worth it. I need to be okay with the getting-out-the-door battles or the risk that the outing will be a big, fat fail, because the times that do work are wonderful. I think the more it can be habit and routine, the more likely it will happen. And, yes, I agree, that when the kids have other kids to play with, instead of their old mama, they’ll be inspired to play outdoors more frequently and for longer. It’s been a strange year for that piece of the puzzle. But as far as Nature goes, it’s always there waiting, regardless of the weather.

You may also enjoy:
The Secret Garden
The Year of Living Danishly

Witches: The Transformative Power of Women Working Together

Posted on January 22, 2021February 6, 2021 by keepinthesunlightblog@gmail.com

Witches: The Transformative Power of Women Working Together (2019)
by Sam George-Allen

(This book has SOoo much to reflect on that I know this post will be a series of digressions, and, for that, I apologize in advance.)

I picked this book up in a round-about way. After reading Anna Meriano’s Love Sugar Magic series with my seven-year-old, she was all about brujas (witches). There were spells and grinding of herbs and all sorts of make-believe happening here. As I usually do in these situations, I hopped online and ordered every single witch or spell book I could find at the local library.

Many of the books we ended up with weren’t quite what I was looking for at the time, but this one by Sam George-Allen pulled me in immediately. It’s a book written for adults, but this book reaches far beyond the reader. And while I didn’t read this to my daughter (yet), it will most certainly effect how I relate with her. This isn’t a book about potions and cauldrons and brooms. As the title explains, it’s a book about women coming together. The chapters in the book cover different groups of women–everything from farmers to dancers. Trans women to nuns. Every single chapter captivated me. I often fly through books that I enjoy as much as I did this one, but I think I knew early on that George-Allen’s book was going to require some serious time and thought on my part. I can honestly say this book has contributed to a big shift in my thinking and will continue to do so.

Like the author admits in the Introduction, I, too, have held some huge misconceptions about women in the past, despite calling myself a feminist. I was very swept up with the cultural idea that women were “drama,” and I spent a good part of my young adult life priding myself on the fact that most of my good friends were guys. I poked fun at cheerleaders and sororities, or, really, any sisterhood of women.

The shift to recognizing the importance of women in my life has been a gradual one. Years ago, I worked with a wonderful group of women who spoke often of women’s groups and the power of women getting together. And still it didn’t fully sink in for me. It was really my transition into motherhood (oddly, only in that the author clearly states she doesn’t aspire to be a mother) that really connected me with other women and helped me see the value and power in female friendships. Even though not all my good friends are mothers, and while I do very much respect and value women who consciously choose that path, I know that motherhood was my initiation into the female circle. Not because it hadn’t welcomed me previously, but because I hadn’t let it.

I remember taking rare and sacred walks by myself when my first-born was a baby. As I walked, I thought about the baby I had carried and the birthing I had been through, and I knew that despite fatigue and uncertainty in this new passage of life, I was absolutely THE strongest and proudest I had ever been. I remember passing by male friends in the neighborhood and waving and smirking to myself. I was a freakin’ warrior! They would never know the deep power I knew. I was connected to generation upon generation of women who had been through the same birthing rites. Motherhood put me in circles of midwives and moms at La Leche meetings. I connected with my friends who were mothers on a deeper and richer level. And, those deep bonds carried over into my friendships with women who don’t have kids as well. My relationships with the women in my family have also seen undeniable benefits since my initiation into motherhood. My circle of women now is strong and so important to my life.

The chapter in George-Allen’s book on make-up blew my mind. Just as in my admission earlier that I used to shy away from too many friendships with women, I’ve also let myself develop some pretty whacky ideas about hair and make-up. I considered these things way too “girly” for me. (And HOW and WHY did an actual word built from the word “girl” develop a negative connotation?! I’m embarrassed I’ve used it in such a way and for so long.) This book opened up my eyes to an amazing example of the powerful feminine right in front of me–our daughter. When she was a baby, I refused to put her in pink dresses or headbands or anything that would be too “girly girl.” (There it is again!) I had read Peg Orenstein’s Cinderella Ate My Daughter book, and while I don’t remember much of the book now, I did have a great dread of our daughter going down the princess route. Reflecting on the princess culture would take me off into another long tangent, so I will just say that our girl is strong and feisty and independent… AND loves, LOVES dressing up in pretty dresses and putting on pretend make-up and fixing her hair. I’m quick to tell people she’s just as comfortable in fancy dresses as she is in a Hiccup or Woody costume, but, again, this implies that it is somehow only “okay” for her to be feminine IF she also embraces the masculine?.. Anyhow, reading the make-up chapter was a complete shift in my thinking. And it has helped me look to my seven-year-old in awe. She is an example of a true feminist. She embraces her femininity with enthusiasm and pride, while still asking questions like, “Why aren’t there more Lego women represented on this police force?” when watching YouTube, or asking questions I’d never thought to, like these ones here. I guess it’s no wonder this girl was born on International Women’s Day.

As you can see, Witches gives a lot of room for reflection. I haven’t even touched on the revelations I had while reading chapters like the ones about sex workers or nuns. Each chapter is its own beautiful, eye-opening exploration of the power of women coming together. For too long now, many women have been taught to see each other as competition or have been too busy putting one another down. Perhaps this has worked to some males’ perceived advantage to keep this isolation and rivalry going on between women. Because when women do come together? Well, magical, powerful change happens. We’re starting to see more and more of this. And, wow, does our world need it.

Bear Snores On

Posted on January 19, 2021January 19, 2021 by keepinthesunlightblog@gmail.com

Bear Snores On (2002)

written by Karma Wilson
illustrated by Jane Chapman

This is one I’ve had memorized for years, because we read it so often to our first-born. Sometimes books with rhyming texts just don’t quite work for me, and sometimes they completely click. This one flows so well. More and more animals gather in a big bear’s warm den while he sleeps through a blustery night. They make snacks and chat, but the bear continues to snore on. Of course, his slumber is eventually disturbed, and he is not a happy camper. But all ends well with cozy treats and tales.

This is definitely one of my favorite picture books. Great for a bedtime read or a winter read to a little one, but I think any age will enjoy the sweet story, natural rhythm, and darling pictures.

Chirri and Chirra

Posted on January 10, 2021 by keepinthesunlightblog@gmail.com

Chirri and Chirra by Kaya Doi (2003), translated by Yuki Kaneko (2016)

I actually don’t even remember what led me to this book–part of one of my late-night library order binges. I had a hunch though that this was going to be a winner. And, oh, what a lovely treasure it is!

This is a series of picture books (I can’t wait to read the others!) about two little girls having mini adventures. In this first book, the girls are simply riding their bikes through the forest. The plot is about as simple as it gets. They stop at a forest cafe and bakery. They stop to eat and swim and nap. Their day ends at a forest hotel where lovely music is playing and all the forest animals are gathered to sing along. … Oh, my heart. It is the perfect day, and much like Bear by Himself, I just want to live in this book. Simple, sweet, innocent, darling. LOVE.

The 5 Love Languages

Posted on December 22, 2020 by keepinthesunlightblog@gmail.com

To speak the truth, I kind of did a “skimming” reading of this book. Two separate times though. I believe the original “love languages” book is based around the idea of a married couple and there is a slight religious undertone, but the book can really apply to anyone.

I love this book because it reminds us that material gifts are not the way to everyone’s hearts. It’s not just a fuzzy, feel good thing to say “the best gifts don’t come in boxes.” For some people, their “love language,” as the author calls it, is truly not a material possession.

Author, Gary Chapman, lists five love languages in the book—The Gift of Time (which would be spending quality time with someone doing something enjoyable or relaxing), The Gift of Words (which would be a nice, handwritten letter or words in person or over the phone about how much you appreciate or admire someone), The Gift of Service (which would be offering to wash a car, run errands, cook, etc), The Gift of Touch (which would be things like foot rub, a hug, a massage), and also material Gifts (which doesn’t always have to be big, expensive, store-bought gifts. If someone’s love language is “gifts,” you could bring home a cool pinecone you found on your walk, put a chocolate on their pillow, give them a book you just finished reading and loved). Anyway, what I love about this book is the reminder that we don’t have to be over-consuming crazy fools at holidays or celebrations. We can show our appreciation in other ways, and lots of people actually prefer those other ways. We’ve been trained to think in terms of gifts or expect gifts, but if you stop to really think about it, you may realize your love language is something else entirely.

I think I figured out early on that my love language is words. Any time I received a handwritten letter where someone really told me how much they appreciated me, that became a treasure I would revisit again and again. I began telling people who were close to me that on a birthday or holiday, a well-written card means more to me than anything else. Figuring out your love language can be a huge help to others and can help start to cut down on the gift craziness.