My Mask

A few years ago, I volunteered for a local Nature Center's celebration of Earth Day. Dressed in costume, I created stories for kids who made masks using paper bags, pictures from magazines and markers. It was pretty fun to tell the little ones about the story I "read" in each of their masks. As part of that event, I gave each child (or parent) a small copy of this rhyme.

I've always been big on the concept of "recycle and reuse". Call me a frugal suburbanite who hasn't lost complete touch with her rural roots. AND I hate the thought of huge landfills, litter in general and the vision of plastic bags eroding in our lakes, seas and oceans. Which, sadly, they appear to be doing -- along with ending up in bird and squirrel nests.

So let me tell you a little story about my love of nature.

Busy Little Bee

Spring arrived early in Minnesota. In March, we experienced record-setting highs. Temperatures hit the 60s, 70s and even 80s.

Why, folks around here were downright giddy.

As for me?  I took breaks from my computer more often to go outside and simply enjoy the great outdoors. And during one of those marvelous spring-summer days in March, I actually saw a BEE! 

Here's what happened... 

While I sat on the front steps, a Bee flew straight towards me. As he flew, his wings rotated so quickly I could barely see them. Then he STOPPED and hovered for what seemed like an awfully long time. While he hovered, I could see more clearly the colors that cloaked him, his large dark eyes and the delicate network of lines on his wings. 

It was pretty amazing. And I didn't get stung!

Eventually, the Bee flew away and I went back inside to work with a heart that seemed (somehow) much lighter. And in the back of my mind was the memory of how I felt when I simply forgot about the time and took the time to enjoy watching one little Bee.

It was a good reminder for taking a break once in awhile.

  

So take some time with your favorite kid and simply enjoy the world around you.   Maybe what you see will inspire a story worth sharing.