<![CDATA[The Nature Nurse

<![CDATA[The Nature Nurse - Blog]]>Thu, 06 Aug 2026 13:42:51 -0400Weebly<![CDATA[SenseSational Summer]]>Mon, 29 Jun 2026 15:46:21 GMThttps://www.thenaturenurse.com/blog/sensesational-summer

The calendar tells us it is now summer, but what about our senses? What tells us it is now the season of sunlight?

My senses tell me it’s summer when I:

Smell the salty, briny sea

Hear seagulls clawing

See the Rosa rugosa shrubs blooming by the ocean and their rich, flowery scent delights my nose

Bite into a cold, juicy, sweet, vibrant-pink slice of watermelon on a hot, humid day, and my body screams, “Thank you, I needed that!”

Lean into a cold outdoor shower, and my skin awakens under the warm sun.

Now that summer is here in the Northern Hemisphere, what if we take some time to slow down and savor this opportunity? Take some things off our plate, and be more intentional about noticing the delights of these lighter months.

Maybe switch from doing to being more, allowing our minds, bodies, and spirits to awaken to the joy only the natural world can offer.

Maybe showing gratitude to our home, which provides us with all this nourishment, wildlife, and infinite space?

The clock is ticking….how do you choose to spend this summer?

]]><![CDATA[5 FUN Games to Get Your Friends and Family Outside]]>Thu, 20 Nov 2025 21:17:54 GMThttps://www.thenaturenurse.com/blog/5-fun-games-to-get-your-friends-and-family-outside

When screens start stealing too much of our attention, nothing beats the laughter and connection of outdoor play. Whether you’re hosting a backyard gathering or heading to the park, these five games will spark joy, movement, and memories.

Pickleball is experiencing a surge in popularity: in 2025, over 22 million Americans are playing, making it the fastest-growing sport in the U.S. for the fourth consecutive year. This beginner’s pickleball set might spark something new for some on your gift list:

Buy Now:
https://amzn.to/3LMIXlL

An oldie, but a goodie! Croquet is a classic lawn game that is fun for all ages.

Buy Now:
https://amzn.to/4oZEyL2

Spikeball is often described as “volleyball meets four square.” It’s accessible, competitive, and endlessly fun, making it a go-to game for family gatherings, picnics, or beach days. Get their blood pumping with this game also growing in popularity.

Buy Now:
https://amzn.to/43KdCGu

Not the Jenga we remember playing for hours, this is GIANT Jenga- standing over five feet tall! Guaranteed to draw in participants and generate laughs. The perfect gift for the people on your list who love a challenge.

Buy Now:
https://amzn.to/3MbhWs6

What is the biggest deterrent to playing badminton? Setting up the net. Not anymore with this newly configured portable badminton set. Another classic outdoor game. Gentle, but invigorating, easy to learn, and easy to play. And now you can take it anywhere! Who wouldn’t want one of these?

Buy Now:
https://amzn.to/4oOUteJ

Outdoor games aren’t just fun—they’re fuel for connection, laughter, and wellness. This holiday season, skip the screens and step into the sunshine.

Do you have an outdoor game that you think should be added to this list? Share it in the comments.

]]><![CDATA[Adventure is FUN!]]>Mon, 17 Nov 2025 16:02:36 GMThttps://www.thenaturenurse.com/blog/adventure-is-fun

When was the last time you ventured outside of your comfort zone and tried something new?  Explored a new place?  Let yourself live on the edge a little, or color outside the lines.

This past week, I, along with millions in the northern hemisphere, found myself going out in the dark of night to capture the thrill of seeing the wondrous Northern Lights show that Mother Nature was putting on in the sky.  It was FUN!  Bundling up, driving around my hometown, looking for the darkest place with the most open sky.  Standing in the pitch black on roadsides and in fields, my senses heightened just in case a bear came by.

At one point, I went to a local Arboretum and found a few cars parked together in the otherwise empty lot.  “Ugg,” I thought, hoping it wasn’t a group of teens up to no good.  Instead, it turned out to be a bunch of retirees who also thought this would be the perfect place to see the lights.  Then a small family came by and joined me on the watching bench.

“You know,” the father said, “whenever I come here during the day, no one is ever here.  I come in the middle of the night and look at all the people.”  We all chuckled at the irony.  We didn’t see any Auroras that night due to thick cloud cover, but I can tell you it was FUN, and exciting, just hoping I would. The night air was invigorating. I felt a lot more alive than if I had sat home watching TV.

So, this week, I invite you to find an adventure of your own.  And, for those who are saying, “Nah, I’m good.”, okay.  Because, after all, isn’t life just one big adventure?

#FUN #Weekend #Nature #NatureConnection #HealthyLifestyle

]]><![CDATA[Playful Words, Powerful Impact: How Fun Storytelling Sparks Connection]]>Mon, 03 Nov 2025 13:05:13 GMThttps://www.thenaturenurse.com/blog/playful-words-powerful-impact-how-fun-storytelling-sparks-connection

For those who have been following The Nature Nurse #FallisFun series, you may have noticed there was no #FUNFriday post last week.  The reason being, I needed to pull the FUN train into the station for some dental work.

Mention the dentist, and most people react by cringing because we all know going to the dentist is not fun. Dentist stories, however, are comedy gold!  Read my blog if you need a laugh:
http://www.susanallisondean.com/read-ponder-comment-blog/the-dentist-isnt-funbut-dentist-stories-comedy-gold

Spending the weekend nursing my swollen jaw reminded me that our bodies have an amazing ability to heal when we properly support them.  Our spirits are inextinguishable.  Our minds are the tricky part of us to manage, but with some effort, they too can get on board.  FUN is always waiting, even when we get sidelined or derailed.

Sharing funny stories eases our minds and connects us to our common human experiences.  They can be the ticket to getting on the FUN train.  If you’re looking to start your week with a spark of FUN, try asking your colleagues, classmates, friends, neighbors- family members- tell you a funny story.  If they can’t think of one, maybe start with a dentist story.  Everyone has one.

]]>