Make time to be outdoors -- it's good for you

Hi neighbors. Busy days are ahead as students return to school, and working parents tweak their schedules to mesh with their spouse and all of their children's new school activities. Parents who are in charge of the homefront have to find one big calendar to hang up to keep track of appointments for the family; buy small plastic bags and plastic containers for school lunches and help children organize their closets so dressing for school is planned the night before.

Let's face it; no one has an easy job when both parents work, and all the children have different school schedules.

With changeable weather ahead, families want to hang on to summer with trips to the lake, hiking, fishing, camping and visits to National Parks.

Since we've had a few cooler days, it felt good to turn off the air conditioner and enjoy a fresh breeze through the windows and doors. The porch swing is a nice place for morning coffee, too.

Cooler weather makes us all more eager to get out and see the sights around Nevada and the county. It's too early for leaves to change, but the fields are still beautiful. Not too many young calves, colts or lambs to watch gain their wobbly legs. But those a few months old can run now and it's nice to just watch them playing in the pastures.

It's a good time to go visit friends and family members who may be unable to get out themselves. If you have someone in a nursing home, or otherwise housebound, go visit! Sit outside with them and talk about things, people, places that you shared years ago. You might learn a lot you didn't know about your family. If you visit elderly neighbors you can gain insights into how you really behaved as a child.

If there are still some beautiful flowers in your garden, bring some cut flowers inside to brighten your home.

On nice days, go visit one of Nevada's many parks. On warmer days visit the pool before it closes for the season. There is still time before the nip of frost hits the air.

While the weather is good, get some of that home maintenance done outside. Outdoor grilling is a great way to pass the evenings for families. If you have a nice big yard, put up the badminton net or croquett stakes and have some outdoor fun with the kids.

School children may already have several activities scheduled for their evenings. If your own schedule allows, spending time participating in your child's ball games, band practices, etc., will make many memories for years to come.

Don't forget to take photos of all those adventures! Help your children start their own digital or paper scrapbooks. This is fun at any age and explaining the importance of photo identification and notations will make these scrapbooks precious for years to come.

With the new school environment opening to your children, it is a good time to discuss good health habits and how to protect themselves with the rapidly approaching flu season. If you have teens, you might want to give or go over again "the talk." Don't expect them to learn some social skills at school. Parents are still the best teachers when it comes to children's self esteem, peer pressure and problem solving issues.

I'm looking forward to some new television shows for the evenings. Some old favorites will be returning, a few new spin-offs are airing soon and I'm eager to catch up with the familiar story lines.

Until the next time friends, remember, the outdoors is a place to live, not just to visit. If you have a yard or garden area, use it. If you don't have your own yard visit the parks in the area. Outdoor fun will improve your health and your attitude.