Ode to Joy

Beethoven had it right.  Ode to Joy.  This weekend we were in eastern Washington as the Chinook to end all Chinooks pounded this region.  Almost a foot of snow.  The girls went nuts!

There is something wonderful about watching animals enjoy themselves.  No toys, no video games, nothing but nature.  They leapt, they tussled, they explored, they rolled, they ran just for the sake of running.

A number of social critics have written about how there is too much stimulus in the lives of children.  And that children don't get out in nature enough.  Frankly, I don't think I know of a single kid who hasn't explored a mud puddle or waded through a creek.  I think one of the problems is we get a little too uptight over our definitions of nature and what we think kids should be doing.

Like these two girls, if left alone, kids will find ode to joy!

Murphy's Day.