Please stay safe in and around the water this Memorial Day Weekend, and wear a life jacket. Swim in areas patrolled by lifeguards.
Sunday Stills: Is #Danger Closer Than You Think?
Dogs appear to be guarding me on the water. What could be dangerous about a sublime day paddling on the river? Don’t get me started. As the former aquatics director for a public parks and recreation organization, it continues to be my duty to remind people to be safe in the water. This week’s Sunday … Continue reading Sunday Stills: Is #Danger Closer Than You Think?
My Place in the World as a (Leisure) Educator
Happy Teacher Appreciation Week! Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world. Nelson Mandela I spent 35 years in the world of public parks and recreation providing clients with quality leisure experiences. The last 13 years before I retired in 2014 was spent as the aquatics director overseeing 15 … Continue reading My Place in the World as a (Leisure) Educator
Variations of Higher Education
The Weekly Photo Challenge does just that: it offers a challenge to photographers and photo-bloggers to find or take pictures of people, places and things of interest. This week, my challenge was going back into the classroom to teach a new set of university students on the subject of management. I really wouldn't say it … Continue reading Variations of Higher Education
Ascending Steps to Greatness
The weekly photo challenge asks us to show our interpretation of upward movement with the theme Ascend. This was my last week of teaching classes for the semester. As I graded my last online final, I recalled how, the week before, I asked students in my classes to stand and be acknowledged for their achievement … Continue reading Ascending Steps to Greatness
Do You Walk a Pedestrian Path?
When simply walking won't do! The word Pedestrian brings to mind someone walking along a path, sidewalk, or street. It also means “lacking inspiration or excitement; dull,” according to the WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge. In my leisure perspective, pedestrians are also found hiking on trails, climbing a vertical wall, traversing a beam 40 feet up in the … Continue reading Do You Walk a Pedestrian Path?
A Somewhat Transient Migration
Perhaps the famed migration of the Swallows from their winter home in Argentina to San Juan Capistrano isn't as fleeting as the theme Transient suggests, but try taking photos of them near their nests and transience takes on a whole new meaning. The nesting swallows flit back and forth so quickly that trying to capture … Continue reading A Somewhat Transient Migration
Our Leisure Heritage
The best intelligence test is what we do with our leisure. Laurence J. Peter Our Heritage of leisure, recreation and play has roots deep in our government infrastructure. Not just here in the US, but in most countries world-wide. This is not a post about a political statement (Heaven forbid!), but rather a reminder of the … Continue reading Our Leisure Heritage
I Feel the Earth Move
If you are a wilderness geek like me, you might know that today, April 21st is the 179th birthday of John Muir. If you didn’t know, let me tell you why he may have been considered (in my eyes) one of the most important men on Planet Earth. John Muir was a Scottish-American naturalist, author, … Continue reading I Feel the Earth Move
What Swimming With Whale Sharks Taught Me
The beginning of a brand new year can be inspiring for most of us. Last year I experienced something I never thought I would do. This is a re-post from January 2016. I hope you enjoy reading this once more. Several weeks ago, while vacationing in Baja, Mexico, I had an amazing opportunity to swim … Continue reading What Swimming With Whale Sharks Taught Me
Making Magic with Art
Traveling this week for the Thanksgiving holidays found us in my cousin's house near Portland, Oregon. Many of us California family members visit every couple of years to the Pacific Northwest for some family holiday time. A former teacher, my cousin is now an elementary school vice-principal and has always had a soft spot for … Continue reading Making Magic with Art
The Bugs of Summer
(Not to be confused with the “Boys of Summer” for you baseball fans) I have this collection of macro photos of insects and spiders (hey, they make great subjects!) This post was “planned” (lurking on my editorial calendar), waiting for the right moment in which to create the post. The WordPress weekly photo challenge theme … Continue reading The Bugs of Summer
The ABCDs of Being Water Safe
This is the third and final part of my series for May is National Water Safety Month. Memorial Day Weekend in the United States heralds in the summer season. This three-day holiday weekend kicks off warm temperatures, family outings, BBQs, and of course, swimming and water recreation. Memorial Day Weekend also brings an increased risk … Continue reading The ABCDs of Being Water Safe
The Doors to Knowledge Invite the Love of Reading
What is your "one love?" As a writer and educator, I have to admit that the love of books and reading is at the top of my list of loves. The above photo shows a sculpture of a woman reading in the lobby of the Sacramento State University library. I was surprised that I had not noticed … Continue reading The Doors to Knowledge Invite the Love of Reading
Swimming Lessons: Helpful Hints for Parents
Summer is here and this is the time for families to register their children for swimming lessons. After 20+ years spent as an aquatics director and swim lesson instructor-trainer, let me share some ideas and tips to assist you with this important learning activity. Regardless of your child’s swimming ability, you can play a critical … Continue reading Swimming Lessons: Helpful Hints for Parents
Second Wind Leisure Perspectives 
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