Sometimes for younger fingers just learning to handle a paint brush can be an accomplishment. Suncatchers are something to paint that lets everyone enjoy the efforts.

Summer is full of hot, humid days here in Indiana. It is a great time for family fun and getting out in nature. Camping is an old interest for many people. For some it is about the only time they are out among nature, wildlife, and sometimes the elements. Camping can be a quick weekend get away, a full week in the woods, or pitching a tent in the back yard for the kids. Picnics can be an even shorter commitment but enjoyable time for connections in the open air.

I have some very fond memories of both camping and picnics. I also have some horror stories of each. As a teenager my family (Mom, Dad, 4 brothers and myself) started tent camping with a couple of tents. I seemed to have this uncanny way of drawing rain. I can't count the times I woke up and it had been raining hard enough that the water came in the tent and I was actually sleeping in a pool of water. One time we pulled in at night, set up our tents and went to sleep to find out in the morning we were camped in a dry creek bed - that was getting wet because it was raining. There was the time Dad cooked steak for us on the grill for a late (in the dark) supper and it was pretty good. For some reason one of the boys brought the lantern closer to the table from the tree it was hanging in. That was it for me - I can't take meat that I see the 'juices' running out of when those juices are bright red! There were lots of great times, smores by the campfire, walks through the woods, or reading a book under the canopy of trees.

Once I got married we did most of our camping with minimum equipment - we rode motorcycles and didn't pull a trailer - we still had a tent that attracted rain! Often we would picnic for our noon meal while we were on a trip. A loaf of french bread, a couple types of cheese, some fruit and some wine made a very simple meal.

The other item is for by the pool, a trip to the beach or at the campsite. It is a storage locker that can keep towels, blankets, toys, or a cooler together at the beach or by the pool. It has 3 sewn in shelves that can keep items out of the wind and sun. If it is windy there are stakes to hold the corners to the ground. It is an item that can make summer fun that much more carefree. If you have kids, the toys and playthings can be placed there at the campsite to keep them contained and out of sight to unwelcome visitors at night or when you are off for other activities.

While you are at it, don't forget the sketch pad and paints or drawing material for that inspirational time in the great outdoors. A great time to pull out that creativity that we often forfeit in our lives because of the little time it takes. Take a break this summer, get out in the woods. Remember it is always cooler under the shade of the trees and with a natural breeze.