Are you as sick of the continuous bummer news cycles as I am? I am choosing to focus on building fun activities into my life, even when finances are limited or physical distancing is still in effect.

1. Download “Seek” by iNaturalist. Go outside and take pictures of the plants and insects in your immediate environment. Your own backyard can become a botanical garden. And walks on your neighborhood trails can become a little more focused. Why not try to track how certain plants change over the seasons.

2. Download the “TrailLink” app by the Rails to Trails Conservancy. Learn about trails that exist to enhance your hiking, biking, cross country skiing, inline skating, walking or snowmobiling. You can focus on local trails or expand your parameters to find a fun place to explore on a day trip away from home. Bonus the trail composition is listed, as are trailheads, parking, distance of the trail and sometimes restrooms are listed.

3. Download the “Geocache” app. Make your phone into a treasure hunting device. Search cities, parks or country landscapes for treasures that have been hidden by fellow enthusiasts. Be stealthy so as not to attract too much attention to yourself (muggles), consider bringing gloves to pack out trash, and move “travel bugs” from one cache to another towards the travel bugs ultimate goal.

4. Go apple picking. Some orchards allow patrons to pick their own apples and buy them by the pound. Others have pre-picked apples and cider for purchase. Consider buying or picking multiple varieties and discover a new favorite. There is NOTHING like fresh in season apples - so much better than grocery store varieties.

5. Go to sunflower fields to pick or photograph yourself surrounded by natures sunshine.

6. Pumpkin patches open mid September. Hunt for the perfect pumpkin to decorate your front steps or window with fall spirit.

7. Download a Bird Identifier app. Did you know that many backyard birds actually migrate? August through October sees the greatest number of fall migrations. And March to May sees the greatest number of spring travelers. For extra fun consider a Bird Sounds app to learn the calls of various birds. Birds often congregate on ponds, lakes, rivers and reservoirs. Plan a trip to see what’s moving in your area. Don’t forget binoculars.

8. Visit local Farmers Markets. This is the best way to sample locally grown produce and homemade products. Sample some new vegetable or fruit that you’ve never tried before. Spruce your home up with fresh grown flowers. Create a relationship with your local farmers for the freshest quality food around.

9. Find a local flower garden or arboretum. Make it a point to explore the grounds in all 4 seasons. See how foliage changes. How the trunk and limbs become their own sculptural scaffolding. Learn about the nature of plants. Consider brining home a new plant to grace your yard. Or simply take mental pictures to remember the experience.

10. Visit your local library. Did you know many libraries offer many items besides books for loan? Some have telescopes, binoculars, art, 3D printing pens, fishing poles, audio books, collections for patrons to check out. Many libraries are offering call ahead and quick pick up of reserved items as well. Now is a great time to curl up with a good book.