Although the long days of summer are often hot, I enjoy getting outdoors for quiet evening rows with my husband. Yesterday we had the river to ourselves for a pleasant sunset row. There was very little wind, and the water flowed gently through a peaceful landscape. Only the rhythm of our oars and the song of the bullfrogs broke the silence.

It’s not really a wilderness, of course—just a short stretch of river passing through an urban park, with highway bridges and their traffic noise at both ends of the course. Even so, we often see beavers, herons, bald eagles, and other wildlife that leave us feeling refreshed by the natural world.

Nurturing Thursday was started by Becca Givens and seeks to encourage self-nurturing and to “give the planet a much needed shot of fun, support and positive energy.”