Fashion Sense

Camping offers the serenity of escape — and, if it's combined with the exercise of a hiking trip, it benefits both body and mind. The simplicity of camping combined with the beauty of nature can help us readjust and unwind from our hectic lifestyle.

Know the camping environment before packing what to wear, or what to buy, is important. If you're in the woods, combing the beaches, or climbing mountain trails, you’ll want to know ahead a time to pack everything you need into that handy-dandy back pack.

Shorts might seem like the perfect camp gear when you leave the house, but if the weather shifts from sun to storm clouds, they may leave you with the chills. Try to bring a variety of clothing, including practical clothes that dry fast. Tilley Endurables has a great line up of camping/outdoor gear, they are however expensive, so unless you are a regular camper/outdoorsman I would not recommend you purchase an outdoor wardrobe.

If you plan to hike, long pants and shirts made of lighter fabrics are a better choice than shorts. They help protect against everything from ticks and mosquitoes to poisonous and thorny plant life (not to mention sunburn). Speaking of insects, you can now buy clothing that's been treated with insect repellents {Buzz Off insect repellent clothing} — you'll still need to use rub or spray-on a repellent on exposed skin though!

Layering your clothes, from tank tops to long-sleeved jackets, will allow you to add or remove layers easily depending on the temperature. And don't forget to bring extra socks, extra shoes, and waterproof rain gear. A plastic poncho and rain hat pack well and offer good protection when unexpected cloudbursts threaten to rain on your rustic parade.

A hat is a camping essential. If you're bringing a hat to stay warm, be sure it fits snugly. If you are hoping for it to provide shade during warm weather adventures, select something lightweight and well ventilated like a straw or mesh weave. And remember to pack something waterproof to keep your head dry in case of rain. Your bathing suit, towel, sunscreen and flip-flops may be great for the beach, but if you are swimming at a more natural location, {rocks not beach,} be sure to have a pair of swim shoes, and cut off shorts and a tank might fit the bill verses the bikini and cover up.

Do not forget that jacket or hoodie, as the nights get cooler. Last but not least are the P.J.’s- be sure to pack sleep pants and top, you want to stay warm- but not too warm as to get sweaty in the sleeping bag.

~ Louise Kana~

© Copyright, 2010 Main Street Magazine/Rain Enterprises

As seen in the May Issue of Main Street Magazine.

Printed in Canada, ISSN: 1920-4299 by Rain Enterprises

For your Free copy of MSM go to http://www.mainstreetmagazine.net/

Ancient Mystic

The Goddess Flora

Flora, Roman Goddess of flowers, begins her appearance in the spring soon after the first frosts melt, with the appearance of the crocus. The festival of Floralia is still celebrated from April 28th through May 1st, and has a correlation with the May Day festivals of pagans everywhere. It is a fertility rite associated with both sisters, Flora for the birth of the flowers and Fauna for the birth of the spring lambs and other animals.

In Roman mythology, Tellus, Goddess of the Earth had the two daughters, and they had small temples for bringing flowers and small animals for honouring their contribution to the plants and animals that made up the food stores for the people of Rome. (Tellus is closely associated with the Greek Goddess Ceres and has her own festival held from January 24-26 to set out offerings that the frozen ground would once again yield food for the coming year.) Flora is also identified with the Greek Goddess Chloris (See where we get the name "Chlorophyll"? The naturally occurring chemical that causes plants to grow green.)

Fauna is associated with the Greek mother earth Gaia Goddess and had temples built in her honour as early as 268 BCE, or Before Common Era, which is a term largely, used by pagans and neopagans everywhere who choose to use it rather than B.C., or "Before Christ". The Goddess Fauna has her own festival which is called Fordicidia and is traditionally held on April 15th, when cows are just getting ready to bear their calves.

A very simple way for today's practitioners of the mother earth faith is to celebrate Imbolc on February 2nd (The Roman Catholic Church changed it to "Groundhog Day" when they were trying to convert pagans to Christianity. It was thought that if they were allowed to keep some of their holidays and simply twist them slightly it would make the conversion easier) to observe that the winter was ending, and to celebrate both Flora and Fauna along with other fertility

Goddesses on May Day May 1st every year as a symbol and hope that the coming months would bring fertility and prosperity. Flora, Roman Goddess of flowers, is honoured during these celebrations with the wearing of a crown of flowers in the hair; while Fauna is honoured with the letting loose of rabbits (Hmmm Easter bunnies?)

By: Kirk VandenBerghe & Sandy Breckenridge of HeartCore Corporation

© Copyright, 2010 Main Street Magazine/Rain Enterprises

As seen in the May Issue of Main Street Magazine.

Printed in Canada, ISSN: 1920-4299 by Rain Enterprises

If you would like to find out how to receive your FREE copy of MSM go to http://www.mainstreetmagazine.net/