Contact Me

Would you like me to come on your podcast or join an Instagram Live? Drop me a line and we’ll set something up.

Are you a member of the media who needs a knowledgeable voice for a radio segment, TV show or news article? I’ve got plenty of experience with media appearances and I’m always happy to chat.

Are you the organizer of a book club and want me to do a virtual author visit? Please don’t be a stranger! I love connecting with my readers and rarely miss a chance to pop in on a discussion.

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Click on the link to drop me a line!

Linda@lindamcgurk.com

Linda-455-low-res

rainorshinemamma

Swedish American author, speaker and nature play advocate🌿 Living an open-air life⛺️ Start here👇🏼

Foraging is such a powerful way to experience natu

Foraging is such a powerful way to experience nature because it invokes all senses and connects us to the Earth in a very literal sense. I was in my early forties when I discovered mushroom hunting and was immediately hooked. Yesterday, I think I found my next passion - harvesting wild seaweed😁😋

While I’m by no means an expert at this, let me know if you have any questions about it, and I’ll do my best to answer!
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@catxalot #friluftsliv #openairlife #seaweed #seaweedsafari #superfood #nature #naturelover

So today is Amazon Prime Day, huh? Well, I’m not

So today is Amazon Prime Day, huh? Well, I’m not shopping. Full disclosure: I’m totally a bargain hunter and fully understand the joy of finding something you truly need at a heavily reduced price. In full disclosure, I’ve also shared affiliate Amazon links to products that I like in the past (some are still lingering on my blog, even though I no longer actively promote them). But I’ve come to a point where I can no longer in good conscience risk contributing to the over consumption of clothes and other consumer goods🚫

The outdoor industry is different from fast fashion in that the products live longer and generally are more durable. Even so, it’s all too easy to get carried away when stuff is on sale and buy not only one pair of hiking pants but one pair of each color that we like. Consumers today have five (!) times more clothes than they did in the 1980s and some of that consumption has likely spilled over to our outdoor wardrobes as well👖

I don’t buy anything that I don’t plan to keep for at least ten years. I don’t say that to pat myself on the back, but to shine a light on the fact that clothes can be useful for a lot longer than we typically keep them for📅

I’ll keep sharing my advice and opinions on brands, materials, functions and sustainability aspects of outdoor clothing, but what I really want and hope is to normalize loving the pieces you already own for as long as possible. Check out the slideshow to see how long I’ve owned some of my outdoor clothes. Not pictured: The black leather coat that inherited from my grandmother some 20 years ago and still wear from time to time.

Which of the garments in your wardrobe have you loved the longest?🤔
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#theresnosuchthingasbadweather #theopenairlife #friluftsliv #sustainability #outdoorgear #sustainablefashion #sustainableliving #sustainableclothing

“Humans are the only species that craps in their

“Humans are the only species that craps in their own nest.”

An old friend in Indiana told me this 15 years ago and I’m reminded of it daily. Littering is one of my biggest pet peeves, partly because it’s such a fitting symbol of the broken relationship between humans and nature, if it’s even possible to make that distinction. After all, humans are a part of nature. It was when we started viewing nature as something “other” than ourselves that things started to go awry. Littering is just how this mindset manifests itself in everyday life.

So, I pick up trash whenever I can. It’s a small act of defiance, but it’s one that gives me a sense of purpose. Why?

🚮 It may inspire others. The more people that pick up litter, the bigger the impact. I believe the “broken window theory” applies here too: the cleaner a place is, the more likely people are to leave it clean.

👚 Because social media needs a different narrative than influencers peddling fast fashion and other crap we don’t need. All that stuff ends up somewhere, some of it in landfills, some of it on a beach or in a field near you.

🍑 It’s low-hanging fruit. Most of the environmental challenges of today seem so monumental that it’s hard to wrap your mind around them, let alone make an impact. This is something anybody can do, anytime.

Fun fact: A Swede has coined the term (and founded the movement) “plogging”, which is a compound of the words “picking” and “jogging”. Ploggers simply bring a trash bag on their run and pick up some trash in the process💪🏻
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#theresnosuchthingasbadweather #rainorshinemamma #trashpickup #keepitclean #littersucks

Book talks, fresh sweetcorn, good friends, raccoon

Book talks, fresh sweetcorn, good friends, raccoon babies and warm summer nights…what else could a girl wish for? Indiana, you’ll always have a special place in my heart❤️ Until next time.
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#theresnosuchthingasbadweather #rainorshinemamma #friluftsliv #theopenairlife #indiana #speaking

OK, I’m doing a talk in Indiana tomorrow and wou

OK, I’m doing a talk in Indiana tomorrow and would love to get your input. What would you say is the main challenge or barrier when it comes to providing your child with opportunities for outdoor play and nature connection? Is it:

🌧️ The weather
📚 Academic expectations/homework
⚽️ Extracurricular activities
🌳 Lack of access to green spaces
📺 Screen time

Or something else?🤔

Here are the details about my talk, in case you’re in the area and would like to join me!

What? Author visit with children’s activity - all are welcome!
Where? General Pulaski Park, Anderson, Indiana
When? Friday, June 28th at 11 am
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#theresnosuchthingasbadweather #rainorshinemamma #friluftsliv #theopenairlife #authorvisit
@andersonpubliclibrary

If you have a backyard and/or a patio, I can’t r

If you have a backyard and/or a patio, I can’t recommend sleeping outside enough. This is so easy to do, and requires zero preparation. During the warm season I’ll do this every now and then just to help reset my circadian rhythm and feel the joy of being whispered to sleep by the beech trees and the wind. Tomorrow, I’ll wake up to bird song, get up and go to work and feel like I just completely beat the system😁 Good night🥰💤
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#theresnosuchthingasbadweather #rainorshinemamma #friluftsliv #openair #openairlife #lifeisbetteroutside #outsideeveryday

Did you know that today is the first ever Internat

Did you know that today is the first ever International Day of Play?🎉🎉 Of course, if you ask me, every day should be a day of play! Beyond being enjoyable, play crosses cultural boundaries, promotes connections and fosters social, emotional, cognitive and physical skills. In short, it’s absolutely critical for a child’s healthy development🙌🏻

True play is self-motivated and self-directed - and it’s in short supply in today’s society. There are any number of studies showing the benefits of play in general and outdoor play in particular, but still it’s seen as something frivolous that takes time away from real learning. So, I’ll say it a little louder for the people in the back: playing IS learning! And fun.

Happy International Day of Play, every day🤸
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#outdoorplay #outdoorplayeveryday #internationaldayofplay #righttoplay #play #letthechildrenplay #letthemplay

Hi👋🏻👋🏻 Happy to see so many new faces

Hi👋🏻👋🏻 Happy to see so many new faces here☺️ I’m Linda, a Swedish American writer and nature play advocate.

When I had my first daughter in Indiana 16 years ago, I was shocked to see how few kids played outside. And when I took my own young kids outside in the rain and freezing cold, people thought I was either brave, reckless or crazy, or all of the above🤪 I didn’t think I was any of it, I was just trying to raise my girls the way I was raised.

The experience left me feeling lonely and I realized that if I my kids were to have a childhood remotely similar to my own I had to be very intentional about it. I started a blog to chronicle our outdoor adventures as a family, but also to encourage and inspire other caregivers to get outside, rain or shine🌧️☀️

The blog led to me writing my first book, There’s No Such Thing as Bad Weather, and a couple of years ago I wrote The Open-Air Life, a book about the Nordic outdoor tradition friluftsliv🌳

My kids are teenagers now, but I continue to be a voice for outdoor play and instilling a love for nature that lasts a lifetime.

This photo shows me in my happy place, on a backpacking trip, in my hammock, with a piece of chocolate in my hand😁 What’s your happy place? Let’s get to know each other in the comments!
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#theresnosuchthingasbadweather #theopenairlife #friluftsliv #natureplay #outdoorseveryday #outdoorplay #rainorshine

📆 SAVE THE DATE! 📆 I'm excited to share tha

📆 SAVE THE DATE! 📆
I'm excited to share that I'll be making a trip to the US this summer and will stop for an author visit in Indiana, in collaboration with the @andersonpubliclibrary. Meeting with readers and talking about connecting children with nature are two of my favorite things, so this event brings the best of both worlds. It will be a kid-friendly, laid-back and outdoor event, rain or shine (surprise, surprise🤣). If you're in the area, pack a picnic lunch, bring the family and meet me at Pulaski Park on June 28th! FREE event, kids' activities provided. Who's in?😁
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#rainorshinemamma #theresnosuchthingasbadweather #openairlife #authorvisit #childrenandnature #outdoorplay #livelifeoutside #friluftsliv

I’ll be honest, I don’t do well in cities…I

I’ll be honest, I don’t do well in cities…I find the traffic, crowds, noise, lights, smells and onslaught of stimuli overwhelming, which is why I rarely leave my rural haven anymore. And it’s not just a sensory thing - the air and noise pollution that we’re exposed to in cities even increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, cancer, respiratory problems, stress, anxiety and depression😰

Nearly 80% of people in the industrialized world live in cities, so we need to figure out how to do it without risking our health. Here’s an idea: Bring nature back into our urban areas🌿

I thought long and hard about biophilic city planning as I spent many hours walking around Stockholm this past weekend. The Swedish capital has about 1 million residents and is large by Scandinavian standards, but during my stay I still felt very connected to nature amid all the steel and concrete. As I wandered around, I observed a few things that I believe can make a city livable (and better for our health):

🚶‍♀️Walking and biking friendly - pedestrian zones, sidewalks and bike paths are everywhere.
🌳 Green space - trees, parks and urban trails abound and many places are allowed to remain a bit wild rather than being meticulously landscaped.
🌊 Blue space - the water is always close and accessible on foot.
🌶 Community gardens - some of the most desirable parts of town are full of vegetable plots.
🪑 Places to gather outside - outdoor seating at restaurants, floating docks, wooded decks by the water, outdoor gyms and public grills where people can cook food together.

Sharing a few of my pictures from the weekend to show you what biophilic city planning can look like. Don’t miss the last one; that really is a tree growing out of the roof of a tiny cabin at a community garden!

What would you add to the list?🤔
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#friluftsliv #openairlife #theopenairlife #openairllving #biophilia #biophilicdesign #cityplanning #greencities #theresnosuchthingasbadweather

You don’t have to go far to find adventure. Ever

You don’t have to go far to find adventure. Every location doesn’t have to be epic to count. Sometimes a local trail with a good friend, a hammock and a campfire is just what the soul needs❤️

Small adventures, or microadventures as @al_humphreys calls them, are a great way to get outside and get to know the natural and cultural landscape in your local area. And bye keeping it simple, you increase your chances of actually getting out the door🌿

Thankful that my annual backpacking trip with @jeanetteosterman happened and that I got to sleep under the stars again, it’s been far too long since the last time✨Tomorrow, I’ll be back at work, a bit sore and limp but very happy🥰
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#rainorshinemamma #friluftsliv #openairlife #openairliving #theresnosuchthingasbadweather #camping #local #localadventures #microadventure #microadventures #sweden #sjuhäradsleden

Gökotta – have you ever heard this word?🐦 It

Gökotta – have you ever heard this word?🐦 It’s Swedish for “cuckoo dawn” and refers to the old custom of waking up early one morning in May, pack a picnic and go outside to enjoy the birdsong. Gökotta, pronounced “yuh-KOT-tuh,” is part of old folklore, which held that the cuckoo was a mystic creature, able to make predictions about the future. Today, the cuckoo has lost its fortune teller status, but the habit of hailing spring by listening to early morning birdsong lives on.

If you’re not a morning person, I get that getting up at the literal crack of dawn may not sound like a party, but believe me – it’s worth every minute. Not only is birdsong one of the most relaxing sounds there is, but research has shown that it can quiet the mind, soothe anxiety and even reduce symptoms of depression and paranoia. Plus, it brings us joy😇

Celebrating the gökotta doesn’t require much preparation, but these tips can help you get started:

🌿 Find a quiet spot outdoors: Nature reserves or forests are ideal, but a backyard, park or even a quiet street will do.
🧥 Dress for the weather: It’s easy to get cold while sitting still, so layer up if you’re in a colder climate.
🪑Bring something to sit on: Blanket, seating pad or folding chair – either one works, as long as you’re comfortable.
☕️ Pack a picnic: This can be a motivator to get up extra early, especially if you’re trying to coax others into joining you.
📗 Bring binoculars and bird field guide: These can help you identify and learn about the birds you hear and see.

The other day, I got up early to observe gökotta on my SUP - a little unconventional but I think being on the water made it even more special and tranquil. So, what do you say, is this something you’d want to try? If so, don’t wait too long. By the end of May, the peak bird singing season is over and you’ll have to wait until next spring…🌿
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#rainorshinemamma #theresnosuchthingasbadweather #friluftsliv #openairlife #theopenairlife #birdsong #gokotta #gökotta #dawnchorus #spring #naturelovers #naturelover #songbirds #sweden

I don’t know about you, but few things tickle my

I don’t know about you, but few things tickle my sense of wonder and put my mind to ease like watching the night sky. Sadly, 80% of people on Earth can no longer see the Milky Way due to light pollution, making us disconnected from the night sky😥 But there are also people and organizations who are actively working to help people rediscover the joys of looking up. One of them is Vicky Derksen, who is a Dark Sky advocate and runs the blog and podcast @nightskytourist.

Vicky and I had a really interesting conversation about friluftsliv in general and friluftsliv in the dark in particular in this episode of her podcast. We covered full moon hikes, the Northern lights, cooking outdoors in the dark and much more. Have a listen and let me know what your thoughts are!🤗

Link👇🏻
https://nightskytourist.com/93/
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#theopenairlife #openairlife #friluftsliv #nightsky #stargazing #darkskies

Can you relate?🙋🏼‍♀️ If so, it may be

Can you relate?🙋🏼‍♀️

If so, it may be because research shows that we become more resilient when we experience some discomfort and are able to rise above the challenges. This in turn is strongly linked to happiness and improved physical and mental well-being💪🏻

What are your thoughts?
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#theresnosuchthingasbadweather #rainorshinemamma #theopenairlife #friluftsliv #hiking #livelifeoutside #hikingadventures #hikingculture #hikingaddict

Here’s to forty-six years years on this Earth🌍I have a lot of thoughts about getting older, and I sometimes feel a bit stressed about all the things I want to accomplish and experience before my time is up. I’m not super happy about some of the ways my body is changing and about aches and pains that my younger self never had to deal with. But at the end of the day, I’m keenly aware that getting older is a privilege that none of us should take for granted.

I celebrated by going for an MTB ride with my hubby (on borrowed bikes and easy trails; we’re both terrible at this sport🤣) and ending the day with sauna and a cold swim with some friends.

Hope you’re all having a lovely weekend🤗
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#theresnosuchthingasbadweather #rainorshinemamma #theopenairlife #lifeintheopenair #livelifeoutside

In an age when every tween girl and their brother

In an age when every tween girl and their brother seem to be obsessing about skincare routines, I’m just here to remind you that it’s okay not to have one😅 Mind you, lake water is only my go-to face wash when I’m camping, and only if I know the water is reasonably clean (which it almost always is in Sweden). At home, I go with tap water with the occasional (and by that, I mean rare) addition of a cleanser or mild soap.

To each their own and some people have problem skin that requires special treatment. But tweens applying retinol serums, acid-infused anti-aging creams, collagen lotions and snail mucin like there’s no tomorrow? Unfortunately, I think it’s just another symptom of a society that makes us believe that we can consume our way to health, happiness, beauty and eternal youth😥

I’ll get off my soap box now but imagine what might happen if we got back to the basics and resisted the pressure to keep up with the latest consumer trends and fads? Would we feel like we missed out or would we actually find something else, like a deeper connection with our inner selves and the world around us?🤔 A simpler life, but a rich one? Would it even make us feel freer?

I know what I believe🌿

Next up: my makeup routine💄Oh, that’s right, I quit wearing makeup…
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#simplelife #theopenairlife #theopenairlifebook #skincare #getreadywithme #naturalskincare #livelifeoutside

Happy Eclipse Day to all my American friends who w

Happy Eclipse Day to all my American friends who were fortunate enough to experience this rare celestial event 🌘 I had to make do watching it on YouTube here in Sweden but I really enjoyed hearing about all the people going out to watch it live today. In an age where we literally have all the entertainment we can possibly dream of in our pockets it’s great to see that natural phenomena like the eclipse still inspire awe.

Having said that, you don’t have to wait for a rare eclipse to experience awe. The wonders of nature are all around us, if we only care to stop and observe. Young children are true experts at this, but as we get older and jaded, we unfortunately seem to lose our ability to see the magic in the ordinary. The fact that there is even life on this Earth is a miracle in itself. I think it would serve us well to remember this from time to time, and to hone our sense of wonder🌎

Today, I was awed by the feeling of the sunshine on my face at the end of a long and dark winter (though the photo was taken the other day, before the last snow melted)☀️When was the last time you felt awed in nature?
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#eclipse #eclipseday #awe #senseofwonder #wonder

In Sweden, we never waste an opportunity to light

In Sweden, we never waste an opportunity to light a good bonfire🔥 According to old folklore, bonfires are lit on Easter to keep the witches away, as they would come out and fly across the skies at this time of the year.

Today, people don’t believe in witches much, but they still gather together to share stories, feel connected to their community and enjoy the holiday. With the world seemingly in a permanent state of crisis, I hold on to these moments. Thankful for good friends and the simple joys in life❤️🌿 Happy Easter🐥
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#rainorshinemamma #theresnosuchthingasbadweather #theopenairlife #easter #bonfire #community

For the past four months, I’ve been having major

For the past four months, I’ve been having major issues with my blog and no amount of tech support in the world seems to be able to help. Now the design of the site is messed up, nobody can sign up for newsletters and I can’t post new blogs or send messages out to my subscribers😱

I’m beyond frustrated, to the point of considering pulling the plug on ten years’ worth of blogging and going to hide under a rock😩

I still don’t know where this will end, but in the meantime, I try to accept the things I can’t control. And, as always, I turn to nature🌿

When I feel stressed, I go for a walk.
When I feel down, I go for a walk.
When I feel disconnected, I go for a walk.

I’m not saying going outside is a quick fix for everything but it does lift the mood in the moment while at the same time keeping us grounded. Or, as one Instagram user (whose account name I unfortunately missed to take note of) expressed it: “Camping won’t solve all your problems, but I’ve never been sad sitting by a campfire in the woods while looking up at the stars.”⛺️

With that, I hope you all have a wonderful Sunday and get a chance to go outside🌳☀️

xoxoxo
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#rainorshinemamma #theresnosuchthingasbadweather #friluftsliv #openair #openairlife #theopenairlife #theopenairlifebook #technostress

Sunday fun day☀️🤩 As we transition from win

Sunday fun day☀️🤩 As we transition from winter to spring, I love taking advantage of those longer days by cooking up some food outside. And here, the old adage ‘less is more’ couldn’t be more true. Make it happen by keeping it simple, rather than overthinking it.

Flatbread is a fun food to bring outside as it gets everybody engaged. Plus, you can vary it indefinitely by making different toppings.

I had meant to make these gluten free but ran out of oat flour, however I think the recipe can easily be adapted by substituting other types of flour for the wheat flour.

🫓 FOREST FLATBREAD 🫓
Makes 8
14g dry yeast
1.5 cup oat milk
1.5 tbs maple syrup
1.5 tsp salt
1.75 cups oat flour
0.25-0.5 cups wheat flour

🧈GARLIC SPREAD🧈
0.5 cups margarine
2 garlic cloves, grated
1 tsp sea salt flakes
2 tsp dill (fresh or frozen

Add the yeast into the cold oat milk in a bowl and stir until dissolved. Add the rest of the ingredients and work into a dough. If the dough feels too sticky, add more flour (this part of the recipe is a bit shaky since I freestyled a lot towards the end😅). Cover the bowl with a tea towel and set aside to rise for two hours. Divide the dough into eight pieces and pat them flat in your hands. Fry on a camp stove without grease for a few minutes on each side, until golden brown.

Bon appetite🔥
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#theresnosuchthingasbadweather #rainorshinemamma #friluftsliv #openairlife #theopenairlife #outdoorcooking #campstovecooking #flatbread #recipe #recipeoftheday #recipeideas #veganrecipes #veganrecipe #plantbased #veganoutdoorcooking #veganoutdoors

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