Aryn Henning Nichols

We are here today to remind you: You are fun. Every single person on the planet has the ability to have fun – no matter what that means for you.

When you were a kid, what did you do for fun?

I remember trekking down to the creek a mile from my house, peeling off my socks and sneakers, and squishing my feet down into the wet, sticky mud. If I was lucky, the mud farted, sending my friends and me into a fit of giggles that escalated over and over again at each muddy, explosive sploosh.

That was fun. 

Would I do it tomorrow?

Honestly, I think the answer is yes. It still sounds fun, and farts will forever be funny, whether you’re a kid or not. So yes. Invite me to squish in some creek mud (if my schedule is open — boorr-ing adult caveat) – I am 100 percent in!

What is your favorite fun kid memory? Is it something you’d do tomorrow? 

Maybe your idea of fun is totally different now. Or maybe you don’t have any idea what fun means to you anymore. Oh boy, then, this will be fun: It’s time to experiment with your life to discover your idea of fun. It’s time to play. It’s time to get out there and seek the stuff that makes you smile. 

There are a lot of important things in life. But I think one of the most important is that we live lives we enjoy. Ones in which we seek out the things that bring us happiness. Why, you might ask? Why not? What do you have to loose, besides a bummer mood?! Every day of your life adds up to your total lifespan. How are you living each day? Are you having any fun at all? This infographic kick starts this conversation, and then Inspire(d) Mental Health writer Olivia Lynn Schnur dives in further, walking you through some ways to tap into and create fun in your lives, so buckle up (especially if bungee jumping is on your fun list). 

Ahoy! Fun summer ahead! 

XOXO – Aryn 

Heck yes, it’s a gnome riding a bald eagle! This mag’s epic cover has made me smile more than any cover in our nearly-16-year-history of making Inspire(d). My constant out-loud refrain (and I’m usually the only one in the room): OH MY GOSH, it is SO FUN!

So I guess that means my achievement is already unlocked: I made my life more fun…or, more accurately, artist Sarah Hedlund made my life more fun (THANK YOU, SARAH!!!!) by making the art on this cover. Learn more about this incredible Decorah-based artist on page 20, and be sure to check out her tips on experimenting with your own creativity this summer.

Our community builders in this issue – Colleen Foehrenbacher of Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center in Lanesboro, Minnesota, and Jeff Abbas of Dorchester, Iowa – might be considered “serial community builders.” They are builders of communities within communities. And some really unique ones, too: Did you know there’s an agate hunting community? And an agate photography community? I love that people are out there, creating niche communities and places of belonging.

I think community building naturally happens once you start doing things you love. Decorah’s Unofficial Community Photographer, Charlie Langton (although perhaps since I’m giving him the title, it’s official?!), loves photography, and the community loves him. We chose Charlie’s gorgeous prairie photo for our summer center spread (pg 42), and it gives me all the summer vibes. I got to ask Charlie five questions in anticipation of his upcoming photography show at Impact Coffee, opening August 1. Check out his fun – and incredibly poignant – answers on page 44! 

Yes, it’s that word again: Fun! You’re going to see it and think it as you read through this issue – our theme is You are Fun: Experimenting in Life! My infographic kicks this section off, and mental health writer Olivia Lynn Schnur dives into the psychology of fun and ways we can work more of it into our lives this summer and beyond.

My first suggestion? Read this whole mag: There are lots of fun stories throughout! Learn about how an Onalaska, Wisconsin, music teacher became the leader of the Coulee Region Steel Drum Band, how Jillian Webb Herrman and her husband and family built out Wold Farm in rural St Olaf, Iowa, with a Grain Bin Retreat, and a spontaneous Elopement Giveaway (happening THIS summer), and remember to “Wonder as You Wander” through Yellow River State Forest this summer.

Decorah’s Mabe’s Pizza celebrates 70 years of business and party-cut pizza, and we were stoked to have Inspire(d)’s Benji Nichols interview father-and-son duo Steve and Collin White for our summer Sum of Your Business on page 66 (you can also listen to the interview on Benji’s podcast at decorah.fun).

Finally, I loved reading Inspire(d) newcomer Lynsey D. Moritz’s story about Lesya Ryzhenkova, her family, and the mission – and dreams – behind their weekly Ukrainian Village Pop-Up Restaurant in Lansing, Iowa. The support of this small river town and the determination of this family are incredibly inspiring. 

And that, of course, is the goal. We hope you finish this magazine with a feeling of inspiration and a desire to get out there and experiment with your summer, seeking community, wonder, joy, and fun. This is your one life. Let’s do this thing.

Looking forward,

Aryn Henning Nichols

Get silly – and have some fun – with these super easy DIY gnome photo props.

Get your supplies together. You’ll need:
• Gnome hat & mushroom template download
• Gnome beard template download
• White card stock
• Three longish sticks (we used shish kabob sticks here)
• Packing tape
• Scissors
• Willing photo participants!

First, download and print (we suggest printing on card stock for durability) the two pages of DIY gnome photo props templates (hat + mushroom & beard). Then get to cutting them out!

Follow the dotted line along the bottom of the beard (unless you want a different shape or something!).

Once you’ve got them cut out, you are ready to tape on the sticks!

Think about where you want the sticks to be positioned when you hold them up to your face and head. If you’re using both (or all) props at once, you’ll want to put the sticks on opposite sides of the cut-outs so you can hold one with one hand, and one with the other. Use your packing tape to attach sticks to the props.

Like so! (As you can see, my taping wasn’t the best, but it sure doesn’t matter – you can’t see it on the other side!) FYI: The mushroom is a bit hard to handle with the beard at the same time, so you decide whether you want to use it or not.

And now you’re ready to take some silly photos! We suggest you go outside and find the best gnome background for your photoshoot, and make sure to have fun!

Love this project? Check out all our other Paper Projects here!