Today, I wrap up my analysis of Brad Paisley’s hit song “Ticks” (written by Brad, Tim Owens and Kelley Lovelace, and released on the Arista Nashville/Sony BMG label). Clearly, this song is our anthem in the battle for the future of our outdoor traditions. Thank you for joining me as we look beyond the superficial fun and rhythm of “Ticks,” to find the underlying training song for the men (and women) who intend to produce the outdoor-connected children of tomorrow.

Our singing mate-seeker now continues his evaluation of the young woman in the bar. Is she the one to help him rear solid outdoor citizens?

We left off with “I’ll keep you safe you wait and see…” The next line is “The only thing allowed to crawl all over you when we get there is me.” This brilliantly-crafted phrase tests for the crucial relationship between two characteristics this young woman must possess to properly rear our hero’s children. She must be strong enough to challenge his dare yet appreciate the humor in it.

“You know every guy in here tonight…” A reminder of his ability to quietly observe what is around them. Again, subtly demonstrating the survival skills he would bring to their family.

“Would like to take you home…” The guy understands men. She can count on his ability to see through the maelstrom of hormones which will surround her at times in their life together.

“But I’ve got way more class than them…” This is reassuring, although by now she surely senses the quality of the young man evaluating her maternal and partnership potential.

“Babe that ain’t what I want…” This is called being “real.” It is a countrified way of demonstrating his high and good intentions, while playfully testing that “Babe” thing again.

Again, here is the refrain; words and lessons so important that they must be repeated.

“‘Cause I’d like to see you out in the moonlight…” This is critical to finding the high road.

“I’d like to kiss you way back in the sticks…” Here again, he tests her love of nature.

“I’d like to walk you through a field of wildflowers…” Once more, he opens a window into his deeply romantic soul. This line is rich with a promise of lifelong beauty.

“And I’d like to check you for ticks.” What can I say? This is the very definition of love and courage, backed up by his lifelong commitment to her well-being – if she is the one.

“You never know where one might be…” Here is a man who will always speak the truth.

“There’s lots of places that are hard to reach…” This is a quietly clever restatement of the problem with ticks, while reinforcing the need for a dependable and honorable partner.

“I gotcha.” What fun; here’s his joyful promise of protection.

And now , one last time, here are the lessons with which our singing mate-seeker leaves all who are willing to study this masterpiece in their efforts to secure the future of outdoor society.

“I’d like to see you out in the moonlight…” Again, we see an affirmation that true inner beauty is only visible under such conditions.

“I’d like to kiss you baby way back in the sticks…” So very important is this test of her love for wild places, with a final check on her character and humor (that “baby” thing”).

“I’d like to walk you through a field of wild flowers…” Think about it. This statement grows smoother, deeper, more loving and ever more spiritual with each reminder.

“And I’d like to check you for ticks.” Courage, courage, courage… What remains to be said?

“I’d sure like to check you for ticks.” And thus our anthem ends with a reassurance of the greatest love a man can offer. By now, no doubt, she has taken the true measure of our singing mate seeker and is eager to demonstrate her own worth.

Through level after level we have critically examined the words and phrases of our young singer/songwriter as he identifies the characteristics men and women must possess to properly rear the children who will secure the outdoor future of humankind.

With this understanding of the hope Brad Paisley offers us for future outdoor generations, visit www.youtube.com/watch?v=3tiPndMqxLQ and listen with fresh ears.

Tomorrow evening, the Kittitas County Field and Stream Club’s Chukar Run Banquet will raise funds for Ellensburg’s Fifth Grade Outdoor Camp and the Washington Children’s Outdoor Bill of Rights. There may be a seat left for you. Contact Deborah Essman at 509-968-4532.

Here’s to wild things, wild places, and children to explore them – forever.

Today, I wrap up my analysis of Brad Paisley’s hit song “Ticks” (written by Brad, Tim Owens and Kelley Lovelace, and released on the Arista Nashville/Sony BMG label). Clearly, this song is our anthem in the battle for the future of our outdoor traditions. Thank you for joining me as we look beyond the superficial fun and rhythm of “Ticks,” to find the underlying training song for the men (and women) who intend to produce the outdoor-connected children of tomorrow.

Our singing mate-seeker now continues his evaluation of the young woman in the bar. Is she the one to help him rear solid outdoor citizens?

We left off with “I’ll keep you safe you wait and see…” The next line is “The only thing allowed to crawl all over you when we get there is me.” This brilliantly-crafted phrase tests for the crucial relationship between two characteristics this young woman must possess to properly rear our hero’s children. She must be strong enough to challenge his dare yet appreciate the humor in it.

“You know every guy in here tonight…” A reminder of his ability to quietly observe what is around them. Again, subtly demonstrating the survival skills he would bring to their family.

“Would like to take you home…” The guy understands men. She can count on his ability to see through the maelstrom of hormones which will surround her at times in their life together.

“But I’ve got way more class than them…” This is reassuring, although by now she surely senses the quality of the young man evaluating her maternal and partnership potential.

“Babe that ain’t what I want…” This is called being “real.” It is a countrified way of demonstrating his high and good intentions, while playfully testing that “Babe” thing again.

Again, here is the refrain; words and lessons so important that they must be repeated.

“‘Cause I’d like to see you out in the moonlight…” This is critical to finding the high road.

“I’d like to kiss you way back in the sticks…” Here again, he tests her love of nature.

“I’d like to walk you through a field of wildflowers…” Once more, he opens a window into his deeply romantic soul. This line is rich with a promise of lifelong beauty.

“And I’d like to check you for ticks.” What can I say? This is the very definition of love and courage, backed up by his lifelong commitment to her well-being – if she is the one.

“You never know where one might be…” Here is a man who will always speak the truth.

“There’s lots of places that are hard to reach…” This is a quietly clever restatement of the problem with ticks, while reinforcing the need for a dependable and honorable partner.

“I gotcha.” What fun; here’s his joyful promise of protection.

And now , one last time, here are the lessons with which our singing mate-seeker leaves all who are willing to study this masterpiece in their efforts to secure the future of outdoor society.

“I’d like to see you out in the moonlight…” Again, we see an affirmation that true inner beauty is only visible under such conditions.

“I’d like to kiss you baby way back in the sticks…” So very important is this test of her love for wild places, with a final check on her character and humor (that “baby” thing”).

“I’d like to walk you through a field of wild flowers…” Think about it. This statement grows smoother, deeper, more loving and ever more spiritual with each reminder.

“And I’d like to check you for ticks.” Courage, courage, courage… What remains to be said?

“I’d sure like to check you for ticks.” And thus our anthem ends with a reassurance of the greatest love a man can offer. By now, no doubt, she has taken the true measure of our singing mate seeker and is eager to demonstrate her own worth.

Through level after level we have critically examined the words and phrases of our young singer/songwriter as he identifies the characteristics men and women must possess to properly rear the children who will secure the outdoor future of humankind.

With this understanding of the hope Brad Paisley offers us for future outdoor generations, visit www.youtube.com/watch?v=3tiPndMqxLQ and listen with fresh ears.

Tomorrow evening, the Kittitas County Field and Stream Club’s Chukar Run Banquet will raise funds for Ellensburg’s Fifth Grade Outdoor Camp and the Washington Children’s Outdoor Bill of Rights. There may be a seat left for you. Contact Deborah Essman at 509-968-4532.

Here’s to wild things, wild places, and children to explore them – forever.

We began our study of Brad Paisley’s hit song “Ticks” last week. Today, I continue my efforts to help you see that “Ticks” (written by Brad, Tim Owens and Kelley Lovelace, and released on the Arista Nashville/Sony BMG label) is not just about a guy trying to pick up a girl in a bar. This song is a primer for young adults determined to choose the right mate to bear the children who will keep our outdoors wild and free. This song is a battle hymn – an anthem – in the struggle to secure our outdoor future. (Hear it at www.youtube.com/watch?v=3tiPndMqxLQ.)

Let us continue our line by line analysis.

Last week, we left off at, “In the small there of your back,” which brings our singer to “Your jeans are playing peekaboo…” At first, this seems simply playful and fun. Read it again, however, and you see that he is testing her mothering instincts. (Does she recognize this happy little game we play with our babies, and is it a game she will enjoy?) He is also setting the stage for a test of her ability to properly guide children in their growing appreciation of Mother Nature and her creatures. He now boldly poses a critical challenge.

“I’d like to see the other half of your butterfly tattoo.” What kind of butterfly is it? Is this a woman – as she must be to help rear outdoor-connected kids – who ensures that the wildlife art with which she adorns herself is anatomically correct? This could be a deal maker or breaker for our singing mate-seeker.

“Hey that gives me an idea…” Here is a smooth and clever golden bridge. He shows his willingness to consider thoughts beyond those one normally finds in a bar, and easily lightens the tension over the butterfly test.

“Let’s get out of this bar…” Recall his concern over the smoky atmosphere; now we see that he is a thoughtful man of action. Getting out of the bar implies fresh air and a genuine concern for her health and well-being – characteristics important for her to consider in selecting a proper mate with whom to make outdoor-connected kids.

“Drive out into the country…” We know they are in an urban area. This is a clear demonstration of his willingness to do whatever it takes to find a country setting where proper evaluation of their outdoor-kid-rearing potential might take place.

“And find a place to park…” Here, he shows a desire for an undistracted talk while also saving fuel. In one fell swoop, he opens his soul and demonstrates the environmental and fiscal responsibility of a good husband.

And now we come to the refrain; words and lessons so important that they must be repeated three times before the end of the anthem.

“’Cause I’d like to see you out in the moonlight…” Only in the moonlight will her inner truth and beauty be fully illuminated, while they carry on this initial, but critical, face to face talk.

“I’d like to kiss you way back in the sticks…” Brilliant, really; another test of her playfulness, while also finding her comfort level in wild places – both must score high if she is to help raise the outdoor-connected kids of tomorrow (the whole point of the song, really).

“I’d like to walk you through a field of wildflowers…” Smoothly, our singing mate-seeker offers the candidate a rich vision of his romantic nature. Immediately, he follows up with a show of courage likely beyond that of any man she has ever known.

“And I’d like to check you for ticks.” What can I say? To very loosely paraphrase John 15:13, “Greater love hath no man that he would go where none would dare to protect another from bites and tick-borne diseases like Lyme disease.” Thus, our hero shows his courage and a willingness to do whatever it takes to keep her safe. By extension, this would hold for their children, too.

“I know the perfect little path…” Here, now, is the next test. While inviting her to walk through those wildflowers, he offers her the comfort of a path (since she is not wearing hiking shoes).

“Out in these woods I used to hunt…” Ahh, here now is the assurance that he is not only comfortable in wild places, but can provide the kind of protein she and their children will need.

“Don’t worry babe I’ve got your back…” I love this part; a subtle test of her moxie (Will she put up with “Babe?”) coupled with an assurance that nothing will sneak up on them in their moonlight walk – all the while testing her comfort level with wild places.

“I’ve also got your front…” Nothing will attack from before them, either. Wow. This guy is serious.

“Now, I’d hate to waste a night like this…” Beautiful; a plea to continue this exploration of possible partnership, while also acknowledging the high value she places on her time.

“I’ll keep you safe you wait and see…” Clear and subtle, here is a strong commitment to her well-being, while quietly challenging her to test his honor.

Next week, I will conclude my analysis of Brad Paisley’s training song for creating outdoor families.

So, we have our Washington State Senate Resolution honoring our “Families Outdoor Heritage,” and we are attracting broad support for legislation to create our Washington Children’s Outdoor Bill of Rights. Now, we need an anthem – a song inspiring young adults to create tomorrow’s outdoor families.

We have long known that an inspiring story is more effective in bringing about changes in attitude than a dire threat. Thanks to some forward-thinking storytellers in Nashville, I believe I have found our anthem. These storytelling songwriters take us back to the basics: the answer to carrying on family outdoor traditions lies in the careful selection of proper mates—those who will be making the outdoor-connected children and families of tomorrow.

No doubt, you have heard the song “Ticks.” (You will find a performance of it at www.youtube.com/watch?v=3tiPndMqxLQ.) Under all the fun and rhythm, I invite you to see that “Ticks” is a serious training song for the men and women tasked with securing the future of our outdoor traditions – our outdoor heritage.

Brad Paisley, Tim Owens and Kelley Lovelace wrote the song. They are clearly among the most holistically-thinking, far-sighted outdoor nuts in the world today. When they pitched the song to Arista Nashville/Sony BMG, their label, the executives must also have been caught up in the brilliance of this wise and ancient, yet fresh, approach to securing our outdoor future. Brad Paisley performed and recorded the song brilliantly; its subtle and understated message drove the song to the top of the country charts in 2007 and keeps it in regular airplay today.

This is a perfect approach, really. Even as some folks dismiss “Ticks” as an enjoyable –and funny – song about a guy trying to pick up a woman in a bar, they are absorbing valuable lessons about the fundamental path young men and women must follow to safeguard our outdoor heritage. The song is so sweet, and so scientifically sound, that it is a perfect anthem for the movement to maintain wild places and wild things forever.

That said, let’s take the song line by line, from beginning to end, and see what we can learn from our avid outdoorsman (the singer) as he considers the potential of an attractive young woman to be the mate he needs to help him rear outdoor-connected children. Note also how his story telling inspires and coaches other men and women seeking similar outdoor-oriented mates.

There are lessons and insights here for all of us. Bear with me over the next week or two, then, as we delve into the true meaning and impact of the lines and words of our anthem. Here is “Ticks.”

“Every time you take a sip…” Right off, we see that our outdoorsman is demonstrating his ability to observe quietly, over a period of time. Couple this clear survival skill with the way he acknowledges her ladylike manner of drinking, and already we see that he is sensing something special in this potential outdoor life companion.

“In this smoky atmosphere…” Here, our young mate-seeker makes an important observation, while avoiding criticism of the setting in which he and this interesting woman find themselves. Clearly, he is already setting the stage for a discussion of clean air and its importance to children, wild things and life in general.

“You press that bottle to your lips…” This word choice is brilliant, really. In one phrase, he notes the strength in the woman’s hands (critically important, if they are to build a sound life and home for the children they may make – if all tests are passed), and her eye-hand coordination which places the bottle firmly but gently upon her mouth. Such eye-hand coordination will be critical in successful parenting of outdoor kids.

“And I wish I was your beer…” This is a statement with a plethora of subtle undercurrents. If he was her beer, he would be able to firsthand know the strength of her grip, important in any number of family decisions they may be called upon to make. Further, given that beer is really the pinnacle of foods which can be made from barley, malt and hops, he is assuring her that he would joyfully assume his part in the life-long task of nourishing her well-being, and that of their children – not to mention helping them slake thirst.

“In the small there of your back…” Here, now, we have easily slipped back to a demonstration of our singing outdoorsman’s observation skills. Here, also, is an unspoken admiration for the shape and strength of her lower back. While thus more seriously considering her as a possible mate, he builds anticipation for his next observation.

Next week, we will continue our study and analysis of this anthem for creating outdoor families,

The answer to your question is “Yes!” Our Washington Families Outdoor Heritage Resolution was unanimously adopted by the State Senate last Friday morning. Several Kittitas County Homeys were in the Senate gallery as the resolution was introduced by Senator Judy Warnick and read, in whole, by the Senate Clerk. President of the Senate, Lt. Governor Brad Owens, introduced the supporters of the resolution and those of us in the gallery, and called for the vote.

After, we took a few pictures in the State Capital and around Senator Warnick’s desk in the Senate Chambers. We then retired to a nice breakfast, over which we celebrated three years of effort and plotted our next steps. There may yet be, in this session, a House Resolution sponsored by our Representatives Dent and Manweller. In the meantime, we have begun gathering supporters for legislation in the 2016 session to create a Washington Children’s Outdoor Bill of Rights. It was a good morning.

Back in Paradise, the question became, “Now, what?” Given that we are pushing springtime, the obvious answer is to plan, and carry out, activities to get ourselves outside. In the midst of all that, we can look at how the rest of the country – and the world – handles these challenges. There is an ever-growing set of opportunities.

Richard Louv is a widely known child advocate and is the author of the best-selling “Last Child in the Woods: Saving our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder.” You may recall the conversation with a fourth grader that spurred Louv’s mission to get kids connected to nature. When Louv asked the boy why he didn’t play outside after school, the kid said, “I like to play indoors better ‘cause that’s where all the electrical outlets are…” Somehow intertwined with the publication of his book, Louv established his Children & Nature Network (www.childrenandnature.org), a now worldwide effort to get kids and families connected to the earth in one or another way.

This Children & Nature Network is a big deal. Nearly four million kids worldwide are involved in network “connecting to nature” activities. The website has volumes of research relating kids’ nature connections to success as adult humans. It also has news feeds relating to outdoor families – one story announces that, beginning this fall, every fourth-grader in America will receive a one-year family pass to all national public lands and parks. If you want to better understand the need for families outdoors, or partake in something cool, check out the network’s web page.

For the better part of a decade, the US Forest Service has partnered with companies and groups around the country to support National Get Outdoors (GO) Day. Activities centered on GO Day happen across the country, and while they are focused around one day – this year it is Saturday, June 13 – the activities supported will set in motion a summer, or lifetime, of outdoor enjoyment. Check out www.nationalgetoutdoorsday.org for a sense of the traditional and nontraditional outdoor activities on tap for this summer.

The Forest Service has taken to heart the need to get kids, and their families, into natural and wild country. Go to www.fs.usda.gov/conservationeducation, and you will find dozens of suggestions and projects. You will find ideas for funding activities, and partners to support work with kids of all ages and their families. There is a great “kids outdoors” photo site, too.

Another of the Forest Service approaches involves its “Discover the Forest” program (www.DiscovertheForest.org). This program includes training opportunities, actual on the ground projects and partnerships with 20^th Century Fox for promotional activities for kids.

A new statewide “umbrella” group, The Big Tent Outdoor Recreation Coalition, is pulling as many groups as possible together to strengthen the voices of those who use Washington’s outdoor playgrounds. Outdoor recreation is a $22 billion part of our state’s annual economy. Check out bigtentcoalition.info, and you will have another sense of the value and importance of playing outside.

There are almost unlimited ways to play outside, and a broad array of sites with useful information. As we move forward in our part of the world, we are creating websites for Washington’s outdoor kids and families, and we will, one day soon, have our outdoor kids’ bill of rights. In the meantime here’s to outdoor kids – and families – forever.