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By James Gardner

Clark County Public Library

I discovered that this Saturday, Aug.5, is National Play Outside Day, so I tried to remember how I played outside. Most of my outside games as a kid consisted of finding a stick and pretending it was either a gun or sword, but most of my playtime was decidedly indoors. As I got older, I went outside occasionally but only spent a little bit of time in it. I used the old standby of being pale. For me, being out in the sun is lying down on a sizzling griddle for others. The time I spent outside meant I spent an equivalent amount of time molting like a bearded dragon. Hard pass!

However, like my artistic tastes, that attitude has changed as I got older. Change might be a strong word. “Adjusted” might be more accurate. I still burn instead of tan, but I’ve also realized that I enjoy the outside more than I thought I would. For the record, I haven’t decided to take up extreme sports, and I don’t see myself wearing a spandex and helmet ensemble in the near future. I’ve decided to keep it relatively low-key and reacquaint myself with one of my favorite activities involving the outside: walking. I love walking around my neighborhood, letting my mind wander. Some of my best ideas have come after a vigorous walk. Walking is conducive to a freer flow of ideas, and Anabel Streets, writer of “52 Ways to Walk” (796.51 Stre), agrees. The library has plenty of books about walking and other ways to play outside, like author Mo Nard’s exploration of Pickleball (796.34 Nard).

And when you’re done playing (or walking) outside, the library is the perfect place to cool off, sit in a chair, and perhaps read. You can check out a relaxing beach read like Elin Hildebrand’s “Summer of ‘69” (F Hild), or you can cool off even more, and perhaps even chill the blood, with a snowy stay at the Overlook Hotel, courtesy of Stephen King’s “The Shining” (Fantastic F King). Like many things in life, where one spends their time involves balance. I can spend time outside; I now realize I have to retreat indoors should I start to sizzle.

Yes, this week is National Play Outside Day, and it’s still summer, but hopefully, there will be a National Walk When the Temperature Outside is in the 60s Day even if that name doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue.

Here are some activities that you can do inside the library:

• This week’s Kentucky Picture Show, premiering on Aug. 2 at 2 p.m., features an ensemble cast including Jane Fonda and Candace Bergen. Follow these four best friends as they take their book club to Italy for the fun girl’s trip they never had. Popcorn and beverages will be provided.

• Did you miss out on our Quick Refrigerator Pickles class the first time? Then join us on Saturday, Aug. 5, at 3 p.m. for Pickling 101 and make a batch of your own refrigerator pickles to take home! Space is limited, so please call the library at (859) 744-5661 or register through Evanced.