by jphilo | Jul 26, 2013 | Out and About
photo source
Lincoln logs have been a source of frustration for me ever since the sibs and I received a small canister for Christmas in the early 1960s. It was the size of the one above–big enough to make a pint-sized ranch style house–much smaller than what was pictured on the container. Between that frustration and my constant lusting for hair as curly and blond as the child model’s, I never master Lincoln Log construction.
Fast forward to Family Camp 2013, where one of the projects was the renovation of the old log cabin playhouse. The dismantling and rebuilding of the structure was an educational experience with life-sized Lincoln Logs, one that demanded to be recorded in photographs.
First, try to take down the structure with karate kicks.
When that doesn’t work, use a crowbar,
or climb onto the roof with hammers in hand,
and pull off the roof.
Kinda weird, huh?
Meanwhile, some far-seeing women color code and number the logs for future reference.
Once the logs are all numbered and the demolition is complete, the playhouse looks like this. The pile of wood in the top right corner is material that needs to be replaced: the roof, the floor, 7 wall logs, and other items.
They really do look like life-sized Lincoln Logs!
Replacing the bad logs is easy. Just go to the nearby woods, cut down trees of the correct size, and add them to the pile. Then peel the logs.
Next, use heavy machinery to level the dirt in the new, shady location not far from the old spot,
lay the foundation blocks,
and haul one log,
and another…you get the idea.
Of course, the new logs need to be notched. But that’s easy when there’s a chain saw handy.
Add the floor joists and another layer of logs, including the door threshold log, to hold the joists in place.
Things slow down a bit when it’s time to lay the floor, which is made of deck planks left from another camp project.
Unfortunately, the day of my departure arrived before the floor was completed and more logs went up. So there are no more pictures this year. But just wait until next year when the playhouse will be up and running for Family Camp 2014!
PS: A Shadow Valley relly sent a picture of the playhouse on the final day of camp. It’s not completely done, but with the roof on, it should survive winter.
Kinda makes you want to be a kid again, huh?
by jphilo | Jul 18, 2013 | Out and About
After two weeks of vacation looking at more mountains than you can shake a stick at,
I’m glad to be home thinking these 3 thoughts:
- Someone should figure out how to make flowerbeds, weeds, lawns, laundry, financial matters, work issues, and accumulating dust go on vacation when people travel. I would pay for that service.
- Coming home from vacation at the beginning of sweet corn season is perfect timing.
- The older I get, the more my jet lag symptoms include drooling, dreaming while reading, and sentences trailing off in the middle of a….
What would you add to the list?
by jphilo | Jun 21, 2013 | Out and About
The Cedar Falls Christian Writers’ Conference is underway at the Riverview Conference Center. I may be away from home, but I’m not homesick for a couple reasons.
First, in a former life Riverview belonged to the old Evangelical United Brethren (EUB) denomination where EUB rugrats like me went to church camp every summer. Those were golden weeks of childhood, so coming here is like coming home.
Second, Cedar Falls is about 60 miles north of where I live. So the late spring that ended last week in my neck of the woods is still underway. Which means some of my favorite flowers that are fading back home are in full bloom here. Things like:
and more roses.
Peonies,
daisies, and coral bells.
So far, no CSA with fresh strawberries,
but I’m dealing with that.
What makes you feel at home wherever you are? Leave a comment.
by jphilo | Jun 7, 2013 | Out and About
I know it’s not Thursday, but these three observations about airplane travel can’t wait another week. Plus I’m really tired from the trip to Long Beach, and this is all I can think of to write. So here goes:
- Pilots should be required to take an articulation class before being allowed to speak into the microphone. It’s no big deal when they’re impossible to understand while chatting about the weather or flight times. But if there’s an emergency, I want to be able to understand their directions.
- Interesting fact: If your first flight is delayed and you have to run like the parents in Home Alone to catch your next flight, and you barely get onto the plane before the doors closes, and you look r-e-a-l-l-y desperate while asking the flight attendant if you could please, please, p-l-e-a-s-e use the restroom before going to your seat, they will let you. They will even offer to watch your bags while you use the facilities. Don’t ask me how I know this.
- The #1 miracle worker in the flights to and from Long Beach was a young mom traveling with a daughter of about 3 1/2 and a baby boy who must have been about 8 months. The children were very well-behaved. Near the end of the flight the mom, with babe in arms, ushered the little girl down the aisle and into the bathroom. I’ve spent countless hours since then trying to imagine how a) they all fit in there, and b) how she held the baby and helped her daughter in that confined space. Boggles the mind, doesn’t it?
by jphilo | Apr 26, 2013 | Out and About
While we waited to board our flight,
You lowered your pregnant body to the floor,
And play dolls with your daughter,
Your attention fully focused on her.
From the aisle seat across from you, I watched you
Calm your little girl, so giddy with excitement about visiting Grandma.
You had a bag full of snacks, toys, and an iPad, which occupied her
Until the command came to power it down and fasten seat belts.
Then your sweet two-and-a-half year old went ballistic.
She screamed and kicked, threw off her shoes,
Squirmed and kicked her way out of the aisle seat twice,
Until somehow you belted her securely into the window seat.
Not once did you raise your voice.
Not once did you spank her bottom or slap her hand.
Instead you told her what she had to do,
Until finally she finally obeyed and fell asleep, exhausted.
Tears streamed down your face,
As you gazed through the window,
Too ashamed to make eye contact with me
Or the other passengers who’d witnessed the scene.
While your eyes were fixed on blue sky and clouds,
A packet of tissues and a note found its way into the empty seat beside you.
“Every parent on this plane’s been where you are today,” the note said.
“You’re a good mommy. Always remember that.”
photo source
by jphilo | Apr 25, 2013 | Out and About
- Matt Mooney of 99 Balloons talked about his love for his children, one of whom is in heaven, from a wise and sacrificial heart. His words took my breath away.
- A pregnant mom played dolls with her 2 1/2-year-old while waiting to board the plane. Her little girl responded with joy.
- A dad and his toddler rode back and forth, back and forth on the moving sidewalks in the terminal. You should have seen that little guy’s smile.
Who’ve you seen doing a good job of parenting lately?
Now’s your chance to give ’em a shout out in the comment box!
