6 Reasons I build my own Pinewood Derby Car with my kids

 I was asked one time why I build Pinewood Derby Cars. "Why not just focus on the kids and let them have the lime light? Make their cars incredible instead of spending too much time on your own." Here is some info on helping your little Henry Ford get started with something other than a black block of wood. 6 Steps to getting started

I thought about that question a lot. In fact I didn't start out making my own car. I spent all the time on my sons car. With him. Then one year I decided I wanted to build one too. Just to try it out. His car was coming along nice, he was getting older and could do more work on his own. Plus who wouldn't want a Rat Rod Ford Effie. (My son doesn't apparently.) So I set out to create a fun and unique truck. This is it.

53 Ford F100 Rat Rod Pinewood Derby Car 2012

I was pretty proud of it. To keep with the rat rod theme, I robbed the wheels off of one of my old pinewood derby cars. (They are reshaped and sanded which is illegal now days)

It has a flat walnut bed, 13 gauge finishing nail bed rails, & bullet gas tank. Custom Altoids tin grill, trimmed out with super fast fire flames. (This truck is as slow as the tractor)

This little endeavor had some surprising benefits. Here are a few of them.

1. My Kids see me working on the same type of project.

How often do kids want to feel like they are doing something grown up and not childish. Seeing me do the same project lets them know, "Hey, this isn't just kid's stuff." Also my excitement and attention to detail (cool details like over sized blowers coming out of the engine) helps them dream bigger too.

Daughter's butterfly car, my tractor, and son's hot rod being painted at same time.
They usually take turns on mine while painting their own.

You know how tedious sanding is? If you are sanding on your car while watching Phineas and Ferb, They are more likely to sand on their car at the same time. Have them check you car, let them find rough spots (Whoops, you accidentally missed those on purpose.)

2. I don't take over their project.

Every pack has those dads that brings in a $500 car and tries to pass it off as his little ADHD Carroll Shelby built it last night. I like to talk to kids about what THEY did to their car at check-in. It's pretty east to tell who did what. Sure kids need help, guidance, instruction, encouragement, and for us adults to do some of the detailed parts. But it should be mostly the kid's. As a kid gets older, the cars should look worse because we are doing less. (It could be we are spending so much time on our masterpiece.)

3. They learn by Explain, Demonstrate, Guide, Enable. (EDGE)

I will let them practice on scrap wood before letting them use the scroll saw to cut on their car. Yes, I let my wolf and bear use a scroll saw. I don't walk away and most of the time my hands are on theirs.
We talk about safety and glasses, and how to hold the wood. I let them cut stuff out for my car. It gives them more saw time and dad time.

I do the same thing with sanding. Go with the grain, and let them see how bad it looks going against the grain.

Painting takes time and sometimes when I see they are just slapping it on I will take a picture and make them sand it and paint it over. They usually do a much better job and compare the two. They are usually glad of it as well.

I can sit down with them when they are painting as well. They are working. I can help if needed. We have some fun conversations without me painting it for them. This might be the best part of the whole experience.

Old dirty, rusty tractor. It doesn't have wheels yet.
(It didn't matter. It was the slowest car at the race.)
Do you realize how nice it is when a kid does NOT have the slowest car there. I do now.
Every kid there had fun picking on me about beating my tractor.

They can see me putting "mud" or "rust" or repainting something, and they starting thinking beyond just finishing the car.

4. I enjoy making them.

I can't lie about that. I like wood working and carving. I enjoy teaching kids to do the same. I also like cars and painting, trying something new. I added so much wood to the tractor, getting it down to weight was almost impossible. It was a completely hollow shell. Challenge is a fun part of it. Next year I know even more to help the kids with.

5. I let them help me with my project. (And no, that is not sanding it for me.)

They will cut on it, drill, spray paint it when they are painting theirs. Sure it might have runs in it, but I'm not building show cars. I want them to brag about their sister's car or my car, just as much as their own car. It goes back to being helpful, being a part of something important. It makes them feel great to help me. 

Our family set of cars all lined up and ready to race.

6. They learn, that going the extra mile can be fun and rewarding.

When you do something different or challenging, and people ask, How did you do that? Everyone starts thinking differently about the Pinewood Derby. It's fun to talk about.

The Pink Tornado can tell you how to soak thin wood so it can be bent and clamped down to make butterfly wings that stick up and off of her car, because she did it.
The Pup can tell you about gluing lead weights in an angry bird to make it heavy, because he did it.
I can tell you a tractor looks really cool. It is the slowest car you can make, but I did it.  

Each year we learn something different and add it to our knowledge for next year.

Have fun.
Build a Pinewood Derby Car.
Let the kids rub it in when they beat you.
And they will be just as proud of your car as their car.

Come to think of it, these are the same 6 reasons I like my kids being in church with me.

6 Steps for Helping My Kids Build a Pinewood Derby Car

Building Pinewood derby cars is one of my families favorite scout projects. We have built them for years. We love creating new ideas and trying to turn our favorite things, movies, or toys into a car that is not just cool looking, but fast.

Red Rat Rod, Tan Horse, Black Dragon, Caterpillar, #80 Green Racer, #49 Angry Pig

We have to start way in advance. I have 3 boys in scouting. 1 American Heritage Girl, and my wife and I are both involved in leadership. That is correct, six (6) cars. It takes a while.

The kids are eager to get started and this is the BEGINNING of the process to get it all done. This is just a starting point for those who don't know where to begin.

First, Dream drawing 

Draw several cars on paper.We encourage then to try to turn what they love into a car. One son has an Angry Birds theme going on. My daughter made a caterpillar one year and a butterfly the next.  My oldest son is which ever movie he likes at the time. He has make Speed Racer, Star Wars Forest speeder bike, dragon, and an arrow. I have one son who likes old Hot Rods Race cars and so that is what he makes. I like old junk rat rods, so that is what I make, except one year I made a tractor.
Have fun with them. Encourage crazy ideas.

Second, the design on template.

The design must fit on a template of the block of wood's top and side. This is interesting, because they learn to think 3 dimensional. Sometimes we use toy cars so they can get the idea. Make sure the wheels closest to the end of the block of wood is in the back. Putting the weight back there is important for speed.

If you are looking for templates, here are some printable ones. Free Templates

The template I use for the kids is in the back of this Derby Design book, which is a great resource for adults helping a scout. I have learned so much from it. All of the books in this group are good.

Third, redesign

After they draw it the first time it's usually big and bulky. We talk about aerodynamics. How can we make it thinner. Where will we hide the weights so that it still looks cool? What will attach to it so that it looks the way you want it? This is where I may draw a few lines to make it smaller, clean things up a little. After all it has to be able to be cut, by a 9 year old. And you want it to be fast. Remember, we don't do it for them, we do it with them.

The Hoot painting in his fire flames, because they make any car faster. 

Forth, weights and accessories in design

Yeah, we try to have a good idea of the finished product before we cut out the car. Not because I am super smart or annul about those things, but I've made so many mistakes and had to redo so many times, I finally figured a few things out. It also helps builders stay focused on ONE design and not change it all over the place.

The Angry Birds cars have "Rocket Boosters" on the back of them. We found cheap wrench sockets to use as Boosters, and as weight. We also glued weights inside of the socket and the character so the car looks good, clean, and finished. The Red Rat Rod had a "Spare Tire" on the back that was full of washers for weight.
The Forest speeder below used large fishing washers for bags and tanks.
Lots of those things are thought about, collected and put in baggies.
Boy's Life  and Dremel have some great tips for you to think about.

The Pup test fitting  & checking his work. 

Fifth, Make copies and get baggies.

With everything on paper I make a few photocopies. (With 6 cars it's easy to loose and misplace things.) Everything goes in their own Gallon sized Ziplock bag. You can also use a shoe box, small tool box, old sock without a hole in it. (Again, I'm not organized, just lost it enough times that I finally figured it out.)

For building and speed I'm going to defer to other experts. It is covered in books, articles, blogs, and the other guys at the scout meeting. I think these first 5 steps get over looked a lot. This is to help you get started and a plan to follow.

Pink Tornado polishing her axles for speed.

Sixth, FINALLY, go over safety and start cutting.

The kids, eight years old and up, cut their own cars out on a scroll saw. I stay right with them, thus the reason I have no pictures of this step. They also have to use coping saws or chisels, depending on the design. We will do a little a time if we have to due to being tired or frustrated. (This is also why it takes so long.)
Don't worry about missing the lines, anything can be shaped or cleaned up with a power sander. Just make sure they wear a mask and it is well marked. Red Sharpies are great for this.

Here are some tips to keep your kid working.

• Sand the really rough stuff for them to start with or give them a small power sander.

The Head using a power sander to get started with.

• Have them sand on it while watching a movie. Lay out newspaper or old towels you can shake outside.

The Pup sanding his Angry Pig Car.
The Pig was full of 2 ounces of lead and sat right over the rear wheels.

• I always tell my kids, the difference between "THAT's AWESOME!!!" and "yeah, nice car", is SANDING (and polyurethane). 
• Sand on your car while they are sanding on their car. 
• Build your own car along side of them.6 reasons to build your own car.
• Refer back to their design and plan. 
• Check out your Local LOWE's Hardware Store. They should be doing Pinewood Derby Dremel build days with test tracks.

This is a competitive event. 

But it is also a FUN event, 

a LEARNING event, 

a FAMILY event. 

When they do most of the work themselves, they are that much More proud of themselves and take better care of their cars.

The Head with his WeBeLoS car.
It wasn't fast, the design was off balance, but it did the job and looked cool.

"The Head"s version of a Star War's Forest Speeder Bike.

I'm a Christian Pastor in the Boy Scouts of America

This has been a tough trail to walk down. 
Actually it has been a tough decision as to which trail to walk down. 


I grew up in the Boy Scouts. I had an uncle that was a scout, but that is the only family heritage for me. I started as a Wolf and went until I was 18 and my wife said it was time to stop. (Yes, you read that right. Not all scouts are perfect.) I EARNED my Eagle Scout Award. I was a member of the Order of the Arrow. I was a Jr Asst Scout Master. I hiked hundreds of miles. I camped in countless rain and snow storms. I had great scout leaders who taught us how to be men, not just how to earn badges. In fact, for Troop 173, it was never really about the badges and awards. I had leaders that wanted to shape us and turn us into honorable, productive citizens.  


I will never be able to thank my parents, (who were also leaders),Vic, Tommy, Rich, Fred, Kathy, and Anne and and all of the other men and women who gave me responsibility, let me fell, and helped me succeed. They celebrated with me and corrected me. Not to mention the older boys in the troop that taught me the power of peer knowledge. Victor, Jack, Jamie and Mark taught me just as much as the adults did, (and a few things they probably shouldn't had.)

In fact I have done ministry, scouts, church, missions and camps with that same model of expectation. Teach, Show, Let them Do, refresh, let them do again. You have to try. I will be close by, but TRY!

When my boys got old enough scouts was a natural plan for us. I just wanted to drop my son off and let them learn and experience the way I did. I didn't really know how to be a leader in scouts. It seemed so different from what I did. It seemed so "educational". They finally talked me into being a leader of the WeBeLoS, that was 2010. 

I realized a few things really quick. Boys don't have dads much anymore. Boys don't have a moral standard they follow. The words of the Scout Law and Oath are foreign to them. They don't have a grasp on HONOR, INTEGRITY, and REVERENCE. RESPECT, OBEY, SERVE are not in the vocabulary today. Boys don't know how to use hammers and screwdrivers. They don't know how to read a tape measure. They don't know how to do dishes, fold cloths or throw their own stuff in a bag. 

As I looked at this rabble group of boys the words of God to Jonah came to my mind. 

And should not I pity Nineveh, that great city, in which there are more than 120,000 persons who do not know their right hand from their left - Jonah 4:11

They really didn't know their left from their right hand, so I became a scout leader. This was my mission field outside the church. I taught the boys respect to parents because the Bible says to Honor your Father and Mother. And that is how I taught them. I taught them to respect our Flag and the President (even though we don't agree with him); scripture says to respect those in authority over us because God placed them there. I taught them to take responsibility for your actions because the Bible says we are all responsible for what we do and accountable for our actions (Romans 3:18-20). And that is how I would teach it. 

A leader can do all of this in a teaching manner. One time a boy wasn't listening to his mom. She seemed tired and worn out, as if she had fought this battle before. LOTS. I very quietly asked him over in front of mom. Reminded him that he wears a uniform that says to the world he wants to be a man. Part of being a man is respecting and honoring our parents. I told him God puts a strong emphasis on boys learning to respect their mother and do as she asked. I reiterated that mom says it's time to leave and he needs to be a scout, gather his things and go with her. When he ran off to get his stuff Mom was crying. She thanked me, gave me a hug and said nobody has ever done that for her. 

"The sport in scouting is to find the good in every boy and develop it." - Sir Baden-Powell

That was the moment that sealed my desire to be a leader. That was the moment that said to me, these boys need Godly men in their lives. I will be the first to tell you that I am a messed up man. I can agree with Paul when he says the stuff I want to do I do not do and what I don't want to do that is what I do. I struggle with many sins and temptations daily, so I DO NOT think of myself as having it together or better than anyone else. (If I ever did start to think that, I will just ask my wife and kids and they will quickly humble me.) I am unapologetic in my use of scripture and prayer, and i do not ask permission.

I fully dove into Boy Scout leadership AFTER the 2013 policy release to not exclude "gay" scouts from the program. I agree with that decision. Just like I would not ask a "gay" kid to leave my church. Just like I would not dismiss a friend for telling me he struggles with alcohol or lying. It is my job as a fellow sinner who has found the right path, to help other people along it. My involvement as a leader was a purposeful calculated decision. Somewhere along the scouting line things got out of hand; I am now serving on a district level in a position (or three) I never knew existed. 

At that same time a group of Christian leaders began a new scouting program called Trail Life USA. I like their stuff. I like their purpose and mission statement. I like their handbook and it's focus on scripture and God. I like the green uniform (which I still have hopes BSA will bring back). I like the emphasis on character and outdoors over merit badges and awards. I like their ranks as a title of maturity and growth as men. I like it. I have a lot of their resources. I do not think less or down on anyone who left scouting to begin this fine organization. In fact I applaud your courage. 

But I have chosen BSA as a mission field. 

This week, however has challenged my decisions. BSA revised their adult leader policy to allow openly (I hear unrepentant) homosexual leaders in the scouts.

 Official BSA announcement as it amends Adult Leadership Policy

This goes against several moral, biblical beliefs. A Christian is to be above reproach. A Christian Leader is to be free from sexual immorality. A Christian is to be repentant of those activities the Bible calls sin. Do I have sin in my life? Yes. Do I have sexual sin in my life? Yes. Do I have emotional sin in my life? Yes. Am I repentant? If I were a catholic priest or monk I would have scars all over my back from self-flagellation. (that would be a YES) At the same time I can not applaud, support, nor encourage the sin of homosexuality.    

As of right now, I do not know of any homosexual, etc, leaders in the scouts. As of right now there is an openness and freedom to still be a Christian leader. I'm sure the time will quickly come when I have to make a decision; will I reach out the Left Hand of Brotherhood and Unity or hold back. Will I unapologetically hold out the words of life to everyone, like Jesus did, or will I step away. Will I treat another scout leader as a fellow sinner who is need of repentance and hospitality or will I leave them to their own demise? 

I hope I can live up to Paul's encouraging words in Philippians 2 "work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing, 15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast to the word of life.

I hope I can remember I am there for the boys. To teach them and train them in the way they should go, using fun, skills, and games to encourage them into manhood as productive honorable citizens of a country who desperately needs them. I pray I can confidently and gently guide them into the path God has for them. I beg God to help me be the genuine example of God's grace for them to learn what a real Dad and Husband looks like. That I can live up to Sir Baden-Powell's words:

“There is no teaching 

to compare 

with example.”

I am a leader in the Boy Scouts of America. I may not be proud of how the National leadership has flip-flopped and seems to be controlled by financial influences. I am not crazy about the rules and standards in place within the scouting programming and planning. I don't like the emphasis on merit badges. I'm not there for those people. I'm there for the boys. And they need Christian/ Godly men to come along side them and SHOW them the right trail.

By God's Grace, 

I will do my best

to do my duty to GOD and my country,

 and to obey the Scout Law. 

To help other people at all times.

To keep myself physically strong, 

mentally awake, and morally straight.

More than a Backpacking weekend

So, I have to admit, right off the bat, this is a little weird for me.

I'm going to give you the background and history of what I am linking to.

We look good after hiking 10 miles.

Elijah and I have wanted to go backpacking for a long time. Katie has been wanting me to have "THE TALK" (dun, dun, duuuuun) with Elijah for a long time. So she picked up the Passport 2 Purity weekend kit produced by Family Life Today. It is Dennis Rainey's ministry similar to Focus on the Family.

I decided the hike and the P2P program would go good together. We would get away for a weekend, get to go back packing, get in the woods, just be the two of us. The hike was humid, the mountains steep, the views incredible, the food awful, the blisters hot, the water fresh and cold, the sleep was hard. All of the good stuff that goes into a great hiking trip. I loved it. Even the 5 mile detour we took on the second day. I loved every step of it.

Elijah, well, he might of thought it was tough. I haven't challenged myself this way in a long time, physically or relationally. I pushed myself and came out on the other end of the trail with jello legs and felt incredible.

But let me back up.

Eating breakfast and listening to P2P

We were doing the Passport 2 Purity program. It is a really good product. It is funny at times when it needed to be. It also gets series. It went into a good amount of depth and left a lot of unnecessary stuff out. From a Christian father's point of view, I was relieved and thankful for how it was made. Before we went, I sent a message to Family Life Today and asked them to pray for us as we were doing their program that weekend. They assured me people would be praying the entire time we were out and to let them know how it went.

A few days afterwards I did. I thanked them for their prayers and for providing a good quality, memorable weekend for us. They asked me a couple of questions, which I answered and that was it. Well, until a lady contacted us named Mary. She said they shared our story with their staff and everyone wanted to know more about it, because as far as they knew nobody else had done it this way. So a few questions turned into an embarrassing interview and that interview turned into an interview with Elijah, and all of that turned into an article written about our backpacking weekend. Which is right here.

"More Than A Backpacking Weekend" on Family Life Today "The Family Room" ezine

Now it says it's written by me, but it was written by Mary based on our interview. (I wrote what you are reading now, she wrote that, there is a big difference in the quality and refinement.) It also includes a blurb about how the program is structured. Which I am totally fine with.

What Eastern Kentucky Looks like from Pine Mountain on a beautiful June day. 

Now to the dads and moms out there.

If you are unsure about how to have "THE TALK" (dun, dun, duuuuun) this is the way to do it. It is a really relaxing and safe way to have the talk (dun dun duuuuun). It gives a guideline of how to relate your thoughts and experiences within it. It has suggestions (which I kinda changed to match us and hiking). It has a whole parent pre-weekend guide and cd/mp3s to listen to. It has books so you can stay on topic. It has music and stories, and interviews, and all the stuff that makes a good quality resource. It has separate guy/ girl sessions. AND it isn't full of any "Christian Cheese", over spiritualization, disgusting pictures, or other things that have made tools like this terrible. Don't try to be a tight wad and just get the student journal. Buy the whole P2P Getaway Kit. It's worth it. You will be glad you did. You will have more fun and they will remember it better.

If you have questions, contact me. I would love to encourage you in this little adventure, however you choose to do it.

Until then, try to stay on the right trail. Climbing back up is a whole lot of unnecessary work.

Still trying to be worked into something useful,
Mitch

Earth Day in the Mountains

"Earth Day" has passed again amidst all the cries of "How dare you turn a blind eye to the catastrophe" and "we must do our part for the next generation". In the Estep house, we have always practiced "earth day", not once a year, but our whole lives realized as a need and use of what God has created for us. We teach our kids to plant and raise food. We learn how to care for animals for eggs, furs and meat. we clean up our area of trash and replanting to make the woods healthier.

We have always reused. Our grandmother's make salsa and pickled peppers in Tostito jars, green beans in mayonnaise jars and "leather Britches" dried on thread. There are two egg cartons that are constantly being refilled. We make bird feeders and houses from garbage. We have always recycled and retooled, we called that "been esteped" long before upcycling was a trend. My grandfathers made things work with what they had laying around, which wasn't much.

You see, we are mountain people. We climb these hills looking for mushrooms, ramp, ginseng and poke. We cut down trees and use all of it, for furniture, building, and heat. Then plant more. Our furniture was functional, before considered "rustic". It has necessary before considered "artisan".  We dig up the coal and re-shape the hollows for homes, business, and parks. We hunt these mountains to keep it balanced. We hike these streams to enjoy God's beauty. He gave us these hills and valleys and all of its bounty to use and subdue and work and benefit from. We have known the earth and celebrated what come from it with hard work, callused hands and bent backs long before skinny jeans and hipsters.

We are mountain people. Our hands are dirt stained, not from the sin of harming the earth, but from being in the earth. My heritage has dug, and moved, and shaped this hostile frontier home for generations to come. The gardens where planted by our parents and plowed again by grandkids who know the depth of potatoes and the rock in the soil. Our ground is fertile, not by chance, but from shoveling manure and the grazing of animals. Our cellars are full, not from handouts and supermarket finds, but the breaking of beans, heat of the canning fires and power of sweat tea. We have saved our seeds and shared our harvests. We have practiced community gardening and neighborhood efforts for survival not fad.

We are mountain people. We have lived with the earth. Our vehicles have bigger tires because they work hard on harder ground and we play as hard as we work. Our tools are stronger because they have to cut the rock and break against a force we built on. Our tools are sharper because they have to cut deeper with the force of our arms. Our boots are heavier because they have to dig in and climb. Our backs are bent forward because they work with strength.

We are mountain people. We know the earth. We celebrate as God gives. We pray over his work. We take care of the earth, because he told us to use it. We love the earth and celebrate what God has provided.

We are mountain people. We wish you would celebrate, care for, and use the earth with us every day.

Reasons to celebrate Easter

REASONS TO CELEBRATE EASTER

We already celebrate Jesus raising from the grave the other 51 Sundays in the year.  

What makes this one day so special? 

1. You look amazing in pastel colors.
2. Peeps are readily available to drop in coffee or hot cocoa.
3. Flowers are starting to bloom.
4. Cadbury Creme Eggs.
5. The excitement of full-contact toddler Easter egg hunts.
6. Even though you don't know what it is, "Passion Play" sounds like it could be exciting. 
7. You love wearing bunny suits, but are afraid of what people will say the rest of the year.
8. Anything that starts with "Good Friday" has got to be worth celebrating.
9. The church only advertises breakfast one Sunday a year, so you take advantage of it. 
10. Your parents let you wear hats to church.
11. Sermon is shorter due to extra special songs being sung.
12. The object lessons make sense. (empty egg = empty tomb, new born chick = new life in Christ)
13. It is the single most amazing event in human history.

I know there are dozens of more reasons to celebrate Easter and you can add to this list. (Especially since it's fresh on your mind.)

Dad Day: Chucking Tomahawks

What guy, in his right mind, having grown up watching westerns and revolutionary war movies doesn't long to know how to through a Tomahawk. Even if I wasn't raised in the mountains and didn't spent all my early years in the woods, I would love to know how to throw one  properly, accurately, and consistently. After all, what red blooded American Man hasn't thought of needing to go all Benjamin Martin if the red coats re-invade the states.

In our house we try to learn as much as we can about how things were done 100 plus years. They were geniuses back then and our thought is this will help learn creative problem solving, self sustainability and it's just flat out cool. We planted the "Three Sisters" Indian crops this summer, corn, beans and squash. They did amazing and we have enjoyed eating them. We have learned to shoot archery and guns. We learn to harvest woodland vegetables and mushrooms. We learned to throw Tomahawks.

Now I must admit, I have always wanted to learn to properly throw a Tomahawk. That is way up there on my list. I don't mind if my kids learn to throw them. I didn't expect it to be like this, however.

It started out as any family outing, setting up the tents, taking hikes, fussing about playing in the fire that only I should be playing in. We did the interpretive stuff around the park and had a great time. Friends that we like to hang out with were there. We ground cornmeal and got to take a big bag of it home. But the whole weekend was leading up to the Tomahawk throwing.

I thought there would be some beardy mountain man looking feller with a coyote skin hat, leather satchel, and lace-up buck skin moccasin boots.  I also thought there would be a safe distance, well marked perimeter, and guy that would DEMONSTRATE how cool he was by throwing tomahawks in dozens of different ways and distances never missing.

Elijah throwing and Caleb watching.

When I pull up in the truck from loading all our camping gear, there is one old man. I mean helped Daniel Boone blaze the trail across Pine Mountain and decided to just stay there old, with a string of 7-9 year old boys lined up with looks of pure exstacy and adventure in a trance as metal weapons sliced through the air in a terrifying dance of deadly summer-saws. Then just at the split second when you think the dance will end, they spring back through the air with an encore of misguided ricochets that reminds you of a Miley Cyrus performance. The weapon then falls into the leaves waiting for its little dance instructor to come and give it new life in its next chilling routine.


But there are two throwers, at the same time. As the little Mahican goes after his tomahawk, . . . you guessed it, the next kid releases his macabre dance of terror.

Gasps sucked the dried leaves from around the area as moms closed their eyes, babies cried, and men fainted. Actually the men didn't notice. We just wanted to throw, and we are coaching our kids to properly throw a weapon we have never attempted in all our live long days.

We wanted to get our hands on those little axes and release our inner William Wallace.

I would love to tell you this scene only played once, and some one went over and helped the little old guide control this band of blood thirsty woodsmen. No, it happened a couple of times, exactly like that. So, finally when my loving, caring, protecting wife had practically hyperventilated, and our friend was ready to scalp someone, I went over.

Lucas throwing and Mollie getting ready.

They were a good bunch of kids and we talked about safety and how it was like shooting a BB gun or archery. How we had to wait, watch and listen to everything going on around us. We had to watch out for others around us. How this was a weapon that deserved the same respect as other weapons. I was instilling in these strange boys life lessons that would make them better men and husbands.  I was shaping them into respecters of people and tools. I was the Jedi Knight training these young unknown padawans. Their mothers would thank me with words of undying gratitude. Their fathers would hear my prophecy and carry them on. It was a good day. Nobody had died, yet.

Targets were cross cut logs with 2x4's nailed onto it and one boy knocked the leg off. Some dads went over to pick it up and nail it back on, so the fun would continue. The throwers were all back were they were suppose to be. The hawks were pointed down. Everyone's eyes were on the dads who had stepped up to save the day. Then, it happened. The tomahawk came up and released into the air without anyone noticing. It's sick little dance was short and like all the others, bounced off the second log with morbid desire to take life and limb. It wanted to continue it's dance, not settling for the mere wood stump it was sent flying at. Oh no, it leaped up into the air cart-wheeling itself towards it's new destination and landed with a ghastly curtsy next to the leg of the dad of the thrower.

There was that movie perfect moment when every breath stopped and every brain had to process what had just happened. When time stood still as every person there locked eyes on that weapon that stared at the ankle it had so wanted to find.

It was a good weekend. Nobody died. Nobody was injured. But there was a lesson learned there that was not taught by me or any other dad. Lessons we learn the hard way. Lessons that teach louder than words and are carried on to the next generations. Lessons that as men are never chucked away.

We like learning new things, especially traditional hands-on skills. As for the Estep household, the kids did well, and listened as good as any other kid. They even made them stick a few times. I know what you really want to know, and I don't think we will be getting throwing tomahawks any time soon.

Go do something new this week.

9 Things that help the brain work, kinda.

I was at a park recently and watched a squirrel hide it's nuts. Squirrels are one of my favorite animals. They are cute, they work hard, they twitch their tail all spastic if they are nervous or showing off. They are fast, skillful and walk around on trees upside down, sideways and up ways and any other way with no regard at all for the laws of gravity and physics. Who can't appreciate something that ignores those types of rules. They squeak at each other and are the source of a plethora of hilarious memes. Not to mention all of the Oak trees they plant each fall by hiding their collection of nuts.

My first love for squirrels came in high school, on a trip to Williamsburg, Virginia, where I fed a squirrel. I shared my waffle cone with the little guy, and he just sat on a barrel eating out of my open hand. Later my wife and I fed squirrels black cherries at the lake by hand. Of course any half-way decent fan of Bob Ross knows there are happy little squirrels living in all kinds of trees and woods near the water.

Squirrels have had a bad rap about remembering where they plant all those acorns for the winter. My thought has always been, if that was the case, why are there not more Oak trees and more starved to death squirrels. I came across this little study about squirrels and found out they have excellent memories about where they hide their acorns and will often leave other squirrel's caches alone.

So what's the point of all of this? I don't know I like squirrels and even spastic little rodents have ways of keeping track of things and systems in place to help them get the job done. Well, it goes that way for folks who have a hard time paying attention. There are things we can do, that probably distract and annoy the crap out of everyone else, that helps us. So here are some activities that help.

1. Brain Gym 

I love Brain Gym. I learned about it in college when I took a training course on Appreciative Inquiry and Youth. It was like hooking booster cable up to my head and turning the key. It's simple movements and pressure points and small activities to stimulate the brain. Little things that most people won't notice or think too much about. Of course some activities are standing and involve the full body, but when stealth is needed, these can carry you another 10-15 minutes in a lecture.  Here is link to a quick chart and the official braingym website.
http://sspw.dpi.wi.gov/files/sspw/pdf/sascevanshandouts.pdf
www.braingym.org

2. Doodle

If you sit next to me in church or a training seminar, you will see me draw almost the entire time. My notes on sermons and teachings are almost as much drawings of what they are talking about as their are words on a page. They aren't good drawing, but quick and simple so as not to get distracted. I use ink because I can't erase and get detailed, so what is there is there. Notes don't have to be in a formal collegiate MLA style.That's ridiculous and to high an expectation.  My notes often run sideways or in a box to stand out. 

In a lecture or training I like the ZENtangles. They don't matter, it is repetitive and simple enough to just do and still gather information or details without slowly sketching into another world. There is also no erasing so again, it is as it is. http://tanglepatterns.com/

3. Knot tying

I like tying notes because I can keep string in my pocket and gives my fingers something to fiddle with and forces me to focus small. Rope is cheap and easy to come by. I can stand and pace or sit and cross my legs. It goes back to the brain gym activities of giving my hands and both sides of my brain something to do. The simplest and best for this are repetitive bars and signets, like the paracord bracelets. It is also a relaxing things to do a conversation starter. Most of us with ADD have a hard time carrying on conversations, and believe or don't, this helps. 

4. Clocks set to the right time

Setting the clock 10 minutes fast does not help us. We know it's 10 minutes fast therefore we think we have more time and that means more distraction. For me, the clock has to be right and all the clocks have to be the same. Otherwise there is confusion and chaos and that means more time to be late. Maybe that isn't logical to you, but its how it goes.

5. Encouragement

This is not a feed my ego kind of thing. But if you berate a person with ADD/ ADHD over punctuality, not paying attention, always forgetting, or being sub-standard, then it only makes things worse. Most people with ADD are very hard on themselves and feel very down on themselves already. We realize we don't meet expectations. We genuinely try, but always come up short. Your continual confirmation of these types of feelings only gives us less hope and more punches of the feelings we are already beating ourselves up with. 

6. Curiously Strong Mints - Altoids

I know it may sound stupid but those Originally Celebrated Curiously Strong Mint candies do a lot to open the brain. It is proven strong smells activate the brain and stimulate memory. I keep a tin of them in the truck, in my desk drawer and in my messenger bag (no that is not a murse or UR-a-peeing man-bag). Not to mention, this is the one thing that everyone else appreciates because who doesn't like a minty fresh mouth. Gum has the same effect and excellent way to keep the brain going.

7. Simplicity

I try to keep very little on my desk now. If I can keep it in a drawer or out of sight I try to keep it there. I try to have the simplest objects and tools I need for the job. I try to throw things away and shred every little piece of paper possible. (ok, I just like cutting things up, I know that) My desk top wall paper is gray tones or solid gray with no unnecessary icons. My work computer has 7icons on the desktop. This is not OCD by any means, this takes effort and purpose.

8. Routine

Same thing with where I put stuff. I have to make myself  put things in the same place every time, so I can find it later My keys hang right beside the door. My wallet and pocket stuff goes on my dresser in my knife case drawer. If not, more distractions and searching for something only uncovers even more distractions, if I can keep up with what I'm searching for. In this regard I am not like a squirrel. I find a book, did I finish this, open to the book mark, read a few paragraphs, realize I was looking for something. Try to remember what I'm looking for. It's a horrible cycle.

9. A Patient Woman

Maybe i could put supportive family, but this is my list, so, get your own Katie. I realize nobody else is blessed to be married to Katie, for she is very patient with me. She repeats things to me, sends reminder emails, gently redirects if I get distracted, without ever putting me down. God has giving me the "helper suitable" I need. I can't thank him enough for her. Now, don't get me wrong. There are times when she would like to take a frying pan to my head or bury me in the back yard with the rest of the nuts, but she loves me and helps me. Family who can help and a wife that doesn't nag is a BIG deal.  

So if you have folks in your family that may need a little redirection or ideas to stay on task, hopefully this will help. Until later, KEEP CALM and WATCH SQUIRRELS.