Design Crafters

It’s amazing how a single picture alone can touch so many and start something grand in motion.  You never know what your photos may start. I’m sure Navy Cmdr. Jon Singleton had no idea what the picture he posted on his blog would start what it did.

When Cmdr. Singleton was deployed for a year to Afghanistan in May 2006, he was able to maintain his blog that would include his experience there. On a snowy Afghan day he snapped a picture of two Afghan children running through a nearby mine field. The first child was a 6 year old boy, wearing shorts and oversized galoshes. In his arms he carried his baby brother, wearing only a diaper.

It makes me remember how truly lucky we are. Can you imagine having to run around outside in the middle of winter with only a diaper on? Ok, perhaps in your case it would be underware. Nevertheless, that would be miserably cold.

When Cmdr. Singleton posted this picture on his blog, it apparently struck a larger cord in peoples’ hearts than he expected. The military began receiving over 100 boxes of clothes, winter coats, socks, fleece blankets and other much needed items, to distribute among the children and other people in need. The parcels came from many individuals and groups including Boy Scout troops and high schools. The Gateway Girl Scout Council even sent boxes of Girl Scout cookies at Christmas, along with homemade Christmas cards.

Perhaps there’s an idea for your family. Next Christmas you could send a care package along with some creative Christmas pictures and Christmas cards.

The original story can be found at:  http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/033108/met_263364938.shtml

Did you know there are actually instructions online on how to make your own Flintstone car? So the next time you really want to get all decked out for that costume party, you can pull up in your very own Flintstone car. Or how cool would that be to take the kids around in at Halloween time?! You could even be the Flintstones sporting your “new car” in your next Christmas cards and pictures. That’ll really knock your friends and families socks off.

The best part is, you can make it all from nature. I’d imagine you may have a hard time if you used stone for the wheels though. You’d have to first find the perfect sized stones, then shape them and drill a hole in them. On top of that, they would be heavy and make it hard to actually move the car. Logs however are much easier and lighter for this purpose. (It helps that trees are naturally round to begin with). At least that’s what a family here in the US did when they got bored one summer.

The family is situated in a rural mountain area of the US and has access to many trees on their property. Without the distraction of television, computers or game consoles, the kids, ranging 6-17 years decided to get creative and built a car made entirely out of wood. It apparently looked like a modern SUV version of the Flintstones car.

So there’s an idea for your family or scouts this summer. You may consider even having it in your local parade for fun.