Wolfman

I wanna be this guy...

New Favorite Comedian

Something about guys with beards!
I first saw this guy in the movie Out Cold. Since then I've kinda been following his career and rediscovered his comedy routine within the past 6 months. I think he's the funniest guy out there right now. Here's one of his funnier skits (mind you there is some nudity and language) still hilarious. Go to YouTube and type in Zach Galifianakis and watch all his funny videos... he has a dry sense of observational humor. I fell out of my chair laughing so hard at his comedy routines!

Scarecrow Game

I wanted to share a fun game that you can play with kids or even try yourself. It was one of the games that we didn't get to this past weekend at the Father/Son retreat.

As the temperatures are starting to fall there is a greater emphasis on staying warm. Ironically, we've been taught that the closer you keep your clothes to your body the warmer you'll be. However, the best way to stay warm is to create dead air space. You can best do this by taking some debris (dry leaves for the ground, fallen pine needles) and stuff them into your shirt. In doing so you allow air to move back and forth between two insulators; your shirt and your body. The air warms up and you are able to stay warmer rather than just piling on more layers of clothes. Make a game out of it to teach children the importance of battling hypothermia.

It's call the Scarecrow game. (Perfect for Halloween time)
First divide into teams. Then have the kids take off their shoestrings and tie them around the pant legs at the ankles. Have them tuck in their shirt and pull their hands into their shirt or coat. Then start piling in the leaves and debris giving the look of a stuffed scarecrow. The kids will have a ton of fun seeing who can get the most debris! Have prizes for added fun.

Most importantly, discuss how this simple knowledge can save thier life in a survival situation.

Cairn Terrier Breed

Thought I'd post a few vids about Cairn Terriers (the breed of our dog). I'm learning more and more about the breed when I get the chance.

One more video that tells a bit more about the breed.

Father/Son Reflections

As I looked out at the 28 men and boys that comprised Camp Mack's Father/Son Retreat, I instantly knew that the weekend was going to be a fulfilling one. Not just for the fathers and sons but for us staff as well.

I knew I wanted to take part in the weekend because it fused together the two things that I am most passionate about: wilderness living skills and masculine spirituality. Though I was teaching the wilderness skills, I was also aware of the intimate connection between man and nature and how he relates that connection to his son. In short, how he conveys the message of God's love through his love for nature.

Whether it was the debris hut being built or watching the father/son teams work at making and maintaining a fire in five minutes; I noticed the sense of shared responsibility. Often in our society today the father is the one to "do it" but that wasn't the case as I watched the fathers pull back and allow their sons not only to succeed but to fail as well and in the process learn the importance of perseverance.

I learned a lot from watching the fathers and the sons this past weekend. It makes me wish my dad and I had done something like that when I was a boy. I also heard time and time again how much they appreciated us teaching these primitive skills because they are quickly being forgotten in our high tech world today.

Belongings

I am now responsible for maintaining the A Place Apart blog. Today, I've posted a new devotional thought and question for discussion and reflection at the site. If you read my blog you might be interested in checking in on APA's blog, prayer resources and website. Look for a new question every Wednesday morning.

Green Hour

One of the best books I've ever read was Last Child in the Woods and there was an updated and expanded edition released this year. It included a list of things to do with children that weren't in my edition. Here are 13 things that you can do to get (your) children out into nature.

I particularly like the idea of a family "green hour" (number 7 on the list) together.

Westfall Wildlife Habitat

I've thought about making our backyard a Certified Wildlife Habitat. Turns out you can actually do this with the National Wildlife Federation.

All we need in our backyard is basics for animals food, water, cover and places to raise their young. We have 3 of the 4 right now... only need a water source and they list a birdbath as one possibility.

You even get a sign to place on the property.

New Music Site

MySpace has been screwing around with the Artists Pages and I have not been a happy camper with them of late. So I started an account with PureVolume this week and hope you'll check out my music over there for the time being until I figure out what's going on with my MySpace account.

I just uploaded newer (fuller) versions of Frontiers, Campfire and Wild Heart as well as a new one called Harvest. Click here to listen and bookmark it and let others know about it as well! Also I'm interested in feedback so you can leave it here, there or via email.

I have self-produced demo CD's for $5 as well if you are interested in more music.

Let me know what you think.