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How to Fly a Kite
Posted by: | CommentsRemember your first kite flying experience as a kid? Running down the open field with the kite bouncing along behind you? Maybe it took off; maybe it just bounced … and maybe that memory is keeping you from flying a kite as an adult. There is a better way! 
To begin with, start off with a delta – a basic triangular kite, available in an assortment of sizes and colors. With the right wind, you can fly just about anything, but until you get your bearings, go easy on yourself and avoid anything more complicated than the basic delta.
A suitable kite can be found for around $25 and will need very little, if any set up. Then pick a wide open space, well away from other kite flyers and stand with your back to the wind. When you feel a gust of wind, release your kite and begin to slowly let out the line. If you have a companion, let him or her hold the kite about 100 feet downwind, letting go as the wind lifts the kite, while you keep the string taut and slowly let it spool out.
Now, if you’ll excuse me … it’s a beautiful day and I’m off to fly a kite!
Photo Credit: markus941 on flickr
Are Hobbies for Men and Crafts for Women?
Posted by: | CommentsWhat’s the difference between a craft and a hobby? According to Webster’s Dictionary, a craft is a special skill, art, or dexterity. A craftsperson is a worker in a skilled trade, an artisan or an artist. A hobby is something that one likes to do or study in one’s spare time; a favorite pastime or avocation.
The crossover is unmistakable, yet we find that the hobby industry is particularly geared toward men, while the craft industry focuses on women. My husband is a scale model builder, and is by industry definition, a hobbyist. I believe his work says otherwise … it requires a special skill, artistic creativity, and a high amount of dexterity. Don’t make the mistake of referring to model building as a craft, however. Somehow these terms have morphed into gender specific activities.
Now don’t get me wrong. I’m not pushing the idea that every woman needs to get into scale modeling or that every man pick up knitting, but I am questioning the artificial separation of the two industries. Generally speaking, craft stores are for women; hobby stores are for men. If this was working for the retailer, I’d say great! But many craft stores and hobby stores are struggling to survive. Likewise, especially in our current economy, hobby and craft manufacturers are feeling the pinch.
Craft and hobby manufacturers and retail store owners would do well to take note of the other half of the population, giving serious thought as to how to reach across gender lines in product lines and marketing efforts. Hobby store owners, do your product line, store layout, and marketing materials appeal to both men and women? In many households, moms are responsible for the lion’s share of purchasing decisions. In single parent families, moms make all the purchasing decisions, and many would be highly interested in hobbies that offer educational value for their children.
Craft store owners, do your product line, store layout, and marketing materials exclude men?
So, what do you think? Are hobbies for men and crafts for women? Should the craft and hobby industries remain distinct and separate? Why or why not?
Backyard Bird Watching: First Oriole of Spring
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We saw our first Baltimore Oriole this morning. He was unmistakable and beautiful – bright orange, black and white, a small bird – only about 7″ overall.
Our nectar feeder has been ready for nearly a month, and that was his first stop. In backyard bird watching, as in most hobbies, preparation pays off!
The Birds of Wisconsin Field Guide
Other helpful resources include The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Birds. We have both the western and eastern editions, and having lived in the western US, as well as the midwest – have put them both to good use. I find them a bit more difficult to navigate than the Wisconsin Field Guide, but they do cover more territory and would be invaluable for the traveling bird watcher.
Article continues below bird watching book recommendations.
Summer Bird Watching Adventures
We’ll be taking our field guides with us this summer when we camp in Wisconsin’s north woods. I’m hoping to spot my first Scarlet Tanager; the male is a bright scarlet red bird with jet black wings and tail, which I’ve learned prefers mature, unbroken woodlands, where it hunts for insects high in the tops of trees. I’m also hoping to find the secretive indigo bunting; the male being a vibrant blue and seen most often at woodland edges.
Please leave a comment and tell me what birds or other wildlife you’re hoping to see this summer.
Photo Credit: My first picture of a bird by carriecha on flickr
Backyard Bird Watching
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We’re newcomers to the hobby of birdwatching. Although we’ve always enjoyed a diversity of birds in our backyard, it wasn’t until this past winter that we became interested in the details surrounding our winged and colorful visitors.
Now, with spring in full swing in Wisconsin, we’re finding it fascinating to observe our backyard and neighborhood bird population. For instance, last week we learned that Cedar Waxwings do everything in flocks. They arrive en masse, filling out the still bare branches of one or more of our backyard trees. One or two braves ones will venture down to the bird bath, then five or seven more quickly follow. A quick drink, then they’re off to the same tree tops – a pattern repeated about every half-hour all day long.
Our first Brown Headed Cowbird arrived last week also – a fairly nondescript bird at a distance, but pretty up close. Their call is interesting – it’s almost a squeak.
Have you ever watched the bright red male Cardinal court his female? They’re nearly inseparable this time of year. He feeds her. We’ve witnessed adult Cedar Waxwings feeding one another as well.
The Red Winged Blackbirds returned from their winter migration shortly after the Robins. Did you know that the male Red Wings perch high, throw out their chests, lift their wings and warble for all their worth while they’re seeking a mate?
We’ve watched the male Goldfinches exchange their drab winter feathers for bright yellow summer plumage.
Our backyard is also frequented by a variety of Woodpeckers, Nuthatches, Blue Jays, Bluebirds, numerous House Finches, Sparrows and Doves. Each have distinct mannerisms and calls. It’s been fun learning to identify these few backyard birds by size, color, habits and call.
Do you have a favorite winged backyard visitor? What is it and why?
