And God said; Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

It may annoy you even to have me call to your attention the foregoing Biblical quotations. You may feel inclined to say to yourself, "Who does this fellow think he is? He certainly has his nerve to direct my attention to something I have been aware of most of my lifetime. I know what’s in the first chapter of the Bible, perhaps even better than he does."

If this is your attitude, I would respond,” What have these two quotations done to you and for you? Have they changed the course of your life? Have they given you a sense of dominion over your business, domestic and social affairs? Have they made you feel you are a far greater marvel than any of the wonders on earth? Have they filled you with a daily glow, a gladness to be alive despite all the turmoil going on about you? Have they freed you from fear, worry and handicapping habits?" My contemplation of these verses has done all these things and much more for me.

Maybe it will help if you try to remember who is approaching you with this proposition. I am only a layman, a retired life insurance agent. I am the person who had to leave grammar school while in the fifth grade to start life as a fruit peddler. Currently I belong to no church, society or organization of any kind. I am neither a psychologist nor a psychiatrist. I have no medals and no degrees. I am not trying to promote anything. As a matter of fact, I am just a horse-and-buggy sort of person who has had an amazing experience with this proposition.

Like you, I have never seen God, nor have I heard His voice. Therefore, I can only go by what I think about these verses from the first chapter of Genesis. There you have the key to the fortune I have to share with you because my thinking about these two statements has turned hell into heaven for me right here on earth. It was my thinking about man in the likeness of God which saved me from committing suicide and enabled me to take a firm hold on the basic proposition of How can I be more? Instead of how can I have more? That is, I decided to be more, in the image of God, rather than to have more, in the likeness of the counterfeit.

The daily application of this principle turned business failure into success for me. It gave me the confidence to face with calmness large lecture audiences without having a lesson in public speaking and to get five philosophic books out of my system with less than a fifth-grade education. My continuing belief in this principle enables me to feel like a youngster at the age of seventy. I concede that I may know little about the theological concept of God and man in His image and likeness. However, what I personally think about this greatest of all propositions gives me dominion over my current earthly affairs.

For the sake of making things easy for you, I wish I could say that the rather fantastic results I have experienced were brought about while I was reading a newspaper, listening to the radio, watching a TV show, gazing at a moving picture, chasing after business, sipping cocktails at some social function, thinking and talking about world conditions, or playing at some game. The fact is, however, that the change in my life and the results I have referred to did not come about in this way at all. At a time of great trouble, I ran smack into the two verses I have quoted from the Bible. This is what changed my life. I did not merely read these verses and go about my customary routine, waiting for things to happen. I applied this principle to everything I did and thought. I would still be aimlessly floundering about had I continued to devote all my time, energy and thought to the material routine I had been following for years.

I know what it is to experience most of the normal reactions to routine living, to blow hot and cold on things—being up one day and down the next. I know what it is to be the life of a party, to lead a barbershop quartet in boisterous song, with a few nice-tasting drinks oiling up the vocal chords.  I was really very good at this. I know what it is to play poker, bridge, gin rummy, golf, and handball and sun myself at the beach. All of these things I have enjoyed as much as the next fellow.

I have experienced the glow of putting over big business deals and receiving royalty checks. The thrills of seeing write-ups in leading newspapers and hearing the applause of lecture audiences ringing in my ears have been mine.

Though I have had my full share of excitement from the material side of life, I can say honestly that the most solid enjoyment ever to be mine has come about through my daily contemplation of God and man in His likeness. I openly acknowledge that I love God with all my heart, with all my soul and with all my mind. This is not a deathbed confession to atone for a sinful life. It does not come at a time when I am old and worn out but rather when I am in the full bloom of my earthly career.

The Bible declares that "God is love." A state of being based on love, with its many meanings— affection, friendship, enthusiasm, fellow-feeling, sympathy, tenderness, liberality, charity and good will—became the kingdom of God to me. With this controlling idea in my mind, it was easy for me to experience the unspeakable joy of having such a kingdom within me right here on earth. How? Simply by letting such thoughts and emotions dwell in my consciousness and govern my daily actions.

I boldly declare that any person who has within him the universally available kingdom of God I have within me can wipe out of his existence all the handicapping thoughts to which the human mind is subject. As one man’s proof of this, please let me show you the amazing change which has taken place within me:

I was secretly-                                               I became-

weak                                                                strong

sick                                                                  healthy

weary                                                               refreshed

gloomy;                                                            cheerful

afraid                                                                courageous

bored                                                               vivacious

foolish                                                              sensible

lazy                                                                  energetic

jittery                                                                poised

envious                                                 rejoiceful

trapped                                                                        free

A failure                                                           a success

This new birth came about through my concept of man in the likeness of God. Atomic energy looms as a most powerful earthly force, but the spirit of God dwelling within one individual can blast out of his existence the counterfeit of God which has billions of victims all over the world.

Many people are patiently awaiting the return of Jesus in physical form. They seem to feel that with His presence a great many of our troubles would end. They did not end when He was here before, and all He got in return for His great mission was derision, ridicule, persecution, and finally He was nailed to the Cross. However, let us assume that Jesus does very suddenly make another earthly appearance. Just what effect do you think His appearance would have on the lives of people generally? Of course, if He began healing the sick, giving sight to the blind, causing the dumb to speak and the lame to walk, as He did before, great throngs would follow Him wherever He went. However, would the lives of men and women be made better if people only stood by and watched the Master perform again some of the miracles referred to in the Scriptures?

Would people generally begin to love God with all their hearts and love their neighbor as themselves just because Jesus was back on earth? When He began to preach, what if He again used the Sermon on the Mount? Would His listeners immediately begin to follow that perfect design for living? Ask those questions of yourself. If your answers are negative, then you would not be benefited at all by the reappearance of the Savior. The performance of His miracles before your very eyes would have no more effect on you than reading about them in the Bible.

When a child is kidnapped, a ransom is invariably demanded before the captive is released. Millions of men, women and children have been kidnapped and are being held as prisoners. Their prison bars are made up of stubbornness, self-will, sophistication, arrogance, pride, hate, envy, jealousy, revenge, fear, worry, discontent, un-happiness and a smoldering sense of injustice.

Living as Jesus lived to the best of our ability is the ransom God accepts for our release from this bondage. However, sitting complacently by, waiting for the physical return of Jesus, will never gain our release. If we accept the Sermon on the Mount as our pattern, adhering closely to it all through life, the Savior will be brought nearer and nearer; soon His return will be actual to us, for we shall feel His presence within us and around us all through our days.

Is this a difficult proposition? Jesus said that His yoke was easy, and it is. Love surpasses hate as a means of getting along in life. Courage is far superior to fear. Purity is above sensuality. Meekness is much better than pride. Being merciful makes it possible to obtain mercy. Being a peacemaker makes life much easier than being a troublemaker. Right living produces far better results than wrong living. The proposition is that simple. The trouble is that we do too much praying and not enough acting like Christ. He has made everything simple and clear, and if we will but follow the plan he mapped out for us, our blessings will be many.

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." Anyone who wants to can prove the truth of that statement. As far as I am concerned, the kingdom of God can be within us right in the midst of our earthly affairs, if we want it.

For instance, I know I am alive and have an awareness of things. I know my name, where I live and the amount of money that is in the bank to my credit. I know my family, relatives, friends and acquaintances. I know how to read the newspapers, watch TV, listen to the radio and go to the movies. All of this and much more is a part of my daily existence—something I am constantly aware of. At the same time, I am conscious of the existence of the kingdom of God right here on earth. As far as I am concerned, this state is just as real as my earthly existence. To me, love, courage, faith, hope, peace, unselfishness, justice, friendliness, purity and many other such qualities constitute the kingdom of God. I believe there is nothing at all mysterious about this kingdom dwelling within us here on earth. All we need do is open up our minds and let such a state exist within our consciousness.

]]> http://www.warriordad.com/2006/10/florida-family-fun-beaches/feed/ 0 http://www.warriordad.com/2006/10/san-diego-family-fun/ http://www.warriordad.com/2006/10/san-diego-family-fun/#comments Fri, 06 Oct 2006 02:07:45 +0000 Steven Patrick http://www.warriordad.com/san-diego-family-fun.php San Diego is famous for its history and nightlife, but there’s plenty to keep the kids happy too. From zoos and theme parks to endless beaches and year-round sunshine, you’ll find enough San Diego family fun to please everyone at vacation time.

All children love animals, and San Diego has plenty to offer. The famous San Diego zoo is located within Balboa Park. Set aside a day to meet and learn about this huge variety of animals including pandas, the zoo’s star attractions. If your family is uncomfortable visiting a traditional zoo setting, the San Diego Animal Park, located just north of the city, is a great alternative.

There’s much more to Balboa Park than just the San Diego Zoo. It’s filled with places for kids to explore and fun things to do. Home to over a dozen museums, like the Fleet Science Centre, the Natural History Museum and the Children’s Museum, your family can easily spend an entire day at Balboa Park.

Sea World is another hit for kids of all ages. Home to Shamu the killer whale and several other marine animals and exhibits, Sea World offers families a glimpse of marine life they’ve never seen before.

Whale watching is a popular spectacle for those visiting San Diego in winter months. Watch the whales from the coastline, or book a cruise. The gray whales are truly a sight to behold, and chances are, you’ll have more fun watching your kids as they watch the whales.

Kids love to build, imagine, create and just have fun. Legoland California lets them have a blast, and lets you act like a kid again. Located just north of San Diego, the majority of the park is built from Lego blocks. With exciting rides, a water park and loads of fun activities, mark Legoland on your calendar for a day of San Diego family fun.

San Diego family fun is all about hitting the beach. This coastal town has gorgeous beaches, perfect for picnicking, building sandcastles, tossing a Frisbee and just relaxing. The waters are world famous, so be sure to take a dip or rent a few boogie boards for some real family fun in the surf.

Older kids can be hard to please, but San Diego offers activities for teens as well. There are great spots for roller skating and roller blading along Mission Bay, plus countless parks and playgrounds for an afternoon of kite flying.

Thrill seekers love San Diego for its’ amusement parks. Belmont Park is a local favorite, with great rides like the Giant Dipper and the Plunge to thrill kids of all ages.

If the city of San Diego has made your list of family vacation options, start planning your vacation. Kids and parents alike will have a blast at the zoos, parks, museums and beaches. Hop on the trolley and you’ll find San Diego family fun waiting for you at every stop.



By: David Wilson

About the Author:

]]> http://www.warriordad.com/2006/10/san-diego-family-fun/feed/ 0 http://www.warriordad.com/2006/09/the-family-walk-2/ http://www.warriordad.com/2006/09/the-family-walk-2/#comments Sun, 24 Sep 2006 14:58:54 +0000 Steven Patrick http://www.warriordad.com/general/the-family-walk-2.html Do you feel stressed out after a long day at the office? Do you feel like you never have enough time to be with the family?

Well consider the Family walk!

In my life this has worked wonders; I have to admit it gets a little distracting as a whole family. But if you are like me and have 2 kids and one is a teenager, this is a perfect way to get them talking to you.

We have a dog, so what I will do is tell my teenage daughter to come with me and walk the dog. I find that after awhile that my daughter will just start talking about things. And if there is one thing I have learned is to just listen. Sometimes as the leader of the family we may tend to want to solve problems or give advice right away, but trust me on this just listen you will get your opportunity to talk and inject that great Dad wisdom!

I think as men it is our nature to want to just solve the problem and move on, but this is where you must use your Warrior tools and show love, so just listen.

I think you will be amazed at how well this works to keep the line of communication open to your children.

Now a walk with the whole family works well to, it is just that the conversation may get more distracted, so this is time that you use to listen and communicate with your wife!

It works this way because the kids usually run off ahead and do what kids do, so now you and your spouse are left trailing in the walk and it gives you time to walk and talk together. And guess what hold her hand!

I am telling you this works and it is so simple, I mean after the walk when you all get back to the house you can all go back to the rooms that you all go to find solitude, but get out with your family.

Also this is a free and healthy activity that you are sharing with your family.

Try it and tell me the results!

]]> http://www.warriordad.com/2006/09/family-fun-gifts/feed/ 0 http://www.warriordad.com/2006/08/implement-cycling-in-your-family-fun-time/ http://www.warriordad.com/2006/08/implement-cycling-in-your-family-fun-time/#comments Tue, 15 Aug 2006 03:31:05 +0000 Steven Patrick http://www.warriordad.com/implement-cycling-in-your-family-fun-time.php Surely there is a better solution to modern problems than sacrificing one’s family life. When you have two parents that both work and children busy with school and extracurricular activities, there is a tendency to take things for granted. In our busy society, family fun time is not prioritized ahead of the rest of family life which can lead to parents missing out on precious moments and milestones with their children. When it comes to planning and implementing family time, it is best to play by your instincts. Just knowing that Mom and Dad are making a point to spend time with the kids can often be all the assurance children need to feel part of a cohesive family unit.

Parents can involve themselves in the development and growth of their children by adding family fun time during the weekends when the ‘busies’ are a little more scarce than they are during the busy work week. Physical activity can be one of the most fun activities as it causes instant bonding. Physical activity is good for both children and adults, and if children can get active at an early age, they will be much less prone to problems such as obesity.

Cycling is a wonderful way to get the family involved in a group activity and every member of the family can participate regardless of their age. For children that are too young to ride a bike, get a seat or carrier installed on your own bike to give your child that connection and bond during family fun time, even if they are not physically able to do the activity. As children grow, use tricycles and then training wheels and then ultimately a two wheeler bike for the big kids to ensure everyone can participate in family fun time. Being a spectator to a child learning to ride the bicycle is such a fantastic experience that it can make a poet of you, and if the entire family can participate in this event, then that child will not only pick up a new skill, but some wonderful boosts on self-esteem and confidence as well.

Whenever you and your family have the opportunity to spend time outside for your family fun times, you can and you should. Consider cycling. It is great and is something the whole family can enjoy. Even the babies and young children will be rewarded from this activity by being positively influenced by their parents on the merits of regular physical activity and regular time spent with the family. And bicycle excursions need not take place only when you are at home. Install a bike rack on your vehicle so that even when you are on vacation you can enjoy this wonderful activity together as a family.

As children become adults, they will look back on these times and memories with fondness and the memories of cycling with the family will influence them positively in their lives. There could be few other things as rewarding for a parent as giving a child a great childhood and a great adult life.



By: Ajeet Khurana

About the Author:

]]> http://www.warriordad.com/2006/08/implement-cycling-in-your-family-fun-time/feed/ 0 http://www.warriordad.com/2006/08/newport-beach-family-fun-vacation-ideas/ http://www.warriordad.com/2006/08/newport-beach-family-fun-vacation-ideas/#comments Mon, 14 Aug 2006 05:35:07 +0000 Steven Patrick http://www.warriordad.com/newport-beach-family-fun-vacation-ideas.php No matter what type of family getaway you have in mind,

you’ll always find something for everyone throughout

Newport Beach. From young to old and everyone in

between, Newport Beach easily combines the best of family fun with activities to keep everyone entertained for hours and hours.

One of the most popular family activities in Newport

Beach is going to the beach. During the summer months,

the beach is a very popular resort. Its a getaway spot for the entire family. You and your wife or your friends can enjoy swimming, boat riding, or even hitting the waves on a jet ski. With temperatures in the summer hitting 75 degrees and above, nothing breaks the heat better than the beach.

For the kids, the beach holds many different activities. They can build sand castles in the sand, play around in the water, or simply bask in the glorious sun. If they get tired of playing in the sand, you can simply go back to your hotel room and enjoy the fun of the safe yet confined swimming pool.

Another popular activity in Newport Beach for the family is the Balboa Fun Zone. There is something here for everyone, with the Fun Zone keeping kids entertained the entire time they are there! If you’ve never experienced the Fun Zone before, you’ll be in for the treat of a lifetime!

The Balboa Fun Zone is comprised of many different areas, including restaurants and beaches. There is so much to do here that you’ll probably have to come back over the course of several days to see everything that the Fun Zone has to offer.

Another activity that yields a lot of fun in Newport Beach is rollerblading. You can rent rollerblades from many different providers, from kids sizes to adults. There are also many places to use your rollerblades, including the sidewalks along the beach. If you like rollerblading, Newport Beach helps to set a new standard of fun.

When it comes to the kids enjoying themselves, nothing

will please them more than the Toy Boat. Located at 3331 East Coast Highway, the Toy Boat is the best place in Newport Beach to take the kids. There are hundreds of thousands of toys and activities here to keep your kids and probably yourselves entertained for hours.

After you have a day of family fun in Newport Beach or

the surrounding areas, you can stop and have a relaxing

meal at one of the fabulous restaurants. The food here is to die for, giving everyone in your family a chance to eat their favorite food.

With something for everyone, it’s hard to believe that

Newport Beach is actually an undiscovered vacation spot

for many. The area has so much to offer, that it’s just a matter of time before people start to discover

everything the area will provide them with. When the time comes for your getaway – make sure you give Newport Beach a try – you’ll be glad you did!



By: Phoenix Delray

About the Author:

]]> http://www.warriordad.com/2006/08/newport-beach-family-fun-vacation-ideas/feed/ 0 http://www.warriordad.com/2006/07/family-fun-and-recreation/ http://www.warriordad.com/2006/07/family-fun-and-recreation/#comments Mon, 31 Jul 2006 11:44:22 +0000 Steven Patrick http://www.warriordad.com/family-fun-and-recreation.php I am probably giving away my age here, but I can remember a time when our family all ate dinner at the same time, we didn’t have 300 + television programs to choose from each day, children did not spend their after-school hours playing video games, sitting in front of computer screens, or talking on cell phones. When I came home from school, weather permitting, I was expected to go outside to play. We would go to the playground, play ball, jump rope, ride bicycles, and play running games.

Kids today are frequently stressed out by many hours of homework and the pressure to take college level courses for advanced placement. I have heard of children getting by on only a few hours of sleep each night because of excessive homework and even skipping lunch in order to take on such a demanding curriculum. Frequently both parents are at work outside of the home, and there is no parent to see that the child engages in healthy outdoors activities during the after-school hours.

Today’s children are more likely to be found playing video games, surfing the web, watching television or the VCR than engaging in sports and healthy recreation. As a result, we have seen a rise in both children and adults in such lifestyle conditions as obesity, high blood pressure, and type 2 diabetes—disorders that are preventable and even treatable by attention to both diet and exercise. A recent survey showed an increase in prescriptions in young people for high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

In a message from former Surgeon General, C. Everett Koop, M.D., for the Shape up America program, Dr. Koop states: “A survey conducted by Shape Up America has revealed that child care responsibilities are interfering with the efforts of many families to get more exercise and at the same time we know many children are now overweight or obese. The solution is a commitment on the part of the entire family to spend more time together. I encourage you to choose activities you can do together and support and reward each other’s efforts to be more active at home, at school, at work, and in your communities. I urge you to replace the use of food as a reward for good behavior and offer to take a walk with your child instead. The pleasure of your company is the best reward your child can receive and the best gift you can give.”

This is excellent advice indeed. Start a family fun night and take turns choosing activities. The family can engage in both indoor and outdoor recreational activities depending on the time of year. Remember that not all activities have to be physical. Board games are always fun for the family to play and encourage thinking skills, strategy, eye/hand coordination, and most importantly family togetherness. Choose a variety of games that are appropriate for all ages and skill levels involved in order to keep the chosen activities interesting and fun for all . Remember that the “family that plays together stays together.”



By: Helene Zemel

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]]> http://www.warriordad.com/2006/07/family-fun-and-recreation/feed/ 0 http://www.warriordad.com/2006/07/holiday-travel-with-family-fun/ http://www.warriordad.com/2006/07/holiday-travel-with-family-fun/#comments Mon, 10 Jul 2006 18:26:48 +0000 Steven Patrick http://www.warriordad.com/holiday-travel-with-family-fun.php Family holidays can be fun and exciting for all ages. Here are some pointers for finding the best holiday for your family.

First you need to determine the common interests of the family. Ask your children what they would like to see and what they’re studying in school. If you have very young children then usually you will know better than them but try to get them involved. Think of you and your spouse as well; what may be great fun for the kids may be boring and annoying for the adults. Pick somewhere that all of you will enjoy or a destination that gives you the opportunity for quiet time. While kids tend to be unrealistic, you can usually accommodate their interest. For example, if they want to take an African safari you could visit the immense animal park in San Diego, California.

Theme parks are fun for the kids and offer entertainment for adults as well. Disneyworld in Orlando, Florida includes the Magic Kingdom, Epcot Center, Universal Studios and MGM Studios. There are luxury hotels located right inside the park and a monorail takes visitors to different parts of the park so there’s no need to drive. The park is not the only attraction; there are other nearby attractions including the Kennedy Space Center, Coco Beach and Sea World.

A trip through the historic east coast is another fun holiday that the kids and adults are sure to enjoy. The east coast has beautiful mountains and beaches and contains most of the United States’ history. Attractions are close to each other compared to the rest of the U.S. so a road trip is the best way to travel with the family to this part of the country. Historic sights include George Washington’s home in Virginia and the Arlington Cemetery. The Smithsonian Museums in Washington, D.C. are free and there is something to interest everyone. There is the Space and Aeronautics Museum that children really enjoy with life size replicas and actual aircraft showing the history of flight. Washington also contains the U.S. political buildings such as the White House and the Pentagon.

Southern California offers many sights and is especially warm and pleasant in the late fall and early spring when most of the country is cold. Los Angeles is the film industry capitol of the world. You can visit Universal Studios theme park and Disneyland. You may even be able to catch the taping of a television show. San Diego which is just about two hours south of Los Angeles is a beautiful mid size city and has many tourist options. The San Diego Zoo is world renowned and Sea World is a must see for wildlife enthusiast. If you have young children then be sure to visit Legoland which has rides and even replicas of famous sights made entirely out of Legos.

Family holidays can be fun for the entire family. It’s important to find a holiday that will interest the kids as well as the adults.



By: Jerry K. Blackburn

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]]> http://www.warriordad.com/2006/07/holiday-travel-with-family-fun/feed/ 0 http://www.warriordad.com/2006/07/around-the-fire/ http://www.warriordad.com/2006/07/around-the-fire/#comments Sun, 09 Jul 2006 19:58:29 +0000 Steven Patrick http://www.warriordad.com/general/around-the-fire.html

From books and moving pictures we all know that Indians had the ability to maintain smokeless fires, and that trappers could blot out the sites of their fires without leaving the slighest trace behind. But we’re not always able to imitate these models. We gaily follow the recipe: take some wood and light it. … But there’s far more to it than that.

FINDING THE RIGHT TYPE OF WOOD

Before you build a fire, you must first have a good supply of firewood on hand. It’s embarrassing to realize that there’s no more wood when your hot dog is only half done. For a smokeless fire you need completely dry, brittle wood. The dryest branches are those that have lost their bark and never feel cold; cold wood is damp and heavy, and it is useless to you unless you want to dry it out at a fire first. You can find dry brittle wood even after a rain. Look for branches under dense shrubbery (that’s a bit of old gypsy lore) or find the lowest dead branches of young pine trees, which are especially suitable for starting fires. Only a greenhorn would start a fire with wood that still has green leaves hanging on it. Such wood is usable only if you already have a strong fire. Thick, dead limbs of old oaks, dried roots and trunks make good heating material. In rainy weather, cut away the top layer of wet sticks; the center will be dry.

KINDLING A FIRE

This is almost like a game of skill. First, clean the site where you are going to lay your fire, and scrape the ground all around it so that you leave nothing that may be ignited by a flying spark. Then, start with paper, dried grass or reeds, dried leaves and twigs, birchbark or paper-thin shavings. Set up a little pyramid of the thinnest, driest twigs over this. Then, to get a strong flame, lay brittle softwood branches on top of the pile. Finally, to produce effective heat and a good glow, add pieces of root and thick hardwood sticks.

The hardwoods include oak, beech, poplar, birch and hickory. Hazel, spruce, pine and fir are all softwoods. The paper-thin outer layer of birchbark is ideal for kindling.

Set fire to the core of the pyramid only when it is finished. If kindling piles are skillfully built, it is possible to light them with a magnifying glass-if the sun is out brightly. As long ago as 278 B.C. the inventive Archimedes saved the Sicilian city of Syracuse with this principle. He erected a huge reflector on the city wall and set fire to the enemy fleet with it. Soon the fleet was swimming in bright flames on the sea. I wasn’t there myself, but I have often lighted a well-prepared, dry kindling pyramid with my pocket burning glass.

DIFFERENT TYPES OF FIRES

If you need a fire for cooking, add some heavy blocks of wood on top of the thicker branches as a final touch for a pile of strong, glowing heat. The best thing is a few short thick logs laid around the fire in the form of a star or the spokes of a wheel, so that only one end of each stick touches the flame. As the burning progresses, push the sticks further into the center and new glowing ashes will be formed.

Would you like to fry an egg in a primitive way? Use a flat, sun-heated stone from a dry stream bed as a hot plate, or you can even heat the stone in the fire. Remove the soft center from a slice of bread, so that you have a ring in the middle. Then lay this bread on the stone and break the egg into the ring. When the egg has cooked, you can eat it right off the stone.

You can slice or notch hot dogs at the ends and spear them on a green twig, then cook them over the fire or the glowing coals. Don’t ever hold meat directly in a flame, or you will char it.

Raw meat should be salted and wrapped up, first in butcher’s parchment paper and then in a few layers of damp newspaper or wrapping paper. Shove this package into the glowing coals, and continue to keep the fire going. In about an hour, a piece of beef that isn’t too thick will be done. The damp paper keeps the meat from burning.

Even today certain islanders cook their meat this way, except that they use green plant leaves instead of paper. In this case, the moisture of the leaves protects the meat from charring.

A “caterpillar fire” is good for a campfire, because it needs little or no attention. However, you should build this kind of fire only when the wind direction is steady and there is no danger of rain. Build the wood pile as pictured below, beginning the pile in the

direction of the wind. The supports underneath and at the sides should be green branches. The thickest support must always be under the middle of a log, and the thinnest under both logs. If there is a little wind, make the pile shorter by pushing the pieces further over each other.

In order to keep a fire overnight or for a longer period, cover it with a pile of ashes. This way it keeps glowing, and even after many hours you can rekindle it by blowing on it.

But only in the rarest cases should you ever leave a fire or glowing embers unwatched. On an empty sandy beach you might leave it untended for a short time, but always keep in mind that a strong rising wind can carry sparks from glowing coals. At best, you might escape with a few holes burned in your tent; at worst, you could start a forest fire.

For a fire that will dry wet clothing, you need a strong glowing mass of coals. Around it build a pyramid of sturdy, green, branchy tree limbs and hang your wet clothes on this. Turn the garments every few minutes. And stay there as long as there is still wood in the glowing mass. Glowing embers will spring into open flames in a rising wind.

COOKING SITES

In the fall, when there’s a tang in the air and the trees begin to shed their leaves, there’s nothing so satisfying as a pot of hot soup or tea cooked over an open fire, with the unavoidable taste of wood smoke and the usually unwanted addition of pine needles.

You can invent and construct your stove on the spot. The type you build depends upon the circumstances and the available materials. Four possibilities are shown on the next page.

But whatever kind of fire you use, there are some important precautions to take. Forest rangers and nature lovers do not like to see careless people building fires in the woods. And not without reason. Fires incompletely extinguished or sprays of sparks left unwatched have caused numerous, often devastating forest fires.

You must completely extinguish the fire afterwards. It certainly is not too much for you to get some water for this from a nearby brook. If you merely want to stamp the fire out, at least leave yourself enough time for the job-it’s really not so easy or fast. In addition, you are likely to burn your shoe soles doing this, although you may not notice it until later. Never scatter the fire in all directions so that the coals fly under leaves and are hidden from you somewhere. They keep on glowing!

BAKING BREAD

At home, before you set off for your camping grounds, you can make dough with a teaspoonful of baking powder, about six ounces of flour, a pinch of salt, and some water or milk. Knead the mixture into a tough dough and pack it in a clean handkerchief or a can when you are ready to go.

While your fire is building up the strong heat necessary for baking, cut two forked branches and a straight green hazel or birch stick. Set the branches at each end of the fire. Then make a long roll out of the dough, somewhat thicker than your thumb, and wrap it around the green stick in a spiral, keeping the individual turns at a little distance from each other. The dough will rise while it is baking, and the twists should not bake together. Lay the stick across the forked branches, and turn the spit frequently. The bread is done when you can insert a smooth bit of wood and pull it out dry.