ManyIrons

According to the catalog, the fieldbook won't be available until February. Haven't decided if I'm going to purchase it yet or which version if I do.

Eamonn & dsteele, yes you both have "spun" this thread back off track. You two really should "mend" your ways. I really thought I was done with this, but as it turns out I just couldn't "linen" things alone. (Insert audible groan here). JimmyD: Would your Dad still be enjoying this?

NJ, I agree with you on the confusion angle. That's where I was heading with the "How do your children address you" question posed to the parents who are on a first-name basis with Scouts. I understand that some Scouters want to accord the boys the privilege of addressing them by their first names, but then I wondered how well that could work if you're the parent of boys in the troop. In other words, if I let little 12 yr old Johnny (not related to me) call me Fred, do I allow my 15 yr old son do it as well? If not, why? Andrewcanoe, I hope you didn't think my that question was aimed specifically aimed at you. You answered it the way I expected any parent would -- but that's due to my frame of reference. I've been surprised by some of the posts here so I thought I'd toss the question on the table to see what the responses were. Adrianvs: Just curious, are you a parent of a boy in your troop?

Dave: don't go bob-bob-bobbin' along at a pace any faster than a walk, because as you know, we don't run with scissors mister. Eamonn: Nope, I'm throwing in the "towel".

Well done gents, but I think I'm done -- can't "hem" and haw any longer, it "seams" I'm out of "material"

Dave, are you "needling" Eamonn? I thought you'd be more likely to "patch" things up JimmyD: my father would absolutely revel in this type of discussion (I suppose the fruit hasn't fallen far from the tree). Puns like these at our house are known as "Grandpa Jokes" -- usually accompanied by a rolling of the eyes.

Eamonn, glad to see you responded, I was concerned you might think I was just "Needling" you. Of course I would never do that -- I don't think you'd "cotton" to that kind of behavior. Yes we have spun a good yarn, but anyone new to the thread might wonder what's "afoot".

One could even say it was "sew" easy! Darn it! I wish I had thought of that one!

Here's an interesting tidbit, sometime ago the boys in our troop began addressing their parents using Mr. or Mrs. Not sure how or why it started, but it sure does save a half-dozen men from turning around everytime a Scout yells "Hey Dad!" A.C.: I think you've started a great thread. I don't see this as an "argument", you asked folks for their feelings on the subject and they've contributed. This is very interesting and the responses are derived from personal preferences and experiences. There are no right or wrong opinions here. Now to piggy-back on your question (and keep the philosophical aspect going) to those of you who are parents, and are on a first-name basis with the Scouts in your troop: How do your children address you?

GO! I'll give you five reasons: 1. "I said that I would go if and when needed." 2. "I offer to drive those that need a ride." 3. "I am keen to drive these guys as it will be a chance to play with my new SUV." 4. "I dearly want this crew to get off the ground." 5. Everything everyone else has already said. Rack 'em and stack 'em in any order you like, but go. If you still feel squeamish about stepping on the advisor's toes then talk to him -- just a friendly chat to let him know you're volunteering to drive the crew and let him know you're also available anytime he needs you. Go and enjoy yourself -- nurse that mug of hot chocolate; read a book (I recommend the Lord of the Rings, but follow your own tastes); bring a sewing kit and 13 venturing socks and see what comes of it Bonus reason: "I went out and bought this new high wicking underware." C'mon how often do you really have a reason to use it?! Have a great trip!

Eamonn I agree, it would take way too long to make a jac-shirt out of all those socks

For me it's "Mr. (insert last name here)" -- no apologies, I just consider it proper manners. It's the way I was raised and the way we have raised our sons. If other leaders (in my troop or others) want to let the Scouts call them by their first names I don't have a problem with it, but I'm not going to participate in it. Of course, it's never been a problem in our troop. The boys have always addressed the adults with Mr. or Mrs. and we usually address them by their first names. When I speak with them as a group I refer to them as "gentlemen" and I usually tack the word "sir" onto any response to them (or any other male -- ma'am to females -- probably the military in me). Once they're 18, I don't have a problem with first names. I consider it admirable if they ask permission first, but I won't make an issue of it. The admonishment to always use Mr./Mrs. is sound advice, you can't go wrong when you show respect. BTW: I was once referred to as "dude" by one of the boys once -- once. It only took a look over the top of my glasses and a repeat of the word in the form of a question ("dude?") to correct that.(This message has been edited by ManyIrons)

LauraT7, I'm glad I could help. Those links were some of the gems I found while researching knots for the Master Knotter program my council wants to present at our University of Scouting. The "whatknot" site has some other interesting stuff. If you haven't already done so, go to the main knot page (http://whatknot.tripod.com/knots/knot.htm) and browse around. For those of you who recall my thread on teaching knots and the Master Knotter program(http://www.scouter.com/forums/viewThread.asp?threadID=44448#id_44448), I've made many changes to the program and have forwarded them for review within my council. I'll post the details once I get their feedback.

Have you seen the new price for the Wool Jac-Shirt? It's jumped to $150+ -- about a 1/3 increase (depending on the size) over last year's price. I've seen comparable items at other retailers for roughly the same price, but I'm not going to be laying out that kind of dough anytime soon. Well, at least not on me -- there's Valentine's Day (only 38 days away fellas!) and Mrs. ManyIrons has a birthday in March.

Those are some great ideas folks -- I'll have to add them to my files. LauraT7, here's some links that you might find also useful Games: http://whatknot.tripod.com/knots/knotgame.htm & http://members.tripod.com/gtsurber/games-knots.htm A Challenge: http://whatknot.tripod.com/knots/knotpole.htm Training Aids: http://www.dfw.net/~jazzman/knotter/Hitch.htm & http://www.pyramid3.demon.co.uk/knot/kaid.html(This message has been edited by ManyIrons)

Good one wingnut -- hand "the clerk a buck and [ask] for 4 quarters" That's a sense of humor I can really appreciate. Thanks for posting the story.

At the time I'm posting this your Roundtable is already completed. Both of those "thoughts" were very touching. I plan on filing those away for future use. Hope all went well. Please accept my condolences. ManyIrons.

Dittoes to what matuawarrior said - I can't improve on that. While forgiveness isn't "in my lane" on this issue (that's between Dave and you) I can certainly take someone at their word. I therefore offer my hand in fellowship and say "Welcome to the campfire". Now, who has the marshmallows?!

Twocubdad, here's a link to a Cub Scout ceremony: www.praypub.org/scripts_cubsc.htm. The site uses frames and the link will take you to a specific page on the site. To view the site properly just go to http://www.praypub.org and click on the button for "Recognitions/Emblems". Note they also have Boy Scout and Girl Scout presentations.(This message has been edited by ManyIrons)

Cary's quite right, ya never know who's lurking. P.S. That was my first Winter Banquet . . . and it was a good time.

"There are times when I have intense pressure and a crisis of epic proportions but I just grab the sports section and head up stairs & after awhile it goes away." Kudos again to evmori. I've had a tough morning and that was the first time I laughed today -- I needed that. Fortunately for me, I wasn't drinking anything at the time I read your post.

FOG, while I was lamenting about the prices of all the gaming figures I've seen (all different companies), what you say is true. My son's interest in table-top wargming is specific to the Lord of the Rings version where you have choices such as Gandalf the Grey, Gandalf fighting the Balrog, Gandalf the White, Gandalf on Shadowfax and maybe some others I don't know about. Can't say I blame the company -- if they didn't make them someone would be clamoring for them. For the time being my son is content with using a few figures that came with the game plus other figures we raided out of an old "Battle Masters" game. Yeah they're not quite right, but they're good enough for now. Also, both my boys are fascinated with the scenery and buildings used with the game. Although that stuff can be purchased they're more interested in making their own. We've got lots of styrofoam and model railroading stuff. Hey! All the money I save on that stuff could be put toward . . . . (groan).

I'm kind of with FOG on this one -- I had some hobbies, but after the kids came along there were too many little hands getting into everything, so things just got packed away. I'm rediscovering some of them now that my boys are teenagers. Oh they still get into it, but they're much less destructive now In the past I enjoyed (as a teen): Plastic model building - I had dozens of them, but they've long since met their fate in a Long Island landfill. Dungeons & Dragons - short-lived; gave it up because it took forever to play anything. The computer versions are fun, but the time factor hasn't improved enough. Lead Miniatures - sprang from my exposure to the D&D game. My one son just developed an interest in table-top wargaming -- which I don't mind, but them little figures sure got expensive over the last 20+ years. Model Railroading - This grew from building models and from detailing lead miniatures. I've still got all my stuff packed in boxes in the garage. Someday . . . Nowadays my interests are mostly Scout related: Woodworking - minor stuff; I don't have the equipment or space to be too ambitious. Woodcarving - presently just neckerchiefs slides, but I'm working up to hiking staves. Leatherwork - I've only done very simple Scout-craft type projects, but leather tooling facinates me. Birding - limited to trying to answer questions like - "What the heck kind of bird was that?" Computers - mostly web design and some graphics. Plus there's also the stuff I do for Mrs. ManyIrons. Most of that arises when we're in a store and she shows me some type of craft item she'd like to buy, to which I respond with "heck, I could make that". The only problem is she can find stuff way faster than I can make it. My current list of projects: Painting a plaster Christmas village - I've used the shading and highlighting techniques I learned from painting lead miniatures and the results have been very pleasing. The problem is I've really got to be in the mood to do the painting and Mrs. MI now has 18 buildings in her village -- don't even ask how many of them have any paint on them. Teaching her to paint ceramic figures -- hey, I'm gonna get that village painted one way or another. Making various Penguin-themed holiday decorations - Yes it started with a booklet on how to make them and the statement "hey, I can do that!" If I start now they could be finished by next December. Building a doll house - we haven't had a groundbreaking yet, don't even have blueprints, but it's coming -- it's coming. and then there's all that landscaping left to do . . .

Yes, Wingnut, but he meant the one before Wings (Evil grin also).

Happy New Year -- Fire in the hole!!!! WOW! Where the heck did that come from? Commandopro, I don't know what your intentions were with this thread, but it sure comes off sounding like a broadside attack. Adrianvs put it very well, but regardless of the validity of your question it would have been better off in a private message. Instead it appears to be a cheap shot to embarass someone publicly. WOW (again)!