Saranggola

Kites

Gliding through the winds, tethered, yet free in sprits, the kite, in gray skies. - Anonymous

Raise your hand if you've ever had a day where you just felt bored.

Raise your hand if you have sticks, paper, tape, and string.

(I see raised hands.)

Then, you're ready to be engaged with this easy-to-build, simple-to-fly diamond kite. We called it saranggola. Technically a four-craft supply project (five, if you counted a smile).

Here's how we did it, way back when we were kids.

Create a diamond outline on your paper. Lay skewers on top. Put tape over the entire length of the skewers. Add small pieces of tape on the intersection and ends  to secure.

Punch a small hole through on each side of the vertical bar, just below the horizontal one. Thread through and tie off on the front side. Add tape over the holes to prevent the thread from shifting.

And don’t ignore the small things. Attach thin slivers or pieces of paper for a tail. 

Now to fly.

You won't need a lot of wind.

If you can see leaves and small twigs moving about in the trees, that’s about right. If you drop some dry leaves or dirt and can’t run or jog to keep up with it as it blows downwind, it’s too strong. Wait for lighter wind.

Sometimes it may take practice to learn to fly a kite. Just remember to reel it in a bit if it looks like it's falling, and let out more string if it starts to tug hard. 

So, what are you waiting for?

Go make a kite.

Harness the breeze.

Your feet on the ground.

Your spirit untethered.