DIY Life

Back in the 1964 Winter Olympics, my uncle won the only gold medal for the US team. Even though it took place before I was born, it's still something the family is so proud of. We're a family that gets pretty excited about the Olympics... because we know that it's a dream that can really come true.

You can get your family geared up for the Olympics with some of these simple crafts:

• Use some red, yellow, and orange tissue paper to create an Olympic torch. If you have kids, this is a great time to teach them about the history of the torch relay.
  
• Have a family gathering during the Olympics. Set up some fun games such as relays, swimming, soccer, basketball and so forth. Then hand out home-made gold, silver, and bronze-painted medals to the winners.

Have you ever been rejected at a press conference where they reserve seats for the real news? Obviously they don't want some guy who is going to cut together the interview to best poke fun at them, then put it on his blog to get passed around to far more people than the real news guys will ever reach. So maybe they're being prudent.

Whatever your motivation, if you're looking to pass as a legitimate reporter, this microphone flag (along with a shower, change of clothes and less cursing) will be your ticket in the door. The video shows you how to put together a quality prop that will fit right in against the real ones. Impersonate an existing network (though I sure don't advise it), or make up your own, either way, when you're holding your microphone up with the others you'll blend in seamlessly.

It seems like the video instructions make this all more work than it needs to be, but their final product sure does look like the real thing. Michael Una uses a simpler spin, making the mic flag from a metal box he had on hand. His results look pretty convincing to me, but I wouldn't suggest going as cheap as one commenter suggested and using cardboard and markers. When you get tossed out from backstage at Fashion File, don't blame me!

Are you one of the millions of Americans celebrating Veteran's Day today by flying the flag? There's more to properly displaying Old Glory than just running it up the flagpole, so here's a refresher course on what you need to know.

• Learn the proper way to fold the flag. Once you take it off the pole, you can't just wad it up and stuff it in the closet. Grab another person and take a minute to fold into in the familiar triangular shape you've probably seen over the years. If there's no one else around to help you, lay the flag on a clean flat surface (not the floor), and fold.

• Contrary to popular belief, it's not necessary to destroy a flag that has touched the ground. It's possible to wash or dry-clean a flag that is dirty or soiled.
  

• Though many people prefer not to fly the flag during inclement weather, many flags are made of all-weather material these days. They're meant to be used during rain, sleet, snow. Just remember to take your flag indoors during high winds so it doesn't become tattered.
  

• A damaged flag must be disposed of properly but burning it isn't always practical. Simply take it to your local VFW post or American Legion hall and they'll make sure your flag is disposed of properly.

• Flying your flag at night? The Flag Code specifies that it should be "properly illuminated" but doesn't offer specifics. A strong porch light or a spotlight on the ground underneath should suffice.
  

• If you're displaying more than one flag, make sure the American flag is always higher than any other.

• Teach your kids about the American flag with any of the great resources from these sites. Feeling creative? Make your own flag.
  

Americana: the soul of our nation.

Ever notice how spirited, charming, and just plain cute Main Street, U.S.A., can be? If not, while you're out this month vacationing and visiting those little home towns ... try to get back your patriotic spirit and take notice of all the flags flown (it happens to be what makes those towns so cute in the first place). Once home, if you don't already; you'll want to fly your own.

First though, you'll need to know the rules. Believe it or not, there are actually 13 rules covering everything from schools, caskets and parades, to how to properly hang it with other flags.

Lucky for us; the most important one is also the simplest:

• Display the flag only from sunrise to sunset on all days the weather permits. However, the flag may be displayed at night if properly illuminated with a spotlight.