Cover Story Planet Northwest Plant Life Northwest Living Taste
 Jess Little, 10, joins generations of children who have built
and then whirled a 'bull roarer,' a stick on a string that
sounds like a bee, a sports car, a growling animal - or
something else only you might imagine.  GOT TOY STRESS? Try this
antidote: 1. Delete toy-store panic from your mind. 2. Avoid
annoying electronic holiday ditties. 3. Let go of guilt based on
a) indulging the kids with too many toys, thus imparting
materialism, or b) not providing the right playthings to ensure
the tykes will have joyous, creative childhoods and develop into
productive, well-adjusted adults. 4. Now go find a tongue
depressor, a knife and 5 feet of string. (Or any flat stick will
do.) Whittle two small notches on opposite edges of the stick,
about a pinkie's width from one end. Loop the string around the
stick at the notches. Even up the ends, as if tying your
sneakers. Tie a double knot, tight, halfway between the notches.
5. Hold both ends of the string