Finally ... my son has made peace with his Hunley! 

Got your attention, didn't I?  I have written before about my middle son, Alec, and how he has these grand ideas for projects that he can't possibly do, for several reasons.  Mainly due to lack of abilities, money or space.  Potential projects in the past have included:  a tornado that could follow him around, his own private Concorde airplane, a space shuttle, the fictitious submarine Seaview - just to name the ones I can recall at the moment.  You could say he gets interested in a subject and becomes obsessed.  His most recent obsession (o.k., call it passion) is the H. L. Hunley, the first submarine to successfully attack a ship during the Civil War.  It was a Confederate sub but I won't hold that against Alec.  Anyway, he has been going through his usual process for weeks, first reading about it through various publications, drawing picture after picture, then making mini replicas out of paper, cardboard, Legos, and various other building materials.  He pestered his parents to look up Hunley on the Internet for models available and other info (he's not allowed on here alone).  Then, for his big finale, he was determined to build a life-size 40-foot Hunley.  

He measured out 40 feet with tape measures, from one end of the house to the other (it's a good thing you have a straight shot from our living room, through the kitchen and into the office!)   He wanted me to go to the hardware store and find metal that he could weld together to make the hull.  Then he had the idea of using an empty train car used for hauling oil, since he found out it was the right size.  He was determined to make a Hunley replica and launch it out on the beach.  Poor Alec.  I try so hard to be honest with my kids, no matter how hard it is.  I hate to see them disappointed and I don't want to squelch their dreams.  But, this just could not be done.  Alec just couldn't accept it.  He has a bit of a spoiled brat in him that makes me nuts but I am working hard to break that awful attitude.  I try to let him down gently.  I give all the reasons why he can't build it - no money for parts, no skills for welding ("But, Mom, I can hammer a nail!"), no room to build such a thing and the county won't let him launch a vehicle like that anyway.  Fortunately, my husband balances us out by telling Alec, "No way!"  Alec stomps off to his room.

Plan B:  Alec asks if he can make a Hunley out of cardboard and wood.  I briefly consider this.  Except that he wants to make a life-size one to launch in the water.  We finally convince him that this is a doomed project.  So he asks about refrigerator boxes - could he build a smaller one for him to play in.  Dad still rejects this idea (no space).  Ah ... finally, a ray of sunshine.  Dad buys us a printer/copier (something I have wanted for years) and the box is BIG.  Alec asks if he can use it to make a play Hunley.  The answer is "Yes"!!!  He spends the day outfitting his "Hunley" with all the necessary equipment.  He spends lots of time getting in and out of his replica, even allowed his sister to play in it.  I take video.  We praise him for the work he put into it and smile at the joy radiating from his happy face!  He is finally satisfied - and we will all have some peace at last!