There is only one kite showing in this painting, and for a good reason. It's an old kite, and I happen to like old kites. This is the kind your grandfather flew.

I'm a grandfather, and my granddaughter is flying a big, exotic, $35 Chinese kite way back there out of this painting someplace. That's the other part of the reason. We grandfathers like to amaze kids with our frugality and teach them to forget those high-priced, beautiful, gorgeous, expensive kites. With a ball of string, two or three sticks, a rag tail and yesterday's newspaper, you can have a real high flyer. Just add a half-hour's work, and you and your grandfather can be off sailing in the soft summer breeze.

If you don't have a kite-loving grandfather, I will be glad to send you my simple plans.

- Thornton Utz