The Time Dad Almost Started the Neighbor's House on Fire

My dad has always had a inquisitive sort of brain. 

One time I called him at his office. He answered the phone, chucking and sputtering a bit, "You know those packing peanuts? Never put them in your mouth." He discovered they were no longer made out of styrofoam but of a dissolvable starch, clearly not intended for human consumption. (I didn't ask why he put it in his mouth in the first place.)

en.wikipedia.org

Back in the 70s when we lived in Levelgreen, a neighborhood outside of Pittsburgh, Dad decided to make a mini hot-air balloon (not really sure why, now that I think of it). Using a small basket with candle, he attached the dry-cleaner's bag to the basket to catch the hot air. 

He had overlooked one key detail, we would soon realize. 

We went outside at dusk. Dad lit the candle and launched our homemade hot air balloon into the air. Up it went, well above the house, until it was swept by a current of air up the street. Looking a bit nervous, Dad ran after it and I followed. We watched helplessly as it sailed over the top of a neighbor's house. Tipped by the wind, the plastic bag became a burning mass plunging straight for the roof of the house. 

http://www.dailyadvertiser.com.au

A few neighbors had spotted the fire in the sky and came out to the street to see what was happening. Luckily, the flames were extinguished before impact and our fears of burning down the neighbor's house were alleviated. 

We returned home, a bit embarrassed, a bit excited, and wondered why we hadn't thought of kite string. Next time.

Dad, I love your intelligent, inquisitive mind and sense of humor. You have helped form me into the person I am. (The same person who told jokes about weasel poo in Vietnam.) 

Jill Kester