What to do when things are still on lockdown and the weather is nice? Build a potato launcher!

Molly took a turn in the hammock while the assembly took place.

When Jim took the launcher to the porch to test it, in a matter of seconds the neighborhood boys were swarming.

My parents came for fun-due dinner that night,

with after-dinner entertainment on the front porch.

So as not to alarm passersby, we would obscure the launcher and “act natural” until they passed. We found that a taped up whiffle ball shot even further than the potatoes, and had the added benefit of repeat use and no mess. The boys took aim for the field across the street

while one person stood ready to catch the projectile.

It is quite a process to ramrod the ball into the cannon.

Here’s a video after the test launch. We were all excited that it worked so well.

Ruth pulled the trigger once, with Jim holding the cannon to keep it steady.

This was the best picture of the night, however. The timing of my finger hitting the red button on the phone happened to be perfect. No editing of the pic required. Check out not only the flame coming out of the cannon, but inside as well!