There are days when I think of the blog and wonder, "What more can I say? What haven't I said a thousand times already?" And yet it seems there are still a few words and a few pictures that are needed to explain a very simple thing, the relationship between the hands and learning. There are so few people paying attention to this issue. Just a crackpot in Arkansas and a few scattered readers throughout the world that have no other connection with each other.

A friend of mine reminded me of the "Butterfly effect" and told me that they have developed a more scientific name for it, sensitive dependence on initial conditions. The gist is this: A butterfly flaps his (or her) wings someplace in the Amazon jungle and the movement of the air from its wings is enough over time to have major effect on global weather.

So, here we are flapping, you and I. We use our hands in place of wings and our spirits soar. The hands are responsible for the world as it exists now, but like the opening of Pandora's box, the curiosity of the brain led fingers to unleash both the wonders of human creativity, and also the vast powers of intentional and unintentional destructive consequences. And here we are at an apex and turning point. If the wisdom of the hands were the flapping of jaws alone, there would be no power in it. But kids and tools and a bit of wood can reclaim the world of creativity and exploration of human spirit.

Today the 3rd and 4th grade students at Clear Spring School learn to use the coping saw. Perhaps they will teach us all to cope with change, growth and other things.