Hmmm...do I throw it underhand like a frisbee or overhead like a football? Grab it by the edge or grab it like a discus thrower? These are the questions my kids and I contemplated as we each stepped up to the line for our turn to throw cow chips (yes, real cow plop!) the farthest at Templeton's Founder's Day celebration. This annual event marks the arrival of the first passenger to Templeton after a train stop was built there in 1886.

First, about these cow patties; these hand-picked, sun-dried beauties are an average 6" - 8" diameter, weigh less than 1 pound, and much like a frisbee, are built for aerodynamic lift and speed.

This year, I admit, I really stepped into it! Emboldened by my study of last year's champion's winning technique (an amazing overhead throw), I naively figured that I was a sure bet for the win this year. Well, I figured wrong! Whether I was more pooped than I thought, misjudged the breeze or just flat out floundered, my best overhead throw was a wimpy 92 feet! (Depressing side note: I later learned of an impressive 248 foot record elsewhere). But alas, the day wasn't a total loss, as my son courageously rose to the occasion to make me feel better. Turns out (and he would absolutely tackle me if he knew I was telling you, so shhhh...) that my son and the other pre-teen boys were beat out by a toss from a girl. No shame boys, it's girl power! Besides, my son won in his category last year, so I don't feel too bad for him, haha.

The faint of heart or squeamish can usually wear gloves in these competitions. However, I've heard that to get a better hold on your chip, you may want to go gloveless and lick your fingers before your throw (optional). If you're wondering by now just how far you might be able to throw a cow frisbee, there's really only one way to find out, isn't there? Come on up to Templeton next year and I'll see you there. I'll make sure it doesn't rain the night before. That would be very bad.