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ShadetreeRet 11-13-2012 21:39:08 184.4.21.191 Report to Moderator

When I was growing up, we had a pile of scrap metal behind the shed, and kept a good supply of baling wire on hand. When an implement broke, you went out back and found a piece of metal to fix it with. I always had an interest in machinery, and helped Dad fix everything. He taught me how to repair bicycles, and from there I progressed to vehicles, motorcycles, and small engines. When My son was young, about the only real interest he had was fishing in the local farm ponds. (with permission, of course.) He would help me repair things, and was good at it himself. I was surprised when in his senior year in high school he said he wanted to study electronics. He went to the local community college and studied, electronic engineering technology, which sounds big, but it was basically a two yer introduction to the field. He ended up a certified Apple Tech. Oldest daughter always had "uptown" tastes, but when she married a man with a few acres I was surprised at how fast she caught on. They divorced but she got the place and has her own tractor and equipment. Youngest daughter always exhibited mechanical ability, and when when got her first car, she told me she wanted to learn to change oil, tune ups and change tires. She said that even if she did not do it herself, that if she knew those things she would know when and if she was being ripped off.But she has always done most of it herself. This weekend I had to bleed the brakes on my old truck, I told her to get in and pump the brakes. She said, "I want you to show me what you are doing under the truck." I showed her and she said, "Now, YOU pump the brakes while I do this. I don't want you crawling under the truck with your bad knees." And she did. I guess I'm just lucky. BTW, she just turned 40 herself. [Reply]   [No Email]