On Sun, 06 Aug 2006 08:34:47 -0400, LiRM wrote:

On 5 Aug 2006 07:27:58 -0700, "Too_Many_Tools"
wrote:

It has always concerned me when the young amoung us are not taugh basic
skills such as how to change a tire, how to use a saw, how to...well
you get the idea...there are basic skills that one needs to deal with
the world we live in. Well this article shows what that lack of
training, due to whatever reason, means as they get older.

When I drive through a neighborhood, it is a rare garage that has
anything like a workshop within it anymore....a reflection of the lack
of interest or knowledge of the homeowner to work with their hands?

Do your children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews, the generation who
is succeeding us, have the basic skills that are needed in the world
today?

TMT

I grew up around an uncle who literally rebuilt his entire house. He
knows how to do it all. I helped some while growing up, but looked at
all as grunt work and took no interest in watching what the man was
doing.

I lived in Alaska for 3 years and noted that lots of people build
their own up there. They usually had no loans on the materials and
built as they could - living in 5th wheelers or, when finished, their
basements.


I'm paying for that now. There are some projects I'll take on, but I
regret not taking a bigger interest in what could have been a great
learning experience.

So at times, I have to grudgingly call in a guy - an electrician,
plumber or carpenter to do things I wish I could.

On the other hand, I haven't owned a home in years, so had no real
need to fix things. If it broke, I called the landlord.

My wife and I recently bought a house, so I wish I knew more.

But I'm also dedicated to learning more as I go along, so I hope to
reach a point in the future of being able to handle at least some
minor projects.

But yeah, I do have a workbench area and it's getting more and more
use so I'm happy about that. I just wish I had paid more attention as
a kid.

That's the way I feel about gardening. My parents were outside all
weekend, every weekend (weather permitting). I paid no attention.
Like you, I sure wish I had.
Sue