Learning Life's Lessons

Ken Anderson

Greeter
Staff member
Do you ever wish you had learned to do things that weren't interesting to you at the time you had the opportunity? My dad was one of those people who may not have been expert in a lot of things, but he was able to do what needed to be done at least well enough. He was willing, and perhaps even eager, to teach us whatever it was that he was doing, but I wasn't interested in learning any of that. I always thought I could figure things out for myself. Hence, when I have a plumbing problem, I need a plumber, when I have a car problem, I have to either pay someone to fix it or buy another, and so on. He was willing to hire someone for the things he couldn't do adequately himself, but he could get most everything going if he had to.

He could do all of the do-it-yourself stuff around the home, and perhaps some of that stuff could have been done better if he had hired someone, but it worked. He worked a full-time job at a ship-building company, logged trees, bought and sold horses, raised or grew a large part of what we ate, and farmed several 40-acre plots of land each growing season. I have subsequently learned to do some of that stuff, but paid very little attention to what he was doing while I was growing up.
 
When I was a kid, I tagged around after my dad all the time. I know how to tie a fishing lure and could drive a tractor as soon as I could reach the pedals. I've mentioned before that at 16, I was not allowed to drive the car alone until I could change a tire. (Being 16, I made it my life's work to change a tire!)

I do regret not spending more time with my mom and grandma; they could have taught me so much about canning and preserving food which I have developed an interest in. I'm certain their methods would be considered "rebel canning" today but somehow none of us died. I'd also like to know the secret of mama's cornbread but it's too late to ask her now. I also regret not learning more about our family tree and our roots.

Both my husbands have been extremely handy and knowledgeable about DIY things. Both are talented carpenters, can work with electrical stuff/wiring, handle basic automotive maintenance, and take care of basic plumbing (installing fixtures, clearing clogged drains, etc.) I always "assumed" that most men were born with those talents but I guess they had to learn from someone.
 
By the time I left home I was happy with what my mom had taught me, thought I definitely could have used a few other teachings such as how to change a tire on a car, or change the oil, that sort of thing, but as for womanly domestic type things, I was pretty much set.

  • I had the basics of regular housework down-pat. Laundry, dishes, simple basic cooking, some baking, ironing.
  • I was also experienced in baby-care, thanks to growing up with baby siblings in the home and having babysat outside the home for neighbours for many years. Bottles, baby food and formula, changing diapers (both cloth and disposable), doing baby laundry - diapers included (folding, the whole nine yards), home remedies (treating diaper rash, etc).
  • Also knew how to basic sewing. Buttons, simple easy mends/fixes.
 
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