Quote:
Originally Posted by strick
Wonderful reading Sandy. You remind me of my little brother (9 years younger) 10 times smarter then me he could MacGyver just about anything. Whenever I get into a technical dilemma I still give him a call. Often he will come over and help me out. When he was a kid I could not tell you how many tools I lost because of him lol. Back then I would get mad at him all the time for taking my stuff...now I realize it was sort of an investment...one he has paid back many times over.....Looking forward to more of your childhood stories.
strick
|
Thanks Doc. I am enjoying the whole process.
I was the youngest and the first in the family to own a power tool.
Five books of S&H green stamps got me a two speed B&D 3/8 inch drill.
Avocado green.
Papa had lots of old school tools and many of his father`s in a cool old dovetailed chest.
After the first day of construction, Papa said you can`t use my good Craftsman saw.
Papa had duplicates of most of his hand tools and from that point on I was only allowed
to use the really crappy ones.
I was now cutting plywood with a rusty set of British molars.
I was not happy at all. I knew Reidy had a skill saw.
I asked him if I could borrow it.
The next morning at breakfast mom said I was not allowed to use power tools
as I was too young and they were far too dangerous.
Papa had no comment.
How did brother Paul get wind of this?
Paul was pitching Friday afternoon and Reidy came over.
We were done in no time flat and I learned how to use a skill saw.
Papa said I could not use his good hammers either, but I found a nice Plumb 20 oz. roofing hammer
at the bottom of the tool chest. Was it Gramps? I had never seen it before, but it was nice and also rusty.
The next morning at breakfast, Papa was upset.
Who gave you the circular saw?
Papa,I could cut the plywood faster with Mom`s emory board.
Reidy took pity on me and brought it over.
Papa knew I was lying, but I knew Reidy wouldn't rat me out.
It was an Eskimo stand off.
When hell freezes over.
I always made a point of asking Papa in front of Mom over the years
that I wanted the tool chest and nothing else in any wills.
Mom knew how much that meant to me.
Papa had his own little twist.
I finally inherited the tool box in `93. I emptied the contents remembering many hours
spent with these old works of art. At the bottom of the box was a surprise.
A black and gold tin box.
The contents were family heirlooms from our nation`s past wars.
A Minnie ball from the civil war?
30 and 50 cal round shot.
All had flat spots.
Gramp`s journal from his flight training in WWI.
My favorite entry is this.
Engine failure.
Forced landing.
Many of Papa`s goodies from WWII.
He flew right seat on Hell`s Angel.
A B24 outta Venosa, Italy Sept.44-April 45.
Then I saw a leather bomb squad patch.
Never sewn.
831st bs.
Disney studios did the artwork and many other squads were jealous.
http://www.americanairmuseum.com/unit/4071
Papa didn't trust Paul or Pif with these and he knew mom wouldn't throw the tool box away.
Some of my most treasured memories are in that box.
http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/foru...ment-squadron/