Tool Talk

General Category => General Discussion => Daily Howdy => Topic started by: Frank on June 02, 2014, 02:48:31 PM

Title: I really miss having a senior mentor
Post by: Frank on June 02, 2014, 02:48:31 PM
My Dad passed away 12 years ago and his health was in steep decline for the 5 years or more prior to that.
My granddad's from either side passed away in 82 and 86 before I was a teen.
My FIL died in 08. We were close too.
I have one uncle left that I have always bonded with, though he is a little far away. I do call him on occasion between family get-to-gethers to talk old motors and stuff.
I really love the church I attend, but there are only a couple of senior men and we really don't seem to have much in common with them. I've never been into sports and none of them have any interest in old junk like I do.
I miss the stories, jokes, and general wisdom I used to get from so many fatherly/grandfatherly type figures in my past. I ache for my kids that do not have any granddad's in their lives. While I don't know the ages here, I have to assume the main demographic on sites such as this with interests in old tools and such are probably early-mid 50's and up and I appreciate learning here.

I don't guess I have a point other than I am glad there is some place to talk to those who have survived various life challenges, share great stories and tips.
Title: Re: I really miss having a senior mentor
Post by: Papaw on June 02, 2014, 04:19:33 PM
We seniors enjoy having younger members to talk with and learn. We learn at the same time.
Title: Re: I really miss having a senior mentor
Post by: mrchuck on June 02, 2014, 05:13:43 PM
Most old guys like us don't have their relatives close by, so w take trips to visit and use the cell phone and computer for "conversing".

Your in good company here as there are many "OF's" like myself and Papaw.
Title: Re: I really miss having a senior mentor
Post by: Chillylulu on June 02, 2014, 05:39:40 PM
I really like it here.

I am 51 going on 71.  My nervous system is messed up, so I can't do as much as I used to.  I don't follow sports either.  I like to do things.  Since I can't make as much anymore I like to hear everything here. 

Kind of expensive, though.  I started more seriously collecting mechanics tools since joining last year. Even with great deals its easy to drop thousands on tools.

Oh well, at least I don't drink.

Chilly
Title: Re: I really miss having a senior mentor
Post by: Lostmind on June 02, 2014, 06:32:03 PM
Frank , you came to the right place. Plenty of us old guys here , ready to listen and " advise'
Teach your kids to use tools , they will be unique in the future.
Title: Re: I really miss having a senior mentor
Post by: Frank on June 02, 2014, 10:18:14 PM
Frank , you came to the right place. Plenty of us old guys here , ready to listen and " advise'
Teach your kids to use tools , they will be unique in the future.

Oh yes, they are learning. I can send my 8 yo daughter to fetch pliers, needlenose, dikes, flathead or philips screwdrivers. The boy is catching on too. If I am not careful, I come out to the garage and they have my tools scattered on the floor from building or doing something. I can't get too upset. I did the same with my Dad's tools. I need to collect for them their own stuff and lock up my box.
Title: Re: I really miss having a senior mentor
Post by: john k on June 05, 2014, 06:19:04 AM
This is one of those things that has crept up on me gradually, suddenly realizing I am the senior.   Down to one uncle.   Father, and grandfathers long since past, almost before I had the chance to ask them about the important stuff.   My grandfather was born in 1888, my father in 1911, so both saw the horse and mule replaced with machines.   But did have the chance to pass some of their earlier gained knowledge.   Am now going through my fathers machinist box, and sure wish I could ask him what a few odd things were for. 
Title: Re: I really miss having a senior mentor
Post by: Branson on June 05, 2014, 07:22:03 AM
It's been 34 years since I lost my grandfather, can't think of how often I have a question to ask him.  At this point, I am one of the three oldest surviving males on either side of my family.  My dad died in 2004, his older brother went the next year. 

It's kinda hard to wrap my brain around the fact that I have become one of the OF guys.  The elders in my life left very big shoes to fill.
Title: Re: I really miss having a senior mentor
Post by: bear_man on June 17, 2014, 02:41:23 AM
I'm with Papaw.  We're now the role-models we used to look up to but who are now "gone."
Title: Re: I really miss having a senior mentor
Post by: oldtools on June 17, 2014, 05:00:48 PM
I find Lots of Mentors here, Not only with old tools, but with life in general... Like any community, the elders share their knowledge... We all have something to share.. As a Baby Boomer I ain't no spring chicken, but still learning...
Title: Re: I really miss having a senior mentor
Post by: MoreTools on June 24, 2014, 09:32:01 AM
I still keep in touch with my high school shop teacher from the 70's.  He's getting close to 80 now but he's still one of the most active guys I know.  He has all kinds of old tools that he's accumulated over the years.  I was visiting him a few weeks ago and he showed me an old Starett socket set he picked up from an old cowboy's estate.  Still in the original wood box - really interesting. 
Title: Re: I really miss having a senior mentor
Post by: jimwrench on July 04, 2014, 08:35:03 PM
 Just had my 81 birthday last week and was happy to note this site updates your age automatically. At my age most of the older folk I want to get info from can,t always recall all of it. I.m thankful for my memory and hope you are too. Anyone have a favorite pickled egg recipe you would share. Pickled some last week and they are a little vinegary. I like tart taste and only have 2 left but would like to experiment a little.
Title: Re: I really miss having a senior mentor
Post by: Chillylulu on July 05, 2014, 01:11:29 AM
Just had my 81 birthday last week and was happy to note this site updates your age automatically. At my age most of the older folk I want to get info from can,t always recall all of it. I.m thankful for my memory and hope you are too. Anyone have a favorite pickled egg recipe you would share. Pickled some last week and they are a little vinegary. I like tart taste and only have 2 left but would like to experiment a little.

Happy birthday Jim.  Pickled eggs.....uugghh.... :embarrassed:

Chilly
Title: Re: I really miss having a senior mentor
Post by: rusty on July 05, 2014, 11:51:42 AM
> Pickled eggs.....uugghh

I only pickle the middle (with relish ;P)

When my grandfather retired, he decided he wanted to have some chickens. So, he got a dozen chickens and built them a nice hen house where they could sit around all day and lay eggs.

I don't think he fully appreciated just how many eggs a dozen chickens can make..

He had so many eggs he couldn't figure out what to do with them all, not enough to sell, but far too many to give away. He tried pickeling them, salting them , soaking them in some kind of silica jell (makes them into increadable rubber super balls that bounce off the floor;P)

Can't say I ever liked the pickeled ones all that much, now the pickled cucumbers, that's another thing....

PS: Happy Birthday :)

Title: Re: I really miss having a senior mentor
Post by: Lewill2 on July 05, 2014, 04:33:05 PM
Jim, the wife pickles her eggs with beets. If you let them sit long enough almost the whole whit turns the color of beets. She uses a lot of pepper when she does her beets. She cooks and cans the beets in a vinegar mixture and lets them set, then when she wants to use them she boils the eggs, peels them and they go into the beets in a container in the refrigerator. Making me hungry.
Title: Re: I really miss having a senior mentor
Post by: turnnut on July 05, 2014, 08:14:32 PM
Happy belated Birthday Jim.
I am 3 years & 3 months behind you, where does the time go ?

pickled eggs & pickles are 2 of my favorite snacks.  Thursday I had gone to a farm stand that opens for the season, they had advertised their own fresh picked pickling cukes, well, I bought
some and put up 1 quart of whole dill pickles (cold process) of which we will open for Thanksgiving dinner.  plus a pint of "counter top/refrigerator pickles (quartered) that you are supposed to be able to eat in 3 days, but I waiy at least a week.

my "PICKLED EGGS: I hard boil a dozen at a time, cool them, put them in the refrigerator for a day, wash a  jar with HOT SOAPY water,  then start peeling the eggs and put in jar, most of the time a dozen is too many, so I have boiled eggs to snack on also.

         recipe;    2 cups vinegar, (white or red cider vinergar) " I prefer cider vin. for the taste.)
                       1 teaspoon mixed pickling spice
                       1 tablespoon sugar
                       1 teaspoon salt  ( I use kosher salt ) you can use sea salt.
                       1 medium lemon; peeled and sliced.

put the ingrediants in a pan and simmer for about 8 minutes, then just strain the liquid over the eggs in the jar, make sure the eggs are covered with the liquid.  put cover lightly on the jar and
leave on the counter til it cools, then cap the jar and put in the refrigerator. some eat them in
3 days, Me, I wait 5 or 6 days for a stronger flavor.

you do not need a canning jar, a used pickle jar will do,  sometimes I also use small jam jars that will hold 3 eggs, as the grandchildren loves pickled eggs and grandpaws sour/dill pickles.

good luck, and let us know if you try & like them.  Frank   
Title: Re: I really miss having a senior mentor
Post by: jimwrench on July 07, 2014, 05:07:26 PM
 used all my vinegar cleaning tools but got 2 gal today. Recipe I used= 4 cup vinegar;1 tsp salt;2 medium onions ( I used some minced onions);1/3 cup sugar;1 tbsp. pickling spice. Boil 5 min. I added a little tabasco but coundn't taste it. Think I'll combine a couple recipes and see what comes out.
Title: Re: I really miss having a senior mentor
Post by: turnnut on July 07, 2014, 08:19:55 PM
Jim,  keep trying differant variations;
write down all your combo's,  then when you do one that you really like, you will know
what you put in it.

I play around making pickles, a few years ago I made a batch that I really liked, but
could not remember my mixture. it took a while to come close to that one.

cold process takes me 3 months before I open one, and it is easy to forget.

now I make little recipe cards, keep the ones that I like and throw out the rest.

it has been years since I made pickles in a crock, I used a 8 gallon crock, but the was back
when the house was full of kids.
Title: Re: I really miss having a senior mentor
Post by: stillfishin on September 03, 2014, 10:04:47 PM
All this talk of pickled eggs and cucumbers is sure making my mouth water. Have you guys ever tried pickled green beans? They are very very good too. But the best of all is pickled asparagus, simply fantastic. Pickle it with a clove of garlic in the jar.... dang good stuff!
Title: Re: I really miss having a senior mentor
Post by: Yadda on September 17, 2014, 12:44:45 PM
I find Lots of Mentors here, Not only with old tools, but with life in general... Like any community, the elders share their knowledge... We all have something to share.. As a Baby Boomer I ain't no spring chicken, but still learning...

As one of the last years in the Baby Boomer generation I find that I tend toward wanting to know more about older things than newer ones.  Old tools  and history are more interesting than iphones. As long as I can watch the Braves, Auburn Tigers and Texans on TV I don't care how many channels I have available....