A Contagious Application of Doing Fun Stuff

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Today’s Blog Post

A Contagious Application of Doing Fun Stuff
Two days later and I am pooped! Oh so many people to talk to and so many friends to meet with. I have had three of my grandsons at the Lang Pioneer Village for the last while.

I am a volunteer at Lang Village and I love the work. I do Interpretive Work in the Hastie Carpenter Shop. The shop is equipped with hundreds of old tools – each uniquely designed for a task that was needed to be accomplished…. over a 150 years ago.

As I have demonstrated the tools and their use to my grandsons while working in the Wood Shop, they have picked up the ideas and the concept very well – very fast. I think their genetics as to fixing things and working with tools runs very deep… passed down from about four sides of each of the families.

One older gentleman came into the shop to speak to me about my grandson, Jonathan. Jonathan had been outside working with the Spring Pole Lathe and as he worked it… he would stop to tell people the story about the history of the Lathe. He told me when he was asked a question that he couldn’t answer he told the folks to come inside and ask his Grandpa.

This older gentleman was very impressed with Jonathan and his ability to do the work… and to speak to people. He has also watched Thomas working with the carving horse and using a draw knife on a piece of wood. He asked me if I taught them.

I replied that I had taught them what to do and that they were still learning lots of things.

His comment was something that made me just about pop my buttons on my Pioneer Outfit, “Well you have done an excellent job of teaching them. I am very impressed. They are doing a great job!”

Another lady came by to talk to me as well. She asked how old my grandsons were. She had been watching them and they had left a good impression on her. I told her that they were 9, 13, and 15 years old.

She exclaimed in wonder, “How did you every get this age involved? How did you ever get them to come along and help you – let alone do such a good job of demonstrating?!? I could never get my teenager to do such a thing!”

I explained that these guys love helping grandpa. They also love tools and fixing things. It is in their Genes!

I know that my Grandsons and Granddaughter are ordinary kids. They are full of life and will sometimes do very kid like things. I have to remember that they are still kids and will be for a few years. Yet, they can and do take responsibility for tasks they are given to do. They have not groaned and moaned out of protest… at least with me. But then… this Grandpa is different – HE IS EXCITED ABOUT WHAT HE IS DOING… and the boys catch it from me.

If I wasn’t excited and acted the part.. they would pick that up very quickly.

What I have is a “contagious application of doing fun stuff” and my grandsons love it.

My hope some day as they become dads and then grandpas.. that the excitement that I know now will be theirs as well.

Right now we are headed to a special celebration and a memorial service for the fallen soldiers of our area… and of Canada. Many of these guys are like my Grandsons… only just a few years older… and today we will meet some of their parents.

I am excited about this day… so are my grandsons.

~ Murray Lincoln ~
http://www.murraylincoln.com/