Absolutely correct Brian, that generation and the ones preceding it were some very tough, resourceful people. They didn't have a Home Depot or WalMart on every corner, or money to waste if there had been. They BUILT stuff and MADE stuff to accomplish what they needed to do.

I've mentioned before that I grew up on a little farm and watched my Dad and GrandDad build things together. (remember when Grandparents actually lived with you? My Grandpap was from my Dads side and my Grandmom was from my Moms side and they both lived with us. They were my second set of Parents. ) Anyway, my Dad and GD would tackle something like building a shed or even our entire house using nothing but hand saws and hammers..........none of this fancy nailgun and electric saw stuff. Even at 83 my Grandpap would be right in there with my Dad, lifting lumber and sawing away.

I would see them sit down and ponder some problem that needed solving and pretty soon they would put their heads together and come up with a way to fix whatever needed fixing. Some of their ideas were pretty inventive, and were generally done using what we had available around the house. Nothing ever got wasted, they had stashes of old lumber and parts stuck in the rafters for future use.

I think we have lost some of that tinkering ability today. In some ways maybe we hot rodders are still keeping that torch lit, but the general population can't even change a flat tire on their car without calling AAA. The abilities our Forefathers had pulled us through some pretty tough times and a couple of World Wars, so their methods must have been pretty sound.

I miss some of what we had back then.

Don