tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23683658.post6379663252209119785..comments2024-03-25T05:23:41.171-04:00Comments on Bilbo's Random Thought Collection: Lost SkillsBilbohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14213505386288233192noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23683658.post-65069021957908892272013-11-19T07:27:17.425-05:002013-11-19T07:27:17.425-05:00At 21 I might be out of step with my peers. I can ...At 21 I might be out of step with my peers. I can do all of the things on the list except sew. Mom did try to teach the basics of that skill prior to my leaving home as a college freshman, but the only thing I can do well is... sew on a button.<br /><br />I have discovered that people, especially of my parent's generation, are very impressed when they receive hand written thank you cards. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23683658.post-38344132323297691942013-11-18T19:42:52.185-05:002013-11-18T19:42:52.185-05:00Ed - your point is well-taken, but I think overrel...Ed - your point is well-taken, but I think overreliance on modern conveniences isn't necessarily a good thing. And maybe that bird dog might have made a better foreign policy advisor than some others I could name.Bilbohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14213505386288233192noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23683658.post-78619136336198396622013-11-18T16:47:17.944-05:002013-11-18T16:47:17.944-05:00I remember when I was about 13 reading a column by...I remember when I was about 13 reading a column by oldtimer newsman Robert Ruark, in which he harumphed about youg people who thought they knew everything about foreign affairs, but didn't know how to train a bird dog. He seemed to think that was a shameful state of affairs. Fifty years later, I've found my knowledge of foreign affairs was quite an important part of my adulthood, and I would never have had any reason to train a bird dog (although I would like the secret to getting a Sheltie to stop barking). <br /><br />Old skills fade away, and new skills take their place. My children never used a dial phone, but they know of new skills and adaptations of which I am struggling to catch up. This is how life evolves, and it has always been so. Edwin Frownfelterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13736320874146805032noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23683658.post-1742407095372168282013-11-18T14:11:01.228-05:002013-11-18T14:11:01.228-05:00Amanda - I love to cook, as do Agnes and my daught...Amanda - I love to cook, as do Agnes and my daughter, and the grandchildren love to "help" in the kitchen. Sadly, not too many other people - particularly young people - do.<br /><br />Marilyn - you have just won the prize for the longest comment I ever received. You and I need to sit down together sometime and solve the world's problems.<br /><br /><br />Angel - that is 100% true! I have to remember six different sets of passwords alone for the various networks we use at work, plus all the passwords for sites on all those networks, plus all the passwords for things at home. Telephone numbers are easy.<br /><br />Mike - I'm seeing the words "than dirt" ...<br />Bilbohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14213505386288233192noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23683658.post-13736602307528601422013-11-18T12:56:41.517-05:002013-11-18T12:56:41.517-05:00I can do a lot of those things. How old does that ...I can do a lot of those things. How old does that make me?Mikehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00017192454403363349noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23683658.post-60443475199623817002013-11-18T12:25:20.508-05:002013-11-18T12:25:20.508-05:00We may not remember as many phone numbers; but we ...We may not remember as many phone numbers; but we have a load of passwords to remember for using certain internet sites.eViL pOp TaRthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15039755407564122331noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23683658.post-30519971692771171392013-11-18T12:09:00.017-05:002013-11-18T12:09:00.017-05:00I am happy to say that I have most of the skills l...I am happy to say that I have most of the skills listed. Uh oh! Does that make me as ancient as you always claim to be (since we are the same age)?<br /><br />1. Handwriting - mine is barely legible but I do know how to do calligraphy and therefore I know it is just a matter of practice.<br /><br />2. Strangely, I do still remember many of the phone numbers I had memorized before I had a smartphone. And if you are smart enough, your phone has been backed up to your computer and/or your phone provider's cloud so you don't lose the numbers. Mine put them all on my new phone last week and I only had to turn the thing on!<br /><br />3. I know HOW to use the phone book, I'd just rather not have to FIND the thing! Plus, I get lots more information from the internet!<br /><br />4. I do know how to do lots of things on cars and Dan knows even more. But then I'm a car person.<br /><br />5. Thanks to HGTV and DIY following in the footsteps of This Old House and other shows of that ilk that made up the bulk of my Saturday television schedule in the past, I know how to do MANY things around the house, including installing windows and doing drywall. I helped my friends build their house when I was unemployed once. I would totally go ahead and start building a house. Thanks to Mike Holmes, I even know how to do it right!<br /><br />6. I love maps. I use the map on my smartphone or GPS rather than the directions.<br /><br />7. I can tie all sorts of knots, but that might just be my past as a weaver showing up. But I do know at least one from using it to lace up my figure skates!<br /><br />8. I know how to write the check. I just haven't seen my checkbook in a couple of years. Gotta love online billpay, Paypal, and the debit card. I no longer have to snail mail things!!!<br /><br />9. I can sew anything you can imagine and probably have. I started out with making Barbie clothes for my sister's doll and went on to make my own clothes, men's suits (three and for different men!), slipcovers and curtains, and of course I quilt. I also, spin, knit, and crochet and know how to make baskets.<br /><br />10. I love gardening but have to agree that I could never raise an animal to butcher. Eeek. I could raise hens for eggs and cows for milk though. It's kinda too bad that pigs can't shed bacon without dying though. I'd miss it. <br /><br />11.Socializing like a human. OK, this is the one that stumps me!!! ;-)<br /><br />12. I can be creative. OK, I used to be creative. Now, I can't focus long enough to be creative. When I worked, every time a boss said they wanted me to be creative, it actually meant that they wanted me to do it precisely how they told me to do it. No creativity was ever involved. EVER. I think I was effectively stifled!<br /><br />13. I can do the clutch and shuffle without grossing anyone out. But I leave the beauty and artistry of couples dancing to you and Agnes. I'd rather watch! ;-)<br /><br />And to Amanda, I also can cook. In fact, I delight in cooking. Thanks to Food Network and The Cooking Channel, I think this one is also on the upswing.<br /><br />Because people use computers and smartphones so much, I see a real decline in spelling and grammar. :( Writers like us may be at a premium if we can live long enough, Bill!!!<br /><br />Love what you did with the post I shared from a friend who shared it from a friend, etcetera!<br /><br />MarilynWabbithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03327252328190944633noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23683658.post-46731666008221034852013-11-18T05:41:45.923-05:002013-11-18T05:41:45.923-05:00I think we may be losing cooking skills soon. Some...I think we may be losing cooking skills soon. Some of my younger cousins seem to take pride in not knowing how to cook anything!Amandahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03542715899155247984noreply@blogger.com