1980. Assembling the tractor from a kit we bought.
Kaitlin getting a tool from the car.
Last week Bruce commented on the Thanksgiving 2010 post, saying,
It’s always good to have kids with skills.
It reminds me of one day when Kaitlin came home from grade school and said she had seen a boy struggling with some insulated wire. He kept accidentally cutting through it so she said, “It looks as if you’re trying to strip the insulation off of that.”
He said that he was amazed. He had never met a girl before who knew about things like that.
Kaitlin answered,
If you had led the life I lead. Have you ever built a tractor?
In fact, we had. We built one from a kit because part of our access road was in pumice and every time we had a rainstorm we had to go down with our shovels and fill in the ruts. The tractor wasn’t big, but it saved a lot of work.
Andrew using the tractor to fill in ruts washed out in the pumice on the road.
It was also educational to build and use.
Kaitlin and Andy working on the tractor.
Kaitlin driving the completed tractor.
Kaitlin moving snow with the tractor.
Kaitlin checking out tractor in the snow
More happy memories.
November 30, 2021
Terrific!! I like this very much. Reminds me of growing up. I used to be able to do engine work on cars. Time pistons, change tires, clean carburator, etc. I always wanted to rebuild a model T. Maybe my next life.
Love her smile!!!
I love that picture too. 🙂 Andy bought an old Model T when he was a teenager. He didn’t restore it but fixed so it was legal to drive. He and his best friend had a lot of adventures in it.
I’ve always thought girls and boys should have the same opportunities (and responsibilities) to learn whatever interests them.
We do too!
what a doll she was! even to this day. and to this day…
she’ll tackle anything!
you were wonderful parents. 😀 XO
We’re an incredibly lucky family. 🙂
Kaitlin is so cute! I didn’t even know you could make a tractor. What a wonderful project for you to share with her. I believe girls should learn to use tools and defend themselves, and boys should learn to cook and do the wash!
We agree with you about gender roles! And that it was a wonderful project. 🙂
You and Andy raised a great kid! With skills!
We’re lucky to have her. 🙂
What a great experience for a young girl.
🙂
It is good to know how to do lots of things – life skills – survival skills.
Yes. 🙂
i really enjoy your memories and photos. tell Kaitlen I did not even know there exists a kit to build a tractor… not the life I led, mine was only doing Girl Things. wash the clothes, hang the clothes, iron the clothes, sweep and wash dishes. ugh. i rather build a tractor and this one is adorable.. a Baby Tractor, who knew… love this post
We were overprotected and somewhat isolated as kids. Women were mainly supposed to be housewives and mothers, and I was the lazy one in the family because I liked to read and study. That turned out to be a good choice.
These are wonderful.memories you are sharing. Andcshexso looked like she enjoyed learning.
She loved it up there, and still does. 🙂
Wow … that first image looks like Andy’s twin! What a beautiful smile, and more so, Kaitlin’s intelligence! I wonder if that grade-school boy ever forgot that lesson.
I had completely forgotten about that photo until I saw it when I was looking though our old collection. I love it too. And yes, she does have a quick wit. Apparently the boy was cheerful and said he had made a model from a kit once.
Love the memories you have been placing here. I would’ve loved to have had a parent (either one) who showed me some useful skills. But I too was in the realm of teddy bears, dolls and the odd doll pram as I battled disability issues
My mother did let us learn to sew and bake. I enjoyed the baking a lot more than the sewing. I haven’t done either in years.