Saturday, December 20, 2008

Skills

A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, [...skill removed by blog poster], conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects.
--Heinlein, The Notebooks of Lazarus Long

This sort of goes with my feeling that we all need to hone our skills or develop new ones to aid us as the economy collapses. I just racked my second batch of pear wine today. I'm glad Guy knows how to make beer. I'm glad Jon has a machine shop and is good at farming. I think a good challenge for everyone who reads this blog would be to work on a new skill this year. What will it be?

6 comments:

Lynnis said...

I disagree with the hog butchering part. I plan to hone my construction and sustenance gardening skills in 2009.

Lona said...

You are right! I took that part of the quote out. I think I will learn to make lost wax jewelry. Then we can set all these gemstones we are acquiring.

Piri said...

I think I'll work on my gardening and cheese making skills.

Innes said...

some butchering skills might come in handy--remember the banjo project?

innes

Gordon said...

What ever happened to the dead cat banjo ?

Bill said...

Not having any skills at all is a valuable skill, as it helps others with self-esteem, when you are grading on the curve.