Tucker McBride

Return to a time when a boy could be a boy; when life was more clear from the top branch of a tree; when a kid could trade anger and disappointment for action and adventure; when the whole neighborhood was his playground; and the sloppy kiss from a dog could make everything right.


Monday, October 21, 2019

Tucker's Job

Seattle Photo, Look of the past photo Shell Gas Station photo, man cave decor, home decor, red & yel      When Tucker was 12, almost 13 years old, he earned money at several places around the neighborhood. One was the service station cross the street, similar to this one, where he fixed the inner tube on the tires of the day. The book, Tucker McBride, tells us he didn't earn a lot of money, but given the difference in currency between then and now, it wasn't bad for a kid.
When I was young, I did the usual baby sitting for a family member so she and her husband could go to Bible study. Janet and Marilyn were good kids. I loved being there and watch their TV while the girls slept.
Edna, the girl across the street, went down the street to help Mrs. Boge, a retired nurse who was confined to her home most of the time. Edna would do her dishes and pick up around the house for her.
Nearly every afternoon after school, Mother would send me to the grocery up on the highway. I enjoyed walking all around the plat in which we lived. Sometimes Nancy, also across the street, walked with me and we'd chatter as we went. Mom didn't "pay" me for the errand but often let me buy a candy bar to eat after supper. Mother believed you didn't need pay for helping to snap beans. Your payment came at supper with a serving of beans.
What chores did you do growing up? What creative ideas do you use to help your children develop a sense of belonging to the family by being responsible for each other?

Monday, October 14, 2019

Pull it Together

If Tucker McBride's Grandpop had made this bunch of boards into something, it would have been a usable object - always usable. This image is of a collapsed storage box - to store things in his workshop, the attic, or to organize some supplies at the church when needed. The idea came from a friend, Ralph Daily. The storage box is in its own collapsed condition, perfect for sliding under a bed or stashing in a closet when not in use.

   

This picture shows the box as it's being pulled upright and straightened.

The bottom is then inserted.


There -you have a wooden storage box.


  • Think about what you might store in the collapsible box. Where might you store the box when it's not in use? 
  • Or - What might you have built with the wooden slats if a storage container isn't necessary?


Brainstorm - have fun.

Tucker McBride and the Christmas Present

  It's December 1, and the stores are draped in red and green. It is the Holidays, the Christmas Holidays. The Christ Child came to brin...