Apr 13 2007
Daddy homeschool
Chris got off work early today, and brought home his gafts (boot spikes) to show the kids how he climbs the poles... Oh, MAN, he's so much braver than I could be! He explained some physics to the kids, of how the spikes and belt strap work to support him, why he must keep the spikes about 3" apart as he climbs, etc.
"Wow, Daddy sure is high up there! I don't think I want a turn..."
Do you see that tiny little "gaft" (boot spike) that's strapped onto his boot and stuck into the pole (one on each boot of course)? That's what supports him, along with the belt strap he's holding. Chris says they only climb the pole like this when they have to go up higher than their ladders will reach. Yesterday he climbed 7 poles, and then, after climbing up to the lines, has to stand/balance up there while he splices! You GO babe!
Chris explained to the kids some more of what he does, showed them how this particular pole has no splice closure, what the various cables are, etc., etc.
Then, lesson over, they ran gleefully across the field back to the house, stopping momentarily for the boys to make faces at me, and for T to pick dandelion wishing weeds.
Also, shortly after Daddy's lesson today, a package arrived... full of the atari games, player and joysticks that Chris had ordered off of ebay.
Yep, Chris just bought an atari with a bunch of games, for old times' sake, nostalgia ya know. We're gonna introduce our kids to the original video games! Donkey Kong, here I come! And I can play a mean game of Pac Man too... or Space Invaders! T just counted, and there's 72 games it came with! Chris plans to ebay some of them, since we had a boxful already (some that I actually played as a kid), and so have some doubles, along with a few we just don't want.
Now, Chris has got the kids outside helping him build the new chicken house, taking advantage of this gorgeous weather we're having here today. I love these days when it works out for Daddy to be home and do the teaching... so much good, hands on learning (and fun memories!)... and not to mention the quiet time created for me.
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When Eaglewood was working in the pulp and paper industry, he frequently had to climb 200′+ high smoke stacks in order to do his job. He’s MUCH braver than I am!
Have fun with the Atari! I remember my little brother having one. I was REALLY bad at the games.
What an awesome way for them to learn from him! I think all children should have opporunities to see their parents’ work first hand. But, darn! Watching him climb that pole makes me dizzy!
http://steph-roomofmyown.blogspot.com/
Pacman! I am too jealous! I’ll be over for a game in 10 minutes! (( wish).
Wow, what a brave pole climber. I thought they used trucks and crane baskets now. I am highly impressed.
Wow Birdie, 200′ +?! Yikes!!
Hi Steph, it makes me dizzy too. Yeah, the kids thought it was really cool.
Hi Carla! I wish that you could hop on over here too. I told Chris that it’s just not fair that one of my favorite people lives so very far away, in a different country even! Waaaah… Yes, trucks and cranes are used, but Chris is working on poles that are up in areas where they couldn’t even get a truck, up in the mountains of VA. They have to even park a ways off and then trudge up sides of mtns. to get to some of them. When the poles aren’t so tall, they’ll use ladders though.