The last laugh

[Ron in Indiana]

I've never been without my Boy Scout pocket knife since 1966. I've had to replace it a few times from use but I always have a Scout knife. My latest is a bit of a disappointment because it's stamped CHINA on the blade. Thinner than all my others too. What's the world coming to?

My dad was a Scoutmaster for 22 years until his death in 1988. Being a Scout I picked up the torch and carried it until 1994 as Scoutmaster. My two brothers were Scouts also with my youngest brother being the first Eagle in our troop.
In 1979 I was able to join my Dad and brother on the trip of a lifetime to Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico. We have a picture of the three of us on top of the Tooth of Time. I have worn a Philmont belt and buckle almost everyday since then to remember that trip. There is no finer organization than the Boy Scouts to build young men into leaders.

[Kevin Mienke]

WALK IT OFF and then get back on the bike, back to work, back in the game.

That has to be rule #1. Because we're gonna fall, even if we're doing everything right.

[Jonas Smith]

I forgot the most important one

And this applies to my latest motorcycle adventure as well as many other things in life...

WALK IT OFF and then get back on the bike, back to work, back in the game.

I think this is a lesson you taught us Kevin.

[Kevin Mienke]

Those are all good.

Your first one is a good one to remember if you are going to ride your motorcycle into a cedar fence on a snow covered mountain, break your watch and have to replace it. I've never done that. But since YOU have....
I should tell you I have an Elgin pocket watch that was made in 1918. I have to wind it once in the morning and again in the evening, but it keeps perfect time. It is protected more in my pocket than those that are worn on the wrist. It is the right watch for a man who works with his hands AND/OR the man who rides his motorcycle into cedar fences.

[Jonas Smith]

A man should...

I thought of a few other good ones...

Own a watch with hands, not one of those digital jobs.

Have a good pair of leather boots and keep them greased.

Know how to carve the meat at the dinner table, (and if you are using one of those electric carving knives you are immediatly disqualified).

Own a proper set of tools (If you bought them through a clothing mail order catalog, you are out again).

Know how to fistfight.

Know when to say you are sorry and mean it.

Mentor a kid

Don't be caught without your pocketknife. (I am personally terribly guilty of this one.)

Don't consider a post '72 1/2 ton truck. (LOL!)

If you are not a cowboy, don't wear the hat. If you wear the hat, you better be a cowboy.

Take your woman to the opera at least once in this life (or at least a fancy evening out).

I'll think of more I'm sure, but I have to go bleed my brakes.

[Bruce]

Heh-Heh....

Indeed. But I always said what made the Boy Scouts was your local troop, not the national office.

All of us around here have to "serve my Queen" as well. You know, the brunette one.

The queen around here has auburn hair, I don't know what your talking about?

[NNICKB]

I think the Boy Scouts of America might have had some small differences from our Canadian neighbors to the Great North?

Indeed. But I always said what made the Boy Scouts was your local troop, not the national office.

All of us around here have to "serve my Queen" as well. You know, the brunette one.

[Bruce]

What About

I was involved with the Boy Scouts organization for the better part of my growing up years. We spent many days volunteering and helping out as best we could. As a group we had many travels out into the wilderness for camps, jamboree's and whatnot. While we did have supervision, we were left alone alot to figure out our own way, and to police ourselves in our activities. Problems and challenges were ours to solve, but guidance was there if we were stumped.

Aside from my own father and Granddad, these Scoutmasters were the only other real men in my life during that time. I learned alot from all of them during those formative years, and I give credit to them for guiding me along the right path. The Scouting organizatin as whole was the best thing to ever happen to me, and I cherish those memories. All these years later, I can still recite the Scout promise, law and motto. And they still have relivance to me today.

Promise: On my honour, I promise to do my best, to love and serve God, my Queen, my Country and my fellow man and to live by the Scout law.

Law: A Scout is helpful and trustworthy, kind and cheerfull, considerate and clean, and wise in the use of his resources.

Motto: Be prepared.

I can think of no better code to live by.

"Do A Good Turn Daily"?

I think the Boy Scouts of America might have had some small differences from our Canadian neighbors to the Great North?
I to was a life long Boy Scout, my Dad was an Eagle Scout, and had 65 years plus and earned the Silver Beaver while still an active Scout Master. My children weren't interested, but later wanted to do the Indian Guide/Indian Princess's YMCA program, not the same, but the camping was similar.
Life is a good thing, isn't it?

[NNICKB]

All these years later, I can still recite the Scout promise, law and motto. And they still have relivance to me today.

I can think of no better code to live by.

The Boy Scout organization is one of the best things any boy (or man) can be involved with. I was a Boy Scout, and later became Scoutmaster for a large troop, in California, I have served others in various capacities. It is some of the most rewarding work I have ever done.

The five year time period from ages 11 through 16 is most critical for a boy. He goes through more changes than at any time in his life. (I know this can be hard to believe if you, like me, have had stuff sitting on your desk or workbench for that length of time.) Working with boys of this age carries great responsibility, as they will look to your example, good and bad, whether you like it or not, or even know it or not.

No matter what the boy becomes during his manhood, no matter how important or prestigious, he will always look up to any man who invested his time and interest in him as a boy. I certainly still feel that way about some of the great men who helped me along, including, of course, my Dad.

Long after I moved back to the other side of the country, some of my old scouts would still write or even look me up during their travels. It is very humbling to be greeted by a bright-eyed man in his 30s, who still holds you in higher regard than you may have of yourself!

Of course, if all you want out of life is to be treated like a rock star, there is no easier way than to show up at a Boy Scout camp driving your FFPW. You may even let some of them drive it. Hey, they can't hurt it, that's for sure.

Great thread.

[MasterYota]

I was involved with the Boy Scouts organization for the better part of my growing up years. We spent many days volunteering and helping out as best we could. As a group we had many travels out into the wilderness for camps, jamboree's and whatnot. While we did have supervision, we were left alone alot to figure out our own way, and to police ourselves in our activities. Problems and challenges were ours to solve, but guidance was there if we were stumped.

Aside from my own father and Granddad, these Scoutmasters were the only other real men in my life during that time. I learned alot from all of them during those formative years, and I give credit to them for guiding me along the right path. The Scouting organizatin as whole was the best thing to ever happen to me, and I cherish those memories. All these years later, I can still recite the Scout promise, law and motto. And they still have relivance to me today.

Promise: On my honour, I promise to do my best, to love and serve God, my Queen, my Country and my fellow man and to live by the Scout law.

Law: A Scout is helpful and trustworthy, kind and cheerfull, considerate and clean, and wise in the use of his resources.

Motto: Be prepared.

I can think of no better code to live by.

[Chewie]

My grampa told me once that if I was going to drive trucks, then I had a moral obligation to stock the truck with tools that I could use to help people with. Grampa was big on helping. (His thought was that if I was helping someone, I wouldn't be whining about my troubles.) So I have a few log chains back there, a shovel, an old stocked lunch bucket, a come-along, baling wire and most of the handtools you need to remove and replace something to get a vehicle back on the road. I get a lot of opportunities driving from Ollie to Waterloo and back everyday.

The most memorable was a lady in a minivan with three screaming kids. It was a simple fix, just a dragging tailpipe, but she was utterly defeated on the side of the road. Those kids were jumping and screaming; she was near to tears. So I tied up the pipe and she was on her way. That was the day I left my toolbox on the side of the road, too, which is probably why I remember it so well. Never got that box back, either.

Most of the time it's helping people get out of the ditches they've slid into in the winter.

I used to carry chain saws with me, too, but that wierded people out a little...

[Kevin Mienke]

There may be many definitions of what a real man is, but there is at least one constant. A real man must have a vision.

A genuine man will always have an ongoing connection to his visions. It’s a part of him every day. He knows what he wants in his future and visualizes it.

Staying connected to it is the hard part. The pursuit of a vision is an endless battle and the rewards are not always what we expect. Sometimes we will fail. But, regardless of the end result, a man must show bravery, confidence, courage, patience, optimism, and intelligence during the battle.


Every day we are confronted with the challenges of the battle. The meat of this thread addresses many of them. In the end, a real man is one who has the vision and is able to meet the challenges of attaining it and keeping it. He must do this in an honest and graceful manner.

If I tried to summarize the gist of what I believe it would go something like this….

A man must have self-worth. In order to gain self-worth a man must be able to go beyond the ordinary. To go beyond the ordinary, a man must arm himself with skills and tools. He must see a future and find the means, within himself, to secure it.

Of all the visions I ever had, none is more prominent than the future I saw with my wife. If we could remember the visions we had of our future when we were young, almost everybody would have included a beautiful woman in those visions. My wife is the living, breathing element in my visions for the future. She was present in those visions when I was 24 and she is in those visions now. While I may like the way Marisa Tomei looks, there are no visions of her in my future. My wife alone has the combination I was looking for. It is because of my vision of a future with her that I have armed myself for the challenges I will meet.

As simple as it may sound, a good truck is a valuable tool in this. It must be brawny and ready to engage. In fact, a whole garage full of good tools is necessary. I don’t want sub-standard when I am guarding my dreams and visions. In the upper Midwest, I don’t want a minivan, it can do nothing for me in going beyond the ordinary.

It is a matter of importance that I know how to use my hands and my back. But of utmost importance, I must know how to use my brain and employ it constantly. My dreams and visions are counting on it.

[Ron in Indiana]

If a man does something and there is no woman there to see it, is he still WRONG? 99.9% of the women I've posed this question to reply YES.

What's the difference between arguing with a woman and playing the lottery?


You've got a chance of winning the lottery.



What's the difference between a barking dog at your backdoor and a nagging woman at your front door?


If you let the dog in he quits barking.


I'll step over here in the corner now because my wife said so. LOL

[Chewie]

Real men know what a rick is.

I always thought that a real man was a combination of Louis Lamour, John Wayne, and my Grampa.
My grampa passed away in March, and I still miss him. He never bought what he could build, and he could fix anything. He treat my gramma like gold (he built her a house) and never let me get away with half measures. He was a carpenter by trade, a sailor at heart, and taught me to stand up for what I believe in.
He also taught me how to do Kevin's list, all except cook and shoot. I never did get north without a compass, though.

[Kevin Mienke]

Well said. I have stayed home since I first unscrambled the combination.