The older I get, the more I am interested in learning about things that didn't even register for me when I was even 40.
Growing up, I was interested in shooting, hunting and
archery. I put time into these pursuits and got a lot of pleasure from them. In
my twenties, a friend of mine got me interested in rock climbing and riding
motorcycles, and I explored these hobbies with equal gusto. Then my time and
energy was taken over with learning how to be a husband and father. That was
plenty to keep me busy for most of my 30's.
As I got closer to 40, an old interest started to take over
my thoughts. I had always wanted to be a writer. My goal was not particularly
lofty. I wanted to be good enough to write a story that people would enjoy. I
had no idea how much work would be required to get to that point but I did
reach it and it was good. Like all the other skills I've picked up over the
years, writing ability does when not used.
Now that I'm looking at 50, I find myself wanting to keep up
with skills and not let them degrade and I don't have a lot of interesting
picking up new ones. The shift has been less around new skills and more around
new knowledge and capabilities.
Most of my friends and family found it odd that I wanted to
learn how to make mead when I don't drink. I found the process of fermentation
interesting years ago and just never pursued it, but last year I did and made a
batch of mead. It was fun, interesting and satisfying. Now I know how and I'm
sure if I continued to pursue it, I would get better, but my wife doesn't care
for it and she would be my primary customer.
Recently, I've become obsessed with making fire. Not
starting fires, I'm not a firebug, just the process of being able to make fire
with primitive means. I'm not alone. There are several websites specializing in
all kinds of primitive skills. There are also many YouTube channels dedicated
to survival that include making fires and I learned a lot by watching them.
My journey is not over, but I have had a good time making fire
kits for friends, family and myself. I chose the flint and steel method and put
together all the necessary bits in leather pouches. If I was more dedicated, I
would go out back and collect the deadfall and kindling and make a fire now,
but this is Minnesota and I would rather not go through that in sub zero
weather. True, that's when you need to be able to make fire the most, but I
think I'll start in the spring and work my way up to winter survival.
I'm not sure what I'll pursue next, but I think it may be a
new angle on an older and favorite hobby. I've loved archery since I was around
8, and I've starting to watch videos on primitive methods for making bows,
strings and arrows. Who and I kidding, it's only a matter of time and that time
is after winter.
