Flashback: When I was an 8-year-old kid, my father empowered me and gave me
plenty of con dence I would need later in life. He anointed me to be the household TV
repairman of our 25” Zenith B&W TV set. I alone was allowed to touch the back of that
TV set when things went arie.
With a 'Can-Do' attitude, he would buy me the infamous “Build a Radio Kit” for my
early technical training. Western Auto Parts Store was our favorite place to shop
they had bicycles & all kinds of gadgets...just maybe...maybe...NAH, a bicycle would
never t in his budget!.
That simple TV repair opportunity was not slighted. I could never make a tube
mistake. Back then, there were no TV sets in every room, not where I grew up. One
B&W TV, everyone watched the same program at the same time. One mistake and we
would be staring at each other or bedtime.
The tube TV diagnosis and repair was actually pretty simple. He knew it. I simply had
to avoid that mistake of a blank screen and no entertainment. Lots of pressure for an 8
yr. old. Using the radio kit. My dad took the time to teach me how to read schematics.
What father teaches his 8yr. old how to read schematics...not a question...mine did. In
my book, that beats any ball tossin' time anytime.
Saturday mornings were our only unrestricted TV viewing hours.
My father often visited his best friend on Saturday mornings. He often would take me
and my younger brother with him....you know, just the guys.
My younger brother and I opted for the adventure outings vs. Bugs Bunny cartoons
and Tarzan every time. We were under 10 years old during that time. I don't think the
girls were ever invited, nor wanted to go. We didn't know or care what they watched
nor what did other than their Saturday chores.
We joyfully played with each other, ran around in his friend's huge back yard and ate
all the fruit and berries we could off the trees and bushes. You could actually do that
back then. My father's friend had no children. He was the closest to an uncle to us as
we would ever have.
Since my father was a man of few words, I would try to eavesdrop on my dad's
conversation with his best friend. Once, I heard my dad say something. As a child, I
care not to mention here. Oh no, not that kinda stuff.