Wausau Trestleboard
June 2019
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Fatherly wisdom is passed down through generations yet is filtered through the years and may change slightly. My Grandfather-Brother Papa-would say, “Work smarter not harder Joe.” My dad would say, ”Joe, if you want something done quick, find the laziest man in the shop and he’ll find the easiest way to do it.” Now I find myself saying “Boys, the more you do, the less I have to.” It all means the same thing in the end “Work smarter not harder. Case in point was a conversation the other night I had with dumb and dumber: “Boys, if you go through a lot of hammers each month, it doesn’t mean you’re a hard worker. It means that you have a lot to learn about proper hammer maintenance. Which in my case I found out by losing the hammer head off the hammer handle hammering the hammer head onto another hammer handle I had lost the hammer head to while hammering.”
These are the pearls of fatherly wisdom my sons are blessed with. (My daughter is on her own. She’s in the hands of the good Lord and a very supportive mother which btw comes in handy for back yard camel fights) I encourage them daily to write down these nuggets as I won’t be around forever guiding them like the Obi-Wan Kenobi I am and they can then pass down to their boys like my father and Grandfather before me.
Of course, there are other life lessons I’ve learned that I pass along to my waifs. Such as “a gentleman is someone who knows how to play an accordion, but doesn’t” or “as a middle-aged white guy, if you ever lose your dog by a grade school just consider it gone forever” and of course “Boys, always live so that when you die your friends will automatically inscribe on your epitaph: “He did his duty.”–Both giggling Frankie says “Dad said he did his doodie!” It’s hard to be the old sage of the home when the wife’s giggling as well. I’ll bet Obi Wan didn’t put up with this nonsense.
Besides declaring the little barnacles as tax deductions, these are the moments that make being a dad rewarding. Dropping knowledge, you learned from your pops and seeing them eat it up. ( At least until they discover Wikipedia) Of course the best moment is when you see them putting into practice what you taught them…The other morning Frankie’s scrambling to get his homework finished before going to school. I asked him why he waits until the last minute. He says, “ Uh, duh! If you wait until the last minute to do something, it only takes a minute to do.” Work smarter not harder. I’ll be honest, I was a bit weepy.
Anyway, have a great Father’s Day dads. I know I will. I’ll be golfing while the boys are doing my yard work for me and in case they get done before I return, I bought them each a new sack of hammers.
Cordially and Fraternally
Joe Barlow
Calendar:
Note the electronic Trestleboard is published monthly. Changes in dates and or times are reflected on our Calendar Page, which is updated as needed.
Forest Lodge No. 130, F & A.M.
June 5th — 7:00 PM Stated Communication
June 12th — 7:00 P.M. Forest Lodge No 130 Stated Communication Tiling 7:00 P.M. Work for the evening is a Fellowcraft Degree.
Note: June, July, and August are scheduled dark with special communications where degree work is warranted and published as required
**Note Forest Lodge 130 now meets at the Merrill Masonic Center, 916-1/2 E. Main St. Merrill, WI 54452**
Wisconsin Valley Shrine Club
Wisconsin Valley Shrine Club meets every Friday for a noon luncheon at the Wausau Elks Club.
Wausau York Rite
June 11th — 7:00 PM. Stated Commandery.
June 20th — 7:00 PM. Stated Meeting, Chapter and Council.
Scottish Rite Club
Log Cabin Restaurant at 7:00 A.M. on the first, third, and fifth Wednesdays each month.
Wisconsin Valley Auxiliary
We will be on summer break from June, July and August. We will resume our meetings on Friday September 13 at Papillions from 11:30 – 1:30. I’ll make a note to myself to send information in July regarding the September meeting. Have a great summer.
