jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

We have an online bulletin board around here called nextdoor.com. I think it's like Meetup - nationwide.

Yesterday, I saw a post that bothered me. "I'm a 65-year old carpenter looking for work. Although I'm old, I can still do good work, as long as it isn't very heavy." I sent him a private message telling him that he should never lead with his age. If being 65 is so much on his mind, even I would think twice about hiring him. Something like "Experienced carpenter ready to go to work for you" would be a better intro.

As far as I'm concerned, age is irrelevant. Last year, I removed and rebuilt the roof on our porch, and I was 77 at the time. If I had advertised myself as a 77-year old roofer, would anyone call me? With age comes wisdom. You don't see many 70-year olds standing up on the seat of their speeding motorcycle.

Dannj

Good point. Some people might be turned off by his age not realizing that the guy with the gray hair…or no hair…brings a ton of experience with him.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

PhotogHobbyist Loc: Bradford, PA

Very true! I attend a Sunday School class at my church and we are currently examining and discussing the subject of growing older and wiser. There are numerous examples of elders having the wisdom to pass on to the younger generations. The problem lies in the younger not always listening to the elders.

Wasabi

You don't see many 70 year olds reroofing either.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Mind over matter. One step at a time. A sneaky leak caused it to collapse. And it passed inspection!

DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

There's probably a very good reason you don't see many 70-year olds standing up on the seat of their speeding motorcycle.

Mr. SONY Loc: LI, NY

Or 25-year old's either.

DAN Phillips Loc: Graysville, GA

You don't get old by being stupid!

home brewer Loc: Fort Wayne, Indiana

the no heavy lift bothers me. That could mean he cannot lift a yellow pine 2x12 20 feet long that weighs about 100 pounds that is often a 2 person lift or it could be something over 50#. That could really limit what he can do. But it should be his choice to say no. The add is just asking for no one to hire him.

I will turn 73 on the 22nd of this month. During this summer my wife and I poured 8 concrete steps using a old craftsman mixer using 3 80# bags per mix and and many mixes per pour. the steps used 20 to 45 bags depending on configuration. I move the bags twice, once from the pallet up 3 to 4 feet to the trailer and up 18" from the trailer to the mixer. The last landing used about 60 bags. I was whipped when it was done. My 73 year old 5 foot tall wife was between the forms moving the concrete around. We used 6 pallets of concrete mix. We could get no one to quote the project nor any truck to deliver at a reasonable price.

I am blessed with being healthy and strong. I still have a couple hundred brick to lay up in the spring along with concrete caps or natural stone on walls and the 3 pillars.

DAN Phillips Loc: Graysville, GA

Good for you!

DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

I blew a disk in my back about 30 years ago. Got through it without surgery, just a month of ibuprofen and exercises. My back at 83 is now the strongest part of me. My hearing is starting to weaken, which affects my balance. I can lift 100 lb, but I suspect a 2x12x20 would tax my balance, making it difficult to do anything with it. Getting old happens. There is only one cure, and the side effects are inconvenient.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Maybe just once.

Mr. SONY Loc: LI, NY

OH YEA!!!

My fil believed that the ape in Mighty Joe Young (1949) was a real ape.
He also believed that King Kong climbed to Empire State Building with a woman in his hand.
There was also a road that went from Pennsylvania to The Triboro Bridge.
When I asked him what about the state of New Jersey between them, all I got back was blank eyed stare.
I could go on but it's too early in the morning to laugh so hard.
That man was truly a perfect example of stupid.
Don't be angry at me for saying so, you had to live with him as I did.
What he did to his three children explains why the youngest two are as stupid as he was.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Sad