About a year and a half ago I took a 6 week welding course at the local high school. It was a lot of fun and the value of what I learned far exceeded the $25 cost.

Well, I went back tonight. This time the school offered a small engine repair class for adults living in the district. Same instructor, same $25. And it's gonna be a lot of fun.

Not only do we get the hands-on experience, the school arranged for each of us to get signed up with the Briggs and Stratton company website to take the same online courses/seminars that their techs take...including testing and certification. I'm not looking for a career change or anything but I'd like to be able to do more than just basic troubleshooting and repair of my small engines. This class will give me that opportunity. And now that I'm almost retired I'll have plenty of time to do it.

Advantages of living in a small, rural community, I guess.

Next spring he's gonna have a basic machine working class. A local guy apparently donated a large mill and lathe to the school. The mill is there but still waiting for the lathe to get moved up here from down south. Can't wait for that.