I like collecting toy soldiers because. (1 Viewer)

[johnnybach]

I liked collecting toy soldiers, when I was a child - because I wanted to play Wars with them. But I never really had enough of them - times were tough just after the real War.

As I grew up - other things became more collectable - bikes and spare parts - girls then - motor-bikes, and more girls, cars etc... and finally ONE girl.

Then I got married and started collecting kids - who collected their own things that I paid for - so few funds were left for me. My hobby was my family.

Then - all of a sudden - they were gone - and I started collecting air miles - for holidays'

AND THEN

On one of those holidays - Mallorca it was - I chanced upon a Toy Shop - and there - in the window - they were back again. Toy Soldiers. Smiling up at me - rifles at all angles - even a military band!

I stood with my nose against the window - just like I had 50 years before - and the feelings of desire swept through me once more. Better even than the surge of sherbert! (and that was pretty good - I remembered). I was suddenly seven years old - all over again. However, the intervening years had had their effect. Years of doing without to provide for cars, wife and family had made me more cautious and less impetuous. So I walked away.

But inside, festering away was this quiet, intense and nagging desire.

Fast forward three years (or so). I was visiting one of my daughters - who introduced me to a new concept - The Internet. "What are you interested in Dad?" "Painting" I said, without a thought. "Painting What?" she said - AND without a second though I said "Toy Soldiers".

It all went quiet - I didn't even know where that came from - I had never done it in my life. True, I was dabbling with water-colours - but nothing serious. "Well, go on then" she said "Put in Toy Soldiers".

Within the hour I was surfing away - the machine taking me this way and that - and I found.....

CASTINGS!! - Wonderful - little silver soldiers - to paint myself.

The rest is history - I bough six to begin with - online too! (had to be a first - I had never been online before!) - some humbrol paints and brushes from a hobby shop nearby - and I was off.

I still don't think that I REALLY collect toy soldiers - although I have bought some which were bargains since then. But mostly, my soldiers just remain behind with me after they have been painted - which is my REAL hobby.

So the answer to the question is - because they are lodgers - who now live with me - and love me for bringing them into the World all shiny and new - and I love them right back - 'cos I'm their Dad! johnnybach

 

[thebritfarmer]

I liked collecting toy soldiers, when I was a child - because I wanted to play Wars with them. But I never really had enough of them - times were tough just after the real War.

As I grew up - other things became more collectable - bikes and spare parts - girls then - motor-bikes, and more girls, cars etc... and finally ONE girl.

Then I got married and started collecting kids - who collected their own things that I paid for - so few funds were left for me. My hobby was my family.

Then - all of a sudden - they were gone - and I started collecting air miles - for holidays'

AND THEN

On one of those holidays - Mallorca it was - I chanced upon a Toy Shop - and there - in the window - they were back again. Toy Soldiers. Smiling up at me - rifles at all angles - even a military band!

I stood with my nose against the window - just like I had 50 years before - and the feelings of desire swept through me once more. Better even than the surge of sherbert! (and that was pretty good - I remembered). I was suddenly seven years old - all over again. However, the intervening years had had their effect. Years of doing without to provide for cars, wife and family had made me more cautious and less impetuous. So I walked away.

But inside, festering away was this quiet, intense and nagging desire.

Fast forward three years (or so). I was visiting one of my daughters - who introduced me to a new concept - The Internet. "What are you interested in Dad?" "Painting" I said, without a thought. "Painting What?" she said - AND without a second though I said "Toy Soldiers".

It all went quiet - I didn't even know where that came from - I had never done it in my life. True, I was dabbling with water-colours - but nothing serious. "Well, go on then" she said "Put in Toy Soldiers".

Within the hour I was surfing away - the machine taking me this way and that - and I found.....

CASTINGS!! - Wonderful - little silver soldiers - to paint myself.

The rest is history - I bough six to begin with - online too! (had to be a first - I had never been online before!) - some humbrol paints and brushes from a hobby shop nearby - and I was off.

I still don't think that I REALLY collect toy soldiers - although I have bought some which were bargains since then. But mostly, my soldiers just remain behind with me after they have been painted - which is my REAL hobby.

So the answer to the question is - because they are lodgers - who now live with me - and love me for bringing them into the World all shiny and new - and I love them right back - 'cos I'm their Dad! johnnybach

What a great story jb, certainly made me smile !!

 

[lancer]

I liked collecting toy soldiers, when I was a child - because I wanted to play Wars with them. But I never really had enough of them - times were tough just after the real War.

As I grew up - other things became more collectable - bikes and spare parts - girls then - motor-bikes, and more girls, cars etc... and finally ONE girl.

Then I got married and started collecting kids - who collected their own things that I paid for - so few funds were left for me. My hobby was my family.

Then - all of a sudden - they were gone - and I started collecting air miles - for holidays'

AND THEN

On one of those holidays - Mallorca it was - I chanced upon a Toy Shop - and there - in the window - they were back again. Toy Soldiers. Smiling up at me - rifles at all angles - even a military band!

I stood with my nose against the window - just like I had 50 years before - and the feelings of desire swept through me once more. Better even than the surge of sherbert! (and that was pretty good - I remembered). I was suddenly seven years old - all over again. However, the intervening years had had their effect. Years of doing without to provide for cars, wife and family had made me more cautious and less impetuous. So I walked away.

But inside, festering away was this quiet, intense and nagging desire.

Fast forward three years (or so). I was visiting one of my daughters - who introduced me to a new concept - The Internet. "What are you interested in Dad?" "Painting" I said, without a thought. "Painting What?" she said - AND without a second though I said "Toy Soldiers".

It all went quiet - I didn't even know where that came from - I had never done it in my life. True, I was dabbling with water-colours - but nothing serious. "Well, go on then" she said "Put in Toy Soldiers".

Within the hour I was surfing away - the machine taking me this way and that - and I found.....

CASTINGS!! - Wonderful - little silver soldiers - to paint myself.

The rest is history - I bough six to begin with - online too! (had to be a first - I had never been online before!) - some humbrol paints and brushes from a hobby shop nearby - and I was off.

I still don't think that I REALLY collect toy soldiers - although I have bought some which were bargains since then. But mostly, my soldiers just remain behind with me after they have been painted - which is my REAL hobby.

So the answer to the question is - because they are lodgers - who now live with me - and love me for bringing them into the World all shiny and new - and I love them right back - 'cos I'm their Dad! johnnybach

A good story with many points I recognize, especially the family and kids part.^&grin -- Al

 

[Currahee Chris]

Great post JB!!