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The mornings at the preschool came about naturally because grandson Jonathan spends every Wednesday night at his grand-parents’ home. “Grandparenting is not a cameo appearance,” says Jeff. “There are an endless number of things you can do with grandkids to help them explore their exciting new world the right way. Few cost anything but love and time.”

While Jeff describes the things he and Jonathan do together as “goofy,” most of the activities are learning experiences.

One time after they read a Curious George book set at a train station, they rode the Metrolink to Union Station. When Jeff introduced Jonathan to the engineer, they were invited to sit up front. Jonathan was in charge of the microphone, calling “All aboard!” on the loudspeaker at every stop.

Jeff has found that people in charge are very willing to share what they do.

“At the UPS office, they weighed Jonathan on one of those big package scales, and put a ‘49 lbs.’ label on him.

“After we finished some ice cream cones, Jonathan asked me where the ice cream came from. I soon learned that cows no longer lived in L.A. There were no dairies. But I finally located a herd out at Pierce College in Woodland Hills. When I explained our purpose to the guard, we were invited to go past the no-entrance signs to see the cows up close.”

Jeff finds that offbeat adventures like following a trash truck to see where it goes are more fun than an amusement park. “There’s almost an inverse relationship between what you pay and the benefit the kids get from something like that,” he says.

“Our very favorite time was one day after visiting Krispy Kreme (strictly for the educational purpose of seeing how donuts are made). We spied a truck rental place and I drove in.

“We walked up to the manager, I introduced Jonathan and asked if he could ride on the wheeloader with a backhoe (we knew every kind of construction truck). The manager said, ‘I never had a father. Hop on!’ That day, we drove every type of truck on the lot, went on every scissorlift, used every kind of jackhammer, and had the time of our lives.”

I could give you hundreds of things like that we do. It’s no different from instant interviewing. You just go out and do it! Nobody minds. In fact, they welcome the opportunity to share what they do. We just have to get out of our own way.

Nobody says no to a smiling grandparent with kids. I’m nobody special—I just did it!

Now at nine, Jonathan remembers everything we did together.

Grandkids are such a precious gift that keeps on giving. They make you more than young—they make you immortal!

Do 72: Partying Early at the Offerors-Only Warehouse

There’s an offerors-only party goin’ on at dawn—and you’re invited!

How thoughtful to have businesspeople over for coffee, muffins, and pastry!

With a host at the door cheerfully starting conversations.

You don’t have to be a member to look—only to buy.

If you can’t knock out a half-dozen instants there, you must be in the returns line.

Just look for a likely offeror over in the paper goods, bakery, or beverage area. They often have the larger flatbed loaded with supplies or food. These are typically merchants who resell the things or people stocking up their offices. Both are perfect victims.

A few offeror openers are:

It looks like you’re gonna have one heckuva party!

Are you in business for yourself?

Have you tried these coffee stirrers before?

Then s-l-i-d-e right into the Magic Four Hello (Do 1) and you’re one stand-up superstar! Grade her business card, sample some green eggs and ham, then on to the two other areas.

Warehouse stores are wonderful places for unpretentious people to get down to business. The managers at ours told me they encourage as much networking as possible. One suggested I might try the food court outside. You don’t even have to be a member to be served (Do 74).

If breakfast samples are given out at offeror party time, ask a sampler, “Who hired you?