The Ages of Modeling: What are yours?

This isn't about A Model, but about Modeling. Naturally, there are models as examples, but on reflecting on the hobby, I realized I had passed through some distinct phases in model making. Perhaps you have too.

THE FIRST AGE:

(1/72 Fokker Dr.I, painted purple, just like the box art appeared to me)

My earliest modeling memories are as a small child. My fathet and older brother both built models, and I enjoyed looking at and occasionally playing with them (supervised dogfights and tank battles; me vs one of them!) Models I built often used their assistance, particularly paintwork. As a I grew and had more under my belt, within a few years I was building solo, rarely trimming flash, twisting bits off the sprue, cutting off excess with a single edge razor blade. Paint was brushed if used at all, Testors bottles for less than 19 cents each, cleaned up with turpentine. Models were frequently 1/72 aircraft - larger scales were beyond my budget. Box art was a big influence on the finished look. An arms race with my school friends resulted in my first attempts at scratchbuilding, balsa wood for additional HO tanks,  and a cardboard version of the Lexington for my fleet, based on the hull outline of an old kit of the Missouri and photos from Queen of the Flattops (wish I still had that one ;-) ), with balsa 8 in.  batteries and cut nail barrels. As I grew older I added tools like ecscto knives, razor saws, pin vise drills, and my first single action airbrush, which ran off a bottle of compressed gas. Once high school and college arrived, my building slowed, and marriage and work put it on the shelf. Here ends the First Age.

THE SECOND AGE.

(1/72 Monogram F-105, airbrush, clean build)

A physical injury resulted in weeks of at-home time. Not being used to sitting down for extended periods, and completely unenthused about daytime television, how to stay busy, and sand, while I healed? 

Why not build a modrl or two? It's been years...

More kits available, and with adult resources available, better kits on larger scales! More and better tools! Books like Squadron and Detail & Scale meant I could really get these right! So I got back into the hobby, taking over my modest basement workbench with modelling tools and supplies. Maybe I could finally master airbrushing by getting a nice double action Badger and a small compressor setup. And my growing boys could build with me... 

But alas, they grow too soon, and the focus moves to auto restoration and other pursuits, and once again, modeling languishes. 

THE THIRD AGE.

Having been an empty nester for a while, my professional life reaches its apex and one of today's common M&A events results in retirement a little earlier than originally planned. Going to need to ramp up those hobbies and house projects. Should I pick up the Exacto and Airbrush once again? Let's throw in a pandemic - everyone stay home. Now I have LOTS of time to elevate my art.

(1/48 UH-1D on scratchbuilt beach, handmade decals, forced perspective outdoor photography,  etc.)