Why, oh why, didn't I take shop in middle school instead of orchestra? I haven't touched a viola since I was fifteen, but I regret that shop class almost every day since we've become homeowners.
Books aren't that much help either, in that they tend to focus on small, typical projects in houses that don't have 1967-era wiring, since modified by other homeowners with more enthusiasm than prudence. And I simply don't have the knowledge base needed to just start experimenting. Unfortunately, my husband has the same problem: no shop class, no natural aptitude, and no memories, either fond or practical, of tinkering in the garage with Dad.
For example, one of the owners wired the house for cable by simply drilling a hole in the exterior brick and the wall board and threading a coax cable through it. So now there's this coax cable all rolled up in the corner. If we get rid of it, how do we close up the hole? How about the passage the guy made by making a 3" diameter hole, sticking a piece of PVC in it, and threading more coax through that? The electrician is recommending that we replace our circuit panel. Is he trying to save us from an electrical fire, or trying to pay off his boat early? And while we're on the topic of electricity, what in the world did Harry Homeowner do with that downstairs receptacle? There's some kind of tan box in there that seems to be wired into the wall.
Less orchestra, more shop. Less calculus, more Aeneid. O my wasted youth!
I sympathize with reports of a previous enthusiastic homeowner. We have random electrical wires dangling from the basement ceiling.
If by "panel" you mean what I'd call a fusebox, a house of that age could really benefit from such a change. We had to get ours upgraded when we added central air. A 1967 house would likely have a much lower power load than one today, so the fusebox could be inadequate.
I'd try using mortar to fill the holes in the brick and, if you're really persnickity, getting a small plug of matching brick to finish the outside of the 3" hole.
You might want to get the electrician to check out the wiring in general. If you are serious about '67 fuses, you may have aluminum wiring. That's a serious fire hazard.
They do offer classes at Home Depot and Lowe's. DIYnet.com has sample electrical projects with good instructions. You could also find a handy neighbor who works for food or babysitting. Electricity isn't that scary. Just don't get your wires crossed.
As for teh wire hole, if it's small they do have expanding foam sealants. They are designed for sealing around windows and under siding. That should take care of a small hole. Ask at the hardware store.
Lee Ann is right. Electricity is always logical and can be learned fairly easily (even electronics can be learned easily and can save you a bundle of money - often folks throw out stereo equipment that just needs a new capacitor). Just make sure you ground things properly (and shut off the power before you work).
Gregg's solution for brick is a good one, and if you don't want to hunt for matching brick you can dye the mortar, if you have a decent eye for color and do not add too much pigment, which can cause the stuff to crumble (it can interfere with the binding). I have not tried this, but it is a variation of a carpenters' trick: add brick dust to the mortar the way a carpenter makes putty out of sawdust from the piece he is working on. Might work nicely).
Even better than a class is to find an old-timer with lots of know-how and time to show you stuff. They often love that someone is interested in their skills and have lots of patience. My grandfather put up with my inexperience in his iron shop, and I learned more from him than I ever would have in shop class.
I was the first girl in my High School to take woodshop - I think that it is one of the (few) good things about the feminist movement that I was able to do so.
I recomment picking up some of the Reader's DIgest books on home repair and improvement. I have found them invaluable as reference material. My dh is excellent at lots of that stuff, but he is also only human and has time limitations too - we can do much more working together!
Or you could just issue the Southern woman's battle cry: "Daddy!"