During my morning exercise, a young lady that has hardly acknowledged me for years, tapped me on the shoulder and said "my you smell good"! Whoa! I told her that was the best compliment I've had in years. I guess I'm still attractive to 70 year old women.
Previously I mentioned that at age 12, 13, 14 and 15, I worked in the Stokely fields during the summer weeding beets. When I turned 16, I was now elgible to work in the Stokely factory "canning" the early crop of peas. No more hot work in the sun. And I was elgible for the big money jobs.
Again my neighbor, Harry Zelm (plant superintendent) made sure that I got a job in the plant. Not only did I get a job, I was a "pea inspector". Now there is a title to relish. I was Chief Pea Inspector. I started at $1.06 per hour. Once Stokely would begin to harvest the peas, I would work 15-16 hours per day (no there was no overtime), seven days a week. Still for a kid, earning over $100 per week, I was always in "pocket money". There were interruptions when it rained but I usually found alternate work in the Stokely warehouse.
As I look back on summer employment, I realize that there were many positive lessons. First, I was taught financial independence. Having my own money allowed me to do many things without having to involve my parents. Second, I developed a "work ethic". There is no shame in earning money. Third, I learned that I didn't want to work in a factory all my life. It is an honorable job position but I just wanted to have Harry Zelm's job as superintendent or better.
From my parents perspective, they always knew where I was during the summer (I was at work) and it kept me out of trouble. Other than dating that girl from "up on the hill", I'm sure my parents felt like they were in control. Ha.
The lesson Grasshoppers is that good things happen from early employment. The lessons are numerous. There is nothing wrong with hard work. The "big money" isn't bad either.
Love,
Dad