Continued from previous posts….
4. What was your first job?
Wrangler at a summer camp. My first introduction to this camp was when a friend asked if I wanted to attend with her. I assumed she did not want to go without knowing someone. Looking back, maybe they were looking out for my religious education, as this was a religion-based camp. (Think Billy Graham.) But it was also fun. Located on a lake in northern Wisconsin, the camp provided the usual activities – swimming, canoeing, archery, crafts, trampoline(!), burro riding, etc. My friend did not return, but I continued to attend. Some activities they added included sailing, skiing, and HORSEBACK RIDING. They had me at neigh. At age 15, I managed to talk my way into a job taking care of the animals. The first summer, the burros were my primary responsibility. Besides feeding them and cleaning up after them, I also brushed them and led the campers on burro rides through the mosquito-infested woods. The following year, I graduated to the horses and teaching the campers the parts of the horse, saddle, bridle, etc. and leading them on rides. For a horse-crazy teen, this was the perfect job.
The hours? Pretty much all day, everyday. The pay? Five dollars a week, plus room and board, the first year. The second year, they upped my salary to $10.
5. What was your first car?
A 1965 Corvair, white with black vinyl interior. This car had the engine in the rear, the gear shift on the dash (no parking gear, so you had to put it in neutral and apply the parking brake), bench seats so six skinny-assed teens could fit into it, no prob. This was my mother’s car, and when she passed away, the car was my inheritance. I loved that car.
Once the fan belt broke, and my mother had such a hard time finding a replacement that when she did, she bought two. That spare belt came in handy one spring when I was driving home on the NY Thruway and the belt broke again. When a mechanic showed up, I handed him the spare, he fixed the car on the spot, and we were on our way.
6. Who was the first person to text you today?
The only text messages I receive are spam or phishing expeditions.
7. Who is the first person you thought of this morning?
Probably me.
