'46 Chief
Posted on 06/18/2017 12:42:24 PM PDT by Eagles Field
Dad didn’t let us work while we were in school but as soon as we graduated he started saying the same thing. “Get a job”. I started working full time at 17 after I graduated and retired at 58.
2. “Son, I want you to know how to cook your own meals, in your own kitchen, so’s you don’t run out your money eating at the diner, all the time.”
This truism has evolved to the following absurdity...
That the indolent are "entitled," as a "right" to a living wage : defined as the absolute right to live comfortably with a minimum of effort, sufficient to live as comfortably as anyone else who might have invested anywhere from 2 to 12 years to learn an exceptional useful skill, and the ability to support an unlimited number of children- for example serving fast food, or using a cash register, without having the ability to "make change", without one.
3. “With your 40 hours a week, keep a roof over your head, the lights in the kitchen on, the food on the table, and clothes on your back, before you buy a magazine or a paperback book.”
The only advice that reveals the character flaw of the advice giver. The belittling of literacy as a noble human trait. Impossible to explain this item as rational.
I told my darling children that there are meta-laws, senor laws in any endeavor that all laws flow from.
For the vehicle code, the meta-law is don't hit anything.
Everything in the vehicle code flows from this. Don't hit anything. Don't even look like you're going to hit anything. Don't make someone else hit anything, etc.
At all times know where the edges of your car end and the rest of the universe begins.
When my son asked how you know the extent of your car, I simply said 'by bumping into things...'
My buddy has a similar saying.
“keep it between the ditches and shiny side up”.
Fortunately (or luckily,) I learned, not to far into my teens, that bitterness is not a successful response.
Ha! I’m going to tell him that.
'46 Chief
Too many things that are too important to recall just one and why. I rode with the man and saw him at his work every day until I went to work myself at 13. Frankly though, he never did give straight up advise but he did listen well and ask a lot of questions if I asked him for help.
It was the example of integrity in everything he did that stuck with me and I hope to keep until I die. That covers a lot of ground way beyond not lying, cheating or stealing. It included competence, trustworthiness, finishing the job and finishing it well, givng or doing a little more than agreed. He carried a Scout coin with the 12 Scout Laws and the Motto on it and I think he tried to live up to all of them every day.
He was sometimes very harsh and demanding to all whom he knew could measure up and helpful to people who just didn’t have all it took. If he ever did say “I’m proud of you.” or “Well done” you knew you had really earned it because those accolades were never handed out lightly but the smile and the handshake made the efforts worthwhile. I knew that standard performance was different based on his perception of ability and past performance and only execptional performance would merit exceptional recognition. There was a rub to that though since each new higher achievement only raised the bar for the standard.
After 40 years away I’ve moved back home to the town he lived in for nearly 50 years. I never go to the feed store, hardware store, church or see any of the nearly 400 people that worked with him that are still alive that someone some time doesnt’ tell me Dad was one of the best men they ever knew.
Integrity is precious. It is like a genie in a bottle. Once you let it out of the bottle it is just gone. I can’t confirm it but I believe Will Rogers said, “The problem ain’t so much that you’ve lied to me. The problem is that I can’t ever trust you again.”
So Happy Father’s day Dad and thanks for all you taught me. There is not a day that goes by I don’t find some of it useful. There was never a doubt that you loved me and were proud of me. We never said good-bye, just see you later.
Nice memories. Thanks for sharing.
Never walk when you can ride
Never stand when you can sit.
Never pass up a chance to go to the bathroom.
Date/marry girls with small hands...it makes you look bigger. ;^)
“You never learn anything by talking.”
The secret of useful, as well as well-intentioned advice.
I have been criticized constantly all my adult life for insisting on that; mainly by children and wives.
“Don’t believe what people say...believe what they do”.
quite a lot really and always followed by "You'll remember this when i'm dead and gone." the biggest was prolly Be your own man.
and when i was allowed the car: Bring it home with as much gas in it as when you took it, DON'T give it a bad name, and one scratch, well, Canada won't be far enough"
I don’t know; “Don’t over steer” or “The boss may be wrong but he’s still the boss.”
GOD bless you. You are in my prayers. I can’t imagine how you must feel today, but it is not your fault that you were abandoned by your parents. Your parents did a terrible thing to you. My mother abused and neglected me when I was young. So on mother’s day I make it a special day for my wife who is a great mom. So as a father here is my advice to you, make today special for someone you love. I hope you have a great day today.
Self explanitory...
My dad told me to be a plumber because either they fixed it or they moved.
Keep your knife sharp. You’re more likely to accidentally hurt yourself with a dull tool than with a sharp one.
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