[Seahawk]

Growing up on a ranch I started real work when I was 8 or so. We got an allowance but had a weekly chores list and weekend tasks. The horses came first. My parents would track our punch list during the week in a ledger and then pay us our allowance on Sunday's - they would hold back 25% which they put into a savings account for each of us.

I earned my first paying job when I was 14. I umpired Little League games in the 10-12 year old Minor and Major leagues.

I made $5.00 a game during the week, $7.00 on the week ends. That was huge money in those days, 1971. I was also playing in the Senior Major League, 13-15. I was going to be playing HS ball the next year.

We had a 1958 El Camino I put my bike in and drove on the private dirt roads (about two miles) to the paved road. I'd park the El Camino at Bob's house and ride my bike to the game or get a ride.

When I got my drivers license I started umping three games on Saturday (when possible) and has many games during the week I could once the HS baseball season ended - I was also playing in a summer league that was called "Big League" for 16 to 19 year old guys. My varsity HS coach was the coach. Umpiring was a much better gig than what my Dad had in store for me.

I bought my first car for $156.00 dollars - a 1959 Volkswagen Beetle. I could not have been happier.

Everybody I knew worked summer jobs.

In college I was a white water rafter in the summer and worked as a waiter/bar tender during the school year. I honestly took a pay cut when I was commissioned as an Ensign in the Navy.