Dad devised all kind of slavish ways to impart discipline and 'go get what you want' attitude, and I was all, just give it to me.
He made my brother and me mow the yard no matter where we lived and that started early. Then when I wanted something he said earn the money and get whatever I want. Then that turned into earning everything for everything I wanted. And then he suggested go with what I know and mow yards for money, but then I should buy my own lawn mower and buy my own gasoline, and mix the oil that goes into the gasoline and keep the spark plugs clean and do the maintenance on the motor, and the proper rope to start it, the undercarriage cleaned up and the blade balanced and sharpened, and do his yard I mean our yard for free, and edging while I'm at it, and I'm all frustrated with these income impediments, "Come on, Dad, I'm ten."
Maybe he was trying to teach me to be a better negotiator but the whole thing was slavery.
