Back in my youth, my father suffered a heart attack. At that time there was little “public assistance.” After these funds ran dry, he had to support a family of four. We had a pickup truck. Some days he would come home with a load, some days he just came home with a few $, sometimes empty. I started to go with him. We drove around a lot looking for dump sites, slag piles, construction sites, abandoned buildings, or any where metals could be had. He told me if you have a truck you can always make money. Have had a truck pretty much always since.
I learned a lot at an early age probably being 8-10 yrs. old. Magnet, hand tools, hammer, chain, and truck were our tools. Knowing where to look , identification of metals,and sorting/processing(or not)were learned. Life lessons of Responsibility, integrity, hard work,knowledge, and perseverance were a valuable by product. He eventually found work and we still made our rounds on Saturdays.
In high school my 65 Impala served as a scrap truck as well as transportation. After it died, I bought a truck than and filled it every Sunday and Tuesday with curbco items, plentiful back then. Always had $. Been scrapping off and on ever since. Now scrap money goes into a kitty. In the past it was for necessities.
My dad passed away in 1981. I was 21 at the time. It’s amazing what you can learn from an immigrant with a 4th grade education. Thanks Dad. I love you.
Sorry got a little long winded.
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