Jobs Continued

That was a timeout to sort out a few dates and sequences that my ever failing memory screws up.  Here we go:

 The Seal of Selma

While working at Mr. Patterson's pharmacy one day, he asked me, "Would you be interested in some OTHER work?"  I replied "Sure!" enthusiastically.  He then explained that he needed all of the windows on his house washed inside and out.  Then, "It's in Fresno."  It sounded like something I could do, so I agreed.  He told me it would be the next weekend, start Saturday at 7am.  I, not having any transportation of my own, told him that I'd ask my Dad if he could take me to his house, then come bring me home.  Mr. Patterson then said that that wasn't necessary, that he had phoned Dennis and he was also going to wash windows too and he had a car and would be my transportation!  Problem solved, he said he would pay us 3 dollars per hour apiece, over twice our regular pay!  Now we're talking!

Raisons in the sun

Saturday came, Dennis was on time, we had a map and an address in east Fresno.  Once there we parked, got out and examined the domain.  It was a huge multistory Victorian beauty with windows galore!  Pat came out carrying buckets filled with soapy water, brushes, squeegees, and dry clean rags.  This was going to be a JOB!  2 Extension ladders leaned against the house and its roof, a very long climb with little footing once one got up there.  Lean one way then the other while holding the bucket with one hand and using a brush to soak and brush the woodwork of the spider web mess and vineyard dust that had covered the windows.  What a task!  Dennis worked on another window while I did this one and the one beside it before moving the ladder to yet another window.  On and on we went, up and down the ladder, empting the bucket of filthy water, refilling, add soapy stuff and working through the increasing summer heat.

Libby Plant, Selma, CA

Being mid-July the heat of the San Joaquin Valley was climbing as it does.  Soon rivulets of sweat poured down my face dripping off my chin as it went.  Nearing noon we took a break.  Mr. Patterson had left for the pharmacy some time ago so we were left to our own devices.  We had brought sandwiches and drinks so found a spot of shade, sat down and ate.  We were not even half done yet and the back side of the house had not even been touched!  Back to work, quicker now as it was growing hotter by the minute it seemed!  Needless to say the last 2/3ds of this job was less well done than that of the first part.  And that was only the south side of the house.  The heat was excessive at 104 degrees which caused us to take numerous breaks and stretching our workday 'til 7pm!  Mr. Patterson was not yet home so we exited stage left and headed to the roller rink in Fresno for a bit of Saturday night fun!  Home at 11pm, I went into the TV room, talked with Hazel for a bit and went off to bed.

Selma's Train Station

A knock at the front door at 6am was next, it was Dennis saying we had to go...back to Mr. Patterson's place to finish the job that I thought we had already finished!  So I quickly got dressed, told Hazel goodbye and away we went!  After we parked and got out of the car Mr. Patterson approached us, "You're fired!" he said looking a both of us,"Fired, fired, fired!"  "What" we both exclaimed!  "Why".  "Streaks on all the windows, they all have to be done over!" "And you haven't done ANY of the north side OR the inside windows!"  "I've called one of my field workers, he's going to come finish the job."  "See you Monday!"  he turned and walked back towards the house,.  We stood there and watched him stomp back towards the house.  "Shit", I said, "We screwed that one up!"  With that, we climbed back into his car and drove off to spend the day at Avacado Lake swimming and laying about in the shade.

Patterson house, summer of 2018

Monday we were back at work at the pharmacy as usual.  The failed task was never brought up, he paid us for Saturday at 3 dollars an hour for 10 hours in cash.  The job lasted all summer, took no time off and saved about 1/2 of what I earned.  Saw a few movies in the Park Theater downtown, bought my buddies gas for the rides to Fresno to "drag the main" on Friday or Saturday night.  I actually looked forward to working for Pat the next summer, alas that was not to be.

See this blog for more photos: 
http://mavensphotoblog.com/2011/06/02/agriculture-in-californias-san-joaquin-valley/

Jobs

From age 8 1/2 til I was 19 I lived at home in Selma, California in the very heart of the "Big Valley", the
San Joaquin Valley.  Jobs, many anyway, were mostly in agriculture.  Small businesses abounded, Selma had many small shops, 5 and dime, a genuine toy store, a pharmacy, a huge packing plant owned by Libby, McNeil and Libby a toy store owned by the brother of the "Chipmunks" voice, Ross Bagdasarian, and a local Sunmaid Raisin plant.  With the town being as small as it was it had many opportunities for employment and I took advantage of them through my teenage years.  I did my job search the old fashioned way, door to door, business to business right before my 15th birthday.

2nd Street businesses

The main business streets of Selma's downtown in those post-war years were High Street, McCall and 2nd Street.  The 5 and dime Woolworth's store was mid-block on High Street and I ventured in one Saturday early afternoon to see if they had a job for me.  I, of course, was turned down, but at least the ice was broken.  Next, I chanced Pat Patterson's pharmacy around the corner on 2nd street.  One of my best friends, Dennis worked there behind the soda fountain that lined the long wall back to the cashier.  He had a great smile and a great can-do attitude and I thought maybe with a good word from him I might land a similar job.  Once again I failed to land the possible job, I had dressed for success I thought, clean blue jeans, worn but no holes, and a western shirt with pearl buttons.  I then walked across the street and up 1/2 block to Lincoln Park to watch the girls at the city swimming pool.

High Street in late 50's

Summer was job time, jobs aplenty for out of school teens, lawns to mow, weeds to pull.  Movies cost 25 cents and gas was the same per gallon.  Not yet having a car and being shy of my 15th birthday gave me fewer chances than my older school peers...but I persisted week in and week out.  Finally, in mid-July Dennis quit the pharmacy job, told me and I biked down and asked Mr. Patterson for the job.  I got it!  I was just tickled!  $1.25/hr 2 hrs after school and 8 hrs on Saturday!  $24.50 per week!  Wow!  I could add to my record collection, buy 2 new tires to replace the overly smooth ones on my bike.  I was In The Money!

2nd Street

Mr. Patterson was a taskmaster if ever there was one.  Cleaning and dusting was everything and keeping the product on the shelves and all the boxes neatly arranged was next.  I was always prompt as he tolerated tardiness NOT!  I wasn't allowed to go behind the soda fountain counter for some reason except to sweep and mop the floor.  Mr. Patterson has an assistant pharmacist who wore a full-time scowl on his face and said very little to me...thank god!  After school,  I'd come into the shop at 4pm sharp and report to Mr. Patterson, who would sign me in.  Baring any jobs exceptional to my daily duties, I'd grab a broom and start in.  This went on for the first few weeks and though I was happy to have the job and a real payday check I grew somewhat bored.  Mr. Patterson soon sensed this and called me into the back one afternoon and said, "Id like to train you on filling capsules for us."  I was elated, something REAL to do in addition to the drudgery of my normal schedule.  So he brought out a large wooden board that had 200 holes the size of the large capsule part we all know and love, laid it on the counter and grabbed a sack of empty capsules from under the counter.  "Here's what you do first" and he reached into the bag, grabbed a capsule and pulled it apart.  "Take the bigger part and slip it into one of the holes, then do it again until the whole board is full".  "Then see me and I'll have you fill them".  He then left to deal with a customer.  I sat down on a high stool and started in filling the board.  Soon he came by to check my work, "be sure they are even with the board."  I fixed a few that had stuck up a bit then resumed stuffing them into the holes.  I was done with it in about 10 minutes.

I looked for him and found him back in his office.  "I'm done", I said as he rose and walked to a large locked cabinet.  He took out his keys and inserted one and the door opened, he reached in and as he handed me a box he said, "Here you go, let me get the scraper."  With that, he crouched down and grabbed the scraper.  I followed him as he walked back to the counter and I set the box down and he handed me the scraper.  He poured a pile of the white crystalline substance in the middle of the board. Then he picked up the scrapper and began dragging the pile of crystals into each of the capsules, a small bowl was used to save the excess.  Pat said, "taste it".  I looked at him strangely, "Really?" I asked.  "Go head", he said. So I pinched a bit from the pile and carefully put it on the tip of my tongue, "It's sweet!" I exclaimed. "Sure is"' he looked at me smiling, "It's plain sugar!" "You've heard of placebos haven't you?"  "Yes", I answered.  "Here's a jar, put 'em all in, you're done now." With that, I went back to the front and started my sweeping and moping routine.  Every two weeks or so I made more placebos, two hundred at a time.

Selma Hospital