I love the month of July. Thinking of July brings many thoughts into my head. Some good, some not so good. All good when combined. It means to me hot, lazy days. Playing in sprinklers, lounging in a pool. It means steam on the pavement that is too hot to go barefoot on. It means an abundance of ripe fruit and good things from the garden. Hot kitchens and long days canning. July means staying up late because it is still light out, longer days and nights so warm it is hard to sleep. July also means the 4th of July. Time to hang the grand 'ole flag and be proud to be an American, to live in the U.S.A! To honor the privilage of our freedom! To delight in the show of fireworks and play with sparklers and not to get burned. Yes, I love the month of July. It just seems so mellow and calm...
July is also a month steeped in sadness for me. My Fathers' birthday is July 1st yet he died on July 26th...sixteen years ago...and it still hurts. My Father loved July and the 4th of July. My Mother died less than a year later on the 4th of July. Yup! You read correctly. In the middle of a very hot month. She died on one of my favorite holidays. I don't think she got to pick the date. I don't think she wanted to.
I just want to say that I miss my parents every day. Fifteen and sixteen years later, I miss them.
Perhaps it is fitting that they would leave in the month that is ripe and warm...it doesn't seem so glum when I can watch the fireworks and enjoy the warm summer days.
I miss them.
Showing posts with label books. Show all posts
Showing posts with label books. Show all posts
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Saturday, June 5, 2010
I should write a book...
Really! I should fill it with quips and anecdotes about life and people.
I work in the food biz...as a food server (PC) or a waitress (old school). I prefer working as a bartender but hey, watcha gonna do!
I don't work at an upscale place, I work at a casual dining, good food place. The location is somewhat eclectic to say the least. This makes the clientele come from a wide range of demographics.
I had a very funny shift last Saturday night. Probably the most fun shift I have had in a long time. It started something like this:
First funny table: Mom, Dad and 11ish year old son.
I approach the table and do my spiel for drinks. The father asks if we have clam strips on the kids menu. I reply that we do not carry clam strips. He asks me if there are clam strips in the regular menu. I look at him, quizzically, as his wife blurts out! What don't you understand??? They DO NOT HAVE CLAM STRIPS!!!
I had to just smile...talk about active listening/hearing.
Second funny table: Mom, Dad and 12ish daughter.
I go to the table and start their meal service. The daughter has the most impeccable manners. Can I clone her? Can we have her do workshops for other disorderly kids? The daughter has ordered kids alfredo noodles. "first clue"
Their food arrives and I check back. The parents say their meal is OK but the mother prompts her daughter. "go ahead", she says. The daughter says, in the most perfect tone; "Excuse me, but I do not care for these noodles. May I have something else?" How perfect....How can I not resist and give her whatever she desires. She has better manners than most adults. I manage to say, "Why yes you may. What is it that you would rather have?" Again she replies with the best manners..."May I please have the kids fish and chips?"
What a delight. Can I say I like manners. I appreciate well mannered adults and children. I really, really do. I had to compliment her on her manners and thank the parents. Obviously, someone is taking the time to teach this child life skills.
Okay...third funny table...and the last for today.
Hunky twentysomething motorcycle jacket (crotch rocket) wearing cutie son and Mom and Dad...
I cannot go on without warning you of mature innuendo coming up.
While I am at the table taking their food order the hunky son asks why are there two prices on listed with the chowders? Is this for sizes?
To this I reply, "Yes, we have two sizes of chowders. One is a cup and one is a bowl."
Hunky: Well, how big is the bowl and how big is the cup?
Me: (listen carefully) Well, the cup is 6 Inches and the bowl is 12 ounces...I very quickly stammered.
I think I saw Dad snicker and Hunky son hesitate a minute...Ooops.
I know my face got red. Never had that happen before.
YIKES!
But that was a fun night...one of the reasons that I love working in the industry. It is the people. I should have known though...my next shift was a nightmare. Can you say VEGANAISSE???
I work in the food biz...as a food server (PC) or a waitress (old school). I prefer working as a bartender but hey, watcha gonna do!
I don't work at an upscale place, I work at a casual dining, good food place. The location is somewhat eclectic to say the least. This makes the clientele come from a wide range of demographics.
I had a very funny shift last Saturday night. Probably the most fun shift I have had in a long time. It started something like this:
First funny table: Mom, Dad and 11ish year old son.
I approach the table and do my spiel for drinks. The father asks if we have clam strips on the kids menu. I reply that we do not carry clam strips. He asks me if there are clam strips in the regular menu. I look at him, quizzically, as his wife blurts out! What don't you understand??? They DO NOT HAVE CLAM STRIPS!!!
I had to just smile...talk about active listening/hearing.
Second funny table: Mom, Dad and 12ish daughter.
I go to the table and start their meal service. The daughter has the most impeccable manners. Can I clone her? Can we have her do workshops for other disorderly kids? The daughter has ordered kids alfredo noodles. "first clue"
Their food arrives and I check back. The parents say their meal is OK but the mother prompts her daughter. "go ahead", she says. The daughter says, in the most perfect tone; "Excuse me, but I do not care for these noodles. May I have something else?" How perfect....How can I not resist and give her whatever she desires. She has better manners than most adults. I manage to say, "Why yes you may. What is it that you would rather have?" Again she replies with the best manners..."May I please have the kids fish and chips?"
What a delight. Can I say I like manners. I appreciate well mannered adults and children. I really, really do. I had to compliment her on her manners and thank the parents. Obviously, someone is taking the time to teach this child life skills.
Okay...third funny table...and the last for today.
Hunky twentysomething motorcycle jacket (crotch rocket) wearing cutie son and Mom and Dad...
I cannot go on without warning you of mature innuendo coming up.
While I am at the table taking their food order the hunky son asks why are there two prices on listed with the chowders? Is this for sizes?
To this I reply, "Yes, we have two sizes of chowders. One is a cup and one is a bowl."
Hunky: Well, how big is the bowl and how big is the cup?
Me: (listen carefully) Well, the cup is 6 Inches and the bowl is 12 ounces...I very quickly stammered.
I think I saw Dad snicker and Hunky son hesitate a minute...Ooops.
I know my face got red. Never had that happen before.
YIKES!
But that was a fun night...one of the reasons that I love working in the industry. It is the people. I should have known though...my next shift was a nightmare. Can you say VEGANAISSE???
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