This is rather introspective, so if you’re looking for a chuckle. This probably ain’t it.

I am now a Starbucks Barista. I don’t know what Barista means, but it’s what I am now. The Starbucks I work for is located inside the Hy Vee store where I have been a cashier since March of ’07. Did you know that “Starbucks” is named for a coffee guzzling character in the Melville novel Moby Dick? Neither did I.

My new job comes with some down time, so I keep a tiny notebook in the pocket of my apron and write down stuff that runs through my feeble mind. This is not something I had time to do working at the grocery department cash register. I rather like it.

And in case you’re wondering why I haven’t been blogging much lately, it’s ‘cause I’ve been busy. I took a second job with a team writing the History of Country Bible Church, Blair NE. This is the church I belong to and it’s fairly young – less than 30 years old and we want to get the history of it’s beginnings on paper before those who can tell it leave us.

I am also working on a novel – please don’t laugh. I’ve finished one (entitled One Square Mile) and am about halfway through the next one. So please forgive me for not blogging as much as I used to.

Anyway, here is something I put in my tiny little apron pocket notebook during my down time.

Thing I Wish I’d Learned Sooner About Raising Kids And Other Relationships:

The difference between “firm” and “harsh.”

The precious nature of time in the development of relationships.

The fleeting nature of teachable moments.

The tremendous rewards of selflessness versus the unrelenting regret of selfishness.

Hobbies can wait.

Encouragements are more effective than reprimands.

The tremendous difference between expectations and potential. (This needs elaboration. Maybe next time…)

The way the words are spoken is more important than the meaning of the words.

That time may be all you can afford to give, but it’s really the only thing they need.

How about you? Can you add a phrase that captures something you wish you’d learned sooner in life? Or am I the only slow learner here?

Cliff; I know what you’re going to say; “Never fry bacon in the nude…”

Okay, so maybe there is a chuckle here for you…