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…
Greetings!
Welcome to Janell's One Square Mile. Title inspired by the great line from 'The Wizard of Oz': "Next time I decide to go looking for my heart's desire, I won't go any further than my own back yard." However, when Joe posts here, it's more like "One Round Planet." Joe travels all over the world and contibutes pictures and descriptions of the places he's been. Joe and Janell are both Conservatives and occasionally like to start arguments - I mean initiate dialogue - with our Liberal readers.
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11 comments:
I wished I'd learned sooner to never let the weed whacker string get too close to my naked legs while using it.
Sorta like frying bacon nude I guess!! Haha!!
You have been busy, and congratulations on the new job at Starbucks! Glad you get some time to rest a bit.
I'll bet your books are good! Keep us informed!
Time goes faster as you get older.
Kids grow up too fast.
Can't wait to see your books in print.
I did know about the Starbucks name and logo.
Even before I tried to read Moby Dick. It has way too many words. I made it about half way through.
While I tried to figure out how to rear kids, they became adults.
You've been reading my mail Janell.
The best advice I received about raising kids is to never show up at the college dorm...unannounced.
How is it that I'm just now getting to this post? Whazza matter with me? It's a great post.
My Daughter and her husband own a coffee roastery in Lees Summit MO. They (we) refer to your roastery as "Charbucks."
I have a book at the publisher even as we speak (visit my blog). So get after yours. There is life after submissions. I wish you well. The best!
One hint: Your novel is "titled," not "entitled." I mean, if you're a technical writer, that is.
I'd sure like to copy your "isms" and pass 'em around. They're terrific.
Mine: Kids are people, too.
There's a difference between teaching a child and changing who they are.
Whatever you teach them HAS to be in the context of knowing WHO your child is. that needs to be respected and supported and accepted.
Are they a leader? Are they contented alone? Are they social? Are they fiercely independent?
A mom might not be able to put this into words but I beleive most moms figure out who their children are and all the rules and faith and discipline falls into line with acceptance of who a child it.
When you see a child grow up really troubled, it's usually because a mom tried to twist that child into who the MOM wants them to be instead of who the child really is.
I've got four children, they are all sooooooooooooooo different.
I suspect if I had 14 children, I'd find out there are endless variations.
That's too long. :)
And good for you on the novel. YAY
when people asked me what made me start writing I always include you, Janell.
Janell
Writing the History of Country Bible Church sounds like it would be a fun task. Having worked on projects like that I know how hard it can be to go back and gather, sort through, and put all pieces together.
Good luck with both your novels.
Ralph
Best wishes with your new job! Ditto for your work on recording the history of the Blair country church.
If you don't have much time for blogging you could just quickly copy down some of the goodies from your little book. Those were good.
Thanks for the lesson on Moby Dick. I never read that one, because the little Nebraska one room school I attended did not require it. I am sure it was on the shelf.
I hope you are giving away lots of those little free cups of special blends and pretty dressed in whip cream specials. I always look at our Starbucks on entering the grocery store to see if there is any free stuff on the counter. Free cookies are good too.
My saying: Save your Texas Dollars, Texas will rise again, a free nation.
..
I've been MIA in Blogdom too for awhile. That's just how life goes sometimes. I am not a coffee drinker, but I'd visit you at Starbucks and have one of those vanilla steam thingies instead and chat with you until you got in trouble for fraternizing with a customer for too long.
:-)
I like that you are writing your second book. I did not know about the first one, but I am not surprised at all, nor did I laugh at the thought. You are an excellent writer, so there is no reason you should not be writing a book... or two... or three...
I've learned that housework can wait. It is better to spend time with family than to worry about the un-mopped floor. I used to be too much of a stickler about my house being clean all the time. Now, I'm much more able to chill about it.
:-)
Rachel - OUCH! I hope that didn't happen more than once!
Sue; good point about time going faster - it sure does.
Myrna; yeah, that's what happened to me, too.
Cliff; good point. A dad or mom could find out more than they want to know.
Paul - you are welcome to copy my isms or anything else I post here. If I ddin't want to share it, I'd put it in my private journal.
Mary; good comments. I think you are right, if you'd had 14 instead of four, there would surely be endless variations.
Ralph; I think the trick is to not make it more complicated than it already is. Paring down the information to just the essentials.
Jim; yes, I gave away alots of free samples when i was learning how to make the drinks - may 50 or more. I like the cookies, too.
JD; I'd stand around and chat with you over the vanilla steam thingie until we got done chatting- no matter how much trouble I might get into. On the other had, how would we ever know when we were done chatting. I think you and I would just go on forever.
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