Good service

We always hear about the times we get poor service, particularly when dining out. Today, Julie blew us away! We only eat in this seafood restaurant about two or three times a year, because we only go to it when we're in the area. It's almost always busy.

Our last visit was perhaps two months ago. When Julie waited on us, she said, "Do you want the carmelized salmon again?" I looked at her in astonishment. (I did remember that she had waited on us the last time, but we didn't have a particularly chatty time then).

She didn't let it go at that. "Would you like to start with the shrimp cocktail appetizer too?" Again, my mouth dropped open. "Coffee to drink." The last time was the first time Julie had ever waited on us.

While we were waiting for our food, I remembered that we had a long wait because we got there mid lunch hour. I was just thinking that when she brought our food and said, "Better service than last time, huh? I was embarrassed the last time because it took so long," she said.

I just looked at her...she said, "I just have a good memory." Really!!

I just hope Julie gets incredible tips. There has to be some special reward for

that gift. Yea, we did our part.

Now, she had left one of those cards to fill out, asking for our email address for special coupons. I never fill those out. I'm already bombarded with Border's, etc., well, I do like some coupons. But, since Julie's name was on the bottom, and I'm sure she gets some kind of credit for this, I went ahead and filled out the form. Well, at least I'll get some kind of a discount for my birthday. It's the least I could do for that extraordinary service today.

BTW, I had mahi mahi today, just for a change. The next time I think I'll ask for Julie's station. I never can make up my mind on the menu. "Just bring me the usual."

Healthy and Green Living

There is a newsletter for which I signed up after a friend sent me an article from it. Care2 covers the gamut from healthy and green living, natural remedies, healthy mind, relationships and sexuality, garden and nature, pets, etc. Once you see all the topics they cover, you can personalize it to match your interests.

In almost every issue, I find myself reading at least one topic, more likely, two.
Today it was detoxing. The article covered all aspects of the subject. Personally, I've always thought it was a good idea, but I could never commit to a nine or ten-day detox program. The idea of doing a juice fast for even one day seems like a big deal to me. Maybe I'll try detox tea; that seems the easiest to follow.

But, the jury is still out on all the studies, there's no evidence that it's really necessary to maintain/achieve good health. Some doctors swear by it, though, judging by the improvement in their patients.

Enlightenment

I'm one who doesn't believe that spirituality and religion are necessarily mutually exclusive. This quote from "Why Walk When You Can Fly" by Isha (New World Library, 2008) hit home with me.

We often compromise our truth by playing small in order to make others feel better about themselves. We don't do what we really want to because we are afraid of losing approval, but enlightenment never compromises its own greatness.

My actor friend, Billy, had this quote at the bottom of his emails, which is another version of the same message:

"Your playing small does not serve the world."

The King of Rock and Roll

Just when you thought you knew everything there was to know about Elvis Presley, you may find these tidbits from the BRI Elvis file interesting.

Five Foods Served at Elvis' Wedding Breakfast:

1. Suckling pig
2. Fried Chicken
3. Oysters Rockefeller
4. Champagne
5. Wedding Cake


The King's Four Favorite Reading Material:

1. The Bible
2. The Prophet, by Kahlil Gibran
3. Captain Marvel comics
4. Mad Magazine

Elvis may have left the building, but the fascination never ends.

Source: Uncle John's AHH-INSPIRING Bathroom Reader, 15th Edition

Pursuit of Happiness

"Happiness is a butterfly, which, when pursued is always just beyond your grasp, but which, if you will sit quietly, may alight upon you."

NATHANIEL HAWTHORNE

Tea for Two

If you're of the female gender and you've never been to afternoon tea, make a date with a friend and go! It's such a special treat. My cousin and I for several years would go to tea at the Ritz Carlton around Christmas when it was so festively decorated for the holidays. Overlooking the ocean, we would sip champagne, while we waited for our tea to brew. Out would come delicious tea sandwiches: cucumber and cream cheese, seafood, egg salad or chicken salad, many different varieties. A delicious platter of desserts would follow.

Recently, I had the best quiche I've ever eaten at Barbara's Victorian Tea House.

These people have been in the restaurant business for years and, it shows.

Barbara mentioned that, as a business, tea houses are not such a good investment, but it is a labor of love.

"Meticulously arranged platters of luscious sweets and perfectly brewed cups of tea await you," as their brochure invites you to partake. This house was filled with fantastic gift items, ranging from china to jewelry to antiques. I bought a wonderful wrap on this trip. Music from the movies by a wonderful pianist played in the background as we enjoyed our treats.

Did you know that although teacups are fragile, they are also resilient?

Ceramic objects may be breakable, but they are also amazingly resistant to weathering and corrosion and age. Much of what we know about acient civilizations we have learned from bits of pottery they left behind. China dishes recovered from shipwrecks are often good as new, long after the ship itself has dissolved in saltwater.

This and other interesting facts can be found in a book, "Everything I Know I Learned Over Tea" by Emile Barnes with wonderful paintings by Susan Rios.

"It's always tea-time."

THE MAD HATTER

in Lewis Carroll's Alice's Advertures in Wonderland.

Live in the Present

The more I read about Buddhism, the more I believe they're on to something.

I love rereading the Dalai Lama's Rules for Life when it comes across the email.

It's so true, isn't it, that we make ourselves miserable in life by regretting the past or fearing the future. But, it's easier said than done to always live in the present. After all, we shouldn't lose the lessons of the past, lest the challenges keep presenting themselves. I can attest to that.

This was all brought to mind when I talked to a friend today who said she heard her ex was getting married today. I asked her how she felt. And the answer was "happy and sad."