Jake's Diner

Lawrence is his real name but Red is who he goes by. This crusty old sailor has survived three conflicts (WW2, Korea, and Vietnam) and is kind of a center piece of the Band of Brothers….or at least the center of many of the jokes.  Red gets a lot of ribbing and can dish it out when needed also. 

Red courted and wed Vivian who had been a volunteer to help serve the Band of Brothers and they were married on our floor last year. 

A couple of weeks back, Judy got a call from Vivian and we met her at the hospital.  Red had a small stroke.  Vivian was quite shook up and Judy helped her calm down.  Later, Zin and I visited as they put him in a room.  We did our best to make him feel at home, writing notes on his nurses board and such.  Dr. Gayle (one of Red’s Band of Brother nemesis’) ordered him up an enema while a constant stream of friends came and went. 

Last week, he was placed in therapy before being allowed to return home.  I visited him early on Monday morning.  He was just coming out of the bathroom when  I entered the room.  A smiling Red asked me to sit and before we were able to start talking, the nurse entered the room and confronted me.  “Are you family?”, she asked.  “I am his brother.”, I stated.  A nod from Red gave me my authorization to be there.

She then turned to Red and began chewing him out for going to the bathroom without letting her know.  “I am going to put that alarm back on you if you do that again!”, she ordered. 

Red waited patiently as she chastised him and when she was finished, he picked up a wrapper off of his table.  The wrapper stated it was a laxative.  “Did you give me this?”, he asked.  “Yes”, she replied.   “And did you give me those stool softeners?”, he asked.  “Yes”, came the reply.  Red paused for a moment for effect, and then looked up at her and said, “And you want me to wait for you?”.

I have not had as many posts lately.  I believe there are a few reasons for that. 

First and foremost, I am getting more sleep.  My diet change and some changes in me seem to be the center of that one and it is not a bad reason.  The better that I sleep, the better off my body and my Psyche will be also. 

I am now comfortably cured of cancer.  That is something that I am quite happy about.  I will be checked and will probably have biopsies taken on a quarterly basis the rest of my life, but it has now been a half year since even a A typical mole has been found. 

I still struggle with blood sugar a bit at times.  I must eat at times just to keep it up and often times, when I eat something sugary, I pay for it afterwards.  I still have those sugar cravings but have found myself able to fight them better especially when I remember that feeling that they give. 

One of my biggest struggles is still my PTSD.  It presents itself in a few different ways generally in phobias.  I wonder if I ever will be able to take a long trip again.  I often watch shows or read of places that I would love to visit but just the thought of the travel causes my blood pressure to rise.  And tight confined spaces are more than I can handle at times.  I have a storage shed with a heavy door that likes to swing shut with the wind.  I always insure that door is quite open or even blocked before going in.  The other day, at the chamber, I was directed to their small elevator.  I stared at the small space……and took the stairs.  I am working with two different counselors to help solve this problem.  I am also reading a book on cognitive therapy.  While the book seems to be helping in other ways, it does not seem to do much for the anxiety when it comes. 

Business seems to be OK lately.  I am always on the alert there, however, in that it will not take much to change that.  We must always be fervent to keep up our quality of food, quality of service, cleanliness, and even watch to make sure that our suroundings don’t began to look…..old.  I have watched many shows on different restaurants who have let down on just one of those areas and become money drains.  I must always be aware that it is just not Judy and my life that will be affected but some 20 to 30 others also. 

Judy and I have won a couple of awards lately.  We received one from the City of Bend last month and one from the Red Cross in a couple of weeks.  I am very grateful for them but even more grateful for the outpouring of support from my friends about them.  When we went to the City, our friends filled the council chambers which did not have enough seats for all.  I am so thankful for all of the friends that we have made in the past few years. 

Speaking of friends, I seem to be losing a few of those lately also.  Last Monday was not a red letter day. I lost four friends in a 24 hour period:

Esther lived behind us.  Her husband, Dud, passed on a few years back.  The parents of another friend, Carl, I enjoyed both of their company.  Dud and I would often stand out back and talk.  Esther was the quiet one, however.  I could sum up her life as I saw it in two words…..Quiet Grace.  I can still vision her sitting with a smile on her face, listening with her head nodding.  Her service was Friday.

Stu was the great uncle of Dan Fouts.  I always enjoyed him especially at the Band of Brother meetings.  Stu was often just a step back when we did the pledge of allegiance.  Often times, he would be one word behind the rest of us and when our leader led us in a salute he would sound out “two” behind him at the finish.  He would also, at times, state his agreement with something that you said with a resounding, “OK”.  His service is coming up and the Band of Brothers want to make it a good one.

Tom was a friendly guy. I knew a couple of his daughters as they were my kids age and enjoyed talking with him.  On a warm summer day, Tom would enjoy going outside and sitting on one of our benches after eating his meal.  He stopped me there once telling me that the bench was so low that it was hard for him to get up.  I found four pieces of wood and blocked up the bend a few inches.  He told me that it made it much easier.   Those blocks will stay and the bench will always be ‘Tom’s Bench’.  I am even considering a sort of plaque or something to honor him.  His service was last Wednesday and I was sick that day and unable to attend.

Fred was a very close friend. I have known him since the beginning of the diner   He was in the original TV ad back then and was a part of the group that I named the ‘Mountain High Round Table Breakfast Club’.  Over the years, I have spent many an hour sitting and talking with Fred over a cup of coffee.  But Judy became even closer to him that me.  They just seemed to hit it off and I think she took him as a sort of father figure.  His service is this Friday and I know it will be a hard day for her.

I am also considering the writing of the story of Jake’s.  It seems to be very inspirational when I tell parts of it from time to time and I don’t want to lose any of the small stories that are a part of it.  There were so many parts going all the way back to why I even came there in the first place that I don’t want to forget and that might just encourage someone to either pursue their dreams or to keep their minds open for God’s path.  It seems to be a story of redemption, faith, and God’s grace that needs to be written if just to validate it.

But for now, I am still living the story on a day to day basis.  And when I contemplate it, I often wonder what the next rise in the road will bring as I walk through this thing we call ‘Life’.

Years ago, my Radio ads contained the young voice of my daughter, Trinity.  My friend, Ron Alvarez, created them and they were very effective.  They were scheduled to be broadcast on KBND during the drive times in the morning which are generally between 7 and 9 am.  One morning, I happened to be out driving and KBND was on the air with Rush Limbaugh.  Rush was touching on a somewhat sensitive subject that I felt was rather adult when it broke to ad and my daughters sweet voice came on. 

I immediately called my ad salesman and asked that my ads not be put on his show.  It was not that I did not agree with what he was saying but merely the fact that he addressed at times more adult subjects and I ran  a wholesome family restaurant with my young daughter as the spokesperson.

Fast forward to the recent firestorm of Rush’s due to his remarks that he made last week regarding the young lady who witnessed in congress.  Evidently, KBND must have had some extra spots on his show and someone placed my ad on it.  I was not aware of this until I recieved the following email:

Message:

To whom it may concern:

Rush Limbaugh has on three separate days provocatively said that American women who receive contraceptives paid for by their health insurance are —–, ——-, and ———-. He has suggested that they be required to film themselves having sex and put the videos on the Internet so the rest of us can watch them. He said this of Sandra Fluke, the Georgetown University law student who had the temerity to disagree with Limbaugh and testify at a Congressional hearing: “She’s having so much sex it’s amazing she can still walk, but she made it up there”. He said “she wants to have repeated, never-ending, as often as she wants it sex”. He said these things about her because she supports the requirement that health insurance companies cover contraception.

 By continuing to advertise with KBND and having your adds broad casted on the Rush Limbaugh show, you are implicitly supporting what he is saying. Unless you pull your ads, I feel your company supports this sexist, misogynistic, anti-women hate speech with your money. I personally will not support a company that supports such a person or ideals presented by Rush Limbaugh. I plan on calling at least 10 people to voice my concerns as to where your company spends add money and would ask them to call 10 people and them to call 10 people.

Please take some time and consider the buying power of Bend locals and what image you want for your company.

 Sincerely

Kirk Barnes

I sat at my computer not sure how to react to this threat.  First off, I did not disagree with Rush’s premise.  I do not want to pay for someone else’s contraception.   But, I do once more disagree with his delivery.  I looked online and found that their was quite a bit of back lash regarding companies pulling their ads from his show and that he had apologised twice for his remarks. 

The first thing that I did was forward the email to the owner of Combined Communications where KBND is.  I felt that he should be aware of this attack on his company’s supporters. 

I had just received my monthly bill from their company and checked the times of my ads and found none scheduled during Rush’s show.  I know that if their are open times, that they are sometimes filled by random ads from other KBND supporters so I figured this must be the case here also.

But, after showing the email to Judy, I agreed with her that the email was a form of blackmail so I decided to email this person back with the following:

Dear Mr. Barnes,

 I advertise on KBND, not on Rush Limbaugh.  While I agree with Mr. Limbaugh on specifics such as the fact that we should not have to pay for anyone’s birth control, I do not agree with his delivery of argument.  That being said, I just received my bill from the radio station and checked my times and none of them were on his show.  That means any one broadcast during his time period were random extras that all businesses who support KBND can and do receive. 

 But, secondly, I would like to challenge you on your delivery also.  By the definition what you have written in your email is a form of blackmail.  Webster defines blackmail as extortion or coercion by threats especially of public exposure.  I have passed on your email to the owner of KBND or Combined Communication (KBND, KLRR, KTWS, and 99.7, the Mountain) as it seems to be more of his problem than my own. 

 If you do not agree with Mr. Limbaugh, maybe you should do just as I do…..don’t listen to him!  If he has no listeners, then he has no program.  But obviously many do listen to him and many do agree with him.  Isn’t it great to live in a country where we have the freedom to think and say what we wish?

 Respectfully,

Lyle Hicks

Feeling fairly confident that I had done my duty on both parts, I pushed the issue to the side and continued on with my work.  Towards the middle of the afternoon, my eyes became very heavy so I decided to drive home for a short nap since I still had quite a bit of paperwork to finish.  I lay down on my couch and dropped off.  My cell phone awoke me and I groggily answered.  The female voice on the line asked if she was speaking to the person who does the advertising for Jake’s.  Annoyed that a salesman was waking me up, I stated that I was probably somewhat crossly. She asked who I was and I told her that I was the owner.  She said good and then began what somewhat sounded like a script informing me of my advertising on Rush’s show.  Now awake, I decided to engage her regarding the issue.  I told her of the email that I had received earlier and of how I was not aware of my ad on his show.  I challenged her that what she and the emailler were doing were tantamount to what Rush himself had done.  She said that she did not understand so I said that Rush had figuratively punched them in the mouth so they were attempted to hit him back.  A sort of revenge mentality.

I told her a more favorable approach would be to not listen to him.  If people don’t like what he said, then just turn him off.  I went on to tell her that I had done just that myself.  She stated that unfortunately, many were listening to him so I quickly countered with isn’t it great that we live in a country that has the freedom to do so?

I asked her how she knew that my ad was on and she said that she had listened to him this morning just to see who had supported him.  So, I stated that by listening to him, it was kind of supporting him also.

We left our conversation friendly (at least on my part) and I wished her to have a good rest of her day.

The whole thing, however, has left me with many thoughts.  The email threat especially was to do damage to my business if I did not do what they requested thus attempting not only harm on my livelihood but that of my 30 plus employees of various backgrounds and beliefs.  Taking that one step further, if my business was hurt, I would not be able to assist others within the community and community programs would be thus harmed also. 

The same could be said for Combined Communications who chooses to run the program that many obviously want to listen to.  They employ many people also and give back generously to their community equally.

I know that I might be taking this a bit to the extreme but the point to me is before you strike back at someone, you need to think of what harm your strike itself might cause.  The lady on the phone seemed like a nice lady and she stated that she wished me no ill.  But the email was another matter and I hope that the Reverend Kirk rethinks his strategy.

I arrived at the service 45 minutes early hoping to catch some time with Marcene.  Evidently, many others had the same idea as the parking lot was full and the line was out the door. 

The first thing that I noticed were two ladies, unkept and obese with their ball caps on sideways making their way up the ramp to the door.  I smiled as I remembered how Ned had always reached out to the unreached….the ones that others didn’t…the ones harder to love for most of us.  It was one of he and Marcene’s greatest qualities. 

Once inside the building, we could see where the line was going.  Marcene was placed just past her daughter, Lynette and was greeting each and every person with a hug.  I watched as she loved them individually.  I smiled and turned to Judy, telling her that it might take a while.

Lynette was trying her best to keep the line going but knew the importance of the moment for her mom.  I talked with her briefly but wish I could have had more time as I didn’t feel our conversation went well.  Sometimes the words in your mouth just don’t come out right…and I felt this the case here.

Soon, it was our turn and I got my ‘Marcene’ hug.  She smiled and remembered the boy who had the fishing hook out the side of his head.  I laughed back and corrected her…..two times that had happened.  I could have spent a while there but I wanted her to be able to see all of her friends so we went on in.

As we entered, I spoke with his twin brother, Ted who was in the back of the room.  It was almost as if Ned were there amongst us.  Knowing Ned, I could see the differences but the similarities were so striking given the day.  The similar smile..the similar laugh…..the eyes.

We found a seat and waited watching all of the others around us.  Other than the family, the only one that I noticed was Ron Haynes who I had grown up with.  Ron had married Marcene’s sister and had been the one who had called me first. 

The service started just a bit late.  I knew that it must have been because Marcene wished to see as many as possible.  The pastor greeted us all.  He seemed to be a friend of Ned’s and I felt that might be the reason for the decision to have the service there.  He told us who would be speaking and how they would not have an open mike as they would be there all day if they had ( I agreed with that assessment as I knew that all the souls in the building had been touched by this great man).

They had representatives from all of his churches starting out with Ron from ours.  I enjoyed Ron’s talk with the old Ron humor that I remembered from our youth.  Ron spoke of an outing where we were roasting hot dogs over a fire and he had placed a fire cracker in the end of one.  He spoke of Ned’s anger over it.  I recall the incident and Ned’s displeasure but not the anger. I still don’t recall him ever angry.  I know he must have been from time to time but my memory probably pushed that aside. 

The other churches were spoken well and I was especially taken by the story from the Longview church. A lady spoke while her husband stood next to her.  He seemed nervous and out of place but I soon realized his reason for being there.  The lady had been Ned’s secretary and they had prayed for him for many years.  Tragedy in their lives had brought Ned to be able to lead him to the only One who could repair his heart. 

Lastly, Ted got up and spoke.  I loved his dry humor and laughed with all on his stories of their youth together.  I especially loved his stories of the time when I knew him and he and his wife, Mertie,were on furlough from his service overseas in Italy.  Back then, their resemblence was so close that someone in Bend thought Ned was out with another woman.

Then the pastor got back up and spoke for a bit.  My mind drifted as he spoke as I could not settle on his words. I had two many Ned thoughts on my mind and although I knew that Ned would want a sermon to be spoken, I found myself drifting and was glad when the kids took the stage.

I was so touched Torey and his rememberences of his dad.  He struggled with his words not because he did not know what he wanted to say but because it was hard to say them.  I know that I will have that same hard task one day and don’t look forward to it. 

Then the kids were joined by the rest of the family to sing a song.  As they began to sing, tears welled up in my eyes and freely ran down my cheeks.  For the simple song sang by his family stated his life better than any words could ever.  The family sang “Jesus loves me”.  How poignant and how fitting.

The service over, Judy and I went back to the gym behind the church but only for a minute as we had to get on the road home.   We were able to see his son, Toby who had called me on the phone and say goodbye to Ted. 

As we drove away, Judy and I spoke of the service and what we had seen.  We both agreed that the song from the family was just so right…..so fitting and beautiful. 

I had been having a few bad days since hearing of his passing.  It was if my life was somewhat out of balance.  I remember sharing with Judy how I did not understand why it was affecting me so much.  The service brought the word closure to me in a way that I had not understood it before.  I will never forget this man who left and indelible imprint on my life.  And the memory of his service….a celebration of his life….will stay there also. 

I will keep the program as a remembrance also.  The front cover of Ned standing there.  The inside picture of Ned and Marcene. The back cover of a picture of him and his family.  But below that another tribute.  One that will always make me smile when I look at it.  For Ned was an avid Oregon Duck fan and there was the Duck logo with the words “Go Ducks!”.   Once again, how fitting.

When you don’t see posts from me, it usually means that I am sleeping well.  For the middle of the night seems to be the only time that I find the time and often times feel the most inspired to put my thoughts down.

Tonight is one of those nights.  I have lost a close friend.  His name is Ned Landers.  Although he was only in my life a few short years, he inspired me for a lifetime.  I wrote about him a couple of years back and that can sum up how I felt about him pretty much.

After my youth, I visited Ned and his wife, Marcene a few times.  I showed up on his doorstep with my young family on the day that he told his small church in Toppenish, Washington that he was leaving.  It was a stressful time for him, I know, but he did not show the stress.  We talked till late in the night he shared sometimes deep things, it was never with what you would call a complaint.  Life was merely what it was.  He did speak of shedding tears at times, though, both tears of happiness and tears of sadness.  I asked him why he was leaving and he looked at me and said, “I feel it is what God wants me to do.”.

Years later, I heard that he had landed back up in Washington at a town called Longview.  I took a young pregnant Carrie on a road trip that ended up on his doorstep.  We spent a few hours that afternoon with them and I know that they made Carrie feel very welcome and loved and I recall that she commented afterwards on how comfortable she felt with them. 

A few years later, Trinity, Frank, and I stopped by on our way back from a trip to Seattle.  Marcene would not let us leave until she had prepared a meal for us all.  We sat out in their back yard at a picnic table, ate bologna sandwiches, and enjoyed each others company.  I know that in that short time, Ned and Marcene imprinted their love on Trin.  She stated last night that his kindness has stayed with her all these years.

A couple of years past and Jay and I were returning from a game in Seattle.  We stopped and stayed at their house for the night.  The next morning, Jay played while Ned and I discussed the Jake’s story and how I had come to be a business owner.  I recall him softly encouraging me to keep the focus on God and to always be aware of the influence to others around me both employee and customer.

More years went by and a couple of years back, Judy and I were able to stop by their house in Yachats.  He was retired but attempting to help a small church get on it’s feet.  I was able to thank him for his influence in my life.  He smiled, I could tell that it affected him deeply, he thanked me for my kind words, and then he changed the subject away from himself to something else.

I recall him talking about a neighbor who was struggling with addiction and anger.  I wonder where that man is now and if Ned has affected him as he has others.  There are so many that I remember just from those younger days.  One in particular.  The biggest meanest man around.  His name was Dick Ray.

We were all afraid of Dick.  Ned shared with me years later how Dick had showed up on his doorstep.  He said, “Preacher, I need your help.”.  Before he left, Ned had led him to a relationship with God.  Dick was a changed man.  I recall one Sunday morning, Wendell Hill and I sitting in the back row of the church.  Neither of us were listening and Dick could tell.  He pushed in between us, put his arms around us both and said, “Boys, you need to listen to the preacher.”.  And, as you might imagine, we were all ears.

This man was only in my life a few short years…..and then fleeting moments afterwards.  And yet, I can see him clearly.  I see the sparkle of laughter in his eye.  I hear his soft never harsh voice.  I can feel his large hands and his kind embrace.

It brings to me the words of a song.  How can I say thanks for the things you have done for me.  I can almost see Ned smile and return, “To God be the glory.”

Post Script:  Ned’s service is this Monday.  I can now easily answer part of that last.  I can say thanks by dropping all and being there.

I was invited to a town hall meeting on Thursday evening at the community center.  It was to be a televised meeting led by two friends, Jamie and Dave, who work for the production side of Bend Cable. 

The reason that I went was because the topic was one that I have involved myself in for many years, the homeless.  I went with a desire to listen and learn to other resources that are out there and others ideas on how to cope with this needy problem. 

I arrived and found many friends and kindred spirits filling up the room.  I looked for my good friend, Chuck, from COVO and found that he was to be a part of the panel.  So, I sat down next to another friend, Rob and we chatted while we waited for the event to unfold. 

Soon, Dave and Jamie were addressing us and telling us how the televised part of the night would work and how we were to hold the microphone if we decided to speak.  Dave told us how even though the show was an hour long, that it would go by fast.  I remember thinking to myself, ‘Good, cause I am tired and want to go home.’.  After sitting in the chair, I began to unwind from the long day that had started before 6 AM.  Fatigue began to wear at me and I wondered if coming was all that good an idea.

And then it started and true to his word, each segment seemed to fly by.  It did so because it was interesting and most of the people who spoke had something to say.  I knew most of the people or their organizations on the panel who was well represented by COVO, the Community Center, Shepherds House, Bethlehem Inn, the Family Access Network, and ICON City. 

Many inspiring and interesting things were spoken of by the various members who had their various ideas of how to tackle the problem but the most interesting for me came from the ICON City crew.  First off, I was taken by his humbleness when he spoke of how he was not really an agency like the rest of them and did not feel worthy of sitting in a panel with them.  But, more so, it was their ideas that seemed fresh and true.  They were the ones who seemed to be getting outside of the box on the issue. 

One thing in particular interested me the most.  They have set up a program called BeRemedy (be a part of the remedy).  The program works by texting ICON to 80565.  Once you are in the network, a text will go out every week stating a specific need that needs to be addressed.  I thought the idea was outstanding. 

The hour flew by as segment after segment finished and we listened to the panel and various people in the audience interact.  We also heard from some homeless people and others who had survived homelessness from help within the room. 

The last segment began and up until then, I had no desire to speak.  Then a representative from Goodwill got up and bragged of their programs.  The hairs on the back of my neck began to raise as I desired to stand and challenge their name as I have often made the statement that Goodwill has no goodwill.  I even wrote about this once in a story of an encounter back in the old Jakes where I had sent a couple over to Goodwill to get some clothes before I gave them a shower and took them to the Bethlehem Inn.  Goodwill refused them clothes and I had to drive them to another agency.

Then another lady got up and stated that we should put pressure on the banks to have them give up their vacant houses that are just sitting around.  I realize her heart was in the right place but the idea was not a workable one.

But it was the Bethlehem Inn guy in the panel that made me want to raise my hand as he made the statement that we needed more government help with more government grants.  I was actually forming a response when the town hall meeting suddenly was over.

My response would have been this, however.  We had all the resources that we would need right there in that room.  People motivated with a desire to help and access to material, labor, and the ability to raise funds.  The problem is not that we need more government help but less.  We need them to get out of the way and let us do the job that is needed.  It is governmental red tape and restrictions that hamper us and keep us from being able to help these needy people. 

For instance, ICON city gained access to prefabricated shelters but could not gain permission to use them.  So, people who could have been helped and placed in these dry shelters are now living in tents in the woods.

Or when Sheppard’s House first got started.  They were not allowed to put up all the beds that they wanted because of local codes that restricted them due to inadequate bathroom facilities.  I remember as a youth that our house had only one bathroom.  Some of us had to wait at times to use it or to take a bath.   Because of these local codes, some men have had to fight frostbite out in the cold. 

If the government wants to help, maybe they could pass some law protecting us from frivolous lawsuits that are the catalyst for many of these codes and red tape. 

I left the meeting with mixed emotions.  My desire to help had been enhanced but my thoughts of the idea of more government involvement had actually left me with a bit of dread. 

I shared my thoughts with some crew members the next day who knew that I was going.  One of them asked of the homeless man who was living behind the building when we first opened up.  We laughed as we shared stories of his antics at the time.  One of them asked if I had heard from Jerry lately.  I said that I had not heard from him since the time that he came in with a group of guys telling them that he was buying them a meal.  He had already rang up quite a tab and had bounced a couple of checks.  I told him that I wanted to help but could not continue to run up a tab for him.  He left rather angrily stating that I had embarrassed him in front of his friends.  I had often wondered what had happened to this creative homeless man.

I went out to my office and sat there just thinking back of Jerry.  I had forgotten all about him until he was brought up in our conversation.  The diner phone began to ring and was picked up by the front desk.  Then the chirp telling me that the call was for me sounded out and I picked up the phone.

Amazingly, it was Jerry.  He had moved over to the valley but was now living in Redmond.  He told me that he was no longer homeless and that he was now receiving social security.  He needed to get access to the van to take him to the VA hospital in Portland and one of the Band of Brothers that he had bumped into had told him to call me for info.  I directed him to call the local VFW hall and I was sure they would have the info that he needed.  Before he closed off the call, he asked me a question, “Hey Lyle, do I owe you any money?”.  “No”, came the answer, “We are square.”.  “Thanks”, he said, “Can I see you sometime.”.  “I would like that.”, I answered and we both said goodbye. 

I dropped my head and said a little prayer, knowing that the conversation was as much meant for me as it was a need for Jerry. 

What are my thoughts of all of this.  Well, as we all go home tonight to our warm houses and snuggle in our soft beds that we dedicate ourselves to help out some way.  Not out a sense of guilt but out of love….love for our fellow man.

BTW, the Middle of Winter food and clothing drive is up and running.  Actually, it never stopped from last year but it is officially on.  After we took up the bins last spring, people kept bringing in stuff and we kept taking it down to COVO for distribution.  So, if you have anything that you don’t need that might help out someone who is in need, feel free to bring it in and drop it off in our entryway.

I first met Jerry when he applied for work shortly after giving up his first restaurant, Cafe Krohn.  It was a small place over on Newport Ave.  I will admit being a bit intimidated by him at first as I knew he knew much more about the business than I did but I brought him on because I needed a good cook and his knowledge of the game might be beneficial…..and it was.  Jerry openly shared his expertise never asking for anything extra in return. 

He was quiet in nature but I would not call him a gentleman.  There was a sort of rough side about him.  Lets just say he had his opinion on things and was not afraid to let you know.  I respect that in a person. But more important, he was an honorable man.  When he said he would do something….it got done.  And when he was working, I never had to worry.  He would not be taking excessive breaks (contrary, I don’t recall him taking any) and his plates or product was always done with care. 

Jerry worked for me not once but twice.  Neither time leaving on harsh terms.  I believe that he felt it was just his time to move on.  From time to time, Jerry would stop in to say hi.  Always with a smile but more importantly, always with one or both of his kids alongside. 

Jerry was a single parent.  I never knew the reason only that it was evident that he loved them and just as he did his work, he knew that they were his responsibility……

I went to his service yesterday.  I often speak in services like this one but for some reason, I could not form the words that were in my heart….I could only watch.  I watched his children….his legacy as they picked out songs that reminded them of their father and they both spoke.  Melissa had that spunk that I have often seen even as a young child and Jeremy…..well, it was like seeing a younger version of his father as he walked up to the podium.  He spoke quietly but with a purpose as he related that as a youth, he did not want to be like his father working so hard, sometimes in three jobs but as he grew up into a man, he realized that he was and that being like his father was actually a pretty good thing.

I didn’t realize until after his passing on that one of Jerry’s last jobs was baking for the school district.  I always knew his skill there, however, and as I looked at the kids, I could easily relate his job with them to those skills.

For a good baker must first take the ingredients and blend them carefully,  his oven must be at the right temperature and his timing must be just right.  If he does his job right, what comes out will be a great finished product.  And Jerry’s batches were always done well.

As I looked over at his kids….his legacy….I could not help but be impressed.  I remembered back at how when he would come back into the diner, he always had one of them with him…..nurturing….teaching…..being a father.  And I could see that these two would be OK.

Job well done, Jerry.  You baked a good batch.

There is one thing that you can always count on and that is change. What ever you do and where ever you go, change is just around the corner. The trick is how to deal with it.

The new year is upon us and this is my first change…..my website. And since it is built in WordPress, I think it is equally important that I change my blog to that site also. I hope this works out and that my transition to this goes well. As I type, I already see so many different things that I must learn. The first being where is the spell checker? Lol…isn’t that what most of us need?

Let me know how you like the website. I hope to find the time to change it up a bit. My good friend, Jim Harrison, set it up for me and showed me how to work it last week.

Other changes in the works is our menu. I am looking at a variety of different items that might just end up on it this year. This list includes meatloaf, sirloin tips, Tilapia (a very nice inexpensive fish), and a couple of new omelettes (four cheese and loaded potato).

We are working on them right now but hope to have them up and running by the end of the month.

I know I am a little slow this year, but my time has been really taken up by our bookeeper, Summer, being out on a maternity leave. BTW, congrats to Summer on her new family. She is now deciding if she wants to come back or not. I certainly would not blame her if she becomes a stay at home mom. I have always admired couples who sacrifice for their kids that way. I remember that while our kids grew up, it was very hard but Judy was always there.

With Summer gone, we have hired a lady who does books at various places and while she is very good at what she does, it is best that I still do many of the other things that Summer always did for us which takes me away from my normal and extends my daily hours (no complaint there..it is part of owning your own business).

I will finish this short first blog with a thanks. Thank you to all of you who have help keep Jake’s alive over the years. To all of the new friends that we have made especially but not limited to the veteran and senior community that has become such an intimate part of our focus.

Happy 2012 everyone. I think we are all anxious to see what this new year will bring to all of us. After all, it might be our last, right?

My Monday started out as many of them do. I donned my Duck Hawaiian shirt and my Duck Jake’s hat as I headed out to the diner to start the day. One never knows what the business will be like on a day like today. The weather is suppose to be good, the day is suppose to be a holiday as banks and government are closed, and it is the last school holiday before classes go back on Tuesday.

I had worked late on Sunday to insure that Casey had all that he needed to get payroll ready to be sent and had promised to meet him early to get that ready to go. I met Casey at a quiet diner and had breakfast with a good friend, Ernie while I waited for the rest of the crew to arrive.

At 9, I had more crew than I did customers. My two bussers were just standing around, so I found ‘things’ for them to do which I think irritated them a bit. The wait staff busied themselves getting ready for what they hoped to be a strong day. The warmer the day got, the more I knew this would not be the case. I have found out from years past that warm weather is a bane to restaurants, especially this time of year. By 11, I was sending half of the crew home and myself was in the car now getting ready for the biggest part of the day……The Rose Bowl.

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I took the girls and Jay to the Virginia game at the new arena in Eugene on Sunday. We packed up the car right after Jay took a quick needed shower from his Lacrosse practice.

The new arena is beautiful and there are no bad seats. Ours were in the top row just behind the Oregon bench. We had a great view of the floor and though I could not make out the names on the back of their jerseys, I pretty much knew from sight or from the announcers shouts who they were as they played.

Just before the game, we were all told to stand, take off our hats, face the flag, and honor it with the national anthem. Now, that was one thing I could not see from my perch was the flag. The reason was that a side board that showed stats throughout the game was blocking it. I looked to see where the crowd was looking and my eyes moved past the Duck bench. What I saw made my blood boil. A line of players were standing facing towards the flag…..but many of them were looking down at their feet. They seem to be fidgeting, anxious for the game to start. I wanted to scream out but from my distance, they would have not heard. The coach was standing behind them. I am not sure if he had his hand over his heart or not but in my mind, I was yelling…..”Get those guys in line! Honor our flag!”

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