Old-Faithfuls

I have not outgrown this in life; but instead, perhaps somehow I’m always surprised when someone or something, lets me down.

I should be used to mediocre to poor service and be wowed by exemplary service. I mean, if everyone gave exemplary service, how would we appreciate or contrast the difference?

If you are relatively hard working/constitutionally optimistic—and I’d like to think that I am; things will seem to fall in place almost all of the time. The odd time; services & people in your life will let you down and it is disappointing; but as a business is allowed to fail due to its own bad service, a discovery/wisdom opportunity is gained, and there is a window for rebirth and newness (or bankruptcy).  

On the upside for me, I have a pretty sunny outlook but there is an expectation of myself, people & of products.

Do you find yourself going to the same restaurant ordering the same menu item?  Or, calling the faithful friend that will find the time to talk.  It is comforting to know that there are old-faithfuls that bring center, routine and order to our lives.

I do not expect Woodbury readers to care about my list of dependable places & products in Woodbury, but when I head out to an establishment, I rely & count on constant, consistent service and quality.

It is not that we are hoity-toity. If you are in the service industry, you need to provide not just good service; you need to provide exceptional service. Time is valuable.

I think I have some taste. Restaurants need to remember that the tongue is an acrobat with 16 separate muscles, telling brain what’s yummy or yucky. There are 9,000 taste buds on the tongue… now if this isn’t enough for ye to improve the quality of food, what would?

I would be a chemist’s best friend almost stomaching anything to let my critter of a tongue better detect savory, sour, sweet, salty and bitter. Food spends 3 to 6 hours in the stomach and only moments on the tongue—but what a great few moments. 

The following are my old-faithfuls that never let me down:

* My vacuum in Woodbury. Oh, I miss you so.  I wish I had you in PR, but it doesn’t make sense to purchase a ticket for you!

*Meeting some friends at . I always order the white chocolate, raspberry scone. The scones are excellent & I can concentrate on talking with friends and not get bent out of shape at the quality of the scone. But, you were closed when I was home & we had to find a different location.

*Meeting some other lady friends at for either a sesame bagel or a bear-claw. Both are good and I can concentrate on talking with my friends.

*Pearl Vision near Rainbow on Valley Creek Road. The blond lady working there is pumped up and ready for action, her customer service ability magnificent.  I had not been there in 4 years - she remembered every detail I gave her years ago…family, friends, scandal…even the eyes.   I was wowed!

*Coffee to be brewed as early as possible in the morning (preferably 100% Puerto Rican coffee, but really I’ll drink most any types of coffee, however, I think all of the coffee shops in Woodbury could improve their quality of coffee). Sometimes my whole life has to be planned around coffee…it is the only thing left that powers this aging girl.

*Some lady and guy friends that love to laugh.  There are a few who will never let you down, giving and accepting cheap laughs - this is our mantra!

*Walking out my back yard in Woodbury and looking at wood piles for inspiration and natural beauty.

*Dock Martin boots I have owned for 8 years.  Make me a little taller, & they are comfortable & cool.

* Valley Crossing school and the welcome one will get from Principal Mary Anderson, Mrs. Deb Laub & staff.  They are sound as bells.

*Lunds and Byerly’s “Real Food” magazine.  A library of free information, tried and true recipes.  It is complimentary when you visit the store.  Even though I live here in PR, my friend Kathy ensures I receive a copy!

*Woodbury Magazine - such a fabulous quality magazine and is free to all 55125 and 55129 area code residents.  Debbie Musser & the staff are like spies, digging for stories in our back area and giving the secrets for free.  Great photography.  New feature: You can sign up to receive it on line. 

*Old Spice Deodorant for me.  Smell is one of your strongest senses.  10,000 times more sensitive than the Tongue.  Old Spice works for me - all 10,000 sensors pluck up.

*Pastor Jon Larsen preaching at King of King Lutheran Church.  The details of his sermons are carefully orchestrated to make the point flow as rhythmically as a concerto, and his has the ability to make them awfully funny! 

*Visiting Woodbury Senior Living.  These old timers would satisfy all senses - we are often up to shenanigans, they are like secret agents with codes and I’m forever trying to infiltrate - I’m trying to find out & learn what is crucial to the body and mind for inner peace and joy, how to mature with dignity…they have the secrets. 

*Father Walker and Father Shane at St. Ambrose Catholic Church, who will stop to speak and write you if you have a question, a request regardless if you are the hardest of heart, the poorest or the richest in Woodbury.  They will call you friend.

* Heineken - the liquid party animal.  Yeast ferments sugar in ripe fruit to produce alcohol.   (1 gal of milk in Puerto Rico=$6.00 (Government controlled price).  6 pack of Heineken=$4.99).  You cannot blame a weak woman - we are forced to drink.

*For all I know Kris Janisch could be working out of a building in Woodbury that was once the KGB headquarters, who danced and drank into the wee hours with groups of charming young Russian artists—regardless, he will always find time to welcome stories and comments from all of us.

*The family and friends who believe that we are undoubtedly gorgeous to look at (& they make me forget that some of us hide some parts of the body from view).

*Going to City Hall is not where you think any type of enchantment begins, but I have to hand it to the employees at the car license, passport division for the quality of service and the hand out of smiles.  City employees enjoying their work.   It shows.

*Julie Lehr, who used to work for City Hall—she gives me the impression that she is calm, sensible, and excellent at management, and will write you a hand written letter when she has to decline an invitation.

* O’Malley’s Pub.  We are greeted at the door hugely by the lady servers.
Todd, the owner was content & a placid sort of a fellow. My family went to meet him to compliment him on his fish and fries basket.  The fish was excellent!  My husband ordered the fish.  It was cod, battered and not oily.  It was white, big, flaky, tasty, we all abandoned our meal to eat his!

Old friends and new will be able to come to enjoy a pint of Harp or a glass of Coke (& try the Fish) as people from all over the world have been doing for centuries whether along or with a group.

* The manager at Pizza Hut, on Weir Drive, this past summer. Even though we would only come in for a pick up order maybe once per month; he recalled our family preferences and treated us like we were a barfly from Cheers. Cut in squares right?

Just like an important part of pipe smoking is “the breaking in” the pipe. Proper care when performing this step ensures that your pipe will give you a sweet smoke and last a long time. 

I’m perfectly content with Woodbury and my glass is 9/10ths full. 

If you are inspired to submit your own list, I’d love to hear your recommendations.