"Do You Have Any Availability Tonight?"

"No, we are fully occupied." That the answer I give to the many phone calls I received this weekend asking if there were any rooms available at the bed and breakfast where I work. Notice that I don't say "We're sold out." That is so rude and crude. No, the correct answer is "We're fully occupied." I worked the 7 am to 3 pm this Saturday and Sunday. This was like a trial run for when I'm working full time for six weeks beginning August 27th when the regular daytime front desk clerk goes on maternity leave. It's been awhile since I've worked full time. It wasn't too long ago when I worked at my banking job and worked evenings at the Hampton Inn in Exton, PA. How did I do that? This was back in 1998 to 2001. I was way younger then. I didn't plan on my work schedule being like that, it happened gradually. I had left one full time job at a bank and got a temporary job working as night auditor at the Hampton Inn. After about three months my job at the Hampton Inn transitioned to the evening shift which I liked very much. Another bank offered me a job which I took with the consideration that I could leave that banking job an hour early each day I work the evening at the hotel. That situation worked well for a couple of years until there was a change of management at the hotel. I left the Hampton Inn and worked full-time at the bank. One good thing about working two jobs at the same time was that I was able to save a ton of money and it cured me (temporarily at least) of my shopaholic tendencies. An interesting development had developed since I moved to Delaware, I don't have the urge to "go shopping" like I used to when I lived in Pennsylvania. I'm not a psychiatrist, but the reason I probably was a shopaholic was that I was bored. I'm not bored now, especially this past weekend. Someday I'll write a book about my experiences in the hospitality industry. Believe me, real life is much more interesting than made up stories my script writers and novelists. After work last night, I felt like I had to unwind so I asked Bill to go with me for a ride down to the local McDonalds for milkshakes(which is miles away - nothing is close by here in Slower Lower.) That was a mistake. I got greedy and ordered large milkshakes for both of us. That was a large intake of chemicals. Then, on the way home, darkness descended on the roads and the rains began. It's been awhile since I drove at night and in the rain. The experience is like driving with a blindfold on except for the glaring headlights of oncoming traffic. So there we were, bloated with the sugar infused, chemical laced McDonalds milkshakes, wondering who had the bright idea to take a ride. One good thing, I got a nice sunset picture while sitting in the McDonald's parking lot. Next time we'll have smoothies at home.

Feathers

The baby bluebirds are no longer naked. See for yourself, they have developed feathers with a blue hue. I check the bluebird box every morning and I am amazed at how fast they are growing. Still not a peep out of them. When I open the front door box, the see a pair of big dark eyes looking at me. In this picture the main baby bluebird quickly took a peek and saw me then went right back to sleep. I think he's getting used to me peeking in his box every morning. Not to worry though, those big eyes open when Mama Bluebird stops by with a tasty morsel. This little bluebird will probably have a long journey ahead of him once he fully develops his feathers and is on his own. I don't know the migration patterns of bluebirds. It seems to vary by food sources and what is genetically implanted in the bluebirds. This is the second year that bluebirds have raised their young in this particular bluebird box. I have two other bluebird boxes surrounding the perimeter of my back yard but they don't seem to prefer those boxes. Perhaps they're facing in the wrong direction. Except for the occasional sparrow, those boxes remained empty during the summer season. Next year I will place another bluebird box on that side of my backyard. Perhaps I can attract another pair of mating bluebirds to raise their young. I now have other visitors to my backyard, humming birds. I don't know where their nest is but there are a lot of them. The humming bird feeder is placed on the railing of my back deck. That feeder receives a constant stream of visitors and needs to be refilled every day and a half. The humming birds are getting so used to me and Bill, that they don't even hum away now when we're out on the deck.

Lazy, Hazy, Crazy Summer Day

Yesterday was a typical lazy, hazy, crazy summer day here in my little oasis on the coastal plain of Sussex County, Delaware. Peaceful, relaxing. I am enjoying these few days off from work at the hotel before I begin working full time at the end of the month. I will temporarily replace the full time front desk agent who is going on maternity leave for six weeks. It's been awhile since I've worked five days in a row so this should be an interesting experience. It will be a much needed learning experience for me, working consecutive days. I will undoubtedly encounter all kinds of circumstances (working the front desk at a hotel isn't as easy as it looks folks) that will sharpen my skills as the front desk person. Even though I've worked off and on for the past five years at three different hotels (the Hampton Inn, the Marriott Residence Inn), there is always something new to learn in the hospitality business. New challenges. Never underestimate the complexity and vagaries of the guest (as we in the hospitality business call the "customers".) Someday I will write a book about my experiences in the hospitality industry. Many of my experiences have been stranger than fiction. The old saw "you just can't make this up" really does apply to this job. I guess that's why I love the job so much. I never know who is going to walk through that door or what new question they are going to ask me. When I think I've encountered every situation that is possible and answered every conceivable question, the next guest will ask me a new question. They will provide me with a new hoop to jump through. But, for now, those stories will have to remain with me because I hear several guests now read this blog. However, one thing I will say on this blog is that I love my job and I always look forward to seeing returning guests as well as meeting new guests. I not only have a lovely home here in Delaware and wonderful friends, I have the best job for me at this time in my life. I am indeed blessed.

Часть 2 Sasha

When we last visited Sasha, the new room attendant from Russia, she had just begun working at the bed and breakfast where I work the front desk. She was shy, unsmiling, and very serious as she kept her head down as she concentrated on doing her job of cleaning her assigned rooms. I work part-time at the Inn during the evening shift so I haven't seen her for awhile. Last Saturday night I saw her again. Now Sasha is a smiling and confident girl/woman. A remarkable transformation has occurred from the last time I saw her. She now walks with her head up and a quiet Mona Lisa smile. This past Saturday night we needed a room attendant to come in for the turn down service. None of the regular housekeeping staff volunteered. Some joked that the Mike (the manager) may have to come in and do it himself. Late Friday afternoon Sasha stopped by the Inn en route to her other job as a sales clerk at a local gift shop. I had an eureka moment. I suggested to Mike that he ask Sasha to come in and do the turn down service. He asked her and she readily agreed, saying she could come in after her work shift was completed at the gift shop where she was working. Thus, at 8:20 PM, Sasha confidently walked through the door of the Inn with her backpack secure on her back. She changed into her uniform, got her cart (to pick up the dirty towels and exchange them for clean, white fluffy towels) and a supply of packets of chocolate chip cookies shaped like walnuts to place on the pillows of the turned down beds. Two hours later, Sasha pulled her last cart full of dirty towels into the laundry room and left a now empty box of those chocolate chip cookies/walnuts. She changed out of her uniform and with a Russian accented merry "Have a good night Ron!", she went out into the darkness of the night. A happy ending to what was earlier a problem. Mike's night was saved (he had to baby sit his new baby because his Russian born wife was working at her waitress job at a nearby restaurant) and I didn't have to run around like a crazy man trying to man the front desk and perform turn down service on all the rooms (full house Saturday night) at the Inn. Thank you Sasha and may you have many happy days ahead!

Cloud 9

This summer evening, my friend and fellow blogger The Cajun and I took advantage of the buy one get one free offer at the Cloud 9 restaurant in Rehoboth Beach. Under normal circumstances, we would not dine at the Cloud 9 restaurant because the prices of their entrees are over our budget for dining out. Normally, I work at the Inn on Thursday nights and thus, not able to take advantage of the "buy one, get one free" offer of the Cloud 9 restaurant. However, this summer Thursday evening, the heavens aligned and we were able to dine together as friends at this delightful restaurant in Rehoboth Beach. The Cajun had baby back ribs that were advertised as "falling off the bone" which, indeed they did. I ordered a seared raspberry brie stuffed chicken breast. It was heaven. We obviously were not eating at Cracker Barrel or Bob Evans. The only downside was the bartender. Once before I stopped in the Cloud 9 restaurant/bar and left because I was being ignored by the bartender. Unfortunately, most of the gay bars/restaurants in Rehoboth are very cliquish. Unless you're a member of one of the many gay cliques, the bartenders tend to ignore strangers who wander into their sacrosanct area. One might as well be invisible. This is unfortunate. I'm in the hospitality business and I know that the first rule of my business is that you welcome all, especially first time visitors. I'm not asking for someone to fall all over me. All I'm asking for is to ask me what I would like for a drink. To recognize that I am in their establishment. I don't think that is asking for too much. Just to be waited on. Maybe a smile. In all my years of frequenting businesses that cater to a gay clientele, I have found that they are distinctly unfriendly to outsiders. The years I used to visit Provincetown, Massachusetts, I encountered this situation often. In fact, I was greeted with more warmth in straight owned establishments. For many years I tried to understand why so many gay people employed in the hospitality industry were so unfriendly to other gay people who wasn't part of their known cliques. I think their attitude is based in their own insecurity. That's a shame. They should just relax and welcome all people to their establishments, gay or straight. Not to toot my own horn, but I go out of the way to welcome all to my establishment where I work, gay or straight. That said, I did have a pleasant dinner with my friend, The Cajun. Our waitress was delighful (see picture in this blog). Obviously, she was not a gay man beset with insecurities.

Feed Me

That's what the baby blue bird is saying with that open mouth. This picture is from yesterday morning. As I open the front of the bluebird box, some of their mouths open ever so quietly, as compared to the noisy demands of the baby sparrows. I think the baby bluebirds are so quiet because they don't want to draw attention to themselves. They know that the only person who needs to know they're hungry are their Mom and Pop. I notice that some big birds land on top of their box during the day but they can't get in. I don't worry about other predators because the blue bird box is out in the open in my backyard and I am constantly monitoring it. I think Mom and Pop bluebird know that because they always leave on my approach to their nesting site. The baby bluebirds haven't opened their eyes yet. I about a week's time a fine down of feathers will appear on their little round bodies and then those big dark eyes will open for the first time to take in the wonders of life. The Purple Martins are long gone. I see where the sparrows are still chirping at the entrance to one of the Purple Martin apartment but I don't think he has any takers. I'm not bothering with the sparrows now. Before winter sets in, I'll give the Purple Martin house a good cleaning so they will be ready for the returning Purple Martins next spring. Today is going to be a busy day. Haircut this morning. Then a run down to Eastern Ornamental Gardens to buy a pink crepe myrtle (I have the perfect spot for it by the side of my house). Later, this afternoon, I'm meeting my friend The Cajun for a birthday dinner celebration at Cloud Nine restaurant in Rehoboth. He's already warned me that the food choices are limited for me, a non seafood eater. I know, I know. What am I doing living at a seaside resort and I don't like seafood? I don't even like crustaceans. However, I did see a few other dishes on the menu that appealed to me. I would try the strip steak but restaurants don't seem to want to fully cook steak. They think a pink, pulsating slab of meat if appealing. Not to me. I like my meat fully cooked. Thus, I will probably get the chicken pot pie or grilled chicken with pasta. Egads you say? Well, Sussex County is one of the major poultry processing areas of the country. Yesterday I saw truckload of chickens being hauled to their doom. Maybe I'll have one of those.

Little Piece of Heaven

A friend sent this one word reply this morning in an e-mail that I had sent to her yesterday in reference to how much we love living in southern Delaware.

"It's amazing how often our little piece of heaven changes with all the constraints of time, mellowed with appreciations of beauty."

Well said.

She and her husband are in the process of selling their house in Pennsylvania and moving to their lovely "Little Piece of Heaven" in Delaware. Like me, she and her husband decided that they had enough of the confiscatory taxes of Pennsylvania and the daily grind of just surviving in that lovely wooded state which means "Penn's Woods."

Each day in my new Delaware home is a treasure. No matter what the weather, I treat each day as a gift. Today it is warm and humid. I'll go out to my backyard and change the water in my five bird baths. By the time I get back in, I'll probably be drenched with sweat. While I'm out "making the rounds", I'll check the bluebird house. The baby bluebird occupants should now have the beginnings of fine feathers on their naked bodies. Even the Bad News de jour (homeowners fees are going up) can't ruin this day for me. I have a friend who is considering moving from this area because he no longer feels involved in the community. I am sorry for him that his enjoyment of this area is dependent on having a long term relationship and being involved in volunteer activities, which he no longer feels welcomed because he isn't in a relationship. I guess different people look for different things where they live. I cannot apply my own level of needs and comfort to someone else. Of course financial requirements trump all. If one cannot support oneself down here, one must consider moving to a different area of the country where one is more financially secure. I'm fortunate that I am retired and have receive retirement income as well as Social Security. I work part-time at a job that I enjoy. The income earned from that part-time job enables be to keep up with the ever increasing cost of living. I hope my friend finds the peace, happiness and financial security he is looking for. As for me, I'm loving my little piece of heaven.