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 A blog of no uncertain musings. What goes on in my mind is often a source of wonder to me. |
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My mind and my life are wonderous things ... as are yours, I'm sure. I have more slips of paper and pages of notebooks with musings and thoughts than I really know what to do with. Someone, actually several someones, have suggested I start a blog ... or a journal as a means of focusing some of this mental energy. To be honest, I don't even know what the difference between a 'journal' and 'blog' is--or if there even is a difference. Read on, my friends, and you can judge for yourself whether it even matters. And so....  I'm JACE. Yep ... that's me! And somewhere in all my writings my last name may be posted. But I'll just leave it at Jace for right now. I'm 70 years old and heading full tilt to 71. It's strange that while I'm going through some rather serious medical issues, I still consider myself to be in the prime of my life--pretty good shape physically AND mentally, though I don't run for competition anymore  . I love to ... dang, if I put this stuff here, I won't have anything for my blog.Guess you just have to be patient until such stuff leaks out.  Perhaps 2025, having embraced my retirement, will see more participation in my journaling efforts. Well, one can hope.... |
| Okay, I admit it--I like Starbucks. My go-to drink is a Venti Blonde Ristretto Iced Mocha with an extra pump of mocha, one packet of Sugar in the Raw, no whipped cream, and about 'four ice cubes.' That last was a joke among the baristas at my local Starbucks because when they filled the cup with milk there was only half an inch remaining space for ice. My wife tells me I'm crazy to pay the high price for a cup o' coffee. Honestly, it was more than that. Before I retired, I would get to my woodworking shop every morning about 6 am. By 8:30, I was ready for a break, and went to Starbucks. I was such a regular, one of the girls would begin making my drink as soon as I pulled into the parking space. And I knew ALL the girls' names. It became my daily ritual. It was more than just the caffeine--it was the camaraderie. The visit set the tone for my day. Over a period of seven years before I retired, I actually hired five of the young ladies there to work for me part-time. Since they were part-time at Starbucks, they welcomed the extra money. I think I paid better than Starbucks, and if I can believe what they told me, they enjoyed working at the shop. And I welcomed the occasional discount I got on my drinks when 'one of my girls' rang up my drink using their discount. The girls worked for me one at a time over those seven or eight years. Working at Starbucks was always transitional for them. I don't think Starbuck fostered a desire for lasting employment. They found they enjoyed learning about woodworking and using their hands to help create something lasting, functional and beautiful. I discovered a keen difference between hiring guys and hiring girls. I was pretty set in my methods of building the projects for which I was commissioned. Yep, I had to have things done 'my' way. Guys always seemed to think they knew how to use tools and make things out of wood. I spent a lot of time trying to change their point of view. Many of things they knew came from working with other contractors, which didn't necessarily translate to my shop and the techniques needed for finish cabinetry. Girls, on the other hand, had few preconceived notions and were willing to learn the techniques I desired. The arts of sanding and staining, and even some simple joinery was quickly learned. I had a lot of power equipment that they also learned to use ... safely. They learned to use the pocket machine and framing table (for joining cabinet pieces and face frames together), horizontal boring machine, a drum sander, and even a machine for boring and mounting hinges. They were critical when having to cut full sheets of plywood. I could cut them myself but having two people was much safer. The one item none of the girls touched was the table saw. At least from the input side of the saw. They helped as the plywood and solid wood pieces came out stacking the material neatly on the proper storage shelves. Over 33 years of using a heavy-duty table saw, I'd had enough close calls with the blade that I was still uncomfortable with letting them use it. And yes, I still have ALL my fingers. Even now I keep in touch with several of the girls. I feel especially satisfied when they mention missing working at the shop. Several have used the skills learned from me in their own homes now. After I retired I moved away from the town where my shop used to be. My current town has no Starbucks so I don't get my Iced Mocha as often. Yesterday I happened to visit my old stomping ground for a doctor's visit, and stopped by Starbucks. The manager I knew was still there, but I didn't know any of the girls. Taci, the manager, and I talked a bit. We both keep in touch with some of the girls who've moved on. It was a nice, nostalgic visit. At least, my mocha tastes the same. |
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