Lily, our all-time favorite McDonald's employee with her electric heater to keep warm

November 6, 2017 - Monday

27 degrees/partly cloudy/breezy

Pentoga Road

Every now and then, God puts someone special squarely in our path to teach us a lesson or to remind us of something we may have forgotten. Lily, our weekend McDonald's drive-through girl, is one of those.

Before retirement, I was considered a hard-nosed educator who expected my students to rise to my high expectations... and most did. 

For forty years, I ended every class by saying, "I love you guys. Now get out of here."

Even in the last half of my teaching career, while teaching in the University of Alaska system, I closed my classes in the same manner. Initially, my graduate and post grad education majors would look at me, wondering what kind of person was teaching them. I'd reply to their shock by saying, "If you don't love your students and love what you are doing, then you need to find another profession." 

Since retirement, I've grown older and crustier and have found the lack of manners and respect by many young people appalling. I've also soured on many in the profession I loved and those they teach.

But this about Lily... our McDonalds drive-through girl.

I believe Lily's a junior in high school. Over the past couple of years, we've learned that she and I have a lot in common. Lily's in the high school band. I was a band director at one point in my life. She plays the tuba, the instrument I played from grade school through college.

Lily always greets us with a smile, usually accompanied by a laugh or giggle, saying, "Hi, good to see you, how are you," and is filled with "please and thank you's." 

She's fun, funny, chippy, pleasant, and respectful. Cute as a button on the outside, she's downright beautiful under the skin. Sargie and I have often commented how good we feel after a quick visit with our weekend McDonald's drive-through girl. 

I was in the education business long enough to know that Lily didn't get to where she is today without lots of help and encouragement. Though we don't know her parents, it's obvious she's been loved, taught, and guided through childhood and adolescence, and now, as she prepares to enter adulthood.

Lily's told us she's working to earn money for college. At one point last summer, she had two jobs. There's little doubt she'll attend and be successful.

Just when I think most of today's younger generation is beyond hope, along comes a ray of sunshine to make me believe once again. Our brief contacts with Lily almost make me miss teaching. 

Thank you Lily for restoring my faith in your generation and just as importantly, thank you Lily's mom and dad. Give yourselves a pat on the back. You're doing a wonderful job.

I worked in the shop most of Sunday morning on Christmas presents. I also took the time to turn a new Pilgrim bowl and hat.

Everything was going well until a piece of the Pilgrim's brim fell off. Maybe I'm not cut out to be a Pilgrim maker?

Thankfully, a bit of CA glue quickly fixed the problem and in the end, the hat (lid) fit solidly into the body. I'll finish sanding and begin painting later today.

Both the hat and the head are still attached to the original piece of wood from which they were turned.

Sargie and I had a good afternoon drive. After stopping through town for chicken fingers and Cokes, we drove up to Amasa, a former logging community twenty miles to the north.

We enjoy looking at the old houses, many in disrepair. The one above is one of our favorites and we've both commented that when we win the lottery, we very well might purchase and return it back to it's original condition.

Sunday evening was a quiet one on Pentoga Road. Seems we grazed most of the afternoon and evening away. 

Sargie made chocolate malts later in the evening, something neither of us needed, but appreciated.

Sargie closes the Vision Center tonight. I have an appointment for my annual physical later this morning in Iron Mountain. It's time to go see my friend, Dr. Katie. She's had a baby since the last time we visited and I'm anxious to catch up on all the family news. Katie's husband, Ryan, is an optometrist. Her oldest son, Cody, is Grady's age.

I should be home early this afternoon and plan to work in the shop. I'm making progress on the grandbabies' Christmas and birthday presents. It's slow, but sure.

The coffee's done and smells wonderful. Time to get a cup, listen to the news, and get this show on the road.

After all, a man's work is never done.

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...

Some pictures say it all.