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What Matters? 
 
Apr. 30, 2012 10:47 pm 
Updated: May 8, 2012 3:40 am
Sorry, for another night blog of babble, but I've asked myself a question that I wish to ask of you, also...  "What Matters?"

Does it matter that the potatoes are getting old, and beginning to sprout?  Does it matter if rice or pasta are a year old, before you buy them?  Does it matter when you decide that you must toss out some spoiled leftovers...

"What Matters" to me...  PEOPLE.  Beginning with family, good friends, and on to not only casual aquaintances, but strangers too!  People Matter!  Where would any of us be, if there were no "people" in our lives?  I want to give credit to all of those people who have during my lifetime, left a "mark."  Those who I will remember forever...  And to share, that I believe I've made my mark on the lives of many...

I've never worked a job that I was not in direct contact with PEOPLE.  From retail, to my final destination of 20+ yrs as a hairstylist.  I've always been face to face, with PEOPLE.

I no longer "work," so I don't have a lot of interaction with folks, but I've become very comfortable being "house bound" by choice.  I do have a few friends... and the dogs and kitties... and frankly, I'm ok just "being at home."  I MUST however, thank AllRecipes for bringing me together with a an entire family of  folks, who like to cook, who like to blog, or who simply like to say "hi" from time to time!  Where would any of us be, if we didn't have "people"  in our lives?

So, the next time you're at the grocery, convenience mart, or anywhere else, make a point to call the cashier by name - it will mean a LOT  to he/she...  Wherever you are, if you can read a name badge, USE that name before you leave!  PEOPLE matter, and deserve to be recognized!  It takes no effort and only a moment, to say "thanks Mary" (or whatever,) even if you'll never see that person again!  We all deserve to be recognized!  I know it means a lot to me.  Even our new neighbor who speaks no English... when she sees me out front, and waves to me...  I AM SPECIAL to her, and we all deserve to be SPECIAL. 

So, "WHAT MATTERS?"   What matters, is "people!"

Meantime, forgive my babble, but be happy, be healthy, be crazy.... and say "thanks" even to strangers along the way....
 
 
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Comments
judy 
May 1, 2012 2:44 am
hey Stevie,well you did it again...another great blog...you are right...i have no people in my life...the kids have moved far away...getting on with there life...i only know two people that lives next door but never see them...i do speak to the folks at the store i visit often...but mostly i talk to all my people on the phone,you are right we all need people, thats what matters...thanks for the reminder friend...Judy
 
ANDRONICKY 
May 1, 2012 4:22 am
Hi Stevie. How true. I always try to call people by their names and I like to be called by mine. As I get older I tend to talk to strangers a bit more...in the supermarket or on a tram....most people like a chat and I always feel better after. I hope they do too. Thanks Stevie for your thoughts.
 
Cat Hill-Want2B Gardening 
May 1, 2012 5:18 am
Steve, I would like to thank you for all your soups blogs. A hunter friend brought me a wild turkey. When he dropped in this last weekend he asked if I had used it all, having just read one of your soup blogs I decided to fix wild turkey soup for our lunch. He loved it along with the biscuits I served. He is a great friend to my family and I am so glad he is in our lives. Today's blog was a great blog about people!
 
Sonya 
May 1, 2012 6:55 am
Great blog! I do agree that people matter. I used to talk to anyone, any place, any time. As time goes on and events have occurred in my life I notice that I am more reserved and inward. And sometimes I want the other person to make the effort first.
 
parrotheadTink 
May 1, 2012 10:47 am
What matters is Who shows up at the table...the people you love. Great blog!!
 
p and q 
May 1, 2012 5:22 pm
Hi Stevie, Thanks Stevie...great blog!!!
 
Terry Tripp 
May 1, 2012 5:50 pm
Well said my friend! I always make it a point to greet my cashier or butcher by name.... even the baggers! It makes for a community of friends where Jim and I shop! We don't wear name tags which makes it special when they call us by name! Again Well said... Well said!
 
Stevie crazycook 
May 1, 2012 7:13 pm
Judy, be well, friend! I'm here, and always enjoy hearing from you!
 
Stevie crazycook 
May 1, 2012 7:18 pm
ANDRONICKY... You've made my point! Reciently at a grocery I don't often get to, I mentioned to a couple of ladies (who I kept running into, aisle after aisle) that I liked that the store had been remodelled. The one piped up that she'd shopped there 20 yrs, and now couldn't find a d*mm thing, but still she liked the "new look." Personally, I've always been shy, but I don't mind chatting with folks at the grocery while shopping, or in the check out line! Only once I can recall that the lady glared at me... Maybe she was having a bad day... Be well!
 
Stevie crazycook 
May 1, 2012 7:21 pm
Cat, I've had fun with the "alphabet soup" series, and I'm happy to hear that you've enjoyed it also! When I'm done, I'll list all 26 "names," so if you want any specific recipes (that you may have missed,) I'll be happy to re-post! Glad you enjoyed this blog, and sure hope that you keept that hunter friend around! Be well, cook happy!
 
Stevie crazycook 
May 1, 2012 7:25 pm
Sonya... you be "who you are," and just keep smiling at those "strangers!" Somebody will start a short conversation, for sure! Often I ask an elderly lady if I can "reach" something for her... mom's all of 4' 10" tall, and can't reach those top shelves! You'd be surprised what even that begins! Be well, and "SMILE"
 
Stevie crazycook 
May 1, 2012 7:27 pm
msntnkrbll... I like your thoughts! You're right, just who sits at the dinner table means a whole lot of "luv!" Be well, and "share" with your loved ones!
 
Stevie crazycook 
May 1, 2012 7:29 pm
p and q, thanks for your support! sometimes I feel like deleting my post the next morning! Nice to know that not everyone thinks I'm an idiot! Be well, and keep in touch!
 
Stevie crazycook 
May 1, 2012 7:33 pm
Terry, you may not understand just how much it means to that butcher, cashier, or bagger, that you take that step! I know it always meant a lot to me, when I worked at a convenience store! One "crabby" customer can wreck the next few hours! Wonder what would happen if you and Jim DID wear name tags? An interesting thought! My name always appears on the end of the reciept at my fav grocery, and the cashier ALWAYS says "thank you Mr..." Ok, much of the time they ruin my last name... but they make the effort! Be well, friend!
 
KingSparta 
May 1, 2012 7:37 pm
I would rather be alone than with people. People can not be trusted but my dogs always love me unconditionally.
 
Stevie crazycook 
May 1, 2012 8:48 pm
King, you've got a point... but still... hugs to the dogs... but you can still "thank the cashier" next trip to the grocery! Be well!
 
Mike Harvey, daPITA 
May 2, 2012 5:00 am
I worked retail for many yearsand became a cynic. One day, I realized I was remembering the few "unkind" folks that made a bad situation and overlooking the hundreds of other encounters that were "routine" or "nice". I made a strong effort to remember the nice folks and greet them as nicely as I could and to greet strangers with a warmer expression. Through that discovery, I had fewer "unkind" encounters. Could it have been that I was generating the "unkind" responses with my own attitude? Probably so. Today, because I know how hard it is to be a retail employee, I make a point of saying "Hi" or "Thank you" to each of them when eye contact is made. If I can see a name tag, I will use the name, too.
 
Stevie crazycook 
May 2, 2012 11:09 pm
Mike, I don't feel that I ever "invited" a bitchy customer, but you're right in that one lousy encounter can wreck the rest of the day! Or, so I recall, anyway... As yourself, I go out of my way to be friendly, happy, and greet those assisting me with a smile. Thanks for your thoughts! Be well
 
mimi 
May 3, 2012 8:45 am
AND THANKS TO YOU STEVIE!!
 
mauigirl.. Intermediate not a 
May 3, 2012 10:10 am
Love your blog Stevie.Your blog jives with my latest blog Stevie. Please drop in for a visit at "Keepers".
 
Cat Hill-Want2B Gardening 
May 3, 2012 10:54 am
I have missed a bunch of the soup blogs so I can't wait to see the whole list! Again this was a great blog! But then, I've enjoyed all your blogs thatn I've read :)
 
Stevie crazycook 
May 4, 2012 9:18 pm
Mauigirl, glad to hear from you! Thanks for the link, I enjoyed the read! Be well....
 
Stevie crazycook 
May 4, 2012 9:24 pm
Cat, guess I'm up to.... what? "W" will come next! Not "really" time of year for "winter vegetable soup," but we'll see... maybe I'll find something more fun, like "watercress" or somehting! Best get back on that! Be well, friend, and stay tuned for "soup!"
 
Cheryl's Cooking Now! 
May 5, 2012 4:44 am
Good point Stevie! People do matter. You are right, we don't recognize some of the people who have been some help to us. I worked in a restaurant, cashier in the groc. store and drove a school bus. People do not take the time to speak to these people and I know there are many more people who we take for granted. Great blog!
 
Stevie crazycook 
May 7, 2012 10:49 pm
Thanks! luv2cook... Where would any of us be, without those working folks? May seem like a menial job to some, but how could we all function? Here in Phx "self check out" has become popular in some groceries.... thanks, but no thanks... I'll wait for a CASHIER!
 
Bibi 
May 8, 2012 3:40 am
And thanks to you Stevie, for reminding me of something so important! I do appreciate the personal touch, so I will try using a name. I usually make a comment in some way to acknowledge the person, but I have been hesitant to use the name on the badge.
 
 
 
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Stevie crazycook

Home Town
Lansing, Michigan, USA
Living In
Phoenix, Arizona, USA

Member Since
Feb. 2008

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Expert

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Quilting, Gardening, Music

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About Me
Started cooking many years ago, and learned as I went. First meal may have been "steak & chips" at age 15, in Birmingham England, where I lived for several years. Mostly grew up in MI, transplanted to the desert 30yrs ago, or so. Favorite cookbook is "Better Homes", also enjoy "Great British Cooking, a well kept secret." Hesitate to call myself "expert," but friends do rave...
My favorite things to cook
Italian has been my "specialty" for some time, and my "signature" meal is Lasagne, salad, garlic bread, which I first made 20yrs ago... from SCRATCH, very first time I made it. (Never again, folks...) Now start with a big jar of sauce!
My favorite family cooking traditions
Thanks to my heritage, I have enjoyed trying foods from different cultures. We still have beer battered fish, and chips of course; ground meat dishes often, chicken occasionally, pork too. I would love to submit a bean dip recipe, however, my ex who gave me the original has passed, and I have no way to verify that it didn't come from another source! I also enjoy British cooking (with a few yankee twists) and once made Plum puddings, also known as Christmas puddings, as far as I know... what an ordeal that was, but well worth the effort. Today, there is mail order!
My cooking triumphs
Greatest triumph was not too long ago, when I held a sit down dinner for 12, Lasagne being the entree. It was a fund raiser I chose to sponsor, and am proud to say that "we" raised over $1000 from that meal alone, minimum donation being $25. All proceeds collected were donated; my partner and I provided the meal and beverages.
My cooking tragedies
MEATLOAF of all things! Went through a stage of "winging" it each time, and I pulled one after another out of the oven that were almost unedible. As yet, not too big on baking... no sweet tooth here! Have dabbled, but find doughs/pastries especially difficult, perhaps as it's 90 degrees in my kitchen much of the year.
 
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