Just came across this treasure. Given to us when “Rona” (a.k.a. Coronavirus) took over. Such a sweet blessing once again. So glad I kept it.

The Valley we live in is special. The Salem community is big but small. I am grateful to be here. We are surrounded by good folks. We have survived thus far and will continue to fight the good fight. We are determined. Through Rona and wildfires, with wonderful customers and our awesome staff... we will survive.

Little known fact... my Grandfather, Frank, always wanted to live here in the Willamette Valley. Living in the Midwest and life being what it was in the early 1900s... he never had that chance. I do, Grandpa Frank, and I am thankful. I think you would have loved it here.
God knows just what we need and when we need it... because the view from Heaven is infinite!

Hang in there everyone. Love each other, shop local and keep looking up!

​To echo the Brown family, “May God keep you safe and healthy. Praying for a lot of blessings!”

Lockdown Looming

As we have done since last March we will continue to do. While the word compliance makes me squirm... we will do as we are told for the sake of all.

It started with disinfectant and a six foot rule. Then came non essential business shut downs. Thank God we were deemed essential. No dine in but take out and delivery remained. Thank God that was already in place. It was painful to see others close because they were unable to offer delivery or enough takeout business to stay in business.

Then she said,
“You can re-open with limitations.”

Six foot rules in place now, with barriers. No more than 10 at a table. We moved furniture like crazy, measured and scrambled to find 2x2s and plexiglass. Masks required! Some not able to afford to remain open close indefinitely.
Time goes by. Numbers increase. Less then a week ago it was, “No more than 6 at a table and no more than 50 in your establishment including staff.” Not even Buffalo Wild Wings could afford to remain open for business! Side note... I miss their queso dip. I do hope they come back.

Two days later... Lockdown looming. Whatever it takes. We will comply in order to keep everyone safe.

Over the river and through the woods to Grandmothers house you go? Not this year. I hope you like who you live with because that’s who is coming to dinner!

Church is mad, sad and disappointed. They too are following guidelines to the enth degree. For many... church is essential... at least as essential as Costco and Walmart.

Deep down I know the two week window on this latest shift is the minimum. We are preparing for longer.

Employees are worried. Feeling unsettled. We spent the better part of yesterday scheduling. Will we be busy? We hope so but we just don’t know. The hardest part is holding the pencil. We can’t afford to over staff. Our team is amazing. Who is essential? Is anyone not? We promise to do our best to keep everyone working as much as possible.

Man, this is hard!

Still, hope remains because that’s how we roll. We pray for all workers and businesses effected by these latest directives. We pray for those who are sick, for those who are struggling and for those who have died.

While we hoped for a sprint... this trial is a marathon. Keep swimming. Pivot, get creative and trust in the bigger picture. There is a long term plan we’re navigating here. We are on this planet at the same time for good reason. Stay connected, shop local and know that you are never alone. If you’ve read this far... know that I am praying for you. There is power in numbers... no matter how few. God has got this. I trust that above all else. May peace be with you and may we all live long and prosper.
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Geppetto’s will remain open for dine in through tomorrow, Tuesday night. From then on... until further notice.. we will remain open for takeout and delivery, 7 days a week, 11:00am to 8, 9 or 10ish. When business is slow... we must go.

You are what you eat! You become what you choose to consume. You get back what you put out there. You leave behind what you left. One of the greatest values my parents instilled in me was to always leave where you’ve been better than you found it.
Some have asked, “How do you stay so positive in the midst of it all?” Those of you who know me know I rely on my faith. Roger’s words from across the state as he camped and hunted, “I know it’s stressful. Just take it one thing at a time.” I quickly retorted, “Tell that to the one being water boarded!”

The disappointed customers had a right to be unhappy. Their server was having a bad night. It happens some times. As a team we do what we can to help each other. If you see somebody sinking you help.

That night, we simply didn’t have enough help. Substitute bartender/server called out. Dishwasher/busser did too. Thirty year Marty is still not well and has been unable to return to work. With Roger out of town, that meant the lead delivery driver had to jump back into his roll as bartender/server and I became the lead delivery driver. Delivery driving makes for a lot of coming and going. When I wasn’t on delivery I was seating folks, making pizzas, bussing tables and trying desperately to keep up with the dishes. At one point I made eye contact with one of the guests at the unhappy table. I asked “You guys okay?” The man said, Yeah.” I knew the server was struggling but the alarm had sounded and I had to make another delivery. I said a prayer as I ran out the door, arms full.

All it took was one desperation text from me and a dear friend, an awesome server, who also happens to be a nurse, jumped in to help. She’d never been inside Geppetto’s except as a guest. Her energy and spirit of positivity went out before her and she did great. Our 24 year guy trained her on the fly. They handled most of the busy bar and restaurant and simply didn’t have time to help the third server who was struggling.

The point is this… Attitude is really everything. If you expect bad things, bad things will come. If you tear people down and don’t do what you can to lift them up… you have not made the world a better place. If you step out with the intent to do harm the same is true.
A restaurant is like a house of cards. If one falls it impacts all of the others. We survived a very busy weekend down three valuable staff members. It is so important to keep things up and built with light and love, hope and peace, joy and grace. Using any platform to spew negativity and even lies is simply destructive. I refuse to participate in such ugliness. You have a problem? Come to me and I will do my best to make things right. If you know me… you know that’s a fact.
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My life was transformed years ago by praying this prayer, “God please give me your eyes to see, that I may love others the way you know they need to be loved.” This prayer has blessed friendships both personal and in business and saved my marriage more than once.
It is my desire to leave this world better than I found it. If you’re not already, join me. Try turning each negative thought into a positive one. Choose to listen and to view things that feed your soul well. Turn away from darkness. You are what you eat. You become what you consume. Ask to be given eyes of compassion and watch what happens. I predict you will be amazed. I’ve been known to say, God is so much fun to watch… even better than Netflix.