Geppetto’s Log - 011521.1

Geppetto’s Mysteries Abound.

​Was there an earthquake today?

For over forty-six years now Geppetto’s has stood in the same location. The evolution of time has brought the inevitability of change. The address remains the same but people have come and gone… some as far as heaven. With time comes history... lives lived and some lost. If you’re like me you believe each one who invests heart and soul here leaves a bit of their spirit behind.

It’s no secret that over time Geppetto’s has experienced a few unexplained incidents. This day brought another. Before I go on… a brief health update on Marty and Eric. Marty’s heart was soldered back into rhythm and Eric’s brain was rid of an unwelcome growth. The two long time friends had surgeries on consecutive days last month and miraculously… both are back at work. Each has a few limitations which we are all happy to work with. We are a team. Having them back in the building makes things feel right again. We are all thankful for the thoughts and prayers sent their way.

This morning started early. Roger and I were in by 6:00. I wanted to get a jump on a couple of tasks which would save Eric some heavy lifting when he arrived. He’s back at work and doing a great job… but he is not supposed to lift more than 20lbs.

Eric came to work about 10:00. I think he was genuinely surprised and appreciative I had handled putting away the four large pans of our Meat Sauce and the blending of our Garibaldi mix and the clean up which goes with it. Didn’t take long for him to reveal the fact that I had forgotten to add the Romano cheese to the Garibaldi.

“No worries. Eric said. We’ll just pop it back in the bowl and mix it up quick.” Just then my phone rang. It was Roger. Only a few sentences into our conversation… I heard a loud bang come from the kitchen. Oh no! I thought. Did Eric try to lift that bowl? I quickly hung up the phone and ran to see what was the matter.

There stood Eric… in front of the Hobart mixer… with his hands up and a shocked look on his face.

“What happened?” I asked.
“I don’t know!” He said. “It just moved!”
“What just moved?”
“The whole thing.” He said. “The mixer.”
“The Hobart?! I asked.

The “Hobart,” as we call it, is our mixer. I can’t tell you what year it was made… but it’s old… and heavy. It weighs well over 300lbs. I’m guessing it dates pre 1974… by a long shot. It handles many tasks here at Geppetto’s; dough, bread, dressings, meatballs, Garibaldi and Ma’s Ravioli mix. It stands over 4 and a half feet high. It has a 60 quart bowl which has required re-tinning a couple of times since we bought the place. I would bet that machine hasn’t moved since it entered the building. Without the motor running… Eric lowered bowl and the whole thing suddenly jumped up and moved… 4 inches to the left… and 3 inches forward.

I looked at Eric and asked, “Did you try to lift that bowl?”

“No.” He insisted. I just shut it off, lowered it and was going to ask Alonzo to lift it for me.”

I whispered in disbelief as we both stared at the Hobart’s cast iron base.

“Ma’s powers are growing stronger, Eric.”
“Actually, maybe when the doctor’s were operating on your brain you gained a super power. Now… you just need to learn to control it.”

There were five people in the building at the time. None of us have an explanation. It took three of us to get it back in place. Left me wondering if there had been an earthquake. Or was Tremors real and Kevin Bacon will be arriving soon to investigate?

I love Geppetto’s. This place keeps us all on our toes! Sometime later... I caught Eric staring at the pizza oven. I asked him if he was trying to move it too.

With grateful hearts and a love for mysteries… we continue the quest!

Oh and… we are open for takeout and delivery, all of Salem and Keizer. Our special - Meatball Stuffed Calzone with a cheese stuffed crust and our Garlicky Calzone sauce. Served with soup or salad for $15.95. Call: 503.378.1271