Sharron, really enjoyed that. I've always thought that a good bartender is a jack of all trades. Psychiatrist, Life Coach, Advisor, Therapist or Counselor. I've only known a few that were really exceptional down through the years, because you have to truly like people for them to be exceptional, not just like them for the tips. The good ones, the very good ones, were not pretenders. They were the real thing. They didn't pretend to listen. They didn't pretend to care. Thanks for sharing this. - Jim
My stepfather was a bartender. Everyone loved him, said he was such a good guy. He DID listen and they knew it. Sad to say, they bought him too many friendly drinks and his alcoholism was nearly the ruination of the family. We all lived through it and stayed (relatively) sane. ) It is not easy to safely navigate the venue.
I like the girlfriend with six cats. Yep, she telling him something. And Clyde gave up drinking for his daughter. He's got things figured out. Enjoyed these stories, Sharron!
I always look forward to Saturday morning and my dose of ‘Leaves’. Thanks for not disappointing me. It is always good to have a perspective on ourselves and the world. Certainly there have been bumps in my life, but many times I feel guilty when hearing others stories. So, here’s to my family and friends who make my life so good. 😊
Funny how that happens, that guilt for reveling in our own happiness! But even worse, is to hear one's self whine and complain over the most trivial thing and then look out on the street and see true misery. Makes us ashamed. Know what I mean?
Conversations , humanity unwound no bar code to scan to see, read life in the midst of time past. Universal chats, unrelated but connected to a seat and a beer or other think drink. Camaraderie at an instant glance. American dream moving around people bonding, problems maybe solved but unlikely. But you find a great way to listen and recognize the institution of innermost sanctuary. Now if only those that lift the glass will remember tomorrow what past today.
Sharron, newest note is Wurlitzer, short essay. I have longer story called Innuendo, been trying to publish but doesn’t post. I’ll attempt again later to day just for you. Thanks noticing.
What a rich mine of possibilities! I love how you’ve have each character play both sides of the conversation. It works so well.
Fun side story that’s (mostly) true — the old bartender at Seamus McCaffrey’s in Phoenix used to tell us how every year he’d go back to the little village he was from in Ireland. When I knew him he was older than dirt, so it must have been a lot of years going back. Every time he’d go he’d try to do a pub crawl. His old friends and family would buy him a drink everywhere he stopped. Year after year he wouldn’t make it to the last few pubs, he’d just be too pissed from all the free booze. I saw him after he’d gone back and he was ecstatic that he’d made it through the whole village, stopping at each pub. I remarked that it was quite an achievement at, “how old are you again?”. “83” he said, “I outlived everyone I knew, so there was no one left to buy me a drink. Did the whole crawl sober as a judge!”
My Dad's Mom owned a bar in Chicago. He took us there once, my sister and I, maybe 6 and 7. We mostly sat quietly at one of the tables, and made a little noise on the piano. My Mom didn't like it that he took us there. Never went again.
My step-dad was a bartender by trade. We kids spent a lot of time in and out of bars when we were young. I can still see those old winos lolling about on the barstools in the day time, and hear their drunken rants. What a memory for a kid!
Everybody loved him, GB, that's for sure, all his customers! He was a good guy. We kids spent a lot of time in and out of bars and I have a lot of memories of it.
"The Day Bar Monologues" -- I'd read more of these each week. You could fill a book! Love the concept. Each one goes so much deeper, there's so much you can infer about each person.
Interesting idea, Clancy. Maybe I could use the same nine characters and continue their monologues a week later? Something to think about. Thank you, friend.
Thanks for the second reading of this archived story, Rebecca. I am working on a longer story that is taking its time unfolding, so I may have to vivify a couple more oldies until it is finished. I sure admire your latest on lost and found and airtags. I warn you , this losing of things only gets worse with age. I have always admired the Spanish language wherein they say "it got lost" instead of "I lost it". No self blame!
Spanish speakers also say "It was forgotten to me" ( instead of I forgot it) and "It was broken to me" (instead of I broke it.) Passive and blameless. Cool! We love words and language, don't we?
I forget so much, Sharron, that I’m going to adopt ‘it was forgotten to me’ for my own conversational lexicon! Spanish speakers are definitely on to something!
Sharron, really enjoyed that. I've always thought that a good bartender is a jack of all trades. Psychiatrist, Life Coach, Advisor, Therapist or Counselor. I've only known a few that were really exceptional down through the years, because you have to truly like people for them to be exceptional, not just like them for the tips. The good ones, the very good ones, were not pretenders. They were the real thing. They didn't pretend to listen. They didn't pretend to care. Thanks for sharing this. - Jim
My stepfather was a bartender. Everyone loved him, said he was such a good guy. He DID listen and they knew it. Sad to say, they bought him too many friendly drinks and his alcoholism was nearly the ruination of the family. We all lived through it and stayed (relatively) sane. ) It is not easy to safely navigate the venue.
Very true. I would only add that many times, just living life itself is not easy to navigate. Thanks again for a great post. - Jim
I like the girlfriend with six cats. Yep, she telling him something. And Clyde gave up drinking for his daughter. He's got things figured out. Enjoyed these stories, Sharron!
A lot of lost and lonely drinkers out there. Each one with a story. Thanks for reading, James Ron. Your hiking story this week was WILD!
I always look forward to Saturday morning and my dose of ‘Leaves’. Thanks for not disappointing me. It is always good to have a perspective on ourselves and the world. Certainly there have been bumps in my life, but many times I feel guilty when hearing others stories. So, here’s to my family and friends who make my life so good. 😊
Funny how that happens, that guilt for reveling in our own happiness! But even worse, is to hear one's self whine and complain over the most trivial thing and then look out on the street and see true misery. Makes us ashamed. Know what I mean?
This is great, Sharon! If I was at the track, I'd bet on Boy Howdy! He sounds like a winner to me!
Uh... yeah, but... slippery slope, Sharon, slippery slope! Now - go get writing girl! Let's get you up on Substack this week!
Bar tenders - what a service they provide while doing their job.
No doubt about it, Janice, they are appreciated by their clientele, But read my reply to Jim Wilsky above for another view!
Conversations , humanity unwound no bar code to scan to see, read life in the midst of time past. Universal chats, unrelated but connected to a seat and a beer or other think drink. Camaraderie at an instant glance. American dream moving around people bonding, problems maybe solved but unlikely. But you find a great way to listen and recognize the institution of innermost sanctuary. Now if only those that lift the glass will remember tomorrow what past today.
You have so much to say, Richard. I am wondering why you stopped writing for your substack? I find no new words over there?
Sharron, newest note is Wurlitzer, short essay. I have longer story called Innuendo, been trying to publish but doesn’t post. I’ll attempt again later to day just for you. Thanks noticing.
What a rich mine of possibilities! I love how you’ve have each character play both sides of the conversation. It works so well.
Fun side story that’s (mostly) true — the old bartender at Seamus McCaffrey’s in Phoenix used to tell us how every year he’d go back to the little village he was from in Ireland. When I knew him he was older than dirt, so it must have been a lot of years going back. Every time he’d go he’d try to do a pub crawl. His old friends and family would buy him a drink everywhere he stopped. Year after year he wouldn’t make it to the last few pubs, he’d just be too pissed from all the free booze. I saw him after he’d gone back and he was ecstatic that he’d made it through the whole village, stopping at each pub. I remarked that it was quite an achievement at, “how old are you again?”. “83” he said, “I outlived everyone I knew, so there was no one left to buy me a drink. Did the whole crawl sober as a judge!”
What a great story. I can see you easily fleshing it out to a fine little one-pager, J. I hope to see it.
Brilliant character studies here.
Thank you, Sue. Similar to riding the Metro bus...
My Dad's Mom owned a bar in Chicago. He took us there once, my sister and I, maybe 6 and 7. We mostly sat quietly at one of the tables, and made a little noise on the piano. My Mom didn't like it that he took us there. Never went again.
Smart mom.
That sounds so true to life, it makes me suspect you might have tended bar at one time, Sharron!
My step-dad was a bartender by trade. We kids spent a lot of time in and out of bars when we were young. I can still see those old winos lolling about on the barstools in the day time, and hear their drunken rants. What a memory for a kid!
Wow. My father had great empathy for people. Now I get it, he was a bartender. Thanks for a peek into a place I haven't explored.
Everybody loved him, GB, that's for sure, all his customers! He was a good guy. We kids spent a lot of time in and out of bars and I have a lot of memories of it.
"The Day Bar Monologues" -- I'd read more of these each week. You could fill a book! Love the concept. Each one goes so much deeper, there's so much you can infer about each person.
Interesting idea, Clancy. Maybe I could use the same nine characters and continue their monologues a week later? Something to think about. Thank you, friend.
Everyone has a story. And we all want to be heard by someone. Excellent writing Sharron.
Guess that's why we write, Mark! And we have less time than we ever imagine...
Such a wonderful collection of social snapshots in this brilliant story, Sharron. Loved this!
Thanks for the second reading of this archived story, Rebecca. I am working on a longer story that is taking its time unfolding, so I may have to vivify a couple more oldies until it is finished. I sure admire your latest on lost and found and airtags. I warn you , this losing of things only gets worse with age. I have always admired the Spanish language wherein they say "it got lost" instead of "I lost it". No self blame!
Ah, ‘it got lost’ - that’s a genius way of removing responsibility from such admissions! I’ve made a note…..!
Spanish speakers also say "It was forgotten to me" ( instead of I forgot it) and "It was broken to me" (instead of I broke it.) Passive and blameless. Cool! We love words and language, don't we?
I forget so much, Sharron, that I’m going to adopt ‘it was forgotten to me’ for my own conversational lexicon! Spanish speakers are definitely on to something!
Good plan. Especially when you are so head-deep in an art project or story composition that cooking dinner is forgotten to you.
Sharron, you know me so well - that’s exactly what happens around here! 🤣