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When you listen generously to people they can hear the truth in themselves, often for the first time.
–Rachel Naomi Remen

If you’ve not yet heard of 1-800-FREE-411, you’re missing something good!

I rarely have need of 411 services and have almost completely weaned myself from using them because of the outrageous fees wireless phone service providers charge. I heard of 1-800-FREE-411 several months ago and just kinda tucked that info back in my mind. Awhile ago, I had need of directory assistance and remembered them. Sure enough, I got the information I needed AND, since the restaurant I inquired about had no competitors advertising with 1-800-FREE-411, I got it without having to listen to an ad. Though I’ve only used their service once, I will certainly use it again. I’ve added them to my mobile phone, so they’re just a couple of button-presses away. Thumb your nose at phone companies’ greed and use 1-800-FREE-411. Hooray for free enterprise!

Here’s the content of a little something I made up for Daddy Bob this morning:

I Remember…
Running up the walk to feed the dogs with you,
Being in your dog office, watching you tend to puppies,
Riding with you to pick up Dustri’s Carolina Sam,
Sitting up in your store office, watching through the little window,
Coffee milk and ham candy,
Biscuits with creamed strawberries or creamed peaches,
Sawdust on the store floor,
Counting change to customers,
“Helping” you mow the yard,
Being pulled around your driveway on the tricycle by Coco,
Your daily letters when I was in the hospital,
Cleaning stock on the lower shelves, ’cause that was all I could reach,
Getting that slice of bologna or cheese when you were preparing an order,
Eating Beanie Weenies and a bologna or tomato sandwich for lunch at the store,
Sitting on the ice cream maker while you cranked it,
Running through the woods so many times to visit, even for a minute,
Helping look for Rebel when he ran away,
Sitting in church with Grandmother and seeing you in the choir loft,
Finding money in the newspaper rack, telling you and our telling the newspaper folk,
Watching you make signs for the store windows,
Learning you had streets named after me,
Riding with you to deliver groceries,
The occasional peeks into the smokehouse (Had to keep out the flies!),
Playing Scrabble at the dinner table, putting the board on the lazy susan,
Delivering a shopping cart full of sodas to Graham Underwriters,
Cheese hoop money (It must’ve gone into the hundreds!),
Taking deposits to the bank for you (What a responsibility!),
Working with you in the garden (Especially the okra!),
Climbing up the ladder to look at the bee hive in the tree you helped cut down,
Your pride and smile when I told you I’d bought my first home,
Your phone calls just to check up on me when we’d not been in touch for awhile,
Your stories about family,
Lessons not just taught, but shown,
Safety and protection,
Helping people,
Happiness and joy,
Comfort,
Love.
Thank you for all of these memories and for so many more.
I love you, Daddy Bob!

Everytime I thought my life was falling apart, when I looked back after making it through it, I saw it was falling together.
– Pattie O. (paraphrased)

A couple of Sundays ago, my partner and I went to Home Depot to purchase a riding lawnmower. We were very impressed with Jay, the sales associate. Friendly and knowledgeable, he answered our questions and provided information we didn’t know to ask for. He directed us to 2 mowers that were a good fit for our needs and desired price. There was no attempt to upsell us or pressure us in any way - an excellent salesman.

We made our choice and were ready to purchase it. He then told us we could save money by renting their truck (with ramps & such for loading and securing) for $20 instead of paying $60 for delivery and having to wait for a day or two. Great idea! He accompanied us to checkout, we paid and he went to bring it out front for us. We headed to the rental desk for the truck. It had just been rented! Oh well, no big deal. It was expected to be back in about 90 minutes. We wanted to go on and rent it next, filling out paperwork and paying so we could just get the key and go. No. It’s against policy. Um… OK. We didn’t want to hang around the store for the next hour and a half, so we asked if they’d call us when the truck was returned. No. It’s against policy. I was pissed and questioned the level of customer service we were receiving considering we’d just spent about $1000 there. Of course, that was in futility.

Disgusted, we decided to just have it delivered. At the delivery desk on the other end of the store, I was presented with two forms to complete. One was a liability waiver. I read the thing. (I know. I know. One should NEVER read forms and contracts before signing them…) In the legalese I waded through, breaking down complex sentences and trying to get the meat of the wording, my final understanding was that they would deliver it to the curb at my home. Anything beyond the curb was considered “additional delivery” and any damage from such was mine to deal with. Well, I only wanted it delivered to the curb, so I didn’t need to sign a waiver. No. You have to sign the waiver; it’s policy. Relatively sure, but not 100%, of my interpretation of the waiver, I knew I did not want to sign the thing. In light of the service I’d gotten AFTER the sale, I surely don’t trust Home Depot and their policies not to attempt to screw me over. That was the end of my tolerance for their poor customer service. I asked for a refund and within 3 minutes I was out the door, likely never to darken Home Depot’s doorstep for any other large purchase.

I hate that Jay lost the sale due to his coworker’s poor service and Home Depot’s poor policies. He was standing there when I got the refund and I thanked him for his help and told him why I was getting the refund. It’s a shame such a great salesman lost a sale because of his company. It’s got to be frustrating for him. I know it certainly was frustrating for us!

After years of decline in service and food quality, Rock-Ola Cafe rebranded as Rock-Ola Grille. Though a name change doesn’t fix things, it does fit their new image. What does fix things is fixing things. They’ve done that, too! I’ve been to the Rock-Ola Grille on Battleground Avenue in Greensboro twice in the past four to six weeks. The second time was this past Friday. It was one of the best dining experiences I’ve had in a long time!

With plenty of outgoing and friendly staff, we were greeted as the door was opened for us, seated quickly and drinks were before us in no time. Brian, an exceptional waiter, provided table service that was timely, friendly, respectful… simply put: professional. The yeast rolls with cinnamon butter are worth a visit for dessert and coffee alone! The house salad was of ample portion, fresh and well-presented. The filet mignon was high quality Angus beef, cooked as requested, very tender and flavorful. Accompanied by a loaded potato, it was a perfect entree. A Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup pie, served on a cloud of real whipped cream in a large martini glass was complemented with good coffee and finished the meal beautifully. My dinner partner and I enjoyed this meal (sharing dessert) for $40.

The first meal several weeks ago was highlighted by the grilled salmon Caesar salad. It’s a well-prepared dinner salad with a nice portion of tasty grilled salmon, a light entree at a price of about $8 (if I remember correctly).

Rock-Ola is working to overcome a damaged reputation and the work they’re doing is worth another chance. If you gave up on Rock-Ola, try one more time. They’ve recreated themselves into one of Greensboro’s finer offerings for mid-priced dining.

Visit their (a little outdated) website here. A PDF of their menu is here.