from shirley's cottage

Here’s Johnny

I had an idea of what I was going to write about this week, and was telling my daughter Deb. She asked if I gotten the email about Johnny the Bagger. She thought it would fit in with my story. It was about a mentally challenged young man who worked in a grocery store, bagging groceries.
The store was intent on increasing business and improving customer service. Johnny was an exemplary employee. He always made sure he had a smile and a positive word for the customer. There is a right way to bag groceries, as we all know who have taken home squashed bread, and broken bags. He never squashed the bread.
But he knew anything could improve. He took the store’s wishes to heart. And, he started putting little notes in the customers’ grocery bags. Just a few words like -- Have a good day, or Be Happy. Soon there were more lines than before at his check-out . They wanted to see what note was in their bag..
His attitude was contagious. Business increased. Employees and customers were smiling. No matter how busy the store got, his lane remained the busiest.
The forwarded email about Johnny the Bagger came from the corporate offices of a very large grocery chain, with a comment that lessons can be learned from anyone, anytime.
Deb was right. This fits in with my story..
I do merchandising in a grocery store in Madison. There is a young man who works there who does not speak English very well. He is not mentally challenged. His name is not even Johnny. But, nevertheless, he is our "Johnny the Bagger".
I really never paid much attention to him before, until I saw him riding his bike in a snowstorm.
This one morning, I had been stuck in traffic on the beltline. One day of many during the winter. I was huffing, puffing and growling as I turned into the service road, an hour late for work Again.
Pulling into the parking lot I saw a bike rider. How he pedaled through the slush, I don’t know. He didn’t even have a hat on. As he parked his bike, I recognized him as the young man who works in the store.
He brushed the snow from his hair and shoulders. He had a huge smile on his face. As big as the scowl that looked back at me in my rear view mirror.
I went into the store. He was talking to a few employees by the timeclock One of them said, "You rode your bike today? How could you go through all that snow?"
As I said, his English went wanting, but I knew what he said, "When I could not pedal, I pushed."
He had a broken tooth, but it didn’t stop him from smiling ear to ear, as he told them he wasn’t even late.
I felt like a jerk. I have a car. I have a hat. I was late. I was not smiling. Lesson learned.
I did pay attention to him that day. He greeted everyone with a smile and a " hello, how you doin’." That broken tooth kind of grows on you. So does his smile.
Today is the day of the week when dinner is late when I don’t plan ahead, (which is almost never.) This casserole is a good one to make a day ahead and just pop in the oven when you get home..
Southwestern Beef and pasta Casserole from Woman’s World Magazine
you will need:
a springform pan or deep round baking pan, about 9 inches round, sprayed with cooking spray
one pound mini penne pasta, cooked and drained (can use small shells or regular penne)
one pound ground beef
1 t Italian seasoning
1 16 oz jar each Alfredo sauce and salsa of your choice
4 eggs
2 cups Mexican shredded cheese blend
1 10 oz pkg spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
1 T chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Brown beef with seasoning,
Stir in salsa and remove from heat
In separate bowl, mix Alfredo sauce, eggs and one cup cheese
Stir in pasta
In another bowl, toss spinach with ½ cup cheese
layer ingredients: ½ pasta mix
sprinkle spinach mixture over pasta
Top with beef mixture
top with remaining pasta mixture
Sprinkle last ½ cup cheese in top
Bake at 350 degrees about one hour
Let stand for ten minutes before serving
Sprinkle with parsley if desired.
Enjoy