I was raised in Longview, Washington. I came here when I was 2 years old. My parents were transplants. My family is from the Seattle area. We visited my family throughout Washington, but I was raised here. I went to Tumbleweeds Preschool at the YMCA. I went to Columbia Valley Gardens Elementary School. I attended Monticello Middle School. I graduated from R. A. Long High School and I have an AA in Business from Lower Columbia College. I spent a month of one summer with my aunt in a suburb of Boston. I spent some time of another summer in California for a family reunion. I lived for a year an a half in Kelso. I even moved to Seattle for 8 months. But I always came back to Longview. This is my home.
My wife was born in High Point, North Carolina. After she got out of the military, she ended up in Washington because she had a sick friend she was coming to help while she healed. Karen G Clemenson knew she had found home. Somewhere in there, we met and were friends for 11 years before we knew we loved each other, bigger than sisters and more than friends. I have thought about leaving, but now I am probably here forever, because Karen loves it here and she loves this community, more than I can imagine.
Today I saw another of many posts about food on Facebook. I find it contemplative that you either love Omelets and More or you love Pancake House, if you live in Longview. But that statement says a lot about a city that is actually a metropolis, that insists on acting like a small town. At least that is what I have thought for years, because I see Kelso-Longview as one city and have seen it that way for most of my adult life. Something told me to look up the stats again and I found that we are short on our population in Longview, Washington to reach metropolis status, which is what a county seat usually is, but according to Kelso, Washington’s city website:
Since I was on the team of people that built one of their websites in the early 2000’s, this might also be why I was thinking this. The way I see it is that we should be called Kelso-Longview. Kelso, being the older of the cities, and alphabetically it should come first. We don’t have to change most of the signage, because Kelso areas can remain suburbs and Longview areas can remain suburbs, much like Carrolls, Lexington, and Rose Valley are parts of Kelso and Coal Creek and Willow Grove are suburbs of Longview. But this is not why I started writing this…what a rabbit trail!
The way I experience living in Longview is that you either are seen or you are not. You either are known or you are not. I have lived here all my life and because I am quiet and thoughtful, meaning I have lived mostly in my thoughts, it hasn’t been until that last 10 to 15 years that I really have found my voice and been able to share who I am. My experience has been shock when people learn who my family is because I was not part of their lives very often because I have always been a support person. But now I am building my own family and I have found my voice and I am comfortable with who I am, regardless of what other’s think so I write and I share, because I have learned many things in my life.
I think it says a lot about you when you choose one restaurant over another. I know why I like Omelets and More and it isn’t all about the food. I like that there is always a parking spot available. They keep similar hours, at least since I checked last, so that is not a difference. I don’t actually go to either restaurant, we do take out. But you still need to park your car so you can get your food and it is just easier at Omelets and More. Also there is a larger reception area. I don’t like being crowded. I have worked with Barry and his wife, who is beautiful on the inside and outside, even though I have never been able to remember her name; they are lovely people and their staff is kind and helpful, although if it is close to closing time…well it is just best to do take out. I don’t go there for pancakes. I love their omelets and waffles.
Now if you want the best pancakes, you should drive on over to The Cornerstone Cafe in Rainier, Oregon!
I don’t have anything bad to say about Pancake House, other than there is never a parking space available when I have wanted to go there, so I gave up and adapted. You see, I am from Longview, but I was raised in Seattle too…so I learned to find work arounds. I guess what I bring to the table is that complaining is a waste of time if you aren’t going to change.
Me not going to Pancake House is not going to hurt their business, and I don’t want it to. I am glad they have a strong customer base. If they lost their customers, it would be harder to find a parking spot at Omelets and More. I really like their Mushroom, Bacon and Swiss Omelet (which I have them use Cheddar instead of Swiss because I don’t like Swiss). What is important is that one reason I choose the businesses that I decide to make my go-to places, is that they treat me well.
As part of my business degree, I had to take a customer service class. My instructor told me that she was embarrassed that I had to take this course, because she felt I could have taught it. Not everyone had a Nana who read Miss Manners to them during breakfast and actually listened and practiced what I was read. I admit, that I believe that most places I go to, could benefit from customer service classes. But every now and then, I am blessed by places that talk to me like I matter, listen to me and learn my favorite things. Omelets and More, Cafe Guse, Red Leaf, Kim Bowl, Mill City Grill, Tequila Fuego, and Crafty Works, just to name a few of my favorite local businesses.
Today Red Lion Inn burnt down. I am putting this here because everyone in this area has probably gone to the Red Lion for an expo, or a class, or to visit their grandparents or loved ones when they came to see them. This event deserves to be mentioned somewhere. It is important to take a moment to take a breath and stop while we recognize that people lost their jobs today. Someone lost property. Somebody may have been injured. There has been a loss. I hear and feel this loss. As a community, whether we carry each other on purpose, or by accident, we will bear this. We will adjust.
Whether you call it customer service or community, we live here. We share this space. I want you to know you are important. There is no animosity here. You are loved. I want you to know joy. I want you to know peace. Both of these things are choices. They are inside you. You must make it.
Thank you to all the people that create moments of joy and peace in our community. You make blessings easier to find.
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Feel free to leave your comments below!
My name is Summer. That is how you can call me. I hope that I am a blessing to you. I am not perfect. I will fall again. But I am forgiven. For anyone reading this that isn’t a Christian, unapologetically, I am a Jesus Follower, but I believe there is room for lots of beliefs and religions in the world. It is not my intent to offend people with different beliefs than I have and I would be open to open-minded conversations with no goals of changing anyone’s mind, but sharing information. If you are interested in becoming a Jesus Follower…Do you know Jesus? Do want the Holy Spirit to fill you and give you understanding and salvation? Ask Him. Want someone to pray with you? Contact me.
If you would like to know Jesus as your friend, but want to make this amazing commitment by yourself please pray something like this: Thank you Jesus that You are the Son of God, the God that created heaven and earth. Thank you Jesus that You came to earth in the form of a man so that You would be able to empathize with my humanity. Thank You that You did this in order to fulfill the promises You made at the foundation of the world. I realize that I am a sinner and do things that hurt myself and keep myself away from you. Thank You that You died for my sins so that You could defeat death and bring me into Your life. Please forgive me. I ask You to be Lord of my life. I ask you to heal my hurts and show me what my new life, empowered by You looks like. Thank You for Your mercy.
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