LOOK WHAT THE BUNNY BROUGHT

      A full parking lot forced me again to park behind the building and climb the stairs to the back kitchen door. I knocked often and hard, and I could hear voices inside, but there was no response. Finally, I called the front desk and Cutie Pie  gatekeeper let me in. I haven't seen him in weeks, so that was a nice surprise. The voices I'd been hearing were pre-release folks having coffee in the dining room. They aren't allowed to enter the kitchen, so all they could do was listen to my knocking.

       Yes, the kitchen was half dark, and Cutie was expecting Dean and our newly hired cook but, there at nearly 10 a.m., neither had appeared. I was preparing to rummage through the big fridge when Dean unlocked the back door and stepped inside. What a relief! He had Miss Lillian's little instruction sheet for the weekend meals, and we started by gathering the things on her list. Dean's undies were in such a knot! Last night he'd made a nice meal for everyone, but when someone asked who had cooked it, Mr. Huggy loudly took all the praise. I don't think Dean is going to let that go anytime soon.

       We were getting our lunch ducks lined up when Doug, the new guy, arrived. Dean met him yesterday and had said he thought I might like him. By the end of lunch today, we were both certain  that we like Doug. He's easy-going, cheerful, knowledgeable about food (we've been needing that), and he has a face with unforgettably character-filled features, as are his charm and good nature. Mr. Huggy has at least three people to avoid in the kitchen now!

       Lunch evolved somewhat from the original plans because the leftover soup had soured and Doug threw out the leftover pizza and fries—Go, Doug! He will not serve gooey, non-nutritious foods, and on top of that he diced onions and bacon to add to our pot of green beans. Unlike Miss Lillian, Doug thinks our people should be spoiled.

       So Lillian isn't leaving for another few months. I was wondering how such a drastic and sudden change could work. Now I know. Dean still wants to have a secondary position in the kitchen, and he's very interested in going for his GED—as a grandfather! I really admire the man, and I promised to help in anyway I can.

       For Easter, I boiled and dyed 5 dozen eggs, for the shelter. I put them in a huge bowl in front of the serving counter, where folks could help themselves. The first pre-release to stick his hand in the bowl took FOUR! Others were taking 2, 3, and 4. I had to speak to them! Still, they persisted in being greedy, and I guess some of the "Sunday" will be missing from my "Sunday Lady" name now (or maybe the "Lady"). Anyway, there were enough to go around to both groups, so all's well.

       Yes, I took Beanies and crayons for the little girls, but they are away for the weekend. Lanyard Guy (who came in around noon) will give them the treasures I left. Dean has taken to expecting a toy for his grandson every Sunday… "Did you remember the toy you promised me last week? — That's why I love you so much!"

       They're all kids—every single one of them—sneaking, grabbing, waiting for toys. Well… it gives me something to do.

       I had fun asking Doug why he wasn't using the electric can opener, as he deftly opened a #10 can with the "good" one. He can't make the electric one work, he says. Neither can Dean, and they both think the newer one is wonderful. I gave Doug its history and its cleaning record. He indicated that he'd be on top of that from now on. Something tells me he will, too.

       Dean and I showed Doug how we serve up 40 meals, filling the plates assembly-line style, and he showed us his great food skills. Doug says he's going to enjoy working with me—we both love to give the people all they want to eat, as does Dean. Of course, if Huggy is in the building (as he was yesterday), he will tell Doug in a New York minute that "NO, the people cannot have bigger portions!" Doug is anxious to show Mr. Huggy that he is the paid cook and Hugs is just a volunteer.

       I am on tenterhooks to see how this all plays out.

       Dean and I made up 25 PBJ sacks and explained why they only get sugar-free drinks. That "rule" has been changed right in front of my face lately. Joey taught it to me; Miss Gloria denied it; Dean brought it back, and now it's been passed down to Doug.

       All in all, it was a very satisfying morning. I would like to be a fly on the wall when Hugs strides in this afternoon to orchestrate the evening meal (which, by the way, is not his job and is already planned and underway). Doug said something about having to put his foot down with Huggy, and I demonstrated the bug-smashing step for him, so he could add some of my wishes to that. Okay, we're not nice. We don't care. It's high time the place returned to some semblance of normalcy!