The Mustang Café at Chisum ISD: Tales from the Lunch Line

In December of 2020 I began a new adventure. As the previous Food Service Direc¬tor at Roxton ISD, it never occurred to me that I would hold the same title at a dif¬ferent school. I loved my time in this position, but it wasn’t the direction I was look¬ing when that school closed. What is it they say about life happening while you’re making plans? God had other ideas and, one-and-a-half years later, I was offered the same position at Chisum ISD, which I accepted with excitement.

Fast forward four months and here I am with a new column. Let’s kick it off with something fun.

If you want to know about Dinosaurs, ask a four year old.

As I walked through the elementary lunchroom during breakfast, I heard a voice call out to me, “I have a new toy!” I turned to see a four-year-old boy staring at me hopefully. Do you remember when you were young and excited about something and wanted to tell everyone? Maybe you still feel this way sometimes. Well, that was the look I saw on this young face. The following conversation ensued:

Me: You have a new toy? That’s great. What is it?

Boy: A dinosaur

Me (trying to match his excitement) A dinosaur! I LOVE dinosaurs.

Boy (scowling and munching on a PB&J sandwich): It’s a MEAN dinosaur.

Me: Maybe it’s mean because it wants a PB&J sandwich.

Boy (looking at me in disbelief) It’s a CARNIVORE! (Long pause) NOT a HERBIVORE!

Me (taking a moment to recover): Maybe he wants a hamburger!

At this point I could see the boy mentally putting his hands on his hips and staring at me like I’m stupid. Clearly I was just not bright enough for this conversation.

Boy: He ONLY eats steak.

Me: (Well, duh! Silly me. I answered back as I quickly retreated to my office) Hey! That’s my kind of dinosaur!

The next morning I stopped and asked the same boy…

Me: How’s your dinosaur?

Boy: He’s fine.

Me: Did he have steak last night?

Boy (with that same look of incredulity) It’s a TOY!!!

Me (not to be outdone again): Did he have a toy steak?

Boy (quietly) Yes.

It just goes to show that we’re not too old to learn and they aren’t too young to teach us. Speaking of learning, if you’d like to learn how to get your youngster to try new foods, check out my next column: First the Carrot, Then the Stick(er).