If you read my old blog, you would have read about my cousin Sharon and her husband Bill. I refer to Bill as my Uncle Bill, because he just seems like an Uncle Bill. Although they are technically my cousins, they are a lot closer and mean much more to me than just that. I believe that God places people in your life to make up for others that you have lost (more on this later), but my Uncle Bill and Sharon are people who have been thoughtfully placed, for that I am sure.
If you were to sit down and have a conversation with Bill, you would never predict where it would lead. He reminds me a lot of my father in this way, you can just sit down and talk about anything and you can be sure of two things: You will learn something new, and it will be entertaining.
Bill is in his mid- 50’s, and is a coffee roaster with his own business. No matter how I try to explain his passion, I can’t seem to do it justice.
The earliest memories I have of knowing Bill was when I was around 13 years of age. I would take the train from Santa Barbara to visit my cousin Sharon in San Diego, who was dating Bill at the time. They would take me to “Coffeeland” which is the warehouse where he roasts and stores his beans. I remember being in awe, looking at all the many containers of coffee beans… roasted, unroasted, french vanilla, hazelnut, Irish cream, Sumatrian, Snickerdoodle, etc. I didn’t know what it all meant at the time, and I’m sorry to say I still don’t- but it is on my list of things to do before I die… to understand the art of coffee, the way my Uncle Bill does.
If you thought that was interesting, you should hear his story. Everyone has a story you know… some people are boring with their skinned knees in their cul-de-sacs and off to college and then job stories, but not Bill. His history includes backpacking all the way to Argentina over 5 months, with $1,100 in his pocket. He also traveled through Japan, Hong Kong, Hawaii, and Alaska. Speaking of Alaska, that is where when he took the train up the Yukon Pass, he discovered that coffee was what he wanted to do while eating at a family-style restaurant halfway up the mountain.
After hearing just a tidbit of his dynamic life, don’t you want to know what makes Uncle Bill happy? The answers might surprise you.
What Makes You Happy Uncle Bill?
My wife- I feel happy and secure when we are together. She keeps me on the straight and narrow! It makes me happy to make her happy.
Helping others less fortunate- just to know I can make a difference, and I don’t need any recognition for it
Our tortoises- 2 boys and 1 girl, they all have unique personalities. They are very sociable and come walking over when they see us. We have raised them since they were very tiny hatchlings, they are part of our family and they teach me a lot on how be patient: slow and steady wins the race!
My coffee roastery- It’s familiar, I know where everything is and everything I need is there. I LOVE coffee and I enjoy the creative process- taking a raw product and creating something special- like a really good cup of handcrafted gourmet coffee! I’m proud to own my own business and to be a coffee roaster.
Ice cream- It’s my favorite dessert- no surprise here– my favorite flavor?? COFFEE!!
I enjoy going out for ice cream– making it an event. Mexican food- Real authentic– GOOD mexican food! My favorite? “flying saucer”- only when shared with a select few – they know who they are
My truck- It’s a Dodge Ram Diesel 2500- It’s a solid truck and I like driving a Cummins diesel
