I’ve always enjoyed travelling and consider it one of the perks of our business. I was up exceptionally early (for me) and on the road by 4:00 am to the airport. It was cool and rainy, and I purposely left behind my coat as I went to Florida for the IAAPA EXPO conference. My trip was not direct (as is often the case these days), and we stopped in Calgary to change planes. My two-hour layover turned into four as we waited for the de-icing of the aircraft, as it was winter here. The wind was howling, and the snow was coming in sideways. It was 9:00 pm before I was at the Hotel in Orlando, which made for a very long day, but I was delighted to be a little on the warm side in my flannel shirt as I witnessed the palm trees swaying in the breeze beside the outdoor pool. tomorrow, it is time to meet lots of new people and learn!
Looking back
Life is a most wonderful adventure! No matter how lofty and grand our dreams are, the many twists and turns of the road we travel determine who we meet, what we do, and where we end up. There are, at times, steep hills that are tough to climb, and in other years, life breezes by with few cares. We meet many who help us and make our journey more fun. Some things happen by chance, while others are carefully planned. And, of course, time flies by no matter how much we wish otherwise. My life is no exception. My parents are now both in care homes, and as the family sorts through their things and helps them downsize, we are reminded of so many wonderful times through mementos and photos. We often struggle to remember all of the details and to put accurate dates to it all. As part of that exercise and to help me remember, I have started to put together a timeline, which we will expand and fill in as we go forward. This first draft is based on my recollections, photos and records of the company, which often shaped much of our lives. While I have no desire to live in the past, it is fun to have a peek in the rearview mirror to appreciate how far we have come through the years.
Base coats on book
The Rita’s Reading Room sign is coming along nicely. The base coats are now finished and it is time for some glazes which will make the book cover appear to be leather. Then it will be ready for the 23K gold on the lettering. Stay tuned…
