June Memo

 As of June 15^th we have lived in Lumby for a year and a half, where does the time go? As I’m finishing Book Two of my autobiography and I find when writing about our latest move, I’m often left thinking, it can’t be that long ago, can it?

When I was young I remember people saying, “The older I get, the faster time seems to go.” I didn’t understand what they meant then, but I do now!

It’s been an exciting month, so let’s get to it. Grab a cool drink and get comfy this could be a very long memo.

First off, let me say the reason this memo is late is because when I was working on it I forgot to hit save often enough, and I lost big chunks of the memo. It was sounding so good too. Now I have to go back over it and replace what was lost. It seems to me when this happens it’s never quite the same as the first draft, so bear with me if we lapse in places.

Besides having to re-think what I had already done I was left feeling discouraged and didn’t feel much like continuing, but I will, just for you! J  It also doesn’t help that I’m into another Linda Hall book and it’s hard to put it down. Then as if I needed any more distraction I got a “organizing bug.” Some might say my office desk is a mess, but I do know where everything is! Honest.

But there are times when it becomes even too much for me. It’s amazing the things I’m finding that I didn’t know I still had. Who needs receipts from twelve years ago?! But enough of that, on with this month’s memo.

May 27^th I did what turned out to be my last author visit for the year. I didn’t want to book any after that because I needed time to get ready for my trip to Toronto a few weeks later.

In recent months a dear friend of mine, who had been, of late, a bit of a globe trotter, bought a farm about 40 minutes from us in Winnfield. I’m hoping now she and her husband will stay put for a good long while. In the weeks leading up to my trip to the Toronto BookExpo, Mom and I spent a few days on Debbi’s farm.

Besides the three paddocks for horses and the hey field, there is a huge garden, and I mean huge! Weeds had taken over! With Debbi on her tractor, Tammi, a friend of Debbi’s, Mom and I helped take back control from the weeds. We weren’t out there as much as we would have liked to be, but we enjoyed every day we spent there.

During the first week of June, I received my copy of the 10^th Anniversary Anthology, To Hope and Beyond: Tales and Poems of British Columbia from the Penticton Writers and Publishers.

After meeting one of the co-founders of the group, we stayed in touch over the last couple of years. When they were planning their Anthology I was pleased to be one of many British Columbian authors to be asked to contribute. A call was issued to established and emerging writers, of the province, to submit stories and poems of outstanding persons, places or events within British Columbia. Since I had recently moved to Lumby I chose to write a short story from the perspective of a new resident.

The book is very well done and I recommend it if you want an “inside” look into some memorable characters and many of the towns and villages which make up British Columbia. For more information or to order your copy please visit http://www.penwriters.com

The week before I left for Toronto I tried to get some writing done. It was useless; I found it difficult to concentrate on anything. So Mom and I spent a lot of time watching the events unfold after former President Reagan passed away on the 5^th. It was great spending so much time with Mom. Most days I’m at the computer and she is puttering around the yard. I haven’t left Mom for any significant time since my last trip to Ontario in 1994, and I wondered how she’d make out alone. I knew we had good neighbors who would look out for her, but it’s not the same as being here. I planned on calling her at least once a day.

Before I knew it, I found myself heading to Debbi’s at 4:30 a.m. on June 10^th. I would leave our car at her place and she would then take me to the Kelowna airport to catch my 7 a.m. flight.

Ever since my luggage had been lost years earlier, on a trip to B.C., I have traveled with only “carry on” bags. While Debbi and I waited at the airport we thought about how much easier a bag on wheels would be for me. Now why didn’t I think of that?

With Mom’s encouragement, I made a promise to myself this trip, I was going to ask for help! When I was much younger I was too insecure to ask anyone to help open things for me or to put the tray table back in its upright position. I’m not sure what I was afraid of. Maybe I thought they would laugh at me. Now, I don’t much care if people laugh or what they think.

When pre-boarding was announced for my flight to Calgary I was right there with the others who “needed a little extra time” or were “traveling with small children.” Although helping hands were limited to a few, a lady in a wheelchair offered to carry one of my bags on her lap. We were quite the sight, her loaded down with not only her bags but one of mine. Our helper was trying to carry my other bag and steer the wheelchair all at the same time, this however wasn’t going according to plan. Because my hands were free I grabbed one handle of the wheelchair and our helper grabbed the other and together we managed to steer our lady right to the aircraft.

I had been told Westjet staff was the best, but I wasn’t prepared for the wonderful treatment I received. Once aboard, my bags safely stowed in the overhead compartment, we were soon winging our way to Calgary, the first leg of my trip. 

Weeks before I left I started praying for a smooth flight. Flying didn’t use to bother me, but as I get older I suppose my equilibrium has changed and now I don’t much care for turbulence. Mom always says, “Just think of it as a ride on a bumpy road.” Yes a bumpy road, 37 thousand feet in the air!! I remember asking God to hold the plane in the palm of His hand, and He did. Although there were a few calluses I could have done without.

Once inside the Calgary terminal, we privileged few were assisted to our next gate. I got rather a kick out of the “Folks Wagon” they used to transport us. When we were settled at our gate my new friend and I decided to watch each others bags while we took turns making a pit-stop at the ladies room. It’s funny how we never exchanged names during our time together, I guess names aren’t important.

I called Mom while waiting for my next flight – it was as if she was right there with me. What did we do before cell phones?

Shortly after take off, the Pilot announced there would be some turbulence on our way to Toronto, at least until we reached Brandon Manitoba. Great! Just what I didn’t want to hear. Well at least I was prepared, I took Steal Away by Linda Hall with me to read during the flight. As I read, I waited for the turbulence to start – it never did. Although I can’t say the same for the story! When they offered drinks it was difficult to put the book down long enough for a cup of tea, talk about a page turned! The reason I chose to take Steal Away was, Linda Hall had a book signing scheduled during the Book Expo and I planned on asking her if she’d sign my book as well as her new one.

Three hours and nine minutes after leaving Calgary we landed in Toronto. I was finally there! After the other passengers had disembarked our small group was helped off the plane. My friend and I were taken right to the baggage pick-up area. Then, I was handed my bags. Great! What am I suppose to do with them now?

I asked my new friend if she would like to wait with the bags while I went and got a cart for us to put our things on. Then, maybe I could help her in getting her bags. Well, I suppose she was upset being deserted as we had been. “I can’t get my bags off that belt alone,” she stated to no one in particular.

She didn’t hear a word I was saying and I wasn’t about to stand there holding my heavy bags on my elbows while she made up her mind. Because I could only hold my bags for a short time I decided to head out of the area and find a place to put them down. I felt bad about leaving her there but I wasn’t about to break my arms off holding my bags until she made up her mind.

Once through the doors I found a seat and made myself comfortable, that is, until I realized I needed a washroom! There was a continual announcement saying not to leave your car or baggage unattended or it would be picked up by security. After observing people around me for a short time I spotted a man I thought might help me. So with my new, I’m-going-to-ask-for-help-attitude I headed towards this kind looking man a few seats over. As I approached him I pushed up my sleeves, just a little mind you, and asked if he would be kind enough to step out the doors and grab a cart for me. I quickly explained I was waiting for a friend and wasn’t able to carry my bags very far.

After he glanced at my hands, and my sweet smile of course, he readily agreed and headed for the doors. Moments later he returned and explained that when I let up on the handle, the cart would stop instantaneously. I asked if I could get him a coffee for his trouble and he dismissed the idea with a wave of his hand. After thanking him I headed for the ladies room. This asking for help wasn’t such a bad thing after all.

Shortly after returning to my waiting place I received a call from David, the friend who would be picking me up. I have never met David before this day but I felt as though I already knew him. After all, we have been corresponding for over a year while I created a web site for his church group. When he called he had just gotten out of a meeting and was heading for the airport. I told him more or less where I was and he said he’d call when he was getting close, in about 20 minutes. It was after this call I realized my cell phone didn’t have much life left. That’s great! David would call and my phone would be dead!

Since it doesn’t ring much at home I wasn’t use to charging it more than once a week, but I was to soon learn when you actually use your cell phone, it has to be charged a lot more often.

As I sat waiting I expected to hear the familiar blup-blup of my dieing cell phone – I didn’t hear it. I kept looking at it like that would help preserve its life. I silently prayed it wouldn’t die before David arrived.

Since I don’t wear a watch I guesstimated the time. Shortly after standing and turning towards the window a car pulled up to the pole I mentioned to David and for some reason I knew it was him. Maybe it was the way he leaned over the passenger seat and looked right at me. Good thing I had told him exactly what I’d be wearing.

Feeling certain this man was indeed David I headed for the doors. As I pushed my cart through the doors this man got out of his car and looked at me, “David?” I asked.

“Katharine,” he replied in a matter of fact tone.

We had found each other, and my cell phone wasn’t dead yet!! He quickly apologized for not calling saying he had someone call and couldn’t get them off the line. Soon we were on our way! It had been a little tense, but I knew all along everything would work out alright.   

It was good to be able to talk face to face with someone I’d been e mailing with for so long. Actually this trip was going to be one of meeting many people for the very first time. It would also be one of seeing friends I hadn’t seen in a while, some up to twenty-five years!

Before we had discussed everything I wanted to, we arrived at my hotel. Once I was booked in, David carried my bags to my room and before I knew it I was alone, not only in my room but in a very large, noisy city.

When I opened my drapes I realized why they had them closed. My room faced a cement barrier, which would hopefully protect anyone in the room from cars that might come flying off the highway which was only feet away from the window.

While making my reservation I told the back was a bit nosier than the front, but I never expected I’d be in the middle of the Indy 500! Well it could have been worse.

What I did expect however was two beds in the room. After all Crystal, a friend since our teenage years, was coming to Toronto to spend the week with me. As much as I love her, I wasn’t about to share a bed with her. I called downstairs and was told it would be looked after. Good thing she was only arriving the following day.

I started to unpack and realized my cell phone was now dead. I put it on the charger and called Mom using the hotel phone, not knowing what that was going to cost. It didn’t matter I wanted to let her know I had arrived safely. 

When I pulled out my plastic bag of raw sugar the bottom of the baggie broke and sugar was everywhere. Shortly after, a fellow brought up the refrigerator I had requested. After he had it in place I asked if there was a vacuum I could use. Looking at me a bit confused, I pointed to the sugar on the bed and floor. “No problem, I’ll be right back,” he said as he headed out the door.

Once that was done and I finished unpacking I had a bite to eat and then curled up with my book. Because of the time changed it wasn’t long and I thought I should get some sleep. On the cabinet which had the TV and some drawers in it, there was a lamp I couldn’t reach to turn off. I called downstairs and asked if someone was around, could they please come and turn it off? Mark told me he’d send someone right up. An hour and a half later I was definitely ready for bed, but no one had shown up to turn the lamp off.

I called down to the front desk again and Mark apologized saying he’d make sure someone came up immediately. No sooner had we hung up and there was a knock at my door. It was the same fellow who had brought the fridge up. After turning the light off I asked about the dead bolt on the door, I wanted to make sure I would be secure in my room. Before leaving he asked, “Is there anything else?”

“No, I think that just about does it.”

With a not so trusting look he asked, “Are you suuure?”

Well of course I was sure. Okay, so maybe I wasn’t 100 % positive. But I was almost sure.

“Yes, if there’s anything else I can’t manage, it can wait until the morning,” I said with a smile.

He was very nice about the whole thing and I thought to myself, this asking for help wasn’t too hard to do after all.

I had planned on going over to the Convention Centre and checking things out the next afternoon but after I found out Shannon, my rep with the new company we had joined forces with, would only be arriving late the next afternoon I thought better of it. 

So with the light turned out and the door secured I turned over for my first nights sleep of what was going to be an interesting week – I just knew it!

I think I’ll leave it here for now. I will continue this memo in a few days. After all, I don’t want anyone getting bored.

So until we meet again, (soon) be well. J 

June Memo Continued ...

Welcome back to the continuation of our June memo. So, let’s pick up where we left off. I was just turning in for my first night in the big city…

Friday, June 11^th 2004

Considering I never sleep well the first night away from home, and considering I was in the middle of the Indy 500, I slept better than expected. It’s funny because the traffic seemed to be louder during the night than it had been during the day, but I still slept well. Maybe it’s because I use to live right on the Highway in Virgil (not that it was anything like this one) and somewhere in the back of my head it was like being home.

After posting the first part of this memo I had an e mail from a faithful reader, I got the impression she wasn’t happy I had left her hanging. She had some interesting and speculative observations about my night, allow me to share part of her e mail….

 “... and now I am left hanging.  Here's Kat in a hotel in Toronto, going to sleep.  What will happen next?

Will a giant insect, attracted by raw sugar, no doubt, invade her room?

Will an Indy 500 driver crash through the window and the concrete barrier, causing Kat to have to call the front desk once again?  (I'm sorry, Lady, but you've used up all your bellman minutes today ... can calling 911 wait until tomorrow?)” 

I can assure you I had no need to call the front desk during the night, therefore I’m sure I had a few “bellman minutes” left. As always Karen, thanks for the laugh!! J

 It’s always great to hear from people who take the time to read my memos and my author visits reports. However it dawned on me this morning that when I began these memos my intention was to take you, the reader, along on my journey of writing, self-publishing and all that that entails.

The last few days I’ve been working on the continuing story of my adventure in Toronto and while I write I wonder, do I need to tell them this? After all it was exciting for me, seeing Crystal again, meeting Shannon and getting ready for my first Book Expo, would that be exciting for my readers? Maybe they are just interested in the bottom line, as it were.

So I have decided to continue writing about my Toronto adventure, but instead of posting it here in the Memo portion, I’m going to make it into a PDF (when it’s finished) and offer it to you free of charge! It will be like a mini book and all you’ll have to do is send an email to thekat@telus.net and request your copy. You may request it now however I probably won’t have it finished until sometime later this month, but I will add you to my list.

Also this way I won’t be taking up “memo space” for those of you who aren’t interested in all the details of the trip. And for the rest of you, I can say, all in all it was a great trip and one I will remember for a very long time. The future will tell if it was a success as far as getting the books out there, these things do take time, but I can assure you we are always working to that end. 

So until the July memo please play safe this summer and be well! J 

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