ShortHand Publishing - March 2004 Memo

March 2004

The month had a wonderful start – on the first we picked up copies of our new children’s book, Ricky, the Rickety Rocking Chair. After doing some other errands we met a friend at Boston Pizza in Vernon to celebrate. She was getting a couple of copies of the book anyway so we decided to make a bit of a “dah-do” out of it.

While we were there I gave Charlie, the manager, new colouring sheets for the children. He said the coloring sheets had been a big hit.

Even before the month started our tulips were poking their heads up. By the middle of the month there were two inches showing. I continue to tease Mom that they’ll be blooming soon.

You may recall when we moved into our home in late December of 2002 we had a lot of “cleaning up” to do. Last year we were able to plant the bulbs we wanted and as important, where we wanted them. At the time I remember thinking, it will take forever before we can enjoy the benefits of our labor.

But in no time at all, the mountains of snow we received during the winter began to melt – Lo and behold there is grass under it all!

Mom has even begun digging in the garden – I guess winter has an end after all. We are looking forward to another summer in our new home and evenings spent on our patio swing.

It’s interesting to watch the crows prepare to build their nests for the year. My kitchen table provides a wonderful view of the field next door. As I have breakfast I’m able to watch many crows as they collect huge amounts of straw and other materials they need for their new homes. It’s amazing how much they can hold in their beak. Now if we could only train to not to yell so early.

Very early in the month I received a call from a school in Kelowna asking if I’d consider doing an author visit for them. Consider it? Of course I’d consider it. This was the first time a school had called me and let me tell you, it was a great feeling!

The visit went great and the children were wonderful. It seems to me that different librarians pick up on different aspects of my life that they ask me to elaborate on. During this visit we discussed how I was teased when I was young, because I was different.

I always mention the saying, “Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me.” I bring it up because I don’t believe that is true! To read more about this discussion please go to the report of that particular visit at the following link http://www.shorthandpublishing.com/Main/Raymer%20Elementary%20Author%20Visit.htm

I would also like to mention one boy who not only made my day but paid me the highest compliment I think I have ever received. It was at the end of the second session, a few children came up to me to thank me for coming to their school. One boy came to my side and asked me very quietly, “Has any one ever given you a metal?”

A little dumbfounded I replied, “No, they haven’t.”

“Well they should,” was his simple answer.

I can not adequately put my feelings at that moment into words. I went with my first instinct, which was to give him and hug and thank him. Then, I had to turn away a bit because I didn’t want him to see that he had caused me to tear up. Instead of giving in to the tears, "I blinked them back."

Many books Mom and I have read have that line in them and it bugs both of us to no end. I suppose it wouldn’t be so bad if the author only used it once or twice. However in some books – very good books I might add -- have, in our opinion, over used the pharse. I mean really, how many times in life does one do that? Well I now know I have done it at least once and, it does work.

I don’t usually get emotional but this young man’s statement really got me. I don’t think he’ll ever know what he did for me that day. And, I didn’t even get his name.

Some other exciting news for the month is that ShortHand Publishing has sign a deal with a company to re-print my autobiography and the best part is, they are also going to do the promotion for it.

We are very excited to announce the first two of three Book Expos where my book will be presented. First is, Book Expo 2004 Chicago, IL, USA from June 4 – 6, 2004. The second is, Book Expo Canada held in Toronto, Ontario from June 11 – 14, 2004. I am hoping to be able to go to the Toronto Expo but that will depend on finding the appropriate accommodations.

I will keep you posted on any and all upcoming developments. These shows are a great opportunely for us and I’m looking forward to see what our future holds.

Meantime I’m also working on making, Ricky, the Rickety Rocking Chair into a play. I once heard a lady who had just finished writing a screen play say, “Man, is that ever a lot of typing.” Our play can not compare to a screen play but I certainly understand a lot better now what she meant.

I have taken a picture or two of our tulips and have included one here for those of you interested. Hopefully by the next memo they will be blooming. Until then, read much and be well. J