Coming home...

 

I attended a favorite trade show in Atlanta, Georgia this weekend. When I left Maine in the wee hours of Thursday morning the temperature was -4 degrees. Later that day when my plane landed I was greeted by rows of pear trees in full bloom around the airport. I was hot in my light jacket. There were daffodills and pansies blooming in front of tidy storefronts. It was a taste of spring and I drank it in. The weekend was busy- filled with fun and excitement. I saw old friends, met new friends, worked hard and enjoyed it to my core.

It was a little sad to leave. Then there were travel delays and airport food. There was a bumpy flight and luggage that didn't find it's way. But waiting for me when I landed was my husband with a toy poodle snuggled in the front of his jacket to greet me. There was companionable chatter on the long ride home in the darkest of downpours. And then we rounded that last corner and the lights of home were spilling out on the ragged snow. Drowsy dogs greeted me joyfully. The house hugged me... fresh flowers in old bottles dotted the tables and windowsills. Chris and Rachel had cleaned the place till it shined like a bright penny. In the early morning hours I snuggled into the comfort of my own bed with my beloved and listened as the house sighed and creaked it's quite time song. There was restful sleep and the thrumming joy that exists wrapped in that simple 4 letter word... home.

Atlanta Pet Fair

I am home after my annual weekend trip to "Hot-lanta." The Pet Fair show was packed with vendors and attendees. It is such fun to see friends that I only see at the shows, hugs and laughter abound. A funny bunch of women made sport all weekend by teasing some of us who are "known," in our industry. Every time they would see one of us they would scream like star struck teens, "OH MY GAWD! It's ____" (fill in the name of the person they were kidding.) At one point I entered a packed elevator. This group of ladies was in the back. In ear piercing glee they shouted, "OH MY GAWD, IT'S DARYL CONNER!!" Everyone in the elevator stared at me as my face turned several fetching shades of pink. Sheesh.

I picked up my new puppy while I was there. I will take a photo of her today and post a blog about her travel adventures. There will also be an announcement of her name. Hint; it is a descriptive word that suits her down to her dime sized paws.

Special spirits...

This man's name is Frank. He is the greeter at the Atlanta Pet Fair, and at many other grooming industry trade shows that I attend. He and his team work security at the shows, and they are among the nicest people I have ever met. Frank is the kind of person that sort of radiates kindness and goodness. I smile just to see him... he ALWAYS remembers my name, always has a kind word, a hug, a gentle tease for me. He is a person that I do not know well by any stretch of the imagination, but I treasure him just the same. He is one of those souls who enrich the lives of those he touches. We need more men like Frank in this world.

Gearing up...

In 4 days I fly to Georgia to be a part of the annual Atlanta Pet Fair. This is an event I look forward to all year, but gosh its a lot of work to get ready! This picture shows me giving a class at last years show. This year I am slated to work at the German Red Clipper booth, and give 3 hours of educational lectures. I am putting the finishing touches on the lectures, and doing a bunch of other things in preparation for the show. One of those things is printing and binding the book I just wrote. I am introducing my little book at the Pet Fair.

We are anticipating MORE SNOW tonight, perhaps as much as 15 inches. So, I add "brace for storm," to my long list of things to do.
On the upside, I can pretty much guarantee there will be flowers blooming in Georgia, and that little taste of spring will be a delight.

And while we are talking about delights... I just found out I was nominated for a couple of truely nifty awards! http://www.cardinalcrystalawards.com/ if you want to go see. Yikes!