I am…gulp…going to be 49 in just over a week!!

Good Lord – where did the time go!!!

So – I just had an epiphany while in the shower – I have been looking for inspiration and what the hell?? in the shower!! – OK so here goes.

I am a simple person. OK – so not so simple…perhaps minimalist is a better choice of words.

I have a beautiful home – I really do – I have the home of my dreams.

My home is not a “show home” it is furnished with odds and ends and chairs from Value Village with a borrowed dining room table – BUT – I do have a fine collection of Escher prints, some lovely oil paintings and some amazing photography (courteously of Photos By Jones – really need to start that website) that grace my walls.

My sweet cats have felt the need to scratch my walls which I will cover with barn board from my circa 1950 barn – it will be magnificent and art in itself.

My furniture is new – my TV – not so much. I don’t care – it still works.

I am in desperate need of new cutlery – yet you can still eat with it.

My home at times smells of cats. Sorry to all those who don’t like that smell – I have 5 cats – they are my family – deal with it.

Take your shoes off -don’t take your shoes off – my floors are washable. I draw the line at muddy boots – just saying!

My dishes don’t match – yet I can serve an amazing meal – family style – just remember I cook – YOU CLEAN!!! 🙂

My barn is still a bit skewed – it’s a work in progress which I surely hope will progress before winter. It keeps my herd out of the wind and they are happy. My tack is mismatched. I am pretty sure the horses don’t care. They love the attention.

I love clothes – too much I am afraid. While I was working at putting away summer and bring out winter – I noted – holy CRAP I have alot of clothes – I paired and purged and played with shoes and boots and eventually found room for everything. I may buy my clothes at discount stores and shoes at Payless – I challenge to tell me I am not stylish.

 I love my Louis Vuitton – and take very good care of her – next I will have a magnificent Coach Backpack – but not this year – Hay is more important.

I think really what I am trying to say is that stuff is just stuff.  Really it’s just stuff.

I would rather have the family style dinner with my unmatched dishes around my mismatched table than stuff.

Or my Value Village find than paying 50 bucks for a tshirt. I’m sorry but my Payless Shoes will surely outlast your Jimmy Choos and are probably more comfortable.

I can and will stretch a dinner into leftovers. I can and will buy the cheaper wine. I can and will go without to insure my children do not.

I was brought up by two amazing parents. They did not have much – quite frankly they did not have anything. They raised 9 (ya no shit) amazing individuals whom I love deeply.

Life is short – I am learning that because I am almost at the “top of the hill” – looking down – it’s not about the stuff – or the pretty home – or the coolest shit you own. It’s about love and fun and wonder and peace and family.

My family – we are fighters – all of us – brothers, sisters, cousins – ya you know who you are – we are scrimpers and savers and bargainers. We love the “deal”, we love winning the bid.

I used to worry when I was growing up. My friends, they had the cool homes, the neat stuff. I was at times embarrassed how our furniture did not match or was second hand. My parents – they did what they did to have food on our table and love in our home. We were not perfect but we had clean clothes and a roof over our head and so much love.

Stuff – its just stuff. Sure I could have all that stuff – but I don’t need it or want it.

I want love and fun and food and wine and bonfires and crazy family and drive bys and friends who will go above and beyond to help and community.

All of the above – that is who I am…

Who are you?

For Chloe…

Well my friends – it has been a year since our sojourn into farming.

Our one year anniversary was actually August 29th – but it has taken me a few days to digest, meld and work through the thoughts and feelings that I have on being a “farmer” for full year.

I’ll let you in on a little secret. Promise you won’t tell??? – we are not real farmers. Not really. Sure we have livestock – but we do not till the land, sow crops or raise consumables.

We dally and play with out herd. We are weekend warriors in our quest to have our perfect farm.

What I/We have learned in the last year.

There is no “perfect” farm.

Our barn leans a little to the left – but that is OK – we are working on making it true.

I have no upscale stable for my herd – but that’s OK – they are warm – well fed and loved.

My paddock may be wet – but my little stable is dry and warm and inviting.

Our house is not furnished with the “latest” style – but truly – those chairs cost me 5 bucks each at the thrift store – FIVE BUCKS!!!

Our lawn gets cut when we have time. Who cares- are the “lawn police” going to come and ticket us?? I doubt it.

I/We have made friends – ohhhh – such good friends. We have learned that community is more important that expensive chairs and cut lawns and indoor riding arenas (although I really do want one)

We have learned to not overfeed – we have learned that people do things out of the goodness of their heart – not for ulterior motives. We have learned to trust people.

We have learned that wild parsnip burns – the mosquito’s are huge and that snakes roam freely on our property.

While we may not be farmers in the traditional sense- milking, tilling, planting etc- we are still farming our dreams and tilling our place in this community.

We are now officially “planted” here and ladies and gents – we ain’t going no where!!!

Looking back on a year ago – it was chaotic. I kept asking myself – what have we gotten into??

Winter was a cruel beouch and she taught me to suck it up buttercup and move on.

This year has put me in the best shape of my life!!

I sit in my office/tack room. The smell of leather and cat litter (we have 5 indoor cats) and I watch the bat parade (happening right now FYI) and I listen to tree frogs and I worry about my kittens outside and if they are warm and fed and I just breath and smile and look forward to tomorrow.

Tomorrow like every other day – I will get up at 0500 – I will feed my herd – I will go to work – and I will come home and I will breath and I will smile because – well – I love it here – we love it here.

Many years to come – you betcha!!! I would NOT change one thing about this past year.

Interesting how that one little step – the one little push and that one little leap can take you to the place in your mind and heart that you have dreamt about and talked about and yearned for  your entire life??

Orange Acres – our home – all are welcome – we are little but we will make room. Bring a sleeping bag, a tent and come and enjoy our little slice of heaven.

PS. Chloe was a dear horse from my previous barn who unfortunately crossed the rainbow bridge after a bout of colic. She was beautiful and loving and I will miss her. I hope her human is OK.

I know I promised a blog post this past Monday after we got home from vacation – the week has simply gotten away from me so please bear with me while I try to break it all down into somewhat organised and cohesive order.

Vacation Road Trip (last post) was a huge success. We rolled onto Ocracoke Island Saturday afternoon and I could immediately feel the stress washing away when we hit NCDOT12 on Cape Hatteras National Seashore.

Nothing beats the smell of the ocean and watching to pelicans soar. As always “my island” was welcoming with the most amazing food – cheap booze and the best beaches in North America.

The only “hitch” we had on our vacation on island is that some punk ass kids decided to pinch our golf cart rental – take it out for a joyride and return it TRASHED!! I felt so bad for the rental company but felt a great sense of pride when the nabbed the trouble makers.

One of the many hi lites of the trip was listening to my son on WOVV Orcacoke Island Radio (tune in please) do an hour or so show. His goal is to work there next summer and I sure hope that he can make it happen.

While away – our beloved Scrappy dropped her litter of kittens – 5 in total – and they are spectacular! Great markings – great mother.

I have to admit – we were quite anxious to get back though. While I love “my island” I missed my boys and kittens and family and friends.

We left quite early Saturday morning and drove to Carlisle PA where I had “hotels.com” a HoJo  for the night. Upon arrival however – I IMMEDIATELY regretted my booking. This place what in a word – a shit hole. The Bate Motel was in a safer area. The room had NOT been cleaned – stuff was smashed – the room itself was way around back and littered with trash – we almost bailed – I almost forfeited the $$$ is cost and walked but it was just one night right? I have since lodged a complaint – will anything happen? Doubtful and lesson learned – you get what you pay for.

We arrived home on Sunday around noonish – first stop – see my Boys – I sure did miss them. They were spoiled rotten by – I don’t even want to call her our farm sitter – yes – we hired her to take care of them – but she did so so much more – and now she is my friend. My sister and my mother in law as well. TO MY SISTER – I’ll make a horsewoman out of you 🙂

Then I went to see Scrappy’s litter – soooo cute – super fuzz heads.

Monday we both had the day off – Lyla Belle still had not dropped her litter – Monday night however – Hubs and I were chatting and Lyla Belle plopped herself on Hubs boots and promptly went into labour. We rushed her to the maternity ward (old goat barn) where she had two kittens – she then moved herself to the garage where she had four more. In total – little Lyla Belle dropped six kittens!!

We officially now have 20 cats!! HOLY CRAP!!! – uhh- it’s official – we are now crazy cat people!!!!

The rest of this week has been pretty standard – unpack – laundry – clean my house although I really did not need to – my house sitters kept it cleaner than I do :).

Today though – today was a BIG DAY!!!

Lola – our third to our herd has arrived!! – Lola is a pretty little Quarter/Arab mare – Little Horses previous paddock mate where I used to board. Very sweet disposition – very nice little mare. Loads on a trailer like a pro and transports like a dream.

She arrived late morning. I penned the boys away from her for an hour or so until she got her bearings and then introduced them all.

Well…Little Horse – the old man has had new life breathed into him!! Dirty old man – studdish and possessive of his girl. Big Horse was a little prickish at first and Little Horse has not left her side. I think she is getting annoyed with all the attention.

So – Lola makes 3!! We are now a 3 horse farm here at Orange Acres. It will be a little dicey for a few days while the pecking order is established but me thinks we will be just fine.

I have to end this post with a big shout out.

My sister – ahhh- thank you so much for staying at Orange Acres – however you forgot your parting gift!! a fresh kitten – right out of the batch – super fuzzy – super cute!! I’ll save you one. Thanks for the new purple frying pan – my favourite colour. I was so relieved to have you staying here for most of the week. You have no idea how much that meant to us.

My friend/sitter – had I not found you to come and take care of my boys – Lord- I can’t even describe it. Needless to say – I have a new very dear friend who went above and beyond the call of duty. She has introduced me to more people and given me more insight on this community. She is the embodiment of community here in our lazy little town. A true giving spirit.

My Mother in Law – thanks for the new broom – I did need a new one for sure!!! To have you here as well was a big relief.

I sure hope that everyone enjoyed their stay at Orange Acres.

Our one year anniversary here is coming up fast and I am hoping to arrange a BBQ/celebration to commemorate surviving our first year on the farm.

It’s been a year of learning and growing and I can’t speak for Hubs – wait – yes I can – I do all the time – it has been one of the happiest years of our lives.

Details on event forthcoming once we nail down a date.

Thank you again everyone!!!

Can you hear it?? The theme from National Lampoon’s Vacation?? Surely you have seen the movie?? Come on people – it’s a classic -well it has this quirky music -“Holiday Road?” I give up.

Well our vacation – our first vacation as farm owners is less that 72 hours away and I have to admit -for once I am not freaking out. Odd.

I have found this most incredible person to come by twice daily to feed and take care of The Boys. I would be screwed had I not found her.

A local girl – lived here most of her life. Answered my ad and voila – a farm sitter and I have to say – a very dear friend in the short time I have known her.

She is the very epitome of community coming together. Such a strange concept to one who has spent years living in the city and has forgotten how much small town folks work together. I checked her out of course. That is the “city” in me. I don’t think she knows the impact that she has made on people. Where she currently rides- glowing reports – the lovely woman who owns the feed store – raves just raves.

I have another sister and I could not be more thrilled at that.

So – we are off to our treasured Ocracoke Island come Friday. My sister will come stay at our house for a few days. Make sure it does not implode while we are gone – visit some friends and have some relax time at Orange Acres. What a relief she will be here.

When she has to depart – my mother in law will take over  the duties.

I of course have written an epic novel of what could/might/won’t go wrong (see flashback post November 20th)

But I must say – for the first time – all the work trips – I am not that stressed about it.

My Boys are in great hands – my house as well.

What will I do? Nothing to worry about?? Oh I know – RELAX!!! Have a couple of cocktails – eat some fresh seafood – work on my tan – chill with my hubs and kids and friends and family.

Am I actually capable of doing that?

My email account from work will be deleted from my phone under the supervision of my assistant – glaring over my shoulder. The bags are packed.

I guess it’s time to road trip it.

I’ll have stories along the way – no doubt. I’ll take pictures and post them IF I find time between cocktails of course.

And all the while – everything at home will run with out me.

OH NO!! Just kidding.

I am lucky to have great family to help out and lucky to have found my new sister to watch My Boys.

And let the countdown begin my friends.

It is only 7.5 working days until I burn 50 feet of rubber out the parking lot to begin a well deserved 2 week count ’em two weeks in a row vacation!!

I have not taken two weeks in a row in years and now – use them or lose them so I am booking time off left right and centre to make the most of it.

Our first week will be our annual pilgrimage to Orcacoke Island North Carolina – my second home. Could I make living – move my house and I mean the actual house – of course the Boys and everyone I hold dear – let’s just say I would not let the door hit me in the ass on the way out!!

This year proved to a little more challenging. My nephew was going to house sit but unfortunately for me he is moving that weekend in with his gorgeous boyfriend and is just tied up. No big – I’ll find a sitter. And FYI – I am super happy for him- my nephew – another big step in life.

 Posts on message boards – hitting everyone I know – holy expensive!!! Plan B – trailer them back to where I used to board – still expensive but the best care in the world – I can do that.

Then an angel answered my call. A local girl – my saviour. She knows horses and it was like me – 30 years ago – not wanting to make a buck but wanting to help out someone. She asked for little pay but will get paid more than asked let me tell you!! The feeling of relief is immense and the trust that she inspired. Perfect fit.

My sister- bless her will make the drive down and stay in the our home for a few days. A little vacation for her to the cutest B&B around. She will feed my indoor brood of cats and take care of kittens for us while we are gone. A relief to have someone here. Mother in Law will take over when Sister leaves – score number 2.

Daughter and Boyfriend going – Son and Girlfriend going – Family and Dear Friends going.

NC12 is calling me – that long highway through the dunes to the ferry – I can smell it already.

Lunch at Howard’s when we arrive – then off to get our keys to our home for a week.

Pure Bliss!!!

I’ll keep y’all posted in my travels!!

These past two weekends have been all about connections and re-connections.

Last weekend – my dear sister – invaded our space with her Border Collie Zipper. I have not seen her in quite some time yet we do “talk” via the Facebook frequently.

This sister – keeping in mind that I have ALOT of sisters is right after me in the pecking order of our sisterly brood.

She has not changed a bit. She is still – well herself. He dog – captured and ran away with my heart. Having a dog in the house is odd for us – we love dogs – we would LOVE to own a dog however our schedules simply do not permit it. It would not be fair to the dog to be alone for that long so last weekend I got to “own” a dog for a little bit.

I had the supreme pleasure of witnessing magic on Saturday as my sister put Zipper through his paces at an agility trial. Lord – she made it look so easy. It was the fluidity of her movement and the total trust that Zipper had in her and how he listened and gave her heck if/when she messed up. It was a site to see and I am speechless at how my little pain in the ass sister is so accomplished at it. I am jealous in her ability to do what she does. I covet her dog and will live vicariously through every post.

I want to wish her the best at Nationals and I know that Zipper will not disappoint. He is “WONDER DOG”!!!

This weekend was re-connection with Hubs family. His Aunt and Uncle in from Phoenix – his Uncle from Montreal and honorary Uncle from Ottawa.

Such a nice evening of wine and food and showing off our house and farm and horses.

His Aunt took me aside and thanked me – she thanked me for taking such good care of him. I almost started to cry right then and there.

Ya- me – I was so touched.

Orange Acres (new name) has become somewhat of a tourist attraction. I love to show off my home with my mismatched Value Village chairs and knick knacks that I pick up here and there and everywhere.

I am glad that people feel comfortable when coming here to kick off their shoes and wander the wood.

The next tour starts in an hour if anyone is interested.

I have a friend – she shall remain nameless unless she gives me permission to say who she is.

She is a strong woman – very strong – I like that in her. No – I love that in her.

I have only physically met her once – truly – just once. In New York – we took the train into the city together with other people and walked and talked and laughed.

On a business trip a couple of years ago -we met – but we had a connection and I count her as one of my closest friends.

I don’t make friends easily. Busy – lazy – whatever.

She is stylish and beautiful inside and out. She is smart and quirky and unique.

She is not just a friend – she is a sister.

I have sisters – lots and lots of sisters. Really – lots of them. Blood sisters.

BUT – blood sisters or friend sisters – what is the difference? Sure I grew up with my blood sisters – we fight and bicker and bitch about each other. But we are sisters and I love you all.

My friend sisters – we have difference of opinions- can’t say we fight and bicker – yet 🙂

I have a daughter – I gave birth to her. She is my joy. I have friend daughters – I watch over them and while I did not give birth to them – in some odd way – I see them as my surrogate daughters.

Cousins – aunts- daughters -friends – women. (no particular order fyi)

My sister friend – I love her dearly – she is struggling and sad and I want her to be happy. I can’t make her happy but I can be her friend and her sister. She has endured hardships in life and she is still standing. She is “jak” (hope I said that right and did not bastardize it – if I did – apologies)

No much to do with life on the farm.

Everywhere I look on the farm though I see life. Plants – birds – goofy horses – kitten heads running around – bugs – bats.

So- for my sister friend – I hear you and can’t wait to see you again.

Much love.

I have a very large family – not just siblings – to which there are nine of us FYI – 8 girls – 1 boy – oh wait – serious deja vu – I think I have told this story – ah well – sorry if I have.

I often draw on things that happen in our lives and other people’s lives to find inspiration for my posts.

Sometimes not much happens around here so I get a little lazy and it takes time to come up with witty and charming anecdotes. Sometimes they are charming – sometimes witty and sometimes serious.

Serious time.

I have noticed of late that it is not all about the farm and the goings ons.

My travels for my job or a story in the news become inspiration as does what happens in my family and friends lives.

I am graced (or cursed {smile}) with a very large family. I am also graced (or cursed {smile}) with some very very dear friends who I consider part of my family – so basically and I am graced (or cursed{smile}).

Where to start, where to start…

I have been travelling for work for a couple of days. Not much happened around here – the day I left we had a “missing” kitten” but she was here when Hubs got home from work and all was well in that department. The Boys did not do anything silly while I was gone and Hubs has turned into quite the horse wrangler – he has the routine down pat – is comfortable mucking poop and picking feet. GO HUBS!!!

I got come home and checked into the Facebook to see what I had missed. Not too much – Candy Crush requests galore – I’ll get to them. News on the Farming Groups that I am a member of – need to look at those tomorrow.

A post from a very dear dear friend that caught my eye that warranted further investigation. Some messaging later to learn that this very dear dear friend of mine is going through a difficult time in their lives and it made me stop and think about how much I bitch and moan about mine that everyone has a story.

All of these stories that are happening make me always sit back and take inventory on my life – on our lives.

I try to be a good person be it at work or at home. I am a moody bitch a times at home and a raging bitch sometimes at work.

I find that I get so wrapped up in my life  -in our lives that I tend to forget that other people have shit going on their lives as well.

So – to that end – I would like to apologise firstly to Hubs and One and Two for being a moody bitch. You guys are awesome.

I won’t apologise for being a raging bitch at work because that is how I get stuff done and those who know me – know I am really not a raging bitch but…shhhh…please don’t tell anyone because I’ll have to cut you 🙂 and it will spoil my street cred.

To my dear dear friends – I love you both very much. I am sending you hugs to you – we are sending our love to you. You are part of our family.

You see – in this me, me, me world – we have to stop and listen to others – really listen.

Everyone has a story.

Everyone has a story…

This post will start with my story this week and end with something a little different.

Flash back to post 11/16/2013 titled “A Travelin’ I Will go if you will. The epic novel of instructions – the trains derailing – the “Boys” heading into town for a quick pint at the pub – you know the one???

Well – this week – I had another trip. I have been fortunate thus far to be pretty low key about travelling.

I was to be out less than 48 hours. Ottawa – Philly – the off to a meeting in Camden NJ. Trip down was uneventful -smooth as glass. Great meetings – great people.

Trip back – well – another story all together.

My flight out last evening at 6:30pm – Philly – Detroit – Ottawa. Boarded the plane – pushed back – sat on the tarmac for an hour and a half. I said to myself…”self…this can’t be good”. Pilot comes on – question?? why do they all sound the same?? do they have to take a course to sound like that??? but I digress – Pilot comes on – “we are pulling back on and deplaning – some mechanical – blah blah blah. Two hours to get maintenance over to fix it.

Frack!! I have a connection and I really want to get home!!! I talk to the “Gate Keeper”  – pleading – I have a connection!!! “Well – he says – you will not make that connection” Double Frack!!! He hands me a card and tells me to “call this number”.

So I call the number. Delta customer support. In my best “business voice” – I tell her that I am stuck and need to get home – she gives me a confirmation number for US air and tells me to go the counter and pick up a boarding pass. Earlier DIRECT flight home…SCORE!!!

Problem  – I am in terminal D and US is in terminal F – like thousands of miles away and I have 20 minutes to get said boarding pass, clear security and find my gate. I am always up for a challenge!!! So off I sprint.

Ducking and weaving through fellow travellers – trying not to lose my shoes or fall flat on my face I spot two cops!! “Fastest way to terminal F” I all but yell!! End of the hall until you can’t go further  – out of the terminal – and back in – it’s right there.

Sounds simple enough right?? Not really- no pedestrian traffic but it’s hot and muggy – my shoes are flopping around.

I make it to the gate and get issued a boarding pass – I call the Gate Keeper a Prince Among Men and tear off to security. Get out the liquids and go searching for my Ipad. Ipad…oh Ipad…where are you??

You know when in cartoon the light goes off over your head?? Well it went off over mine..must have been a million candle watt because in my head I dropped to my knees and screamed NOOOOOOO!!! (I didn’t of course) I left it in the seat pocket of the other plane that is minimum the length of 5 kabillion football fields away!!!

Don’t panic, don’t panic – I guess I looked panicked because the security agent asked me if I was ok. “No I said – I have 15 minutes to get to my gate and I left my (#($#(P*$&@ Ipad on the other plane!!!” What does she tell me to do – “You better run girl!”

AND RAN I DID!! I tore off my shoes and ran outside – yelled at two maintenance engineers – “Fastest way to Terminal D??? Left my IPAD on plane – have 10 minutes!!” they point and yell “Run Girl!!” I swore I hear them say “Look at her go”. The theme from that movie – you know the one?? Chariots of Fire…in the back ground. Hair flying. God I hate running!

Ducking and weaving – heaving and sweating – feet pounding and thighs on fire I run. Like a madwoman. Now it’s a challenge – can I pull this off?? Of course I can!!!

Get to the other gate – out of breath and the Gate Keeper gives me an odd look “Forgot Ipad…gasp gasp…seat 3D…gasp”

I have to hand it to him – he dropped everything – every disgruntled passenger and went running down the jet way to retrieve my errant Ipad. Thank you Delta. The Gate Keeper barrels through the door and while I am running in the other direction he under hand tosses me my Ipad like a well orchestrated Swat and yells – “Run Forrest Run!!” ok not quite but you get the pictures.

And off I go again!!! Running like the Devil himself was on my heels. Over and under – ducking and weaving and around the corner to security. You know that noise that they make in the cartoons when someone comes to a screeching halt?? I am sure everyone heard it when I did – ERRRRTTTT!!!!! Liquids and precious Ipad in bin…my precious…through the body scan and pat down and wouldn’t you know it – my gate is another foot ball field away.

I’m off!!! – I swear I have not run that much since I was forced to in school!!!

Grind to halt and gate F31 and look up at the monitor to make sure I am on time…and it says “Dulles” leaving on time – WTH!!!!

Then I turned around and the basketball court length line should have given it away.

Houston – we have a problem.

I snag a Gate Keeper just to confirm I am at the right gate and she says…get this…”Girl..you have been delayed to 1:00am!!” comical drop to my knees screeching NOOOOOOOO!! – ok – not really. I looked at her – laughed and said – “Really?” She apologises profusely.

Then the Canadian in me kicked in. “Sweetie?” I ask, “Why are you sorry?” she tells me that she is sorry I have been delayed. I look at her again and say “You don’t control the weather, its not your fault” and I thanked her and left her standing there with the most perplexed look on her face. I am sure she has been treated like crap all night and what was I to do?? It was not her fault.

I found a seat, sat down, caught my breath, went to the ladies room and splashed water on my face and prepared myself for the inevitable sleeping on the airport floor…again!

Nope – need a cigarette. I know, I know, disgusting habit but I was hurting bad. I went to security and the agent asked me what happened. “Delayed” I told her. She actually laughed and told me “Girl start calling for hotels NOW”.

Smoke first – hotels second. So I went outside to the starting line of my epic sprint.

There were a few folks out their polluting their lungs like me. A band of us, commiserating in our misfortune.

I struck up a conversation with two delightful women.

One around my age, maybe a little older, desperately trying to get to Montreal as her son in law just had a heart attack. Her passport expired and she just spent the last 48 hours with Homeland Security getting in renewed so she could be with her daughter.

The other woman, same age as my daughter. Military, fresh off deployment and having spent two months in France working on her doctorate in Conflict resolution and Social Work trying to get home to her 3 year old son.

We chatted and smoked and the nice woman from Houston went back in to join her husband in hopes of making it to Montreal. I sure hope she did.

Military Girl and I chatted a little longer and I said “Girl, come one, I’ll buy you a beer”. So we went back in, found a bar and ordered a beer and then I start listening to her story.

Military Girl is 26 years old. Divorced with a 3 year old son. His name is Ezra. Great name. She has been in the Military since she was 18. They are paying for her education. She is working towards her doctorate. I looked at this young woman – same age as my daughter and thought – what a well rounded human. She has had knocks and ups and downs. She called her father to let him know she was delayed and told him she was in the airport bar having a beer with “some woman” (that would be me).

As a parent – had my daughter told me that – I would have been concerned and I could tell by the look on her face that her father was. She said “Dad – it’s ok – She’s Canadian”.

We chatted some more and our phones chimed the death knoll of flights cancelled.

We finished our beer and went to our gates to double check and sure enough – they were cancelled. So I got a hotel list and wandered off to start making calls for a hotel. Striking out at every turn – she joined me and started calling hotels to help out and she got a hit – handed me her phone and I reserved a room with two beds. She looked at me like I was crazy. “Friend – my name is Leigh and you are??” her name is Cassie. “Cassie – I am NOT letting you sleep on the airport floor – lets hit the hotel. I am not an axe murderer or a whacko. I am a mother and I would hope that someone would do this for my daughter”.

Off we went to the hotel – 40 minutes away by cab. “I can’t pay you” she told me. I told her “That’s ok, do something nice for someone tomorrow”.

We got the hotel, checked in and rebooked our flights. Mine at 9:30am hers at 4:00pm the next day and racked out.

We hopped back in a cab and headed back to the airport at the crack of dawn.

We chatted a little more – I gave her my business card and told her to email me if she wanted and if not to have a great life, to hug her son alot and to continue with her studies and to make the most of life. She has seen some serious crap in her life and she told me that I restored her faith in humanity, just a little bit.

We hugged and I walked away smiling.

Checked in, went to gate. Did not have to run this time. Played “how old is the rock star” with the Gate Keeper to pass time. Boarded a plane and came home.

To sum this up.

Nice lady from Houston – I sure hope your son in law is ok and you got to Montreal on time.

Cassie – have a productive and wonderful life – get that doctorate and if you can – try and restore someone else’s faith in humanity just a little.

Like I said…everyone has a story and I was glad I got to have heard others and maybe I’ll be part of one in their lives.