Thursday, May 21, 2009

We Go on Quietly Making History

Inevitably there are days when one simply prefers not to report to work, and it is nearly always the days when you forget the "highs." If you are going to have a good day, you have to approach it with expectation. The notable characters whom we meet everyday make us laugh, make us think ~ cause us to reminisce.
Our predecessor, Herb Martindale, who opened the first Neat Little Bookshop in 1976, will always be remembered as a distinguished, notable character. Equally, Joe Chapman, former military columnist for the Hamilton Spectator, could often be found debating world affairs in Herb's shop.
Today, we have the young man who does pen and ink drawings of disappearing train stations. We have the tennis player who has eighty-two chess boards in his collection. (His favourite book is, "Alice in Wonderland.") How can we forget the hockey goalie who can recite verses of Robert Service's "Sam McGee?" There is the book-binder who astounded us with his beautifully hand-made, leather-bound books trimmed with Scottish tartan. And every day there is sure to be someone who has been to the part of the world you mention.
So returning to work each day is wildly exciting. And yes, today we go on quietly making history.