Lynn's Comments: I do love checking into a clean, attractive hotel room--knowing that I don't have to wash the porcelain receptacles or change the sheets. When I was a busy mom, this was a luxury I craved!
Lynn's Comments: This story line was based on the trip I made annually to Winnipeg to attend "Contact." This event was a venue for performers willing to travel to the north to showcase their talent and to meet the community representatives who would hire them. I was the rep for Lynn Lake. It was my pleasure to hire performers and arrange the various stops on their tours in our area. I have remained friends with a number of wonderful people who were billeted with us when they came to town.
Lynn's Comments: Every time I attend a function alone, I am lucky enough to find someone with whom I can share the experience. I have remained friends with several wonderful ladies who, in the space of a few days, became soul mates.
Lynn's Comments: A friend of mine was working as a volunteer in a school, helping kids who had trouble reading. It was her observation that the kids thought to be slow to learn were often the fastest to make good decisions and show good judgment. I thought this was a nifty "so there!" to the "smart" kids who teased them!
Lynn's Comments: When I was ignored in a restaurant by a waitress more interested in a table full of gents, I retaliated by doing a strip about it. Once a waitress myself, I knew that, even if you're busy, it's still possible to be courteous!
Lynn's Comments: Tipping is always an issue when the service is poor. It was designed as a gesture of thanks, but it's become an obligation. With this in mind, I think some service folks forget that being prompt and considerate is still part of the job!
Lynn's Comments: I went to a bar with one of the women from the workshop, to celebrate our new friendship and to mourn the end of a wonderful event. We were in our 30s, and guys at another table made suggestive comments and lewd gestures the whole time we were there. I remember thinking, "I make smart-*** comments for a living, but I can't think of one clever put-down to fling at these Neanderthals." It was frustrating!!!
Lynn's Comments: I confess; when I went on business trips to cities where relatives were accessible, I would often "forget" to tell them I'd be there. I had so little time--most of which was taken up with meetings, interviews and book signings. I had little time to adjust before packing up and moving on. Sometimes folks were offended, but my philosophy was: If you can't have a really good visit, then don't visit at all! Later on, I made up for these fast take-offs and landings.
Lynn's Comments: I often left things in hotel closets and I usually got them back. The only thing I knew would disappear was my little magnifying make-up mirror, which I suction-cupped to the window for maximum light. These are readily available at most pharmacies--but housekeepers, it seems, really like to take them home!
Lynn's Comments: In reality, my in-laws lived within walking distance from our home in Ontario. We had all moved from Northern Manitoba to Northern Ontario, so it seemed like a good idea, in the strip, to keep them in the prairies. This way, I could create story lines about visiting them and the cousins there.
Lynn's Comments: Showing the Patterson’s drive across the country allowed me to draw and write about Canada, which was both fun and entertaining. If I was entertained, I figured my readers would be, too. Many wrote to tell me about their travels here and how much they enjoyed themselves.
Lynn's Comments: This was a big problem for me as a kid. Everywhere we went, we had to spend time with my parents’ friends. These people never seemed to have anything for kids to do, so my brother and I had to wait in bored frustration for these visits to end. It was then that I swore I’d have toys and games for kids to play with when I had a house of my own!
Lynn's Comments: When driving through the prairies, make sure you use the bathroom when you gas up. There will be no “safe squatting spots” along the highways!