Wonderful Vancouver Welcome

WOW! We received the royal Vancouver welcome from every corner – spectacular spring days  - everywhere you look a feast for the eyes - bowers of pink cherry blossoms –herons nest-building in Stanley Park - men in business suits and helmets biking along Kits Beach - and sunbathers making a striking contrast to the ski-runs still snow-covered on Cypress.

About 120 people attended the book launch at Chapters. My friend Bill gave me a broad grin when I arrived. “You’ve oversold this event!” he said, “I helped put up extra chairs but folks keep piling in.” Boxes of books had been ordered for the event (175 copies) and by the end of the evening only a handful were left. People bought books for their parents, their partners, their friends and themselves, and they picked up role model buttons to give to the people they admire.

As I was signing books people told me how they had heard about the launch. Some had read the terrific article by Jenny Lee in the Vancouver Sun, others had watched my interview with Fanny Kiefer on her very popular show on Shaw TV, others had come into the store, picked up the book and decided they wanted to hear more. One man told me he had come all the way from Haida Gwaii to be at the launch because he was trying to figure out where to live when he retired.

I was absolutely delighted that two of my role models for the book, Beth and Bob Breadon were able to attend, (you’ll see the photos of them being applauded), as well as many people who had given me wise counsel as I was writing the book. Family and friends came out to support me, including a friend from high school who thought he recognized me from the photo in the paper. And my friend Dale brought her wonderful role model mother. Thank you all! And the lovely room in Chapters with its great cityscapes was a great place to hold the launch. Now on to Halifax. We’re getting to enjoy spring coast to coast!

"Who has a Role Model?"