Thursday, May 15th

Off to London, Ontario for a mini presentation tour  (four schools) which means getting up way too early (before 6) to catch the train at Union Station. Once on the train, though, I relax. I love the train, especially when it isn’t crowded.  I write, read, look out the window, enjoy spring in Ontario.

Hazel MacLeod, the principal at a small rural school picks me up. Amazing how people who’ve never met recognize each other, even without a description or picture.

We have a lovely chat as we drive past farms and down country roads. The school is immaculate and welcoming. I speak to grade K-3. My favourite moment comes during the Q & A. One little fellow (grade one) asks me “What’s your worst book”? That’s the first time I’ve been asked that. It’s usually “What’s your favourite book that you wrote?”

So how do you answer that? I tell him I don’t have a worst book and I mean it.            

After a quick bagged lunch in the car, I am whisked to Valleyview P.S.. The lovely librarian there, Jennifer Alysworth, arranged the whole mini tour. The school is right across from a pond and conservation area.

Jennifer has chairs set up for all the participants, which makes the presentation a little more formal and more of a “special event.” Luckily I don’t lose my voice after speaking non-stop for four presentations.

Jennifer and her daughter Evelyn give me a little tour of London, where I’ll spend the night in a hotel. After they drop me off, I take a walk, eat supper and go up to the hotel room, I kick off my shoes and gear up for tomorrow. (And watch big screen tv. Even dumb shows look good)