Morning all:

” Young people tell you what they are doing, old people what they have done and fools what they wish to do.” — unknown

Before you try to ‘peg’ me somewhere in that lineup, have you experienced one of those very special moments where you had one fervent wish? A wish that time would just stand still? Thursday evening I experienced just one of those moments.

My meetings in Vancouver lasted somewhat longer than I thought they might. For Friday I had to get over to Seattle and it was easier to just drive down. Somewhat in anticipation I had also booked a hotel room in Bellingham, Washington State and decided to use it.

It was dusk as I approached Bellingham, flicking the radio channel I happened on Annie Lennox belting out one of my all-time favorite songs – A Whiter Shade of Pale.

Lennox does have a set of pipes.

Anyway, as the road curved, there, ahead, and just off to the left, was the magnificent glacier cap of Mt. Baker jutting up and glowing spectacularly, completely awash under a bright full moon it made for an amazing sight. That Halloween moon was so bright and the sky so clear that it led to hoar frost in the morning—my first for the season.

A quarter of a mile further down was a cut-off. I pulled onto the ramp—cranked up the volume and sat staring for a bit. For a few minutes time stood still.

The next time you’re in Bellingham be sure to visit the Boundary Bay Brewery & Bistro. Most anybody will fit right in. Try their harvest Ale and enjoy a North West ‘ZA. The NW ‘ZA is a smoked salmon on a base of basil pesto personal pizza. I loved it!

Earlier, while driving towards the border I reached into my pocket for my passport. Not there! It then occurred to me that my mobile phone was also not in my pocket. I thought for a bit and mentally retraced my steps. At the customer’s parking lot I had arranged my stuff and placed my cell and passport in my pocket to have them available: I was certain of that.

Groping around all my pockets, center console, and after feeling between the seats, panic set in. Actually it was case of total panic. Here I was, outside of the US with no passport and no phone.

A few miles from the border was an exit with some stores. I pulled off, got out, checked the cars interior and opened the truck dumping everything out of my suitcase and computer bag. Nothing!

Next I tore the rental car up all over again. It was then that I heard the phone faintly give its voice mail waiting beep. I should say that I hate my cell carrier since it will not forward messages while roaming in Canada. Now, I was close enough to a US cell tower and my voice mail had downloaded.

To this voice mail quirk—thank you! To those who left me mails—thank you!

With new energy, sweating more than a bit, I dug around the car once more. It was not till after I pushed the front seats all the way forward for the third time that my finger touched the passport tucked under it. The phone was right underneath.

Across the lot was a Tim Horton’s coffee shop. Passport and phone in hand I walked towards the place to buy a cup. I had earned it!

Now let me add just a little insult to injury. I remembered last weekend when I had handed Marcia my jacket to ward of a bit of chill. After some stuff had fallen out of the pocket she mentioned to me; “don’t you ever lose stuff wearing this jacket?” I laughed, “no, never!”

Marcia do me a favor please, don’t say, “I told you so!”

Make it a great week. Mine is already on a winning track.

Cheers,

Dirk