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I cannot imagine what it would be like to be illiterate or to struggle with reading. Twice this past weekend my heart broke a little while at the show in Airdrie. The first time was during a conversation with a woman who had struggled with reading and literacy skills her whole life. She was completely in love with the idea of my book and thought it was probably what she had needed herself when growing up. She had two daughters at home but because she struggled and did not enjoy reading herself, she never encouraged reading in her home. She was very aware that this was a huge loss but just did not have the strength within her to "struggle" through 24 stories with her daughters. I was so sad for not only her but for her daughters too. Tragic. How can this still happen in Canada?
The other conversation, while also dealing with literacy challenges, was far more positive. A grandmother bought a copy for her granddaughter Ariel who is 8 years old. Ariel struggles with reading and needs practice. Her Grandma bought the book so that every day in December when Ariel arrives at her house after school, Ariel could read one of my stories to her while enjoying a snack. I hope my book helps them to create some wonderful shared memories that they will cherish!
Again this weekend, I sold two copies to teachers in the Catholic School system who plan on using the book as a daily reading exercise in their classrooms. That makes my heart sing because of how many children will be able to enjoy the stories because of these two teachers.
I also got a thrill when chatting with a British woman who had two little ones, Yorick and Heddwyn. She and her husband were moving back to Bristol with the kids next month. She said she is an avid reader of bedtime stories with her children, but her husband ... not so much. He is from the Czech Republic and only reads Czech stories to them. As Czech children's material is hard to find, she tends to do the majority of bedtime reading in English. We discussed some of the ingredients for the recipes so that she knew what to look for in England, i.e. Golden syrup. A fun discussion and I am glad my book is going to the UK! I know one copy has already made it to Beijing as my friend Susan sent one to her son's girlfriend for Christmas who is trying to build her English vocabulary. What more can I ask for?
My Mom's maiden name came up a couple of times this weekend too. Most of the classic recipes are from my Grandma Hein. One girl said she had a cousin who married a Hein. Another said her Grandmother's family were also named Hein. They had immigrated from Poland to East Germany and she still had relatives there. We too have Hein relatives in what was East Germany. We chuckled to think that maybe we were related. Always fun to have these conversations at the shows about one's heritage!
One final observation from the show was that I am continually mystified as to what people spend their money on. The gal in the booth next to mine was selling leggings in wild patterns and cartoon characters. $25.00 a piece or 2 for $40.00. I cannot even imagine how many sets she sold but suffice to say it was A LOT! If she had sewn these herself, perhaps one could justify the costs. However, having spent the last 5 years in the apparel industry and knowing that her imported cost for these tights were about $2/pair, I cringed every time someone would shell out $40.00 for nylon leggings that were made in SE Asia by women who were most likely paid $1.00/hr for 150 pieces sewn. I get upset every time I see stores advertising dresses for $10 or jeans for $20. The only way you are able to buy these for those costs is that someone in the developing world is being taken advantage of. It drives me crazy! Then of course, there are now "24 Beer Advent" packs and "24 Scotch Advent" packs that people were so thrilled to tell me about. Really? Is this what Christmas has come to? I pray not. Okay - rant done for today!
The weekend ended with a glorious Remembrance Day service at Church and then I read two of my stories in our Fellowship Hall afterwards. Lovely day and perfect ending to my week!
Looking forward to heading home to Saskatoon this coming weekend! Hope to see many familiar faces while at the "Our Best to You" show at Prairieland Park. Please stop by the booth if you are coming to the show!
Have a glorious week!
Shine on!
- K
The other conversation, while also dealing with literacy challenges, was far more positive. A grandmother bought a copy for her granddaughter Ariel who is 8 years old. Ariel struggles with reading and needs practice. Her Grandma bought the book so that every day in December when Ariel arrives at her house after school, Ariel could read one of my stories to her while enjoying a snack. I hope my book helps them to create some wonderful shared memories that they will cherish!
Again this weekend, I sold two copies to teachers in the Catholic School system who plan on using the book as a daily reading exercise in their classrooms. That makes my heart sing because of how many children will be able to enjoy the stories because of these two teachers.
I also got a thrill when chatting with a British woman who had two little ones, Yorick and Heddwyn. She and her husband were moving back to Bristol with the kids next month. She said she is an avid reader of bedtime stories with her children, but her husband ... not so much. He is from the Czech Republic and only reads Czech stories to them. As Czech children's material is hard to find, she tends to do the majority of bedtime reading in English. We discussed some of the ingredients for the recipes so that she knew what to look for in England, i.e. Golden syrup. A fun discussion and I am glad my book is going to the UK! I know one copy has already made it to Beijing as my friend Susan sent one to her son's girlfriend for Christmas who is trying to build her English vocabulary. What more can I ask for?
My Mom's maiden name came up a couple of times this weekend too. Most of the classic recipes are from my Grandma Hein. One girl said she had a cousin who married a Hein. Another said her Grandmother's family were also named Hein. They had immigrated from Poland to East Germany and she still had relatives there. We too have Hein relatives in what was East Germany. We chuckled to think that maybe we were related. Always fun to have these conversations at the shows about one's heritage!
One final observation from the show was that I am continually mystified as to what people spend their money on. The gal in the booth next to mine was selling leggings in wild patterns and cartoon characters. $25.00 a piece or 2 for $40.00. I cannot even imagine how many sets she sold but suffice to say it was A LOT! If she had sewn these herself, perhaps one could justify the costs. However, having spent the last 5 years in the apparel industry and knowing that her imported cost for these tights were about $2/pair, I cringed every time someone would shell out $40.00 for nylon leggings that were made in SE Asia by women who were most likely paid $1.00/hr for 150 pieces sewn. I get upset every time I see stores advertising dresses for $10 or jeans for $20. The only way you are able to buy these for those costs is that someone in the developing world is being taken advantage of. It drives me crazy! Then of course, there are now "24 Beer Advent" packs and "24 Scotch Advent" packs that people were so thrilled to tell me about. Really? Is this what Christmas has come to? I pray not. Okay - rant done for today!
The weekend ended with a glorious Remembrance Day service at Church and then I read two of my stories in our Fellowship Hall afterwards. Lovely day and perfect ending to my week!
Looking forward to heading home to Saskatoon this coming weekend! Hope to see many familiar faces while at the "Our Best to You" show at Prairieland Park. Please stop by the booth if you are coming to the show!
Have a glorious week!
Shine on!
- K