Our flight from Toronto to Paris was delayed by two hours while the company air-lifted in a fresh pilot from Montreal. Personally, I like the idea of flying with a well rested pilot at the helm. But, such a commotion there was as people lined up at the counter to air their complaints – voices raised, arms flailing, scowls from ear to ear.

Given that Air Transat deals mostly with vacation travelers, I’m guessing there were very few people on business trips that evening. However, some folks were catching trains or tours out of Paris, and, for a number of them, the window of opportunity to make their connections was squeezing tight. Things were about to get messy for them. (more…)

Ever wonder how to get some relief from collegial interruptions? Try this strategy complements of a recent seminar participant.  Hang a Closed sign on the door to your office.

That’s exactly what one creative individual did about 4:00 on a hectic Friday afternoon. The traffic to her door and desk had been hot and heavy all day long. She decided if she was ever going to get away for the weekend, she had to find a way to stem the endless tide of incoming tasks and questions. And so, up went the sign.

Apparently her action created quite a stir and a lot of laughs. And darned if she didn’t get away from the office at a decent hour. Of course every sign has a flip side, and Monday morning she was once again happily and graciously open for business. 

REFLECTION:  It’s been well over a year since my husband and I committed to planning a major vacation get away to celebrate his looming milestone birthday. Well, loom no more! It’s now two days to D for Departure Day and our longest vacation break ever.

Surprise! Surprise! There are a ton of things that need to happen to disengage from work and everyday life while preparing  to travel for  six  weeks.

We’re excited, of course. And despite our best efforts to plan ahead, work ahead, and set things up in good time, there are an astounding number of  tasks still on the list; and I’ve found myself growing anxious about the load. (more…)

Sometimes there is truth in advertising. This license plate is attached to a racy yellow sports car that’s often parked on a side street near my home.

I walk past it most mornings, and it makes me smile every time. At least the owner is being honest about the power this car has over his or her life. It reminds me of that old line used often by comedian, Flip Wilson,  ‘The Devil Made Me Do It’!

REFLECTION:  One of my annual Labor Day weekend tasks is a job that I’ve come to enjoy. With notebook and pen in one hand and digital camera in the other, I make a leisurely tour of the garden taking photos and making notes about what worked and what didn’t in this year’s plantings. 

Sometimes I try something new and it ends up being wildly successful.

Sometimes I take a chance on a plant or a location or a combination, and it’s a dismal failure.

Sometimes I notice a not so great result and realize I’ve made that mistake two or three years running.

Sometimes the conditions are just right for an outcome that no one would have predicted, and planning or past experience has very little to do with the result.

It’s both a rewarding and a humbling exercise. This habit of reflection and evaluation is one that is helpful in other areas of life beyond the garden. (more…)