After Edmonton I might have been a bit discouraged had it not been for the Calgary reading two days later. Calgary, one of my three homes, came through with flying colours. Seventy-one people showed up at the Crump Room at Christ Church; there could have been more - I know of at least three people who set out to the reading and drove around in circles looking for the venue. I saw each of them days after and everyone felt badly about not being able to find the Crump Room. However, those that did find it seemed happy to be there.
The Owl's Nest Book Store sponsored the reading and the people from the book store, Michael and Judith, couldn't have been nicer and more supportive. We had a small reception after the reading; many people hung around drinking a glass of wine, visiting friends and colleagues they hadn't seen in decades. This is the best part of the book tour; I know I keep repeating it, but seeing people from my past, people I love and miss in my life, and having them connect once again with each other is such a special benefit. It's one of the very best parts of having written the book. And again, it is such a treat to read to an audience of good friends. I could just feel the love coming at me from the room. It's a real high.
Shortly before the reading was about to begin, a rather tall woman lurched up to me. "Where's Ruth Simsons, who's Ruth Simmons?"
"I'm Ruth Simkin, " I answered with a smile, "how can I help you?"
She then went on to say that she wore hearing aids (for the record, so do I; they are tiny and most people never even know I have them) and she had a receiver of some sort and would I please wear this thing around my neck. She then proceeded to put this very large, very ugly black rectangle on a heavy cord over my head. I explained that I was not really comfortable wearing this black thing but I would be happy to attach it to the lectern where I kept my notes and would that be okay? She seemed happy enough with that solution and in fact, it worked really well and didn't really interfere with my style at all. But wearing that big black thing around my neck definitely would have. I don't enjoy having my personal space invaded, but I think we came across a mutual solution that didn't invade anything for anyone and all were pleased with the result.
For over twenty years I had the most wonderful housekeeper in Calgary, Mrs. Eva Samu. I can't imagine what would have happened to my life (and home) had Mrs. Samu not been there. I relied upon her for over two decades. Plus she makes the best fried chicken in the world. For all those years, I have called her Mrs. Samu and she has called me Dr. Simkin, even though all my friends and relatives have called her Eva and she has called them by their first names. But Mrs. Samu and I were always on a last name basis - out of a certain kind of respect. I know for myself, I just would have felt uncomfortable calling her by her first name. So when it came time to autograph her book, of course I wrote to Mrs. Samu and signed it Dr. Simkin. Shortly after I had done that, I was standing across the room chatting with some friends when Joan came up to me.
"Ruthie, Eva wants to see you."
I looked over to see Mrs. Samu sitting alone on the sofa under the window. I went over immediately and sat down beside her.
"Mrs. Samu, what's up? Anything wrong?"
"Dr. Simkin," she took a deep breath, "we have known each other for a very long time now. Do you think you could put in my book 'to Eva from Ruth'?"
"Of course, Mrs. Samu." I wrote in her book 'to Eva with love, Ruth'.
"Thank you, Dr. Simkin," she smiled.
"You're welcome, Mrs. Samu."
And so it goes.
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