So my dear, "sweet" 67 year old mother came out with the gang from Eagle Optics and the folks at Looker Feeders for dinner after working the trade show last night. I thought she would be the model of decorum:
Non Birding Bill had often described Mom as "Sharon Squared". I think the photo above is deceiving, she rarely drinks. I think she just sniffed that from time to time to get a little buzzed. She's four eight and has the tolerance of a flea. She had a great time. She told me that she took a nap so she could stay out with us until the wee hour of 9pm. Two favorite moments of mixin' my mom with my work crowd:
1. Meeting My Publisher, Adventure Publications:
Birdchick: Mom, this is Gerri and Gordon who own Adenture Publications.
Mom: Oh wow, aren't you a handsome man!
Birdchick: Mom, Gerri is Gordon's wife.
Mom: So! I'm sure she knows how lucky she is to be married to such a handsome man!
Birdchick: Mom.
Mom: He's so burly!
2. Meeting My Boss:
Mom: Sharon, thanks for letting me take your Razor out today to watch the eagles, you know that's a really nice binocular. I like it better than the others in your suitcase.
Birdchick: Great, you should tell Dan that.
Mom: Who's Dan?
Birdchick: The guy at the end of the table.
Mom: Why should I tell him?
Birdchick: Because he designed them.
Mom: You mean...?
Birdchick: Yes, he's my boss.
Mom: He is?! I thought he was just an interloper like me, just hanging out to have a good time. I didn't know he was your boss. I thought a guy like that would look all Madison Avenue and have a pin stripe suit!
At this point, poor Dan was engaged in conversation at the other end of the table and my mother leaned across and started waving her hands.
Mom: Dan! Daaaaaan! Yoo Hoo! Dan! Hey, I really like those binoculars. I didn't know you were Sharon's actual boss!
Everyone was very entertained by Mom and at the end of the evening I overheard Dan tell her:
"Now I think I understand Sharon a little better."
I'm not sure if that's a good thing or not. Oh well, I heart my mom.
I saw these bunnies at the Wild Republic booth. I miss my disapproving rabbit!
This was a surprise, Marie Reed (the pronunciation of Marie rhymes with starry) was at Vendormart. I got her book that she did in conjunction with Lang Elliot, Common Birds and Their Songs for my mom since she was such a good sport to go out with us and let me blog about it. That book is a great gift for someone just getting interested in bird song.