From Australia to the Economist to the Mayor

One of the delights of this week was getting to meet someone that I've been friends online with for some time now. Our friend Michael Hansen flew in from Australia for the Fitzgerald's 4th of July Festival, then headed down to Central Illinois to visit our friend Peggy, hit the Lincoln sites, and then head down to Nashville with us. It worked out perfectly.

As we were driving down, at one point Michael pulled a business card out of his pocket and handed it to me and said, "What do you think of this?" I stared at it, sputtered a bit and laughed....and finally said, "WHERE did you get that? It was a business card for our Mayor, and friend, Don Gerard. He laughed and settled in to tell me the story. Michael is very good at stories. Evidently he flew into Texas (forget where) from Australia, and then took a flight to Chicago from there. During the flight he chatted to his seat mate a bit, explaining his plans. When the plane stopped and everyone stood up to gather their things and crowd toward the exit, the man in front of him turned around and said that he couldn't help but overhear that he was going to Champaign, and that if he needed a guide or help.....here's the card of my brother!!!

I laughed and laughed and laughed. Michael said, "I don't know if you know him" and I laughingly assured him he was a good friend. What circles we weave! Isn't that wonderful? So thank you David Gerard for welcoming my friend!!