If I Could Trap Time in a Bottle, I Wonder Which Time It Would Be?

As you may know I am getting up to retirement age. I’m not going to go yet, (I have a few years left) but I am at least thinking about it. For those that travel as part of their jobs (salesman and technical service people), you know that many of the memories you have in life were experienced on the road. Your friends and customers are on the road, your favorite restaurants are on the road, and some of your favorite memories. I have been all around the world as part of my job and I am thankful for that. Little did I know when I was a pre-teen taking drum lessons, that being in a marching band would take me all over the United States, especially when I got into college. As part of a marching band I traveled to the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, TX; the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans; the Gator Bowl in Jacksonville, FL; and the Fiesta Bowl in Phoenix, AZ. I thought to myself it was cool music had done that for me. I would probably never go to so many different places ever again. Boy was I wrong!?

When I worked in the production plant in PA, I did get to go to Canada one time on business, but I thought in production they really don’t need to send you anywhere. I was lucky if they wanted me to go across the street! Your job is to produce the product right in the plant. Later, I left production and went to work for a dairy supplier when the plant I worked for closed. In that role in my professional life, I was able to go all over the world and experience many different cultures. No way! I have been to Germany, Australia, New Zealand, Belgium, France, Denmark, Holland, Ireland, Mexico, Brazil, Chile, Taiwan and Canada. I have been to at least 25 different states in the United States as well. Each of the trips bring up fond memories and good times. I got to play golf in many of the areas I visited in the U.S. and golfing in Australia was probably the highlight of my golfing experiences. I remember driving “on the wrong side of the road” in Australia or cooking steak on the barbie at the Coogie Beach hotel. Glad I didn’t stay in that production plant job, although there was nothing wrong with it. I would just not have been able to experience all these other cultures and countries.?

As I gained experience in the cultured products field, many people have found my writings and experience very useful. I have lectured about cultured products at Penn State University, University of Delaware, Cornell University, the University of Wisconsin, and Oregon State University. I have thoroughly enjoyed all those experiences as well. I have even lectured at various trade associations over the years in North Carolina, Kentucky, Oregon, Illinois, Florida and Mississippi. I have also enjoyed that tremendously! I enjoy sharing my dairy knowledge for the benefit of the industry and the university sponsored short courses.?

I remember sipping frozen margaritas in Mexico. Having a whole restaurant to ourselves in Mexico since we were dining with the owner of the restaurant. It was closed to everyone else. He would snap his fingers and new delicacies would appear at our table. I also liked shrimp fishing in Taiwan downtown, and seeing the hustle and bustle there. They had so many scooters on the street! Little huts along the road that sold cigarettes. They had these small delivery trucks that were no bigger than me with my arms outstretched! Paris reminded me of a European New York City. We took a boat ride on the river right downtown. And by the way, churrascarias’ in Brazil are awesome!?

So , I could go on and on and share so many wonderful memories. But it’s not about me, it’s about many of the people that made those memories so special. Thank you to all of you! And can I pick just one trip and one time, “if I could trap time in a bottle”? I think NOT! That would do an injustice to everybody else involved in all the other trips. So again, thank you my friends! I will never forget you.

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