It’s not unusual for me to have two or three speaking engagements every week. Civic clubs. Church groups. Senior organizations. Book clubs. Garden clubs.
I counted some 20 on the calendar between now and March 2.
There have been a few times over the past 13 years when I’ve given two speeches in one day. I remember once looking out in the audience at a dinner banquet at the Howard Community Club and seeing a man and his wife who had heard me earlier that day at a senior group at Ingleside Methodist Church. They could have given my speech for me.
Last week, I set an unofficial record, of sorts. On Thursday, I spoke three times … in one day!
A few months ago, I was invited to speak at lunch to the Hawkinsville chapter of the National Association of Retired Federal Employees. I have spoken to this group several times in the past, as well as NARFE chapters in Macon and Warner Robins.
A few weeks after receiving that invitation, I was asked to break bread with the Masons at the Marshall A. Weir Lodge on Riverside Drive that night.
No problem, I said. Lunch in Hawkinsville. Dinner in Macon.
Soon it got interesting. Jackie K. Cooper, a friend and fellow author, contacted me about speaking to The Muses ladies book club in Perry. He had been scheduled, but had a conflict come up. He asked if I could pinch-hit for him. When I saw the date was Jan. 19, the red flag went up. My plate was already full for that day.
However, Jackie said the book club met at 3 p.m. I would be passing through Perry on my way back from Hawkinsville. I might as well stop by for some coffee and cake. I would be finished in plenty of time to make my gig in Macon.
I knew I could double up. But triple down?
It had already been a busy week on the circuit. I had addressed to a senior group at First United Methodist in Warner Robins on Tuesday. And on Wednesday afternoon, I taped an hour-long television program with Polly and Dave Crawford at Cox Cable Studios.
No doubt it would be physically and mentally exhausting. I also had a column to write for Friday. I probably wouldn’t have voice left by bedtime.
I am pleased to announce I not only survived the day (and night) it was a lot of fun.
I love an adventure. This certainly was one.