My Favorite Customers

I have moved hundreds of people over my 34+ years in the relocation industry and met so many interesting people, their families, their neighbors.  But, by far, the most enjoyable customer for me, is moving one of our seniors.  Who are the seniors?  75+ yrs. old or older?  Yes, that would be the age group I enjoy working with the most!  I find that that segment of our population are the most interesting and the most appreciative.  I find great pleasure in listening while they share their stories of their life’s chapters.  Look at photos of their children, or perhaps their wedding, or pets, first homes, disharged from the Armed Services, even some of their more memorible vacations.  Each senior has their own uniqueness and geniune to a fault.    Some  of the senior gals share tips on doing laundry, share a recipe, or show their latest knitting project.  Often times, they teach me how to tend to different houseplants or how to pick fresh vegetables from a garden.  I learn so much from all of them and really enjoy the time spent in an effort to transition them to their new homes.  And the lessons they teach me?  Priceless!

Trucks & Trees

I guess I’ve never given this much thought. While sitting here for a few minutes this morning, picked up a St. Pete Times to find an article about Christmas trees and how they arrive here in Florida every year.

I was born & raised in Western, NY. Christmas trees were abundant and the annual pilgrimage in search of “the perfect tree ” happened every holiday season. The Boy Scouts sold trees on almost every street corner or set-up in plazas. Some of the nurseries would carry a wide array of beautiful trees and the wreaths to match. For the “old-fashioned” Christmas feeling, you could pick a day and walk through acres of cut-your own pines. They were everywhere and you would trudge through the woods, sometimes in rather deep snow and return home, with the frozen tree in tow, and have a cup of hot chocolate near the fire. I moved to Florida, never giving a thought to what happens to Christmas trees in a warm climate?

Finding “the perfect tree” in Florida is a lot more challenging. Nearly all our Christmas trees you see for sale in parking lots or perhaps road side stands or flea markets. You can surely find a selection of trees at Loew’s or Home Depot and yes, on occasion, you see Boy Scouts selling some, set up in plazas. Where do we get our trees from and how they get transported here. Some of our trees may come out of North Carolina, Michigan, as far north as Oregon. Trees that are grown in the north need to be protected from the warmth. Often times these trees will travel south, still dusted with snow and ice,on refrigerated vans. Upon arriving here, pre-season, they are stored in refrigerated vaults until they are set up for the holiday rush. So, trucks bring a majority of the trees to Florida!

Much to my suprise, as well, I read where Florida also has cut-your-own tree farms. In comparison to our northern neighbors, we only sell about 20,000 trees annually. Somehow, Christmas trees in Florida just look so entirely different than that of the traditional Christmas tree. And the cost to purchase a fresh northern tree is quite pricey. Again, guess I never gave too much thought about Christmas trees in Florida. At the end of the holiday season, people need to dispose of their trees and many are carted off into Recycle Centers. Again, mainly by trucks, big dump body trucks, haul them away. Again trucks & trees. Another thought that comes to mind is that National Van Lines hauled the 2006 Capitol Tree. They will be transporting next year’s Capitol Christmas tree…trucks & trees.

After living in Florida for the past several years, I now have an artificial Christmas tree…I don’t have to worry about pine needles falling on my carpet, don’t concern myself with checking the water level on a real tree, and can easily pack it away in a box until next Christmas…However, I realize, the trees needed to make it to the retailers to sell…Again, thank goodness for trucks & trees!

Relophobia

By definition, “relophobia” is the fear of moving or having something moved. We all have fears and phobias. There’s the fear of flying, the fear of heights, we’re phobic about spiders, close spaces,  snakes, and needles just to mention a few. This brings me back to “Relophobia“.   How do you recognize is you have the characteristics of a “relophobic“?

Hello world!

This is my first time ever blogging!  Guess it’s no big deal to the younger generation, but to someone my age?  Well, not that I’m that old…just not quite as advanced in the world of computers as the younger folks.  My initial thoughts when someone mentioned I should start a blog were very mixed.  Should I concentrate on just the news of my industry or perhaps use a blog as a forum to keep my  clients informed and updated?  Or perhaps, could I use this blog to escape the connection of myself with the transportation industry?  Again, as a first-time blogger, not sure what my final decision regarding my blog content, would be?