Sometimes I get very annoyed with myself. I love it when people drop in to visit, 

and I usually take a picture so I can share it with others. Dick and Mimi Nenno, who live in Philadelphia, came into New York for some event, and dropped in to say hello. They have been on a couple of pilgrimages and they are old friends - Dick is a lawyer and one of the top men in his field. I was so pleased to be able to spend time with them, I completely forgot to take a photo. So here is a picture from a couple of years ago right after we had lunch at the Harvard Club, where Dick is a member. 

For me, the National NFB Convention in Orlando, Florida,  began with the Rookie Roundup, scheduled for 8:00 to 9:00 pm the evening I arrived. I thought it was unusual to have a meeting this late, but as I was to see, this was business as usual. 

Two senior members of the National Board, Pam Allen, from the Louisiana School for the Blind, and Dr. Maurer, a member of our own board,  and  Dr. Mark Riccobono, President of the NFB,  all welcomed the first timers to the convention and gave us fair warning as to what the week ahead would entail, mostly "Don't expect much sleep,"  which would prove most true. Dr. Riccobono told us that at one convention he did actually get to the pool one afternoon, but he was sorry, because he missed something. I can tell you that I looked out the windows twice and SAW the pool, so I know it was there!

	Caption: I got to spend some time with one of our favorite clients, Ines Chisholm.

The experience was exciting, informative, worthwhile and exhausting.

First it was worthwhile as it maintained the Xavier Society for the Blind as an active participant in the blind community.  Our presence was noted and appreciated.

It was exciting being part of this active, involved, sometimes angry group of people, eager to work as a group in order to, paraphrasing their slogan, "Live the lives they want." I participated in workshops, I gave a presentation before a group of blind people in communities of faith, I attended the general sessions. There were many times for laughter, most notably the hilarious Mock Trial, with Dr. Maurer as judge, made more comical when the sound went out during the storm outside and the participants vamped and entertained the crowd while repairs were made.

Caption: Author Debra Kendrick, a long-time friend of the XSB, was there.

Besides a productive meeting with the New York Caucus, NY Affiliate President Carl and Vice-President Mindy Jacobsen graciously hosted two dinners for the group in the Café Oasis, combining socializing with a healthy exchange of ideas.

The days were long and one problem was choosing which events to attend, there were so many fascinating opportunities from which to pick. A surprise for me was the sound level. UPS provided volunteers and everywhere there were human signposts calling out directions. In every meeting votes and numbers were counted, of course, not by a show of hands but by the cry of voices.  It is not possible to remain unmoved. The mix of families, old and young,

	Caption: This very young girl with her mother in the hotel corridor reminds us it is never too soon to learn good cane skills.

every ethnic group, professionals and working people, the attendees and presenters were an amazing group from not only around the country, but from around the world. Every state in the union sent representatives. The sheer numbers were staggering.

Before this Convention I had attended the state conventions of both the National Federation of the Blind and the American Council of the Blind.  I didn't think I was going to Orlando for a vacation, but I certainly was surprised by how personal such an enormous event could be. I did leave knowing many more people from many more states and much more about how the National organization works. I have a much deeper understanding and appreciation of what the NFB is, what it has accomplished and where it is headed in the future.  

When I was picked up at the hotel at 3 am following the banquet, the shuttle was packed with blind people.  We all chatted and laughed all the way to the airport (I even signed up a client). One poor businessman with us was sorely outnumbered.