LETTERS, EMAIL & POSTS/COMMENTS

I first met Don Staruk, retiring TCI Magazine editor, many moons ago at the now-defunct New England Grows industry convention held in Boston. A cutting figure with full dark hair and beard at the time, he encouraged me to submit some stuff to the magazine after I indicated I might take a stab at writing.

The door prize. Photo courtesy of Howard Gaffin.

I have always been somewhat of a wordsmith, so I gave it a go and submitted my first article in April 2011. It was about a cat rescue. I got 100 bucks and, even more important, an article published in a nationwide magazine.

My ego sufficiently pumped, I submitted another article with more of an educational slant. To my astonishment, it also was published, and I think I got 200 bucks. Now we’re talking.

I suggested to Don that my newly awakened writing prowess and my joining TCIA deserved something more, and I should at least receive a toaster or something – like banks used to give when opening a savings account. We sparred about the toaster back and forth ad nauseam until he finally caved and personally delivered a veritable gem directly to my abode. All plastic except for the heating elements, a little shot of energized micro-plastics is incorporated into every slice of toast.

In all seriousness, I would like to thank Don for allowing me to freelance and choose subjects with impunity, and for not imposing a deadline. My writing style is not for everyone, and I appreciate his willingness to let the sarcasm ride and put trust in my ability to self-deprecate without prejudice.

Don has suggested he may finish his arboriculture degree at UMass. I have some climbing equipment for sale.

To quote novelist Kurt Vonnegut: “And so it goes ….”

Howard Gaffin, BCMA, RCA and Massachusetts Cert. Arborist; owner Gaffin Tree, Rowley, Massachusetts
Ed: Gaffin also is a member of TCI Magazine’s Editorial Advisory Committee