I spent about a year writing my last book, it is titled “Sticking Around”. It’s all about being an avid collector of walking sticks and canes, and some of the people I met on the way. I have over 140 sticks and canes in my collection.

        This book was beautifully designed by Milton Andrews in Hobart. Milton was my late daughter’s partner.

        My granddaughter, Alice Moss-Baker took most of the photos and edited the manuscript for me. It was printed in Wellington by YourBooks.

        I spent some time planning how I was going to launch it.

        My previous books had been launched at Capital Books which had closed. My last book, titled “Rolling On” had been launched by the Singapore High Commissioner.

        I asked Roger Lane the President of my PROBUS club if I could launch it at one of their meetings and he readily agreed.

        Next I needed a distinguished launcher so I asked the Hon. Jim Bolger if he would do the honours for me. He readily agreed. He had been our Prime Minister for 7 years, and our Ambassador in Washing DC for 3 years.

        Jim and his wife Joan were old friends from when we lived in Taranaki and he was mentioned in the book.

        I then wrote my opening  address.

        Next the unexpected occurred. The week before the book launch  I ended up in hospital with a stroke.

        My last stay in hospital was because I couldn’t walk (broken hip), this stay was I because I couldn’t talk (stroke).

        What should I do? Should I go ahead, or delegate my talk to one of the family?

        My Son David took my role, rewrote my speech and did a better job than I would have done.

        Hon Jim read out extracts from the book and made helpful comments.

        My granddaughter Alice sold books for me at $30 a book. All the profits are going to the Wellington Free Ambulance Service.

        A plan is not a static thing – it’s dynamic, and changes must be made to a changing situation.

Geoffrey Moss(mossassociates.co.nz)

“Waste no time in vain regrets.”