On the cab ride to the airport Monday, the driver wanted to talk about U.S. politics, and what’s happening with our financial system.  We had a great discussion, though he was much more informed about U.S. politics than I was about the Canadian scene, which was frankly, a bit embarrassing.  Then we shifted to talk about travel and about that time, we arrived at the airport in plenty of time before my flight.

I wandered through the terminal to look for lunch and found All American Friday’s but left after looking at the very limited menu.  Eventually I found a small sandwich shop at the end of the concourse. I ordered a turkey sandwich and diet coke, and asked for ice and mayo. “Oh, you want it all don’t you?” I wasn’t sure how to respond until the woman behind the counter cracked up and said, “I’m just kidding.”  As I was munching on my sandwich, a voice said, “Dean Nance?” (Sad, because I thought I was incognegro in my Harley traveling get up.) It turned out to be our alum’s parents, Robert and Nell Lyford. They’d also been at the ABA meeting, and we talked about what we’d done while in Toronto.  They also gave me an update on Charles Lyford, who’s working at the Munson law firm now.

Robert is Senior Vice President and General Counsel of Arkansas Electric Cooperatives, Inc. (AECI) and Arkansas Electric Cooperative Corp. (AECC).  He previously served as vice president and general counsel and staff attorney for the cooperatives AECC , which created the Leatherman Scholarship that is awarded to one of our LL.M. students.  It’s an endowed scholarship that is named after attorney Leland Leatherman.  Mr. Leatherman was a pioneer of agricultural cooperatives as applied to the rural cooperatives that were responsible for bringing electricity to all of rural Arkansas.  He was a 1939 graduate of the University of Arkansas School of Law and served as corporate counsel of the AECC for many years.

The flight itself was fine, though we had to hold because of weather in Chicago. I made my connection to the XNA flight which was also delayed, but lemme tell you that was one bumpy flight.  Dean Leeds left the day before, and had a layover in Chicago because of the weather, and after my flight I could understand why. #choppiestflightevah.

When we landed, I thanked the pilots for a safe ride, which I always do if I can see them when I deplane, but it had special meaning that day.  I’d promised Mom, I’d visit her when I landed that evening, but it looked as though a serious storm was about to roll in.  I didn’t want to break my promise so I took her a dozen pink roses, gave her a big hug, and told her I wanted to hightail it back to Fayetteville to beat the storm, which I did.  And I was truly, for more than one reason, thankful to be home safely.