When my husband and I started going to the ottawa small press book fair in the early aughts, the first to greet us would be Joe Blades. Like us, he was early and the doors weren't yet open, so we would stand outside the door with our boxes of books and chat. I was clueless about the small press scene back then and had no idea who he was or that he'd travelled all the way from New Brunswick to attend the fair. He was one of our initial introductions to the welcoming and friendly world of Canada's small press community. From time to time he returned to Ottawa to read from his work, published by fellow publisher, Chaudiere Books, and it was always great to hear him read. Once when we were coming home from the pre-fair reading on a Friday night, we rode the bus with Joe, who was staying somewhere in Lowertown. We were standing by the back door and chatting, when the traffic lights at Bronson and Slater stopped working, causing a long delay before the bus could cross Bronson. I have this image in my mind of a smiling Joe and us making awkward conversation because we'd already said our good byes. Although we haven't seen Joe in some time, I find it hard to imagine the small press community without his enthusiasm and friendliness. He will be missed.
