If you know me personally, you probably know that I don’t do well with math; thanks to my dad realizing I’d never be a rocket scientist, he put me in classes that focused on what I’d need to balance my checkbook, pay my bills, and function in life.

Although I’m glad he did—and I have a solid handle on basic skills—sometimes I still have issues, particularly spatially. If something is described in inches, feet, or other measures, I have trouble understanding how large or small something is. I usually can only “see it” in my head if it’s compared to an object with which I’m familiar.

Recently, I was going to order a banner for an upcoming book signing I have at Howe Caverns on August 3. I could have ordered the small size and used my publisher’s metal framing, and, in fact, that’s what I was planning on doing.

However, Vistaprint—where I order all of my collateral materials—was having a sale, and their large retractable banners were available for about half price. Since the Howe Caverns lobby is—pardon the pun—cavernous, I wanted something larger so the banner would be seen; in addition, the book’s cover wouldn’t fit on a standard width. I ordered the 47” x 81” Premium Wide Retractable banner.

I wasn’t prepared for the size of this thing when it arrived in the mail!

This thing is almost seven feet tall!