The Blogger Meet-up That Only Partially Happened...

Several weeks ago, two friends of mine announced a trip to my home town, to visit with a bevy of wonderful bloggers (some of whom I'd met and a few I hadn't), via a 4-seater airplane. Biff is a pilot; having secured his license this summer and Tiff is his wife. I asked if I could tag along and they graciously said yes.

I was very excited, and for a few days, I kept the news to myself, because I just knew some people in my family would not want me to get into a small plane for any reason, let alone a blogger meet-up  (they just don't understand!!) When I told mr. kenju, I got the reaction I expected, but we were at dinner with friends, so he couldn't respond the way he would have had we been at home. I know they wouldn't take kindly to screaming in Nina's Ristorante...lol

Another family member also gave the expected reaction, although she had more believable reasons for me not to go than mr. kenju did (he of the rampant paranoia - don't tell him I said that, okay? In fact, don't tell him I said ANY of this!)

As the week wore on and the day of departure loomed, mr. kenju showed increasing frustration with my decision;  telling me on the hour why it was a bad idea and making speculations  about the state of my mental health. He wanted me to leave my check books, credit cards, diamond ring, extra car keys, etc. here, and to settle the taxes before I left. It became increasingly clear that he didn't ever expect to see me again after Friday. On Wednesday, I'd had enough drama and I pulled the plug on the trip (for me) sending an email to Biff and Tiff that I wouldn't be joining them, nearly crying as I did so.

I was later asked to work on Friday. Around mid-afternoon on Friday, my cell phone rang; it was Biff. They had gotten as far as Danville, VA and had to turn back due to inclement weather. Biff said since he had rented the plane all day, we could still go up and enjoy a flight around Raleigh - but I had to turn it down - since I was working. Darn it, foiled again!

Meanwhile, the bevy of bloggers was at lunch in Charleston - minus the NC contingent - I'm sad to say. From all reports, they had a great time, and were joined by one who seldom does that sort of thing - even mentioning it was outside her comfort zone. So, to those who made it there, I want you to know how much you were missed and to the two I had not met before - I am still hoping!!

Carolina Fiberfest + A Blogger Meet-up

Vicki, of A Mark on My Wall, teaching this pretty young lady how to dye a silk scarf, at the Carolina Fiberfest, held last weekend at The NC State Fairgrounds. This is the third time I have started this post - only to have it partially disappear - so I sure hope this time is the charm!  Apparently, it is not to be, my last two paragraphs disappeared before my eyes. Suffice it to say I was very pleased to meet and spend time with Vicki, and you would do well to visit her blogs posts and read back into the archives. You are sure to be glad you did. I have to leave now - so I will try to resume this post later.

3:30 pm:    Dare I try again?

When I went to the fairgrounds, I was surprised to see hundred of cars and a whole bunch of people. I didn't know that in addition to the Fiberfest, there was a NC Festival going on there all weekend. It was almost as busy as the state fair in October;  there were rides, food vendors, displays, a tractor parade, etc. and it was 90* in the shade - which didn't seem to dissuade people from attending.I had to park about 1/2 mile from the gates, so I was very grateful when a shuttle picked me up in the parking lot. I found Vicki's building, and walked up while she was teaching the young girl how to dye the silk scarf. It was an interesting demo. There was a basket of finished scarves, and I found a beautiful one I couldn't live without.

Vicki took a break; we got something to eat and walked around the building looking at all the beautiful wool, mohair, alpaca for sale, as well as items made with all these things. There were knitters, weavers, spinners, felters and dyers, and I got a lesson in alpaca fibers. She is so knowledgeable about all things wool. I used to weave, so it was interesting to me. I never learned to knit, but Vicki says she can remedy that in short order! I would love the opportunity to learn.

If you have had a long-time blog friend, you know how badly you would like to meet them in person. From almost the first post I read of Vicki's, I felt we could be kindred spirits. I have 'known' her for over five years now, and we have quite a few blog friends in common. Being able to meet her in person was never thought to be a possibility, until she moved to NC last year. Although she is over 4 hours away, she had the connections to attend this fiber fair, making it possible for us to get together. I have admired her for her savvy, her intelligence, her wit and her expertise in so many things. I have known few people who have their fingers in so many different pies. Vicki gets an idea and acts to make it happen, while so many of us (me included) just wish it could be. I have now met quite a few bloggers; some local and some from afar, but I will always be grateful for this opportunity. Now if I could just have remembered two things:  to have remembered to ask all the questions I had in my mind and to have someone take a photo of the two of us together!

Blog Fodder?

Do you have some???? I sure need it. I'm at the bottom of an empty barrel when it comes to subjects I can blog about. 

I don't want to talk about that stinker Arnold - others have done that better than I could and the subject disgusts me.  Since American Idol is almost over, I won't discuss that either, or Dancing with the Stars. So You Think You Can Dance is coming back next week after a long hiatus. I love that show. It is fun to watch people who dance for the sheer joy of movement and expression,  especially when they are very good at it. Some of the audition shows are painful to watch, and other are downright funny, but I enjoy all of it, so I'm  looking forward to that.

I get to work with Mel again, which is always good, and then on Sunday, I am going to meet a blogger I have really wanted to meet in person for over 5 years! I know that I won't be disappointed - I just hope that she isn't!! I'll tell you all about it next week.

"Do You Fit into the Blogosphere?", an article found in a local magazine ("Midtown"), I read recent statistics from "the State of the Blogosphere" by Technorati:

Believe it or not, 2/3 of bloggers are male and 60% are between the ages of 18-44.

75% have college degrees.

More than half are married.

70% say that personal satisfaction is the way they measure success.

71% blog in part to speak their mind.

72% blog to share their expertise.

42% have become friends with someone they have met in person through their blog.

82% post photos to their blog. 

So, how do you fit into that picture?  Or do you?

*******

I have been told that the way I will be able to comment on the blogs I cannot now leave a comment on, is if the blogger goes to "settings" and "comments" and clicks "full page" as the option (instead of "embedded below the post".) I would love for all of you to do that, of course, so I can speak my mind and let you know I've been there. 

And since I posted about not being able to comment, I've discovered a few more blogs that fit that category:

Poopie at Pecan Lane

Linda at A Slower Pace

quandlequeen at A Walk Through My Little World

Joared

Another Link

A few days ago, I mentioned some blogs I am not able to comment on lately - for some unknown reason. I gave you the link to this one, but I didn't tell you anything about her. I think you should read this. 

The woman who writes this blog was shot in Tucson at the political rally for Gabby Gifford. Here, she writes a poignant post about telling her mother about what happened to her.

<<<>>>

I hate to sound like a broken record, but this cold shows few signs of relinquishing its hold on me. I'm better, but.....

Crud Report + No Comments Allowed

I'm four days into the crud (drainage, sore throat, cough, watery eyes, ear pain) but I decided to feel better today - or pretend to - so I could get something done around here. 

The early afternoon saw temps rising into the high 50's, so I swept out the garage, cleaned out two litter pans, washed a storm door glass that was so dirty it looked polka-dotted and did a little organizing, along with two loads of laundry. I feel worth my keep now. It will be warm again tomorrow, so I hope to get some fresh air again. It does a body good!

///\\\///\\\///\\\

You know that I've ranted here about not being able to leave comments on some blogs for about a month now; blogs where I was previously able to  comment with no trouble at all. I'm going to name them in the hopes that they will follow their links and see why I'm not saying anything lately. They are:

Sage

The Burrow

Tracy

Celia

Lille

I think there are a few more, but I couldn't locate them today. It frustrates me a lot when I am not able to leave a comment and I want them to know that. All these bloggers are worth a look-see, so check them out when you have time.

My Blogiversary

I can't believe I missed it. 

January 16th, 2005 was the first time I wrote a blog post  on my first blog....Just Ask Judy....So, as I enter my sixth year of blogging, I thank those of you who stop here daily (or at all) and I  want to especially thank those of you who stay around long enough to leave a comment. You do realize, don't you, that comments and feedback to a blogger are like standing ovations and reviews to a Broadway star???

Like everyone else who blogs for a long time, I am constantly amazed by the people with whom I have become friends (both in person and on the web). Not all of you are axe murderers (as my younger daughter predicted) and some of you are incredibly smart, talented, compassionate and funny! I consider myself very lucky to have discovered such a good group of people, who daily make me laugh, cry, ponder and agree with your pronouncements. I wish we could do it in person.

Odds & Ends

When I posted about my Limoges china earlier this week, I should have admitted that I hardly ever use it. The 24K gold bands decree hand-washing and  hand-washing does not appeal to this dish-washer dependant, especially for larger groups. The only time I have used it in the past 10 years was for dinner for four and dessert for a few. I remember thinking that when I finally inherited those fancy dishes, I was going to use them often. Yeah, right....LOL

Book Recommendation:  At Home, by Bill Bryson is proving to be every bit as interesting as his other books are - not that I doubted one bit that it would be. The interesting bits of history regarding shelter and how our  living spaces developed over time - most of which were never taught in any school I attended - are fascinating, and the almost incidental word histories and derivations are brain candy to this word-o-phile! (there is probably a better word for it than that.) I am only about 50 pages into it and I expect it to get even better!

Blog Recommendation:  I would like to direct you here - My Thoughtful Spot. Tracy took my theme on boxes and the saving of them and wrote a beautiful post which you all should treat yourselves to and read. It makes me happy to know that such a thoughtful writer reads my blog (but aren't you all? - thoughtful, I mean?) and this one only lives about twenty miles away!

We went out to dinner with friends on Tuesday evening and were delighted to discover that appetizers were half-price until 7pm and dessert on Tuesday nights is on the house. YAY! Since we were eating more items than usual, we decided to get smaller entrees than we might have otherwise. I started with calamari (tasty, but a little tough), a fish sandwich and fries (excellent) and chocolate fudge cake (terrific). Of course, the camera stayed in my purse. We were talking non-stop and it didn't even occur to me to take a photo. Plus I had a glass of wonderful shiraz, which may have fogged my memory a little.  It's too bad that shiraz has alcohol in it.  If they made a non-alcoholic shiraz I'd probably drink a whole bottle a day - that's how much I love the taste. What's your favorite wine?

Blogger Meet-up

First, the geranium I promised you. A riot of color with more buds to come. I hope the first frost doesn't happen for weeks!

Beverly and I. This is the third time that Beverly and I have met for lunch. By the time you read this, she will be back on her way home to Florida, after having visited her precious (and look-alike) granddaughter in Virginia. I have to say that Beverly looks bright and alert and I look dull and tired! That's what pancakes will do to me.
Beverly and I had lunch at a "breakfast" restaurant and then came back home to visit for a while with mr. kenju. I developed a raging headache - probably due to the amount of syrup I put on the pancakes (I have no self-control at all!) But, I enjoyed my time with Beverly and hope to see her again soon.

EARLY IN THE MORNING

While the long grain is softening
in the water, gurgling
over a low stove flame, before
the salted Winter Vegetable is sliced
for breakfast, before the birds,
my mother glides an ivory comb
through her hair, heavy
and black as calligrapher’s ink.

She sits at the foot of the bed.
My father watches, listens for
the music of comb
against hair.

My mother combs,
pulls her hair back
tight, rolls it
around two fingers, pins it
in a bun to the back of her head.
For half a hundred years she has done this.
My father likes to see it like this.
He says it is kempt.

But I know
it is because of the way
my mother’s hair falls
when he pulls the pins out.
Easily, like the curtains
when they untie them in the evening.

by Li-Young Lee

I stole this from my blog friend Loren Webster, whose interests lie in poetry and nature photography. You should check out his photos sometime. Most of them are exquisite; just like this poem.

An Award- Over the Top

Darlene, who writes the very good blog Darlene's Hodgepodge gave me an award. The title of the award is Over The Top. The deal is: you have to answer the questions with one word and then pass on the award to three other blogs.

Okay, here goes.

1. Where is your cell phone? in my pocket

2. Your hair? gray

3. Your mother? dead

4. Your father? dead

5. Your favorite food? mashed potatoes

6. Your dream last night? can't remember any

7. Your favorite drink? coffee

8. Your dream/goal? longevity (that's a good answer, Darlene, so I'll keep it)

9. What room are you in? office/bonus room

10. Your hobby? blogging

11. Your fear? blindness

12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? alive and well

13. Where were you last night? home

14. Something you aren’t? athletic (another good one!)

15. Muffins? lemon poppyseed

16. Wish list item? a new computer

17. Where did you grow up? West Virginia

18. Last thing you did? read blogs

19. What are you wearing? black pants and t-shirt

20. Your TV? watching Oprah, and Adam Lambert

21. Your pet(s)? two black cats

22. Your friends? great!

23. Your life? quiet

24. Your mood? okay

25. Missing someone? yes

26. Vehicle? mini-van

27. Something you’re not wearing? jewelry

28. Your favorite store? TJMaxx

29. Your favorite color? green

30. When was the last time you laughed? today

31. Last time you cried? Thursday

32. Your best friend? Cam

33. One place that I go over and over? grocery

34. One person who emails me regularly? Sandra

35. Favorite place to eat? any seafood place

And there you have it. I pass this award on to:

1. Patti, who writes The New Sixty. If you are not aware of Patti's blog, do yourself a favor and go comb through her archives. A master storyteller, that one!!

2. Goldendaze-Ginnie is another good storyteller; a blogger whom I have met and enjoyed very much. She is "under read", in my opinion, and needs encouragement to write more often.

3. I decided to stop at two. There are so many others to whom I might give this award, that I can't decide who deserves it most.


Stop the presses!! At 11pm, I discovered that I had also received this award from Maria, of Silver Fox Whispers. Thanks, Maria!! I hope you don't mind sharing the thanks with Darlene.

Around the World in Eighty Blogs

The brainchild of Shannon (Everyday Stranger), Around the World in Eighty Blogs features bloggers posting today about their fair cities. Here's my take on.....

Raleigh, North Carolina (also see here) We moved here in the fall of 1969; we had just had our second baby, mr. kenju was starting a new job, we had sold our former home and were looking for an apartment and trying to find a pre-school for our first-born. It was both a trying and an exciting time in our lives. The only thing I knew about Raleigh before we moved here was what Barney and Andy said about it on "The Andy Griffith Show". If you remember, Barney always stayed at the YMCA on Hillsborough Street when he came to town. It sounded only slightly less like "Hicksville" than Mayberry, where the fictional Andy and Barney hailed from. And in 1969, that wasn't too far from the truth. But they had a spanking new mall, the likes of which I'd never seen before and they had few sailors in uniform* so it seemed okay to me. It was also the state capital, and I knew it was a good thing to live in the capital if you ever have reason to need state government for anything. What that might be I didn't know, I just thought of it as a good thing.

*We had lived in Norfolk, VA previously, and I was decidedly weary of all things Naval by the time we left there.

I remember seeing the Governor's Mansion and all the state government buildings shortly after we moved here; little did I know then that many years later I would be involved in decorating that Mansion for Christmas or doing flowers there for the filming of a TV show (as I did in the 90's).

Raleigh is home to many colleges and universities; NCSU, Meredith College, Peace College, Shaw U., St. Augustine College, the new law school for Campbell U., and we're only a stone's throw from UNC in Chapel Hill and Duke and NCCU in Durham. Because of that, plus all the technology and pharmaceutical research companies in the area, we have a high per capita income level and a very high level of college grads. That helps to make Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill one of the preferred areas in the country. Over the past ten or so years, we have consistently been high on several national magazine lists of the best places to live in the USA. That has resulted in a population explosion here; at one point we were gaining approximately 1,000 new residents per month. A problem developed, since our city services had a hard time keeping up with all the new residents and our roads were not built for the amount of use they were getting. Thankfully, the increases have slowed down over the last few years.

We are almost equidistant from the mountains and the coastal regions, providing for easy travel to vacations in either location. Our weather is fairly consistent, and although we usually get snow at least once during winter, it is not of long duration. (I really hope that will be true of the winter of 2009!)


After living in an apartment for 18 months, we found a home to buy. We lived there for eleven years; the longest I had ever lived in one place up to that time. We discovered that Raleigh was a very good place to raise a family. Our children went to after-school programs at the very same YMCA that Barney mentioned on Andy's show, played in Pullen Park and attended schools that had high marks in testing and student achievement. The only real quarrel I've had with Raleigh over the 40 years we've been here is with the school board. So many changes were made over the years that one of my children went to seven different schools between first and twelfth grades, and only one of those changes was our choice.

Over the years, my husband was asked by various employers to move to another city, and most of those moves would have involved promotions and raises. Each time, we made the decision to remain in Raleigh. Most of the time that meant that he had to change jobs/companies, and we were lucky that his field made that possible without too much trouble or worry. We thought it was best for our children to remain here and keep the family stability we had come to prefer, rather than to move willy-nilly every time someone wanted us to be somewhere else. We have never been sorry for those decisions. We've been in our current home for 27 years, and have no plans to leave it or Raleigh. Whenever someone asks me where we plan to retire - I always answer right where I am now - in Raleigh!

How I Named My Blog

Ruth at Synch-ro-nizing decided we should each do a meme telling how we came up with the names for our blogs. I decided to participate, especially since she said there would be NO awards. As I told her, blog awards are becoming so trite and common. LOL

I started blogging in 2005, and my blog was named Just Ask Judy. I had envisioned it as a helpful place for brides and their parents to get unbiased information about weddings that was not guaranteed to make money for the person answering the question, as it usually is when you ask a professional. Few brides found my site in those early days, and as I began to read more and more blogs written by others, I started to add anything that came to mind on my blog. After two years of that, Blogger changed their templates and started Blogger 2. I had to make a change and I wanted a new format with color options that I didn't have with the old blog.

I thought about it for a while, and one day I was reading a post by Shephard at Schubert Alley Shephard about seeing Carrie Fisher's performance of her one-man show. Carrie talked about the times in her life when her father, Eddie Fisher (married to her mother Debbie Reynolds) was dallying with other actresses, notably Elizabeth Taylor. It was scandalous behavior for the times and at one point, Carrie said to the audience......"Imagine What I'm Leaving Out."

Immediately, I knew that would be the title of my new blog, and I set about to make that happen, in February 2007. Sometime over the last year, it was unofficially shortened to "Imagine", which I now prefer. My favorite college English professor drummed into me that writing should be "clear, concise and concrete." What's more concise than Imagine?

It's Millie's Birthday!!

Millie Garfield, the intrepid blogger, turns 84 today. Please join me in wishing her a very happy birthday, won't you?

Go here.



(This is post # 1,000!!)

Not Much to See Here, Folks....

Blogger won't let me load photos tonight, and I have nothing exciting to tell you - so I guess this will be a short post.

While going through my reading list this week, I've noticed three bloggers who have decided to either cease posting altogether or are going on hiatus. I hope that no more of you decide to do that. What on earth would I do with my time? Seriously, I know I need to spend less time on the computer, but every time I contemplate that I get the creeping willies, like I used to do when I smoked and thought about giving up cigarettes. It only made me smoke more.

I have reached a total (as of today) on this blog of 994 posts and on the old one, Just Ask Judy, I had 1,017. That's a total of 2,011. Hmmm....maybe that's when I'm supposed to stop - 2011. Oh, good!! - I have at least another year to blog. You'd think I'd be all talked out by now, wouldn't you? No such luck (mr. kenju would say.)

Today's a special day for our family: My son and his bride tied the knot 20 years ago today. That's a milestone that we're all proud of and hope they will continue down the aisle together for many, many more years. They have two lovely, talented daughters, two feisty chihuahuas and a truly psycho sun conure named Sammy, who hates me with a passion. He's the only animal I wasn't ever able to connect with, and his only saving grace is that he also hates my dil's mother, so I don't feel so bad. lol

We spoke on the phone today with the couple who stood up for us at our wedding, and we reminisced about the last time we were all together, at our son's wedding. I have not seen her since then - although he was here about 10 years ago for a short visit. How time flies. It's just another example of why you shouldn't put anything off till later. You just never know when it might become impossible to do anything about it.


(Well, I guess it wasn't so short after all.)

No Comments Allowed

Some of you may remember my complaints about not being able to post comments on some blogs. I really hate it when I read a good post and can't add my two cents worth to the comments. If your comments box looks like the one below, I am NOT able to leave a comment for you.

Click to enlarge!


When I first discovered that problem with Arkansas Patti, who writes "The New Sixty", she played around with her settings and found the one that will allow me to comment to my heart's content. Here is the email she sent:

Hi Judy, This is what I got from the net when you and I were struggling. Under comment settings, where it asks for "form placement," I selected "full page." For good measure I also removed "word verification". Not sure which worked but my helpful guy on the net thinks that "full page" is the answer. If I start getting spam, I will put the word verification back up but I notice a lot of people don't use it.

After Patti selected "full page" for form placement, I was able to comment easily. Below is the way it looks now:

Click to enlarge!

I am not sure what the problem is, but it seems to be related to my use of Firefox instead of Internet Explorer.

So, if your comments box looks like the first pic above - now you know why you never get comments from me - unless I switch to IE for that purpose. I have done that, but I hate doing it, because using IE on my computer is really the pits!!

If you don't want to bother changing your settings just for me - so be it. Just know that I am reading often.

A Blog, a Race and a Book

I really enjoyed this post by a woman whom I think deserves more readers. Please read The Cataract Club and leave a comment for Oklhdan!

*****

What is it about drag queens that I find so fascinating? I recently watched 2 episodes of RuPaul's Drag Race and it is oddly captivating to me. It encompasses all the elements you find on other reality shows on TV; dancing, appearance/make-up, costuming, business sense, competition, etc. and of course, all the bitchiness of a Miss whatever pageant (if the truth be known). When you see some of these guys without makeup (they look so ordinary) and then see them in the contest, you realize that what they can do with make-up and costumes is utterly amazing! Some of them are enchantingly beautiful and so talented!

*****

Now for something entirely different....I just finished reading a book for children ages seven to twelve. The title is "The Tale of Despereaux" by Kate DiCamillo. This book won the John Newberry Medal, for the Most Distinguished Contribution to American Literature for Children. The subtitle is..."being the story of a mouse, a princess, some soup, and a spool of thread." DiCamillo may have written it for children 7-12, but I think you'd like this book even if you are 70!

Early on in the reading of it, I had decided to give a copy to my 13 year old granddaughter, who could definitely benefit from some of the lessons in the book. Then I reached the page where a father sells his daughter. Here's a quote:

"Can you imagine it? Can you imagine your father selling you for a tablecloth, a hen and a handful of cigarettes? Close your eyes, please, and consider it for just a moment. Done?"

That line made me cry; remembering how my grandchildren's father left them and went off to California with a new girlfriend, and didn't even look back. I decided that the book might bring up too many bad memories for this child. Could she benefit from it, no matter how much sadness it might conjure up? What do you think?

*****

Tomorrow (31st) my friend Tiff is having a birthday. Please go and tell her to have a happy, happy one. She's having a bad time right now: a horrendous case of poison ivy and her car broke down. I hope her birthday weekend will be fun for her, in spite of all the troubles.

You like me......you really like me!!

From the wonderful Buzzardbilly comes this new blessing.....called the Bella Award. I am not sure whether 'bella' refers to the photos or the writing, but I'd like to think it is a little of each. Thank you, BB, I consider this award high praise, coming from one of the most articulate bloggers I know about - and you are able to do it with humor, too! I shall try to remain worthy of this designation, and to pass it on to those who are also worthy. You chose 3-4 bloggers that I would also have chosen, so I'll try to come up with 15 different ones - a tall order.

The Bella Rules:

1) Accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person who has granted the award, and his or her blog link.

2) Pass the award to 15 other blogs that you've newly discovered. Remember to contact the bloggers to let them know they have been chosen for this award.

To be continued.....

An Award

I've just received an award from Star, who got it from Leanne.

Star says:

“The blogger who receives this award believes in the Tao of the zombie chicken-

excellence, grace and persistence in all situations, even in the midst of a

zombie apocalypse. These amazing bloggers regularly produce content so

remarkable that their readers would brave a raving pack of zombie chickens
just to be able to read their inspiring words. As a recipient of this world-renowned

award, you now have the task of passing it on to at least 5 other worthy

bloggers. Do not risk the wrath of the zombie chickens by choosing unwisely
or not choosing at all…”



I thank you, Star, for giving me this award and while I do not always pass awards on to others, this time I dare not risk the wrath of the zombie chickens......a horrible thought, which might just be more horrible than I'd be able to imagine!! This humble blogger is not certain she fits into the categories listed above but she knows a few who do. They are:

Tiff, of No Accent Yet, who makes me laugh both on the web and in person.


Vicki, of A Mark on My Wall, whom I admire for many things; not the least of which is that she's a terrific scrabble player.

Mahala, of Hidden Mahala, whose post titles can make me burst out laughing, and keep me laughing when I read further.

Shephard, of Schubert Alley Shephard, who is AWOL from blogland lately, but whose posts and photos are wonderful when he is around. Also, I think he'll really appreciate the Zombie Chicken thing.

and Patti, of the New Sixty. If you don't know Patti, you should visit there immediately. She has had a very interesting life and she writes about it very well. I never miss her posts!

All of the above are possessed of grace, persistence and excellence in their blogging - and I suspect - in their lives at large. I hope you''ll check them out, and while you're at it, check out Star and Leanne as well. Good bloggers need to be not only awarded, but READ!

January 16, 2005 ~ The Beginning

HAPPY BLOGIVERSARY TO ME!! I cannot believe it has been four years since I started my first blog - just ask judy - and almost two years since this one was born. I can't imagine having enough to say to keep it going this long, but I seem to find things to post even when my brain has gone mushy (which is happening more often, as you've probably noticed.) That is, in part, thanks to my email buddies, who keep me supplied with funny or interesting stuff that I can pass on to you.

I am still marveling over the friendships I have made here and how much your support and comments mean to me. Reading your blogs and seeing your photos is a large part of my life now, and I can't imagine doing without them. Thanks for being you. Long may we bloggers live!!


And speaking of bloggers, mr. kenju and I went to Pinehurst today, to meet two blogger friends: Ginnie of Goldendaze and Bud of Paradise is Pinehurst. Both of them worked for TV networks in NY and DC, and have fascinating tales to tell. Bud doesn't post often enough to suit me, nor does Ginnie, but they follow their own pace and that is fine. Mr. kenju thought they were "an item", but according to Ginnie, they are just friends We had a very nice luncheon at The Holly Inn, a lovely place just off the main drag in downtown Pinehurst. I recommend it whether you are there for golf - or just passing through. It seemed as though we all felt an immediate connection (as bloggers often do - kindred spirits, you know) and we enjoyed several hours of good conversation and stories, getting to know each other. I left hoping we could do it again, and I can't think of a better way to have ushered in the start of the 5th year of kenju on the web!

Photos will be posted tomorrow.