Friday, April 25, 2014

V is for the Vashonistas

All this month it's the A to Z Challenge where I write a post every day except Sunday and work my way through the alphabet from A to Z.  Today's letter is

For the Vashonistas

I started to blog the year after I retired.  I soon found myself welcomed into the blogging community.   I started following other retired bloggers.  Many of us followed the same blogs and had similar lifestyles and experiences...these were my people!  One of the unexpected benefits of blogging has been finding new friends.

Several years ago my friend Linda at Thoughts From a Bag Lady in Waiting suggested that our little group of cyber-friends should meet in the real world.  We took a risk, jumped into the unknown, and met for the first time on Vashon Island in Washington state.

We rented a charming farm house that overlooks the water.  We had great meals, walked the beach, got to know each other...and I laughed until the tears rolled down my face.

left to right: Sally, Sandi, Deb, Linda, me in the back, and DJan


We decided to do it again last year.  In October we met once again at the same farm house on Vashon.


The back porch of "our" house

We have breakfast at the same restaurant every year.  On the left:  Sandi, me, Linda.  On the right: Sally, DJan, Deb

The view from the back porch overlooks the lavender  fields to the water below.


The end of a great weekend.  Taken in the living room.  Front l to r Deb, Linda, DJan.  Rear Sandi, me, Sally

I don't remember who first called us "Vashonistas," but the name stuck.  We're going to do it again this fall.  Now it's a tradition.  I am blessed that the Internet brought these fascinating, accomplished, and fun women into my life.  You can visit them by clicking on their names:

Deb, who writes with warmth and insight and never takes a bad photo

Linda, who always has something to teach me and is a great example of continuing to contribute in retirement

DJan, who at 70 just broke a world record in skydiving and is a role model for being an active senior

Sandi, who cooks our fantastic meals that taste good even though they are healthy!

Sally, who comes the farthest for our reunions and shares her heart

No, you can't join us.  The house only has six bedrooms.







14 comments:

  1. I've never met a single blogger. Some of them scare me. ;-)

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  2. Yes, we do tend to find our circle of friends/followers because of what we have in common and how nice that has been. You took it one step further and got to meet and become friends in person and what a wonderful thing that has been for you all.

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  3. I think that is so neat! After my divorce, I took to the internet. I was pretty naive and agreed to meet some of the men I had been chatting with. I did meet them in a public place. But their online personalities did not match who they really were.
    It’s amazing that you all hit it off so well! Good for you!

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  4. I am a proud Vashonista! I love all these women and look forward to meeting in the flesh again. But all year long I know what's happening in their lives because of their blogs. Thank you, Jann, for the great pictures and reminder of our good fortune. :-)

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  5. Looks like a lot of blogging fun in one real nice place. I will stop and visit all the Vashonistas. Sure there isn't room for one more blogger?

    Oops, Mrs. Cranky saw that...never mind!

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  6. We are so lucky to live in a day and age where we can find like-minded people through things like blogs. Glad you found your peeps!

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  7. I'm glad for you all. Though a bit jealous.

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  8. Some of these ladies were already my blogging friends, and I added the rest of you just so I could be with you in spirit. That is working for me. You have all enriched my life.

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  9. We're here to hear all about it, each year. Keep it up.

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  10. I am one of them. Aren't we lucky?

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  11. I loved this line:these were my people! I'm one of them. I love my Vashonistas.

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  12. Cool ... So far I have met two fellow bloggers in person. I've never met any of you ... but I feel like I know all of you thru your blogs. A great group!

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  13. I know exactly what you mean. I'm a teacher and have met wonderful educators online. We tend to find each other at conferences, but some I have not yet met and hope to one day. via A to Z Challenge www.evolvingenglishteacher.blogspot.com

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