I feel as if I’ve known Beth from I Didn’t Have My Glasses On forever. She’s been my friend in BloggyVille forever, one of the first people I met on WordPress, a writer of special note, a photographer of fine image, a person of great wit, a person fun and smart and easy to be around.
I only knew her through the Internet until this Sunday.
We’d struck a chord reading each other’s work, discovering that we were born in the same year, followed our college sports teams passionately, rooted for Triple-A baseball squads. So we’ve placed some friendly blogger wages that you’ve been able to read about here and also at her place. (Yeah, I’ve won. No rubbing it in, though.)
Last week Beth emailed me with the good news that her brother was getting married in Woodstock, N.Y., meaning that she was coming east for the big day and a few around it. Her travel plans included a short time through my hometown of Syracuse. Would a meeting be possible?
You betcha.
She kept me updated about her traveling woes. When push came to shove, she had to take a Greyhound bus the three hours northeast from the wedding spot to catch her plane at the Syracuse airport. That left enough time for us to meet her at the bus station and grab a bite to eat before taking her to Hancock International.
I chose the Limp Lizard, a barbecue joint a block away from my new work spot at the Liverpool Public Library. It was good and convenient.
We talked, laughed, felt as natural as old friends meeting face-to-face for the first time can be.
Beth called us her Uber drivers. She brought us a nifty refrigerator magnet from Detroit. When we go meet her in Michigan, she’s going to get something cool from here.
BloggyVille is a wonderful place if you let it be. The list of other bloggers I’ve met is small but growing. Every encounter has left me smiling.
Have you met bloggers from out-of-state or country, and if so, who and how did it go? If not, who would you like to meet, and why? If you don’t want to meet any other bloggers, why not?
I love this post, Mark. Can you guess why? Wonderful to see you all in one place.
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Yes, you know us all, Ann. ❤
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How fantastic! Thanks for sharing the photos, Mark. Everyone looks great. If the opportunity cane up, I’d be thrilled to meet with a fellow blogger.
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You need the chance, Aud. BTW, I really dig your new Gravatar photo, my friend. ❤
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Ha, yes, I believe I should start making those chances happen. Hey, thanks. The photo..it’s just me.
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The glasses rock, Red. 🙂
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Thank you for saying so. 🤓
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I love it! How cool is that Mark? I have met one or two bloggers in person and in the next couple of weeks, along with two other Calgary bloggers, I will be meeting another from Australia! It’s been true for me too, that when you have been reading someone’s blog, meeting them in person feels like catching up with an old friend. ❤
Diana xo
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It’s true, Diana. I feel like I’ve known you for years, my friend. ❤
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ditto Mark – today I found myself practicing how I think Bialczak would be pronounced…maybe one day I’ll get a chance to find out if I’m right!
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OK, Schwenkie, my true friend pronunciation guide: Bee-(you can call me)Al-Zack. As passed down from dad and grandpa Frank’s. True come-over-from-Poland generation prior said Bee-Yow-Chuck. That one I really have to think hard to remember. I was a tyke!
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Cool! I read Beth’s blog as well so cool to know you could arrange a meeting.
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It was so much fun, Marissa. When you come here or I go there!
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Yes, for sure. Last time I was there I only got to the city but we just had a bunch of rock kids in from Woodstock doing a show with my son’s rock school if that counts for anything.
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That’s a great connection, Marissa. I’ve been to Woodstock the little village a few times to do stories when I worked at the big daily. Music hotspot even though Woodstock the mythic festival had nothing to do with it.
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Is that so? Heard it was a great place to be. I don’t believe I’ve ever been there myself.
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This is exactly how I picture the three of you, “tres amigos!” 🙂 🙂 🙂 A triple dipped ice cream banana split.
By the way, Karen looks really healthy and “fit” in this photo. Has she been following your special diet, Mark!? (I remember how you lost weight last year) Tell her she looks great. . .
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Thanks for the wonderful compliment to my dear wife, Robin. I will pass it along. She has been working hard around the house and yard this summer!
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I had friends from Wisconsin stop by over 4th of July on their way to Maine. I took them to Heid’s, because, well, Heid’s. I sent her family on their way her two bags of salt potatoes for her next stop, because what goes well with lobster and melted butter? Salt potatoes.
She brought us gifts, too- I was squealing with delight when I opened her little gift bag- a Toasted Cheese Sandwich flavored lip balm! Hilarious!
Excellent regional gifting, I love it.
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That is fantastic regional gifting, Lisa G. You guys did it right. I agree about the Toasted Cheese Sandwich llp balm. Awesome!
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Very cool! I love meeting my Blogland friends in person. 😀 I’m up to 6 now: three I met here in Ontario and three I met in Japan, two of which were Canadians. Whenever I make it down to the US, I’ll definitely make the rounds.
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I’m waiting for the chance, Linda G!
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How cool! I love the pictures.
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Thanks, Kerbey. Someday, us.
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It’s always special, Mark. Good for you.☺ We get to know these folks so well from their words. It’s a treat to meet up in person. Hoping that we can all pull off a U.S. blogger’s meet in Chicago, as planned for 2017. Fingers crossed. ☺
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That sounds fantastic, Van. Middle of the country is a wonderful idea!
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There was a vote, it won by quite a bit over NYC, DC, Dallas, etc.
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Awesome Mark! So cool that you go to meet and spend some time with Beth.
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I hope you are coming down here still, Paul. 🙂
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Hey Terp-yes, there are several I am anxious to meet in Bloggyville-for real! They’re real and so am I! Glad you had the chance to meet another one of your blogging buds. Gatorette.
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Someday, Cheryl, you and I. 🙂
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Yes absolutely Mark & Karen and Ellie B of course!!!
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You betcha, Cheryl, with your whole gang.
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Yes all 5 of them!!! lol xo
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This is so cool! I will be meeting a couple of fellow bloggers this Saturday, for the first time. Blogging is the best!
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Enjoy the meeting, PorterGirl! Yes, blogging really brings us together, doesn’t it? If you ever get through Syracuse …
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And likewise, should you every find yourself in the UK! I think blogging is perhaps the finest form of social media. It has actually changed my life! 🙂
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It is a great thing, this blogging PG. I so agree.
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many thanks to my ultra-extreme uber drivers and dinner mates! so great to meet you and yes, i love meeting bloggers )
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You are the perfect guest, Beth. We’d drive you around town anytime. ❤
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🤓
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