Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Where Do I Begin?

When I got home yesterday I spent the evening with Art and the kids, hearing their stories from the weekend, finding out what I missed and telling them the highlights of my weekend. This morning with the house empty I've had a few hours to unpack, put my traveling gear away and download my pictures. I'm spreading my memories out in front of me, sorting and grouping them. I think Laura all ready touched on it but I need to say also that I was amazed at how quickly I felt comfortable with the friendships I formed with these Flockers. I do believe that we reveal enough about ourselves through blogging that one can get a feel for the types of people we are. I'm pretty sure there were no axe-murderers among the group I fell in with last weekend. Pretty sure...
I was actually a little nervous to meet Kathi from Katdoc, though I'm not exactly sure why. Kathi sparkles. She smiles all the time and is quick to laugh. And Kathi is smart. I mean really smart. Kathi is also a lunatic when it comes to packing. I thought I was bad. But she had what I needed several times during the trip including a flashlight for the owl prowl so I could see my feet in the dark. (I was convinced I would trip and fall in a hole and be left behind.) Thankfully Kathi also had some extra immodium as my supply ran out the last night after a bad reaction to some shellfish... (TMI?)
Susan. Susan has the biggest heart ever. Susan makes me laugh just thinking of her. She could make the Pope laugh. Susan was my personal raptor tutor and I learned lots from her and NOT just about raptors! At one moment outrageous and the next tender, she wears her emotions on her sleeve and shares her heart readily.
Here we are on the Osprey going on our salt marsh tour. The fellow in the picture is Jay from birdJam. We got to spend quite a bit of time with Jay. He's a very smart guy, funny and very kind. A great birder too. I think we made him shake his head a few times. Jay tells a good story (when he could get a word in edgewise). Are your ears still ringing Jay?

Laura, our New Jersey native is a complicated person to describe. She's quieter that I expected and somewhat guarded but hilarious when she'd toss out lines that would make tears squirt out of my eyes. I felt Laura was always looking out for me, making sure I was OK. Don't ask Laura to keep to a schedule. She loves the salt marsh and loves the salt marsh smell. We were all standing out on the deck overlooking the marsh at the condo and just a few minutes after I met her I asked "Um, I don't mean offense, but what's that smell?"
"That's the marsh! It's decay! Don't you LOVE it?"
The rest of us stood with our noses wrinkled.
I will say that I grew to like the marsh smell.

Delia is probably the most genuine person I've met. Painfully funny, she made me laugh until I cried. She shares herself readily and is a skilled listener. When she smiles her eyes disappear into little slits. Mine do too. I will always smile when I think of Delia. In the photo above Birdchick had just planted a big smooch on Delia's cheek.

Jay and Delia bringing up the rear.

Another new good friend from the weekend is Beth. On my first guided tour Friday morning I found myself chatting with Beth when she said she actually knew who I was. She recognized me from my blog. Well, you could have tipped me over with a feather. She said she's been reading Hasty Brook for quite a while. I was flattered and amazed. I invited Beth to join the blogger group for dinner and laughs and we had a blast. I found out that Beth had made plans to go to West Virginia next April for the New River Birding and Nature Festival! Welcome to the Flock Beth! I look forward to seeing you there. (And Beth- I'm with Sharon. Only comment if you want to!)

I think my next post will be about firsts.

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26 comments:

Carolyn H said...

lynne: It certainly sounds as though you had a great time with some great bloggers, but did you actually see any hawks????

Carolyn H.

RuthieJ said...

Great story and even greater pictures Lynne. I'm so glad you got the chance to go!
Isn't it amazing to meet someone who has actually read your blog and knows who you are? The same thing happened to me in North Dakota.
I can't wait for your next installment.

Anonymous said...

Oh, you had such a great time, how wonderful! I am so jealous! I'll have to get to one of those birding outings next year. It looks like such a wonderful group of people to be with.

NCmountainwoman said...

So glad everyone had such a good time and arrived home safe and sound. I feel as if I know so many of you from your blogs.

And I'm ever so glad you had a little getaway in this sad anniversary time. Your mother would have loved it.

Susan Gets Native said...

I have been thoroughly enjoying reading everyone's initial Post-Cape May-Post. Everything was so dizzying I may never been the same.

Kathi said...

Lynne - It was so wonderful to meet you and bird with you and just hang out with you. You are just as sweet as I thought you'd be - maybe even more so. I'm so very glad you came, even though I know there were some rough moments for you.

I can't believe you were nervous to meet me - do I come across as intimidating? "Smart" and "sparkly" are nice compliments, though, so I'm glad that I'm not so scary in person.

Can't wait to spend another week with you at the New River festival. I'll try not to hog the best room!

~Kathi

KGMom said...

I agree with Susan--it is fun to read all your first post-bird trip blogs. And I must say I am not surprised about KatDoc's preparedness--she showed the pic of her car's trunk--everything, but everything appeared to be in there.
So, you all had a grand time--wonderful.

LauraHinNJ said...

Schedule? What's a schedule?

;-)

I'll say it again Lynne: I'm so glad you came and only wish there'd been more time away from all the hub-bub to really chat with one another. Next time, I hope.

Beth said...

Long time Lurker, first time commentator..... Thanks for making me feel welcome and a part of the Flock. I have enjoyed reading the blogs and even more enjoyed meeting you in person. Did you ever get that Carolina Wren? I will never look at or hear a CW without thinking of you! See you in the spring.

Beth

Mary said...

Linne, this post made ma heart melt. To meet you all...will be very emotional for me. Birds are great but the people make the trip. Old friends meeting for the first time will be breathtaking.

Hugs,
May

Anonymous said...

What a great trip. I feel like I know my "online" friends better after seeing them through your eyes.

Shelley said...

I think birders have to be the nicest people - it looks like you had such a fun, nice group. I would've loved to do something like that!
Signed - very envious Shellmo

nina at Nature Remains. said...

It's so nice to come full circle and meet the real people behind the words. It fills in those questions and makes the package complete.

I'm looking forward to WV, too.
So many yet to meet--so ready!

John B. said...

Nice to meet you, Lynne.

Marsha said...

I can't wait to hear about your firsts! You can see how much fun you had in all these smiles :-)

ivars krafts said...

I'm so happy for you! -- it's wonderful to make new friends that share our interests.
Now -- on to your pictures! ... and please share what you learned, particularly re photography!

Eve said...

What great fun, I can just hear all the laughter!! Can't wait to see more Lynne!

Jayne said...

I'm with Mary... I can't wait until April to meet up face to face with everyone!!!

troutbirder said...

so many smiles you were obviously having a great time.

Richard said...

Stop over to my blog and pick up your award.

Owlman said...

Its official you're a celebrity now! When people recognize you from your blog, you're famous. I bow and scrape in front of greatness. Can I get an autograph? Great post as always.

Heidi said...

Oh my goodness! You ladies must have scared all the other birders :D Hope you didn't scare the birdies away!

Looks like a very fun time was had by all. I've met three friends IRL that I originally met online and still can't get over how easily we just start chattering on... and on... lol!

Kathie Brown said...

Lynne, too much fun! I am so jealous and happy for you! How wonderful to meet so many good new friends in person!

Kathi said...

My sister visited here and commented (privately) on my T-shirt. For the record, the complete phrase is "West Virginia," as in the New River festival. "Virgin" is not accurate.

~K, blushing

jalynn01 said...

It's must be great fun to get away and meet new birders and find out you really do know them from blogging!! Can't wait to see what other great photos you got!!

dguzman said...

You're just the sweetest person in the world! Loved meeting you, and I can't wait until WV!