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.