Back in Blogland after Snow Day

Photo from Oddball Observations

Yesterday was a snow day up here in the mountains, which means that satellite connections both for TV and internet were spotty, then nonexistent for internet. It was a forced blog vacation day. Today, after brushing off the snow, the satellite connections work again, and I'm looking out through the dining room windows at a winter scene.

I tried to read through the list of blogs from the Prescott gathering, but the connections were so slow that I was only able to peruse a handful. About 20 people showed up for the meeting Sunday, making it difficult to hear comments at the far end of the table, but if everyone on the list had appeared, it would have been far louder – 57 blogs are listed on Granny Julie’s Prescott Area Bloggers list. Some people have more than one blog, but at least 40 or so individuals are involved.

When I saw the margaritas were on special from 2 p.m. on, I figured this to be a drunk lunch bunch like the ones I used to know in the newspaper business, but it was far from it. Most were coffee drinkers and thrived on conversation. Only two of us ventured a beer, but when conversation turned to where to hold the next gathering -- the library or a bigger Mexican restaurant -- I vehemently voted for the restaurant. The last thing you need as a fledgling group is to be shushed by some librarian. Plus, as Granny J noted, people like to have snacks, and no, we don’t want to bring them, we WANT to be served. It’s all part of the fun.

The group, to say the least, is an eclectic collection of photographers, writers, humorists, collectors and expounders on subjects ranging from and including recreation, tablet PCs, art, geek motherhood, quilted dogs, real estate, Victoriana and nannies. Almost everyone is originally from somewhere else, though I’ve heard a rumor that some were born and raised here. (Have yet to meet one.)

Granny J., who writes Walking Prescott, impressed me with her active nature, despite using a portable oxygen tank. Another former journalist – and former editor of a hotel trade magazine with which I am well familiar – she’s been all over the world. I look forward to getting to know her better and everyone else in the group, and finding like-minded people who enjoy and embrace life. And if they know that nothing good comes from anything but God, even better.