Let Music fill the air

Sunday, April 11, 2010

What should we do today? Meet a new friend? Or as the sign says, " Say yes to love?"






What could be better - truly. Just imagine what it would be like to fly 6 hrs across a country to see a dear old friend and then hop in a car and drive around the eastern United States for 30 days straight. Along the way you sing songs, stop for treats, laugh at funny billboards, take photographs of perfect strangers who are willing to pose and make some amazing new blogging friends along the way. That's what I just did. My path crossed with some of the most generous and kindest folks on earth. These people previously only knew my friend from "Bubblin Over", Claudie - but they invited me also into thier homes and thier lives. They fed me lovely meals and decadent deserts, left treats on my bed and put a roof over my head. They took us sight-seeing and "junking" and filled my mind with stories of history and humor from thier communities. I picked up several accents along the way, and some funny local sayings. Who does that these days? We have grown cautious of strangers and a stranger I was. But I felt so cared for and special that I can't express it in words. It was like a cascade of fabulous bed and breakfasts where every need for our comfort and our belly's was carefully considered. Let's not forget spiritually and emotionally too. So much encouragement and girlfriend sharing. The journey began in Vancouver with a flight to Ottawa and then a drive through New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, North Carolina/South Carolina, Georgia, into Florida and somewhere in there we also passed through the tip of Maryland. We sailed through the Smokey Mountains and into the south, past signs that said "Suthern cookin makes you good lookin." The round trip racked up 5000 km's on Claudie's husbands truck which for my American friends is about 3100 miles. If you ever think that you don't make a difference in someone's life - I am telling you right now, You all so have in mine. My arms are not big enough to wrap around this group of people and I surely don't have enough funds to fly you all to Vancouver and reciprocate your kindness.
As I share with my friends, family and co-workers at home, they tell me how lucky I have been, how blessed I have been and that they are jealous - but in a good way. One thing I always believe is that we don't always see the domino effect of things you do for others in our lives but if I can show it to you now, we are all lined up in a row and as we fall down together - a little goodness is passed on to the next one we touch.

Thank you to my new blogging friends for making me think, and reminding me that there are not just good, but great people in our midst. I have many stories to share - and share I will - in no particular order - because I have thoughts jumping all over the place. Think of it as a Dr. Seuss adventure on fire.


The whole experience was "ONE BIG GRACIOUS PLENTY!" (thank you to Mrs. Magpie and Jeanne from Backyard Neighbor for a good laugh in the car over our lesson in "Suthern sayings".

It was all just too too much fun.
And for once I am not going to say "and that's all I have to say about that, because I just have so so much more................

8 comments:

Confessions of a Plate Addict said...

Hi Julie! I am so glad that I had a chance to meet you! What fun we had! I know that everyone who encountered you and Claudie was left with some warm and fuzzy feelings for all things Canadian...as was I! Have a wonderful week!...hugs...Debbie

Deborah aka Miss Bee said...

Julie, so sorry I didn't get to hitch a ride with y'all. But, I was there with y'all in spirit - did you feel me lookin' over your shoulder? Hoping to see more pictures on your blog of your road adventure and I'm hoping to meet you one day.

xoxo
Deborah in NC

Madison said...

I had so much fun with you both down here and spending the whole day with you! And I really like Miss Claudies idea of house swapping!!!LOL I would LOVE to come up there sometime and visit!! Canada seems like such an intriguing place and I would love to explore it! It was a blessing to have you down here!

Love, Madison

Sherri said...

Wow! That's a lot of KM's you chicks racked up! How fun to just take your time and just really get a chance to see things instead of just rush rush!! Your pictures are awesome and beautiful as usual! I can't wait to see all of them! I'm glad you two had fun and laughs! These are the good times to hang onto, and the memories to cherish! XO Sherri : )

Jeanne said...

Dear Julie , this is the most wonderful story of your wonderful trip. I have to make this short because it is so late but meeting you was such a pleasure. You are a very dear friend and it didn't take years of knowing you to learn what a special person you are. It was the minute I met you and I mean it.


Thank you for this lovely text about how much you appreciated the new friends you have made. Just remember how much we love you too. I had a good chuckle when I read your last paragraph.

Love and hugs, Jeanne xoxoxo

Teresa said...

Hey Yall!
I'm so glad I had the chance to meet you, and to spend a little time on your road trip. We made some lovely memories that I will treasure for the rest of my life. You and Claudie instantly feel like my sisters, my family. It was so good for my heart and soul, as I'm sure it was for every one of us along the way. Thank you for making the trip.

Love you bunches,
ya hear?

Daisy Duke

C'est moi Claudette said...

How come you can write what I'm thinking all the time?
My feelings are ten fold also. What a team we make oui?
No amount of words can describe all the belly laughing, crying at times, driving with Martha (that old bag) then having the new Miss Sophia join us and lead the way. Aren't these the memories that will last us a lifetime? Not like going to Cancun or the Riviera, but real life holidays, with real life friends! They did say we were crazy, well some folks did, but we showed them how well we handled ourselves alone in Randy's truck with only a map at times.
Sweet tea memories to last forever Julie, and I'm so glad I picked you to come along. Next stop... not sure where, but hopefully Randy will be joining us.
It's a beautiful day today. I might even get out and catch some rays. Don't want to loose this nice tan I worked on lol
Love you girlfriend, now I have to work on CC's post.
Love Thelma
xoxoxoxo

~CC Catherine said...

Sweet Julie, What a lovely sentiment that you've shared with us all. I adore you! You were meant to come to the South with Claudie....God met you in ways that were more than coincidences...they were His GODINCIDENT moments that He wanted the two of you to share as BFF's. He wanted to remind you that you are BLESSED and LOVED and He used strangers to HUG you in person! :) Life is wonderful when we stop and take time to do what you and Claudie did......I'm so blessed that I got the opportunity to be a small part of your time in the USofA! :) Love ya! ~CC - in Peachy GA where the Scones are Strawberry Shortcake today. :)