Blogging, Friendship, Vancouver Island

When a Blogging Buddy Comes to Call

Retirement Reflections

What do you do when a blogging buddy comes to call?

You gather together nearby blogging friends so that everyone can join in the fun. Cardboard cutouts of Zoom Buddies, who sadly could not make this trip, are also packed along!

You go chasing waterfalls…

Even when it’s raining!

You search for the famous Jack Point Park Snuneymuxw Petroglyph. The quest is as much fun as the discovery itself.

You take a break from the outdoors to shop…and spend way too much time in a quaint little candy store.

You make yourself part of the local art.

You enjoy creative meals together. Bonus points if your drink choice perfectly matches your clothing!

You eat each other’s tacos by mistake, not catching on until the very last one that yours was way too spicy or way too mild. But you don’t dare mix up the margaritas!

You surround yourselves with stunning views (after all, this is Vancouver Island). Most of all, wonderful memories are created.

You take heaps of photos. Well…everyone except for me that is. (I know, who is this and what have you done with Donna?) I was too busy catching up, and trying to keep up!

You let your true personality shine through, which is the best gift of all.

Come back soon, Joanne. We’ll all be waiting for you!

The above photos capture just a tiny glimpse of our blogger get-togethers over the past ten days. For more details, watch the following spaces — they’ll likely have much more to share.

Following a Bold Plan (Joanne)

The Widow Badass (Deb)

Behind the Scenery (Erica)

The Unretired (Ann)

Published by Retirement Reflections

Prior to retirement, I lived and worked in Beijing China for fourteen years (Middle School Principal/Deputy Director at The Western Academy of Beijing). Leaving international life behind, my husband and I retired to Vancouver Island in June 2015. To document both this transition and our new adventures, ā€˜Retirement Reflectionsā€™ was born. I hope that you enjoy reading these reflections, and will be willing to share your own.

108 thoughts on “When a Blogging Buddy Comes to Call”

    1. Hi, Sue – When I first decided to blog, I had no idea that this simple act would open the door to so many close friendships. I wouldn’t have believed it if anyone had predicted it.
      I loved our IRL meetup. It definitely left me wanting more. Once travel restrictions are lifted, I would love to plan a trip to Australia!

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    1. Hi, Deb – Count me in on the plan to keep Joanne here and/or have her come back real quick. Perhaps her flight will be cancelled with no bookable flights until next week. (One can dream!)
      Thank you for all of your organization in making everything happen so smoothly. And a super big thank you for including me in your plans. I loved every minute of it. (Although today’s margaritas truly left me in need of a nap!) šŸ˜€

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  5. What a fun summary of a great 10 days. I simply can’t believe it’s over already.

    Thank you to all of you – Donna, Erica, Ann, and especially my host, Deb – for such a warm welcome. It was a delight spending time with each of you and the friendships we created online have now been solidified šŸ’• I can’t thank you enough for sharing your island and her treasures with me.

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    1. Hi, Joanne – I am so glad that you made this trip, and included us all in your plans. I had a blast! My meagre photos don’t begin to scratch the surface of telling the tale.
      Fingers crossed for an upgrade for you….and for a return visit in the not too distant future.
      Looking forward to chatting together on Friday!

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      1. An upgrade this time would have cost me a cool $900. Needless to say, I travelled cattle-class šŸ˜ … but I had no one in the seat beside me and all was well … at least until the next 14 days confirm all is well.

        Talk to you all again soon šŸ™‚

        Liked by 1 person

      2. I was sending positive thoughts for you to get the same upgrade that you did on the way here. The Universe must have mixed up my message. šŸ˜¦ I’m glad all was well and that you arrived safe and sound. See you in 30 minutes or less!

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  7. I agree with everyone else, this was so much fun to read Donna! I’m assuming I was one of the cardboard cutouts you took along for the ride!! Good on you all for getting together and having so much fun, one day when I come for a visit we can do it all again šŸ™‚

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  8. Great photos of great friends! I can’t believe Joanne’s visit is at the end… I wouldn’t be surprised if she starts looking for real estate on the island. Cardboard me appreciated being taken along on some of your adventures… and real me is looking forward to our Friday catch-up. You guys rock!

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    1. Hi, Anne – I agree that being isolated from friends and family during this pandemic has been the toughest part of all. We are fortunate that our COVID cases have been quite low on Vancouver Island which allowed us to gather as a small group for Joanne’s visit. Still, we are very careful as we are aware an increase in local cases can happen at any time.

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  11. There should be a magic wand to wave that lets bloggers jump time and space so we can all get together regularly (I guess Zoom is the closest we get!) Hope I was one of the cardboard cut outs because it looks like you had an amazingly fun time (just a wee bit jealous!!) xx

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  13. What a fantastic post, Donna! I loved seeing so many smiling faces. The cardboard cutouts are perfect! Thanks for sharing Joanne’s visit with us. I have a feeling it won’t be her last! I’m in love with that candy store…I’m thinking it would make a great setting for a future story. xo

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    1. Hi, Jill – You definitely have a writer’s eye (imagine that)! šŸ˜€ The Chemainus Candy Store would make a wonderful story setting.
      We were so fortunate to be able to continue this long-planned visit (with a few adjustments) with Joanne and gang.
      Congratulations on your new book release. My copy arrives on September 1. I can’t wait!

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  14. OMG it is glorious to see faces without masks on! God bless all of you! You must not be from the states for it is a nightmare here. I LOVED this post and it gives me hope that the insanity here created by the state dictators will STOP.

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    1. Hi, Amy Rose – I am incredibly grateful to live on Vancouver Island (for so many reasons). Our COVID cases here have been quite low, allowing this visit to take place. (Joanne lives in Toronto and the rest of us our local.) Outside of the photos we all remained very cautious (now a habit) as we know that an uptick in cases can happen at any time. Sending warm wishes of hope, health and peace!

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  15. You had me at “quaint candy store.” Haha. Just kidding. You had me at the title, plus I’d been privy to the Instagram photos. What a delightful time you all had! A true blending of virtual blogging friendships merging into reality. ā¤

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    1. Hi, Pam – Your name, and your incredible writing talent, came up in our conversations. The entire group of us are fans!
      That candy store truly is sensational. And the IRL get-together of long-time online friends — that was priceless.
      Thank you for following on Instagram. I am relatively new there but have been trying to get the hang of it!

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      1. Wow. I’m blushing. Can you see me blushing? I’m almost ready to hop on a plane and fly to Vancouver. Ahh, how I’d love to see this amazing part of your world, and better yet, my blogging friends. ā¤

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  16. Hi Donna, The fun just leaped from your blog page. I’m smiling while reading your recap and looking at your photos. I’m one of the bloggers who hopes to be part of the cardboard cutouts. Thanks for sharing this. Have a wonderful weekend!

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    1. Hi, Natalie – It’s incredible that it was almost one year ago that you were able to join us on the island and experience some of the same sights. Even when time appears to be going slowly it actually zips by at lightning speed.
      I hope that all is well for you and that you have been able to continue to enjoy your warm summer (our weather is already showing subtle signs of transitioning into autumn). I look forward to your next post.

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  17. How absolutely wonderful! The joy, laughs, laughter and your zest for life literally leapt from these colourful photos. Thanks for sharing your special time together. šŸ˜Š

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  20. OMG I want to be part of you real life in person blogging buddies. But virtual will have to do until I can visit beautiful Vancover.

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    1. Hi, Antoinette – I would love that too! You are most welcome to join us here anytime (once borders are open again that is – hopefully that will be safe to do so soon)!
      Until then, I’m sending warm virtual hugs your way.

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  22. Looks like you all had a fabulous time!! I had a 2 week vacation planned with 2 of my long time nursing friends to meet up at the beach in September. Now they’ve backed out. They’re too afraid to go due to the virus šŸ˜¦ What’s the story behind the art of the big can of soup?

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    1. Hi, Dee – All of the Water Cisterns on Hornby Island have been painted up by local artists. Our host said that this one of the soup can is her least favorite, but I thought that it was extremely cool. I’m sad to hear that your meet up with your friends has been canceled. I was supposed to meet with two other bloggers in Lake Tahoe this coming September. But the border closures have completely squashed those plans I hope that all is well for you.

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    1. HI, Anabel – I cannot believe that Joanne’s 10-day visit is already over and she’s currently on the plane back home. I’ve been hoping that she has been upgraded to business class. She totally deserves that. It was an AWESOME visit!

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  26. My, My, My,
    You folks are having WAY too much fun, and I would love to b a fly on the wall at the margarita party.
    So happy for yā€™all. This is how great memories (and great blog posts) are made. Thanks for sharing. Joe

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    1. Is there really such a thing as too much fun?
      There would have been no need for you to be a fly on the wall at our margaritas lunch. VI restaurants currently allow 6 at a table. There would have been plenty of room for you and Helen to join in! I hope that your travels continue to go well.

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  27. Iā€™m so jealous! Even of the cardboard cut-outs, haha! The photos look stunning, Donna. You girls had so much fun. It makes me smile from ear to ear. You certainly live in the best place for gatherings like these as well. Cheers to many more blogger meet-ups, spicy tacos, and margaritas! What was the purple drink made of?

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    1. Hi, Barb – I agree that the taco mix-up showed true friendship. It also may have been born out of too many margaritas — especially since one taco order was mild snapper and the other was spicy chilli-lime prawn. Seriously, how did it take us polishing off two full wrong-tacos before noticing? Thanks so much for stopping by.

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  31. It looks like you ladies had sooo much fun. I think it’s wonderful that you could get together in person and enjoy nature, shopping, eating, and drinking. What more could you want? Thanks for sharing it with us.

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    1. Whenever I met a blogger IRL, I am always amazed by how it instantly feels like meeting a long-time friend. When I read about other blogger meetups, I always want to be there! If you ever make it out to Vancouver Island, please don’t hesitate to give me a shout. I already know that we have much in common.

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  33. Donna, I commented in my mind, and I shared, and then realized I had not left a comment. So here it goes…FUN! FUN! FUN! Thank you for sharing the photos. A great post! Did I mention…FUN! xxšŸ™‚

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  34. I find it incredible what you bloggers have created together. This amazing world of on line and in real life support. All from sharing your stories and connecting deeply throughout your comments. It’s quite amazing really.
    Your time together reminds me of my time with my “twisted soul sisters”- a group of 7 nursing friends who lived together in residence and never grew apart over 43 years. We have the best get togethers and that’s what your friendship reminds me of. Take care.

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    1. Hi, Bernie – I love the sound of your ‘Twisted Soul Sisters’. It is a true testament of your deep friendship that the seven of you have remained close for 43 years. The power of human relationships truly is incredible. I am immensely grateful!

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  35. Oh what fun! I have had the pleasure of meeting Joanne on two occasions. So fun to connect with those we have met virtually. The blogging community truly is a special place. We have had the pleasure of being welcomed by bloggers around the world. Some of the most special memories of our travels.

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    1. Hi, Rachel – Thanks so much for stopping by. I’ve just been over to visit your blog as well.
      I am now going to stop calling friends whom I met through blogging “blogging buddies.” Now I will call them what they are “friends”! šŸ˜€
      Good luck with your new Podcast adventure. That’s very exciting!

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  37. Hello Donna,

    I wish I were a blogging buddy who came to call šŸ˜‰ What a wonderful group of women who have been brought together as a result of a shared interests – writing, nature, friendship, and joy. It looks like it was a beautiful day and the petroglyph really caught my eye.

    Thanks for sharing this beautiful day, the photos and especially the smiles!

    You all are blessed,

    Susan Grace

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    1. Hi, Susan – I am incredibly grateful that we have had the chance to meet IRL. Hopefully, one day soon, we will again have the chance to meet up. Then we will be each others’ ‘blogger who came to call’. I greatly look forward to that! šŸ˜€

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  39. What a wonderfully uplifting read! I really enjoyed hearing how you all met up and I loved the quip about matching drinks to clothing. (I may steal this for our next team zoom call!). Once we can all travel safely again, meeting up with fellow like-minded over 50s bloggers is high on my agenda šŸ™‚

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  40. This visit has more of a family reunion vibe than a get together of a group of once virtual friends. Love that you ate each other’s tacos in all the excitement. That’s sisterhood there. Looks to me like you did all of the important things together and made lots of lifelong memories.

    Love the look of the blog. The typeface is so oopen and friendly and easy to read. The colors are serene and tasteful. Perfect representation of the inner and outer YOU!!

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    1. Hi, Leslie – You are very wise. It did feel like a family reunion!
      Thank you for your feedback on my theme switch. I had originally switched because ‘Feature Photo’ and Guttenberg did not play nicely together on my old theme. Now they are no longer playing nicely together on this theme. Sigh!

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  41. Wonderful Donna … delighted to see the beautiful pics … and to share the happiness exuding from this post … Vancouver Island is just stunning … I miss being there – but am happy being back in little old England! Cheers – Hilary

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    1. Hi, Hilary – I am still so sad that I missed meeting you IRL while you lived on Vancouver Island. Since my youngest son lives in England, we will need to plan a meetup there. Once we can all comfortably travel again I will keep you posted.

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  42. Oh Donna, I feel bitterly disappointed that family obligations took me away while Joanne was here, and I didnā€™t get to meet her in person or participate in the hijinks. And that you brought us along as cardboard cutouts ā€” well that just tore my heartstrings. Very thoughtful. Iā€™m glad you all had such a wonderful time together, and thereā€™s always next time….

    Jude

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    1. Hi, Marsha – It was a fabulous get-together. A couple of years ago, I was part of a Bloggers’ Meet-Up in Palm Desert with Terri (Second Wind), Janis (RetirementallyChallenged), Kathy (SmartLiving) and Liesbet (RoamingAbout). Terri was going to invite you to join us but I think you were away that weekend. I would have loved to have met you IRL!

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