Q: What happens when three bloggers (plus their spouses) get together? A: It’s anything but silent! Below are pics of Janis (Retirementally Challenged), Kathy (Smart Living 365), me and our husbands spending a delightful afternoon on Protection Island (officially part of Nanaimo, BC).
You can learn more about Protection Island here, here and here.
Stay tuned for when Janis, Kathy and I are joined by four other Vancouver Island Bloggers (Deb, Jude, Erica and Ann) this coming Monday. That will be anything but Mute Monday! You can be sure that at least one of us will write about it. See you then.
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, ‘Retirement Reflections’ was born. I hope that you enjoy reading these reflections, and will be willing to share your own.
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Hi, Bernie – Janis, Kathy, our husbands and myself are long-time friends. We have gotten together several times before and each couple has slept over at our place previously. Our husbands are just as bad as us for not coming up for air once they begin chatting. They get along very well and enjoy each others company (phew)! I can imagine how awkward it would be if they had little in common.
Janis, Kathy and I met each other through blogging but quickly became IRL friends (despite the fact that none of live close to each other — and they each live in California). Janis is the first blogger whom I ever followed. 😀
Thanks, Kathy – I loved today too. I had planned to put the pics on FB but then thought it was just as easy to throw them into a ‘Silent Sunday’ post! 😀
Awesome photos, Donna, and it looks like such a fun time! I love seeing all the smiles. I especially like the effect of the last photo with you in the reflection.
I was already excited to see everyone and now I am extra excited. Two more sleeps. ❤️
How fabulous! Someone is jealous of your fun get together. Especially of the one that is yet to come on Monday. The Vancouver group is growing! Enjoy and please say hi to everyone in the gang from me!!
There must be something in the water that creates Midlife bloggers over there Donna. I can’t believe how many of you there are in a relatively small distance! So much fun for you all xx
Hi, Leanne – There really must be something in our water! 😀 There are numerous other Vancouver Island bloggers who I haven’t yet gotten to know IRL. For me, getting to know other bloggers so personally (including on Zoom) really takes blogging to a whole new level.
How great! I think it’s wonderful when bloggers do this. Looking forward to reading a post after your Monday gathering. I’d love to hear the spouses’ takes on their blogging partners.
Hi, Peter – Good point about the spouses. All of our spouses have met previously (most of them on many different occasions). Fortunately, they all get along amazingly well and have gotten into deep conversations together. At first, we thought it was a lucky fluke. But when you think about it, the super large blogging world allows like-minds/like-values to find each other — so the natural fit really does make sense. I greatly appreciate you stopping by.
Thanks for sharing your get together, Donna! I love the photographs, particularly the one with all of the smiling faces around the table. That looks like a fun restaurant!
Thanks, Jill – That is a very fun restaurant. It’s called The Dinghy Dock Pub and is currently the only floating restaurant in Canada. It is located on a very funky little island that I always look forward to exploring further. 😀
Hi, Darlene – I keep forgetting that you are native to this area. Yup, that’s the Dinghy Dock Pub. It’s always a very fun spot to bring friends.
When you are next out this way, let me know. I would love to meet up.
To be sure we will meet up. I am only going to Alberta this time but next time for sure. We loved stopping at the Dingy Dock when we had our boat and often took guests there for a fun meal.
Hi, Ally – Somehow, without any of us mentioning it in advance, I am sure that Monday’s adventures will be well documented. Blog, FB and Instagram users should consider themselves forewarned! 😀
Gals, I am green with envy – so many of my favorite bloggers in one place! What a conversation that will be on Monday. Looking forward to what each of you will share. Have fun.
Hi, Suzanne – How quickly could you get here?! 😀
You are always welcome to join us anytime. Vancouver Island bloggers are always happy to roll out the Welcome Mat to other bloggers!
Eagerly looking forward to Monday! While I wait for that, would you spell Nanaimo phonetically for me? I have no idea how to pronounce it! So glad to see the border open. Joe
Hi, Joe – I’m delighted that the borders have started to open up as well–at least partly open. Canadians still can’t travel by car to the US, and once we can not all of our vaccines or vaccine combinations are recognized by the US, but I am confident that will all get sorted out so we can resume our overseas adventures! 😀 Thanks for asking about Nanaimo. It is derived from the First Nation’s word, ‘Sne-ny-mo’, meaning ‘big, strong tribe’). Here’s how it is pronounced. nuh·nai·mow (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xw44TcCVwnQ).
So great to see blogger friends meeting up, Donna! Say hello for me! I’m so close but yet so far, especially this week as we prepare for a trip to Arizona next weekend for my step-daughter’s wedding! Mute Monday, LOL!
Hi, Terri – Enjoy your trip to Arizona and your step-daughter’s wedding. Please take and post lots of pics. I LOVE weddings!!!
I am sure that we will have another IRL meetup together in the future. You can count on it!
I’ll have to check your post later in the week Donna, I’ll be travelling tomorrow. Have fun! The photos are gorgeous – the last one of you as pretty as a picture! Don’t forget, if SA ever beckons, seas, mountains, hikes, bush, animals, good food etc etc ., then you’ve got a place to stay, husbands included – I’m thinking of Erica ..
Hi, Marty – I completely agree with you on cool sounding pub names. When this pub first opened in 1989, locals would row out in their dinghies and tie them to the pub itself, earning it the name “Dinghy Dock.” How unique is that?!
Hi Donna – what a wonderful afternoon and fun day out with friendly blogging buddies – ideal. I’m so glad I spent that year out on VI – so at least have an appreciation of the area, landscape etc etc … and the fascinating approach to life locals over the century+ have put into British Columbia. Always great to view the blog posts – cheers (and see someone later today!) – Hilary
Thanks, Hilary – I’m stil so sorry that we missed each other when you were living out this way. The shenanigans start three hours from now. I’ll keep you posted! 😀
How wonderful to share time together with good friends and those who share the same hobby/passion. I read in the comments that you and the husbands are long time friends. all the better!
Hi, Sue – We did all meet through blogging, but I have known most of these bloggers for at least a few years now, and we have had numerous get-togethers, including our spouses, both here and in California. We no longer call ourselves ‘blogging buddies’ — simply friends! 😀
It works so well that all of you are friends. We struggle to find a couple that we both like. Ha. That sounds dreadful, huh? But PC never cares for the husbands of the few friends of mine we have tried to do things with. And of the guys on his ball team that we have palled around with, I like the wives of the players he likes least!! Ugh. We are hopeless. So I am very jealous of you and Kathy and Janis. Looks like you had a wonderful time together. Fun photos!! Looking forward to when you meet up with more of your blogging friends.
Hi, Leslie – Ironically, I first saw this comment when I was at an outdoor patio dinner with 12 of us — all bloggers & their spouses. (I wasn’t being antisocial, honest! Others were sharing airdrop photos at the time, and I don’t have airdrop). 😀 We all had a blast, and barely came up for air — spouses included. Your comment was a great reminder that it doesn’t always turn out this way.
PS – Expect your blog and FB to begin to fill up with some photos from these events. 😀
Your blogger meet ups look wonderful. It is always bemusing for me to see how well one gets along irl with another blogger! Having met a few of them, they are such fabulous people. I can’t wait to hear what happens when more of you get together!
I’ve never met a blogger that I didn’t relate to IRL. I used to be mystified by this but it makes a lot of sense. Before you meet you already know tons of stuff about each other. And you wouldn’t be following each other (nor would you have agreed to meetup) unless there was already a solid connection! 😀
Exactly, Donna! All the initial ground work has been done and you skip to a deeper level of disclosure/friendship with a blogger that you have conversed with! Mind you, I have agreed to meet up with people I knew only from a few emails. I kind of use my sixth sense there to ascertain their trustworthiness.
I love the photos! The only thing better than making blogging friends, is spending time with blogging friends 🙂 I’m sure the conversations have been lively!!
Retirement Reflections 
Sounds like fun!
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Hi, Kate – You are very fast! I had barely pressed publish when I saw your reply. 😀 It was a very fun afternoon!
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Great times. So how do the husbands do – you all have the common thread of blogs friendships but they don’t. Do they find enough in common?
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Hi, Bernie – Janis, Kathy, our husbands and myself are long-time friends. We have gotten together several times before and each couple has slept over at our place previously. Our husbands are just as bad as us for not coming up for air once they begin chatting. They get along very well and enjoy each others company (phew)! I can imagine how awkward it would be if they had little in common.
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Oh were you IRL friends first? Glad it all works out. It could be dicey for sure.
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Janis, Kathy and I met each other through blogging but quickly became IRL friends (despite the fact that none of live close to each other — and they each live in California). Janis is the first blogger whom I ever followed. 😀
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Hey Donna! You are FAST…and take great photos and are a wonderful tour guide too. Thanks for a delightful day among pirates! ~Kathy
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Thanks, Kathy – I loved today too. I had planned to put the pics on FB but then thought it was just as easy to throw them into a ‘Silent Sunday’ post! 😀
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Awesome photos, Donna, and it looks like such a fun time! I love seeing all the smiles. I especially like the effect of the last photo with you in the reflection.
I was already excited to see everyone and now I am extra excited. Two more sleeps. ❤️
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Hi, Erica – I am THRILLED that you are able to join us. I’m so glad that the timing worked out for you. We have lots to catch up on. See you soon!
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That sounds like so much fun! Enjoy!
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Hi, Jo – Now we just need to plan an Australia/Vancouver Island adventure. Can you imagine?!!! 😀 😀 😀
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How much fun would that be?
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Stunningly fun! 😀
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How fabulous! Someone is jealous of your fun get together. Especially of the one that is yet to come on Monday. The Vancouver group is growing! Enjoy and please say hi to everyone in the gang from me!!
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You’ll be with us in spirit, Liesbet. The Island misses you and Mark (and is looking forward to meeting Maya).
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We had such a good time today, Donna! Thanks for being our official photographer!
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It was my pleasure. Richard and I had an awesome time!
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Great photos and I’m sure it would be difficult to stay silent.So much to talk about. Enjoy!
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Thanks, Sue – Good thing that there was no need to be silent. We all would have failed miserably at that task. See you on Zoom soon! 😀
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Looks wonderful! Great to get together.
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Thanks, Laurie – When I began blogging I never understood the amazing friendships that would develop because of it. I am forever grateful!
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Oh, yes!
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There must be something in the water that creates Midlife bloggers over there Donna. I can’t believe how many of you there are in a relatively small distance! So much fun for you all xx
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Hi, Leanne – There really must be something in our water! 😀 There are numerous other Vancouver Island bloggers who I haven’t yet gotten to know IRL. For me, getting to know other bloggers so personally (including on Zoom) really takes blogging to a whole new level.
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How great! I think it’s wonderful when bloggers do this. Looking forward to reading a post after your Monday gathering. I’d love to hear the spouses’ takes on their blogging partners.
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Hi, Peter – Good point about the spouses. All of our spouses have met previously (most of them on many different occasions). Fortunately, they all get along amazingly well and have gotten into deep conversations together. At first, we thought it was a lucky fluke. But when you think about it, the super large blogging world allows like-minds/like-values to find each other — so the natural fit really does make sense. I greatly appreciate you stopping by.
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Can’t wait to hear more about your shenanigans Donna!
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Thanks, Debbie – I believe that ‘shenanigans’ will be a very good word to describe Monday. Stay tuned!
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Thanks for sharing your get together, Donna! I love the photographs, particularly the one with all of the smiling faces around the table. That looks like a fun restaurant!
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Thanks, Jill – That is a very fun restaurant. It’s called The Dinghy Dock Pub and is currently the only floating restaurant in Canada. It is located on a very funky little island that I always look forward to exploring further. 😀
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Very cool! 🙂
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I love Protection island. Is that the Dingy Dock Cafe you are having a meal at?
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Hi, Darlene – I keep forgetting that you are native to this area. Yup, that’s the Dinghy Dock Pub. It’s always a very fun spot to bring friends.
When you are next out this way, let me know. I would love to meet up.
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To be sure we will meet up. I am only going to Alberta this time but next time for sure. We loved stopping at the Dingy Dock when we had our boat and often took guests there for a fun meal.
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Looks like you had a good time. Have fun when the rest of the gang arrives! I’m sure it’ll be a well documented event.
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Hi, Ally – Somehow, without any of us mentioning it in advance, I am sure that Monday’s adventures will be well documented. Blog, FB and Instagram users should consider themselves forewarned! 😀
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Gals, I am green with envy – so many of my favorite bloggers in one place! What a conversation that will be on Monday. Looking forward to what each of you will share. Have fun.
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Hi, Suzanne – How quickly could you get here?! 😀
You are always welcome to join us anytime. Vancouver Island bloggers are always happy to roll out the Welcome Mat to other bloggers!
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Eagerly looking forward to Monday! While I wait for that, would you spell Nanaimo phonetically for me? I have no idea how to pronounce it! So glad to see the border open. Joe
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Hi, Joe – I’m delighted that the borders have started to open up as well–at least partly open. Canadians still can’t travel by car to the US, and once we can not all of our vaccines or vaccine combinations are recognized by the US, but I am confident that will all get sorted out so we can resume our overseas adventures! 😀 Thanks for asking about Nanaimo. It is derived from the First Nation’s word, ‘Sne-ny-mo’, meaning ‘big, strong tribe’). Here’s how it is pronounced. nuh·nai·mow (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xw44TcCVwnQ).
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So great to see blogger friends meeting up, Donna! Say hello for me! I’m so close but yet so far, especially this week as we prepare for a trip to Arizona next weekend for my step-daughter’s wedding! Mute Monday, LOL!
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Hi, Terri – Enjoy your trip to Arizona and your step-daughter’s wedding. Please take and post lots of pics. I LOVE weddings!!!
I am sure that we will have another IRL meetup together in the future. You can count on it!
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Thank you Donna, we are looking forward to traveling by air again and the busy weekend ahead!
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Safe travels!!
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I’ll have to check your post later in the week Donna, I’ll be travelling tomorrow. Have fun! The photos are gorgeous – the last one of you as pretty as a picture! Don’t forget, if SA ever beckons, seas, mountains, hikes, bush, animals, good food etc etc ., then you’ve got a place to stay, husbands included – I’m thinking of Erica ..
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Careful what you wish for, Susan! Richard and I would LOVE to visit you there!
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Anytime! Just not Christmas time – house will probably be full with family. Feb March onwards! Beds bathrooms etc await!
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You are soooo kind! It definitely won’t be Christmas but it is on our Bucket List! 😀
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Looks like fun! I love a pub with a weird name every time. 🙂 – Marty
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Hi, Marty – I completely agree with you on cool sounding pub names. When this pub first opened in 1989, locals would row out in their dinghies and tie them to the pub itself, earning it the name “Dinghy Dock.” How unique is that?!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Donna – what a wonderful afternoon and fun day out with friendly blogging buddies – ideal. I’m so glad I spent that year out on VI – so at least have an appreciation of the area, landscape etc etc … and the fascinating approach to life locals over the century+ have put into British Columbia. Always great to view the blog posts – cheers (and see someone later today!) – Hilary
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Thanks, Hilary – I’m stil so sorry that we missed each other when you were living out this way. The shenanigans start three hours from now. I’ll keep you posted! 😀
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Looks like so much fun, Donna. Looking forward to your next update.
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Thanks, Natalie – Hopefully we’ll be able to do another big bloggers meetup when you are next out this way. 😀
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How wonderful to share time together with good friends and those who share the same hobby/passion. I read in the comments that you and the husbands are long time friends. all the better!
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Hi, Sue – We did all meet through blogging, but I have known most of these bloggers for at least a few years now, and we have had numerous get-togethers, including our spouses, both here and in California. We no longer call ourselves ‘blogging buddies’ — simply friends! 😀
LikeLike
It works so well that all of you are friends. We struggle to find a couple that we both like. Ha. That sounds dreadful, huh? But PC never cares for the husbands of the few friends of mine we have tried to do things with. And of the guys on his ball team that we have palled around with, I like the wives of the players he likes least!! Ugh. We are hopeless. So I am very jealous of you and Kathy and Janis. Looks like you had a wonderful time together. Fun photos!! Looking forward to when you meet up with more of your blogging friends.
LikeLike
Hi, Leslie – Ironically, I first saw this comment when I was at an outdoor patio dinner with 12 of us — all bloggers & their spouses. (I wasn’t being antisocial, honest! Others were sharing airdrop photos at the time, and I don’t have airdrop). 😀 We all had a blast, and barely came up for air — spouses included. Your comment was a great reminder that it doesn’t always turn out this way.
PS – Expect your blog and FB to begin to fill up with some photos from these events. 😀
LikeLike
Your blogger meet ups look wonderful. It is always bemusing for me to see how well one gets along irl with another blogger! Having met a few of them, they are such fabulous people. I can’t wait to hear what happens when more of you get together!
LikeLike
I’ve never met a blogger that I didn’t relate to IRL. I used to be mystified by this but it makes a lot of sense. Before you meet you already know tons of stuff about each other. And you wouldn’t be following each other (nor would you have agreed to meetup) unless there was already a solid connection! 😀
LikeLike
Exactly, Donna! All the initial ground work has been done and you skip to a deeper level of disclosure/friendship with a blogger that you have conversed with! Mind you, I have agreed to meet up with people I knew only from a few emails. I kind of use my sixth sense there to ascertain their trustworthiness.
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There’s a lot to be said for Sixth Sense. I use that for many, many situations! 😀
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I’m so jealous! Having blogging pals and beautiful backdrop to spend the day looks like Perfect.
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Thanks, Anotoinette – It was perfect. And the meetup with the seven of us (then joined by spouses) was awesome! More to follow on the latter! 😀
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I love the photos! The only thing better than making blogging friends, is spending time with blogging friends 🙂 I’m sure the conversations have been lively!!
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The connections have been awesome — but there is someone missing!!! 😦
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I would have been there if I could!
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