7 quick takes friday (vol. 21)

Welcome to “Quick Takes,” an occasional feature that will never be quite the same now that I’ve actually met the host. I guess that’s a great place to begin.

—1—

North-to-South blogger luncheon. During the first day of a five-day adventure in San Antonio, Texas, last week, I had the pleasure of meeting Jennifer, host of this blog carnival. I’ve been following “Quick Takes” for quite a while now and have enjoyed being a part of it. Fargo is some 1,300 miles, 20 hours by land, from New Braunfels, Texas, where we met at a restaurant that boasts the best catfish in Texas. It was a rainy day. In fact, the area accumulated more rain that day since a year or more prior. The restaurant where we met must have had a tin roof, because when the downpour started, it was so loud at one point that we literally had to stop talking until it passed. And neither of us have what I would call meek voices, so that’s saying something! Our time together went much too quickly, but it was an absolutely wonderful way to begin my trip. Here we are:

It was really a rush when, just a moment after publishing the post about our meeting, I switched over to “Conversion Diary” to see if Jennifer had posted her Friday recap. I was shocked to read my name in the first very “Quick Takes” entry! I guess it would stand to reason that when two bloggers meet in person for the first time, they would, well, blog about the experience!

–2–

Speaking of the trip to Texas… I’ve been rather tenacious about covering various angles of my time at the National Federation of Press Women conference in recent days, and though it eventually will fade off as other elements of my life take center stage, I still have more to share about what I learned there. Suffice it to say that a highlight was meeting Heloise – yes, the one with the great hints. Here we are:

I also came away with a lot of great tips on being a conscientious journalist in today’s world, and, of course, absolutely enjoyed the sights of San Antonio, including the famed Riverwalk, which was a stone’s throw from the hotel where the conference took place:

—3—

Hint from Heloise: Adding vinegar to boiling eggs will not make them peel easier, as Heloise Sr. once suggested. So you wanna know the secret to peel-easy eggs? Heloise Jr. knows best: buy old eggs.

—4—

What I read on the plane: Show Me the Way: A Memoir in Stories by Jennifer Lauck.

–5–

Staying with my Aunties: One of the best parts of the trip is that my two Texan aunties took turns hosting me. I stayed with Aunt Jeannine the first night, Aunt Merita the second two, and at the hotel the final evening. Here are a few images I captured the first morning after my arrival at Aunt Jeannine’s:

—6—

September 11 mention: I feel honored by some words another fellow blogger said of me during her post on 9-11. Thanks Renee!

–7–

She’s getting married in the morning, er, evening: A good friend’s daughter is getting married this evening at the church where Troy and I married nearly 18 years ago. The groom is one of our oldest son’s teachers and they make a lovely couple. I can’t wait to be part of this grand event.

Here’s hoping your weekend will be filled with laughter and music as well!

For more “quick takes,” see Conversion Diary.