The NEWPROSE WRITERS' FORUM

[Carol]

Answer: A WONDERFUL DAY!

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In all these years of posting with all of you, whenever the opportunity for a face to face meeting comes up, I cannot resist, yet, somehow, whenever plans are made to meet up with a Bonanza Buddy or a Ponderosa Pal, well, I still feel a sense of concern and apprehension. Cautiously, I trudge ahead, second guessing myself, with every mile marker I pass on my drive to wherever. I cannot help wondering whether I should turn around, head for home, and say I forgot - or the dog ate the directions. Maybe I should say I am a CIA agent; or employed by the FBI; or that Steve is a cop. A Minister? A BLACK BELT in Tae Kwon Do?!

Today was no different. I wondered and worried and tormented myself all the way to my destination: Maybe I will turn around at the next U-turn...

But I didn't...

I forged ahead to my scheduled rendezvous... with KRYSIA. (Don't get in a dither. Krysia has the same inner voice, common sense, and self preserving instincts as I. We met in a very public place. A local diner, filled, as diners always are, with regulars and weekend visitors. Certianly enough people to protect one of us from the other, should the other turn out to be an axe murderer!) But I digress.

As I drove into the parking lot, I spotted her at once. I parked and took my time changing my glasses and organizing my cell phone and keys in my purse while I also organized my thoughts on what to say, how to greet her. I decided to be friendly, but aloof; smiley, but sophisticated; warm, but cool!

Confident that I was ready for whatever should lie ahead, I hopped out of my car and... we greeted one another like old friends. We cuddled, cooed, cajoled, and commented on each other's appearance, jewelery, hair... just as one might expect. After we'd sat at our table for about 15 minutes chattering on like we'd known each other for a half century, we ordered brunch so the grumpy waiter would not, uh, hurt us, (Sound familiar, Jenx? - Barb?) Then we got down to the seroious stuff: PERNELL, BONANZA, PERNELL, THE WESTERN FESTIVALS all around the country PERNELL, and, of course, SHADOW! Did I mention PERNELL? Afterwards, we took a drive. She showed me some of the local sights, one of which might be of interest to some of you, but more on that later.

Ladies and gents, our Krysia is tall and slim and, yes, beautiful - with a endearing, gentle nature and a smile that could light up any room! She laughs easily and her eyes set to twinkling letting you know that her joy is core deep. It is very obvious that her love of life is genuine and while in her company, you love life too - maybe a little more than usual! I am thrilled to have finally met her face to face and wonder why I waited so long! Hmmm? What? Did we make plans to get together again? YOU BET WE DID!

Now, Krysia lives in an area of New Jersey that is known for its history, its ambiance, its summertime fun and its locals. Hstorically, it has been the summer home to may famous actors politicians, clericals and novelists.

Lake Hopatcong, at nine and a half miles in length, is the largest lake in New Jersey. Located in the northwest part of the State, she is surrounded by four municipalities. With over 38 miles of shoreline, Lake Hopatcong covers 2,700 acres and is a major year-round recreational center in New Jersey for boating, sailing, and swimming and is considered one of the best freshwater fisheries on the East Coast. During the winter, ice fishing, ice boating, and snowmobiling are popular activities. Hopatcong State Park is one of the busiest parks in the State system. To give you an idea of how clean the lake is, her 14+ billion gallons of water are also considered an emergency source of drinking water for the State of New Jersey.

It is no wonder that the most polular comediane of her day, the one and only Lotta Crabtree, chose Lake Hopatcong as her summer residence as did many of the rich and famous from New York in the late 1800's.

Today, Krysia and I paid homage to Miss Crabtree by visiting her one time summer home.


More to come...



Love,
Carol

[bookworm18]

Wow, sounds like you two had great fun! It must be really fantastic for fans like us to finally meet face-to-face.

Can't wait to hear more!
_________________
Caroline

"It's nice to be important,
but it's important to be nice."

- Sam Butera

[acspj]

I wish there was some way we could all get together in one place and meet each other eyeball-to-eyeball. What a great experience that would be!

Peej

[bookworm18]

It sure would, Peej! That'd be a great day for me
_________________
Caroline

"It's nice to be important,
but it's important to be nice."

- Sam Butera

[krysia]

Yes, indeed, it was a very special day for me! Carol is absolutely adorable with big expressive eyes and skin that I would kill for. The minute I saw her I knew I just had to hug her. She exudes that kind of friendliness! Her wit is sharp, her smile quick and her enthusiasm unbounding. Not to mention, smart as a whip! This is a woman who knows how to get the most out of life. Oh, the plans we have made....can't tell ya yet.

Anyway, as Carol said, we were both cautious because you never know who's gonna pop up on your radar. But no more fears here! Carol is a real sweet real deal. I knew that from the double thumbs up she gave as she drove up to the diner.

I was so impressed with Carol's network of friends (both famous and infamous) and loved hearing her true to life fan stories. She's also got the makings of some great fanfic up her sleeve...we'll have to nag her 'til she gives in to her imagination's instinct.

It was so special to be able to talk "Bonanza" with someone who felt the same way...I'm sure if someone overheard us they would want to cart us off to a looney bin. But we hit it off so very well, that looney bin or not, I knew I was in good company.

As for our trip to "Attol Tryst" Lotta's summer home, all I can say is what Carol said....more to come!

Before I close I just have to say 2 things:

1. I share the feelings that yes, we do need to meet each other "eyeball to eyeball" someday. Life is too short not to complete the connection that has already begun here at Shadow.

2. My mother came out to visit me the afternoon that I met Carol. We had a nice visit, but my mother said she wanted to get home early on Sunday because "Ponderosa is on tonight and I can't miss it. That Matt Carmody is so good as Adam." Imagine that!
_________________
Krysia

[bookworm18]

What happened next? I'm dying to know!
_________________
Caroline

"It's nice to be important,
but it's important to be nice."

- Sam Butera