I have a group of girlfriends from my high school class that have connected in a big way here on Facebook. It started by sending a private message to multiple recipients and it has taken on a life of its own. A few of us knew each other well in school, but there are several who were only names and faces in a yearbook until a year or two ago. We have bonded. We share each other’s joys and sorrows. We support and encourage each other. If we haven’t seen one of our number online for awhile, we send out the “search party” and start making phone calls. We get together once a month for coffee and we laugh and laugh. We are the “Sisters of St. Starbucks”.

One of our members actually tried to GIVE UP FACEBOOK as her New Year’s Resolution. Yeah, right…like THAT was going to happen! I mean, I’m the first to admit it’s very easy to fall down the rabbit hole and find I’ve burned up the day or half the night talking to those my elderly aunt mockingly referred to as my “pretend friends”. She doesn’t get it. I can’t imagine how sad and lonely my life would be without the connections I keep here, both on my personal page and on Marshmallow Ranch. Many of you write that you get your coffee and look up my post first thing every morning. To a writer, there is nothing that brings more joy than the confirmation that someone appreciates your work. And, just as you look forward to my writing, I equally look forward to checking in periodically during the day to read your responses and see how you’re doing. I can tell I’ve hit the ball out of the park when a particular post is shared and commented on numerous times. (Like Christmas week when I hit an all-time high of over 358,000 readers! Wow!!!) As a matter of fact, the page continues to grow and reach more people because of that. FB has certain algorithms that dictate how many pages a post is delivered to based on the number of “likes” and “shares” it receives. Number aren’t my bottom line though. Connecting with like minded individuals, recognizing the names of “regulars”, and forming very real friendships that carry beyond the screen is an amazing bonus in my life and has gone a long, long way toward my healing after losing Mr. Virgo.

I’m toying with some ideas of ways to add another dynamic to my writing here, aside from the book that’s in the works. In the 18th and 19th centuries, folks in Italy and France participated in “salons”. An author, poet, artist, or some other public figure would join a smallish gathering of interested people to share readings, art, and ideas for the evening. I have a friend from high school who is a wonderful artist. She lives in Cincinnati and has a large art studio where we could meet. We’ve just touched on the thought of having a “Salon” to showcase her art and my writing and before I go too far with the planning, I’d like to gauge the interest of my readers. Is that something you would be interested in attending if I were to come to your area?

I’m going to be house sitting till the end of February. But as soon as I can get rid of the extra stuff stored at the farm and I can safely travel with TOW-Wanda Grande without the threat of snow, I can hit the road with my gypsy self. I just think this would be a lovely adjunct to my writing here and it would be such fun! Let me know what you think. I love your input!

❤