.....but, I just had to tell you all what an amazing community this is, and how wonderful all the people on this site are!! There, I said it!! No wonder there are some that have been here going on five years. Others complete their one year project and move on, but we all seem to touch each others' lives in so many ways, across continents and borders, over ethnic lines and language barriers, all for the love of photography, which is our way of capturing our world momentarily and sharing it with each other.
I am sitting here writing this while I am eating something called Pineapple Chunks sent to me by a dear friend that I have made on this site, all the way from New Zealand! Andrea, @andreajoy, an amazing person currently battling breast cancer, heard me when I said that I had never tasted one, and mailed a package to me all the way in California! I am beyond touched and moved by the gesture.
I have made friends here that I feel like I have known forever, even though I have never met them in person! Kate Klinck, @harley84, from Canada, and Nicole Campbell, @nicolecampbell, in Australia, were my earliest supporters, and continue to encourage me, and we have now connected on Facebook, too. I went to graduate school in Illinois, and never thought I would want to go back, but @taffy with her photos has made me long to return. I used to live in NYC, and sometimes miss it, but manage to revisit it with the amazing photos of @michaelelliot. And, we all live vicariously through the travels of @lieannaniemand. And, I have actually managed to physically connect with a wonderful person who lives just a couple of hours to the north of me, and have become friends with @ready4et. These are just some of the amazing people I have met on this site, and they all amaze me with their talents, creativity, and most importantly their humanity. And, last but not least, @amandal, you are one classy act, and you know why!
And, thank you all for putting up with my absence and lack of commenting lately. Life got a little stressful with the construction at our house. I am really happy with the results so far, but it has taken a long time, and I am reaching the end of my rope. Everything is taking longer than expected, and I have now lost the use of my office space because the floors are being refinished. Unfortunately, the extreme heat wave we have been having messed up the floor refinishing and they will have to be redone, so I just have to be a little more patient. I promise to post photos of the completed project, though. Soon!
That's it....I am getting off my soapbox! I just wanted to let you all know how much I appreciate you being in my life. I think I will be on this site for a few more years!
You are so lovely and thank you so much for your kind words. I love seeing your photos every day and long to live in a spot that is as beautiful as you capture through your photos. This project certainly brings people together and I am lucky to have found a new friend who I will hopefully meet in person next year. Your renovations will be amazing and life will soon return to normal. xxx
@panthora awwww, you are so sweet! And one of these days I plan to drag Scott onto a plane and visit you!! Or maybe you will make a trip to The Great White North and visit us!! ")And I so agree with you!!! I must apologize too for lack of commenting lately as well, but life does get in the way and I am so glad we are friends on Facebook! Ack!! so sorry to hear about the floor but I can't wait to see photos! My reno is still ongoing too lol, doesn't it feel like we have been doing that forever? ;) I also think it would be amazing to organize a group meeting somewhere! Don't know if anyone would be interested but I will throw it out there! So glad to have met you too! Cheers!
I too really appreciate the friends made through this portal, a big, unexpected bonus, as I only joined to make myself use my camera. Thank you all, near and far xx
Oh I am so glad they arrived! Wondering if they had got lost in the post. The lady at the post office did chuckle when I told her what I was doing! You know you are so welcome. They may be an acquired taste...😋
My dear friend, I ditto the comments above. This community is amazing. Words do not do justice to how supportive and kind people have been to me from the day I joined to the day I got my diagnosis to today! Always kindness and encouragement.
I don't know why we 'click' but we do. Thank you for producing amazing photos and sharing your love of the ocean with me (and others). Thank you for being you...😍
@panthora You've said so beautifully what so many of us have found on the site. The people I've 'met' are so much a part of my life now that I find myself thinking about who would like which scene as I'm out and about, and so looking forward to signing on to see what everyone's been up to. This is such a unique place to come together -- we have such a wonderfully supportive community and I love being a part of it every day!
AND, you should plan a photo trip to Chicago in the fall -- so much to photograph and it's such a fun city (and it's not Champaign-Urbana!).
Wow, lady, thank you. You are so kind. Glad to be acquainted with the wonderful likes of you, too. Did you win 6 word story with your daddy shot? Happy weekend!!!
I should really get into the social aspect of the site more.. It gets tough to be consistent with it because other stuff in the non-cyber world get in the way. I am happy you have had such a great experience. I for one am grateful for my few followers who continually drop by and encourage me on my photos.. I just know I should do more.
@nicolecampbell Nicole, I cannot wait to meet you in person! I hope you will make it to California (where, of course, you have a place to stay close to the beach!), and if the east coast is your only destination I will just have to make a trip out there to see you! So glad you stayed on for another year.
@harley84 Kate, you are such a dear friend, and I already know that not only you and I would get along splendidly, but my husband and Scott would hit it off as well! Yes, a physical meeting should be in the works. I am just no longer equipped to visit a cold place in the dead of winter (yes, I gave away all my winter clothes!), but maybe in the spring or summer......California, of course, is beautiful year round, and I would be so happy to host you guys! Just get on a plane!
@annied Thank you Annie! I know this community is dear to you, too, and that your heart belongs here. I have followed your recent loss, but not knowing you well enough I did not feel that it was appropriate for me to comment, but your story touched me deeply. Thank you for the Follow....it would be great to connect with you.
@andreajoy Andrea, I just don't know what to say!! I just could not believe when I opened the package and found the bag inside! I was so not expecting it, and it just overjoyed me to know that you were thinking of me across the ocean in another part of the world! They were soft when they arrived as we have been having an incredible heat wave here, and I put them in the refrigerator as per your instructions. They were absolutely yummy, and I have now moved them to the freezer to see how they would taste. @k1w1 Christine, I already like them so much, and they now mean so much to me, that they will be the first thing I get when I finally make it to NZ!
One more thing, Andrea.....you are wonderful, and brave, and beautiful, and you WILL make it through this, and you will come out on the other side stronger and renewed, and so appreciative of your loved ones and of life! I am thinking of you, and have faith that you will beat this! Now, go and be strong for your guy, too, because it sounds as if he needs a little TLC, too! Much love and the best wishes....always!
@taffy Taffy, I WILL make it back to Chicago one of these days! Yes, I know Chicago is not C-U, but the winters are still brutal, and now that you know my love of the ocean, you can understand why I would feel landlocked there! Chicago is actually a great city with amazing architecture, and I do have fond memories of visiting there. When I finally make it back there I will make sure to visit with you. It would be so great to meet you in person!
@amandal Amanda, you are such a cool person! You have a wicked sense of humor, and your fearless selfies are amazing. Thank you for liking my "Daddy" picture so much, and for voting for it. I think voting closes today, but it seems to be in the bag! ;-) I am really stoked about it as I really love the Six Word Stories, and this was such a tender moment I was able to capture.
As far as Pineapple Lumps/Chunks go, well, apparently they are a Kiwi "National Treasure", and they are indeed delicious!! It is an interesting combination of pineapple juice and chocolate, crunchy on the inside, and gooey on the outside!
@andreajoy Andrea, I have decided that the Pineapple Lumps are the equivalent to the Turkish delights, which is a delicacy that can best be sampled fresh where it is made in Turkey. Thank you so much for sharing them with me. They are yummy and addictive!
Oh, and you might want to explain to @amandal what they are exactly. I tried, but I am not sure if I am spot on!
@amandal - Amanda, Osia has asked me to explain Pineapple Lumps. So here it is for you 😄
Pineapple Lumps are a flavoured chocolate covered confectionery with a soft, chewy pineapple-flavoured middle from New Zealand. They are often identified as Kiwiana. The semi-brittle shell of chocolate conceals a chewy, soft pineapple flavoured centre.
The first Pineapple Lumps were made by the Regina Confectionery Company [1]) in Oamaru around [2] [3] 1952-54. Charles Diver, the confectionery chef and floor production manager at Regina, who would later create other classic kiwi sweets, was given the task of using up waste product from other lollies of the time. One sweet in particular, an early version of the chocolate fish with a banana flavoured marshmallow middle, had the most left overs.
Pineapple Lumps were originally called Pineapple Chunks, but the name was changed in the early 1960s to give them a more unique and original title.
@panthora oh you are so kind. Thank you. Have passed on the explanation to Amanda.
Wayne did laugh when I said I was buying the Pineapple Lumps and he gave me the instructions on how to eat them. My dad loved them too.
Little surprises are the best...☺️
I don't know many of you ladies, but I do echo what you all say about this site. Into my third year now, I had my first meeting, for a photo shoot just last week, with a fellow 365er Hazel @quietpurplehaze and it was funny how much we both gushed about the site.
One other thought of mine is that I notice often how many more women comment on my posts than men and every comment on this thread is from a woman. Maybe it's also a fact that we females tend to be more supportive of each other in general.
Ok! *sniffle* That was so sweet! I'm going to follow you. LOL (I'm going to browse through all of your photos too, by the way. ha!) I, too, have met some of the kindest people on here, and in such a short period of time!! Yay to all the great folks on 365!!!! :)
Write a Reply
Sign up for a free account or Sign in to post a comment.
Tweets ahoy!
Join the Group
Pin With Me
My dear friend, I ditto the comments above. This community is amazing. Words do not do justice to how supportive and kind people have been to me from the day I joined to the day I got my diagnosis to today! Always kindness and encouragement.
I don't know why we 'click' but we do. Thank you for producing amazing photos and sharing your love of the ocean with me (and others). Thank you for being you...😍
AND, you should plan a photo trip to Chicago in the fall -- so much to photograph and it's such a fun city (and it's not Champaign-Urbana!).
One more thing, Andrea.....you are wonderful, and brave, and beautiful, and you WILL make it through this, and you will come out on the other side stronger and renewed, and so appreciative of your loved ones and of life! I am thinking of you, and have faith that you will beat this! Now, go and be strong for your guy, too, because it sounds as if he needs a little TLC, too! Much love and the best wishes....always!
As far as Pineapple Lumps/Chunks go, well, apparently they are a Kiwi "National Treasure", and they are indeed delicious!! It is an interesting combination of pineapple juice and chocolate, crunchy on the inside, and gooey on the outside!
Oh, and you might want to explain to @amandal what they are exactly. I tried, but I am not sure if I am spot on!
Pineapple Lumps are a flavoured chocolate covered confectionery with a soft, chewy pineapple-flavoured middle from New Zealand. They are often identified as Kiwiana. The semi-brittle shell of chocolate conceals a chewy, soft pineapple flavoured centre.
The first Pineapple Lumps were made by the Regina Confectionery Company [1]) in Oamaru around [2] [3] 1952-54. Charles Diver, the confectionery chef and floor production manager at Regina, who would later create other classic kiwi sweets, was given the task of using up waste product from other lollies of the time. One sweet in particular, an early version of the chocolate fish with a banana flavoured marshmallow middle, had the most left overs.
Pineapple Lumps were originally called Pineapple Chunks, but the name was changed in the early 1960s to give them a more unique and original title.
The original Pineapple Chunks are now being manufactured again by Regina Lollies http://www.reginalollies.co.nz/portfolio/pineapple-chunks/
Pineapple Lumps are manufactured by Pascall, and typically come in 140g and 300g size packs.
Wayne did laugh when I said I was buying the Pineapple Lumps and he gave me the instructions on how to eat them. My dad loved them too.
Little surprises are the best...☺️
One other thought of mine is that I notice often how many more women comment on my posts than men and every comment on this thread is from a woman. Maybe it's also a fact that we females tend to be more supportive of each other in general.