Fun, Fun, Fun

On the Porch

Onisha Ellis

When I began this blog in January of 2012 I had no idea what I was doing or how I would come up with consistent content. Well five years later, I still struggle with creating consistent content but I have been blessed with a group of bloggers who are amazing. Every week they share their lives with us. Having surgery, going on vacation? No worries, these folks send their blogs to me in advance. I have read that managing a group blog is hard, but I am telling you, these friends are a delight.

Wednesday we gathered for our annual blogger lunch and yea, everyone was able to attend. We have a new blogger this year, Melody Hendrix and since we don’t all live in the same city, she had not met some the bloggers. We had a grand time with laughter from start to finish.

Left side: DiVoran, Bill, Mike, me, Louise, Janice . Right Side: Fred, Judy, Janet, Melody, Janice.

Looking at this picture I realize what an amazing group they are. Each has a life story behind their picture. DiVoran is an author and accomplished artist and  her husband Bill worked as an engineer on America’s space program (He liked to blow things up). My husband, Mike retired from the space program and has discovered hidden talents in painting, carving  and woodworking. Louise, our poetess has written poetry her whole life as she followed her military husband across the country, making a hone for  her family. At the end is her daughter Janice, an antique connoisseur and baker of confections.  Whew!

 Starting on the right side is Judy’s husband, Fred  a retired military meteorologist for the Air Force. Next is Judy.  She is a pianist, a  crafter and a military wife. Enough said on that, we know the important role wives play for our country. Once Fred retired, she became the secretary for her church. Let me tell  you, church secretaries should get an extra jewel in their heavenly crowns. Do you see Janet leaning forward to be in the picture? She is a best-selling author, an international speaker, has an MBA degree and she cracks everyone up with her blind jokes. She can do that, she is blind, and an amazing testimony of walking by faith, not by sight. See the lovely blond? That is Melody, our newest member and a professional photographer and collector of inspirational quotes. Each week she shares beautiful photos with us. Missing is Lynn, she took this picture. She is the daughter of Louise and my very best friend from high school and my go to when Word Press make me crazy. She recently retired from her financial planning business where she counseled women on money matters.  She promises that she is going to begin her own blog and I am holding her to it.

I am already looking forward to next year’s lunch. Maybe this year we can mange a second one. We barely stopped talking the whole meal, yet we still had more to say! Next time we plan to try out “seat shifting,” so can don’t miss anyone. I am not sure how that will work while we are eating .

We met at a seafood restaurant in Orlando and its decor was  “fishy”. The booths were lit by these clever lights. The fish and sea creatures are metal art and they look quite happy. As I study it, I find myself thinking about how Jesus is the light that draws us all together.

John 8:13  Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.”

Tags: #amblogging, Blogger, Friendship