Monday, July 2, 2012

Golden



You know that old saying ~

Make new friends but keep the old, 
one is silver and the other gold. 

I don't have many real friends. I'm definitely not a "people person".  I don't make friends easily.  Being burned and thrown under the bus at a young age made me wary of trusting people.  I also realized early on that many people want you to be their friend because they think you can do and/or give them something.  The great philosopher, Snoopy, said, "I love mankind. It's people I can't stand."  I've considered this jewel of wisdom my lifetime motto.  There are however, exceptions to every rule.  As a young 'teen, I met someone who became a real, honest-to-goodness 24K gold friend.

Although we hadn't been in touch on a regular basis for many years, when we reconnected, it was as though we'd seen each other the week before.  I consider myself very fortunate to have a friend like this.  I hope that each of you has someone(s) in your life that is as special as my golden friend.

She recently gifted me a trip to her home in Pennsylvania.   It was fun and relaxing because she (and her family) is fun, laid back, hysterical and she just - let's me be.  I love her for this and so many other things.

Enjoy some pictures I took while there.  I was tickled pink to see "real" trees, hills, mountains and an actual Flea Market.  One where people were cleaning out their barns and attics.  Awesome!


Gorgeous view, right? Roll over the picture to see where I was. Can you believe it!?! This place was built on a hill, the parking lot overlooked this amazing vista.
 

Now THIS is a backyard!

I was going to walk in the woods but there was a bear with cubs roaming around.  I figured it was not a good idea.
  
  Can you believe it?  A CHRISTMAS TREE farm!!!
Who knew they actually grew 'em like pumpkins and corn?






 Driving down a hill!

I forgot how narrow the roads are and how twisty, too.  Two lane roads where I live are a thing long past.

 Wildflowers in the parking lot of WalMart!

This was the most beautiful WalMart I'd ever seen.  And even better, it was damn near empty!  No waiting for a cashier. 




This is a Yeti or Sasquatch  sculpture in her
garden.  She LOVES Yeti's.  I have no idea why but it's one of the things that makes me adore her!
 This little guy wasn't in Pennsylvania.  He's a baby peacock that was born at a friends house here in Florida.  His neighborhood has about 10 wild peacocks running around.  I know!  Crazy!  Isn't he the cutest thing you've seen today?




13 blew out from under the bed:

Anonymous said...

Wow! What a view indeed! Im glad you were able to go. I still think its so strange that the people I latch onto online are similar in their view of people. if you were hurt or tomented or ignored as a child Im almost guarteed to like you. And a bear with cubs! How cool!!

Akelamalu said...

True friends are rare and worth their weight in gold. I am lucky to have two.

Great photos. :)

Nolens Volens said...

Awesome! Glad you enjoyed your trip!

Indi said...

nitebyrd ~ you sure do have a golden egg there and that egg hatched not only into an awesome friendship but apparently a baby peacock too. Where I live the castle that once imprisoned Mary Queen of Scots has adult peacocks roaming the streets. The picture of the back yard-garden with the tall trees.. well our view past our rear garden after the long green lawn, over the fence is tall trees just like those. As for hills n twisty roads... you should come to England.... NOW WE HAVE all of the above.. ;) XX

Fat Controller said...

That view reminds me an awful lot of my adoptive country, Denmark. And we also have christmas tree farms! Just before christmas we go armed with saws and hatchets, pay the man at the gate and go and fetch one. There's usually mulled wine thrown in with the deal as well!

It's amazing that the US is such a huge nation that it seems to incorporate the best bits of lots of other countries, and how amazing that you have a friend who wanted to share their little corner of it with you for a while!

BlacknickSculpture said...

Sounds like a great trip Nitebyrd! Thanks for sharing the wonderful pictures! And yeah I'd have nixed the walk too with a bear with cubs rummaging around ; )

Dianne said...

beautiful place
sounds like a great trip that was well deserved
I've never seen a baby peacock, adorable

UP said...

Jealous!

UP

CrystalChick said...

It sure is wonderful that you were able to reconnect with your old friend like that. I'm glad you got to get away for a bit and visit with her and her family. Good times!

Awwww, a baby peacock!!! YES, he is definitely a cutie. :)

UBERMOUTH said...

Living amongst greenery is vital for me. I moved across Canada to do so.{ I left England]

How did your exams go?

Sorrow said...

Vacations are the best, except when you throw in a really wonderful person to share it with.
Your friend was SO lucky!
XX

Anonymous said...

That's AWESOME! I would love to visit back east myself. I wish I had friends like that.

Red Shoes said...

Where have you been? Hell, you are almost as hard to find as I have been...

I'm slowly getting everything in my Life back into order... blah...

I love the photo of the little peacock..how cute!!!

~shoes~