I don't remember when I first read the book, 84 Charing Cross Road, but I immediately loved the concept of strangers corresponding for years and developing a comfortable friendship.
If you are not familiar with the story, it is written by New Yorker Helene Hanff about the 20 year correspondence she maintained with Frank Doel, the chief buyer of Marks & Co antiquarian booksellers in London, England.
Recently, I realized that through blogging and Instagram, I have formed relationships not unlike the friendship of Helene Hanff and Frank Doel.
On Wednesday, I saw this picture on Instagram with the following message
Despite having a female dog, I had no answers, but through Instagram, I have become friends with the lovely @pmacaulay who is a bit of a dog whisperer so I left the following comment.
Soon I saw that Shelley of @peoniesandtumbleweedblog had left me a comment.
And not far below that comment, I saw that Patricia had seen my comment and responded just as I knew she would do.
Next was Shelley's response to Patricia
followed by Patricia thanking me for getting her involved.
The conversation ended with Shelley's comment to both Patricia and me.
@peoniesandtumbleweedsblog is absolutely correct that we truly do have an amazing community
and I love the daily connections with friends made through social media.
Patricia and I were connected once again as I put these fun towels in Steve's kitchen today (they photographed much nicer on the baker's rack) because she lovingly chose them for me to fit my primary color palette and love of the ocean.
I also connected with Karen of The Feral Turtle today when I spotted this grouping of little red hearts in the entry.
Karen sent me the hearts and these cool Asian discs (along with other fun Christmas decor) in the Christmas Ornament Exchange organized by Vicki of Life on Willie Mae Lane.
That connection led me to Vera of Row Homes and Cobblestones
as I placed a little creature in the vignette because she inspired my collection of mice.
As I write this, Steve is making a lovely prime rib dinner which will be served on these beautiful Pfaltzgraff Pistoulet dishes which were a gift from Kris of Junk Chic Cottage.
Mary Alice of Chateau Chic and @chateau.chic has no idea that we made a connection today, but this gorgeous mantel vignette I saw on her blog this morning led to my using stars on my mantel this afternoon.
Random connections and inspiration
with sweet people from all around the world are why I love blogging and Instagram.
Just as Helene Hanff and Frank Doel never met, and I might never meet my blogging or IG friends, but oh, the wonders of social media.
Thanks to all my blogging friends for connections ... friendships ... ideas ... and so much more.
Spoken so well! I agree with you completely. :)
ReplyDeleteA beautiful story!
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I love "84 Charing Cross Road", too!
Love this post, Carol. I also love how blogging and IG has connected me with kindred spirits that I probably would not have otherwise known...friends who have truly enriched my life. So sweet of you to include me in your post!
ReplyDeleteMary Alice
It's truly amazing! Glad I met you, Carol!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fabulous post Carol!
ReplyDeleteBlogging is a great world to be part of I agree - no reason to ever be lonely with this great group of friends - you're all stars!
Speaking of which I love your large star decoration - where did that come from?
Christmas looked special at your house by the sea!
Wishing you happiness, joy and adventure in 2016!
Warm hugs
Shane
Oh Carol I so agree with you. Blogging can feel like a full time job at times but the friendships that are made and nourished through this media are amazing and probably would never have been found without it. I have not gotten into any other media than my private facebook page and my blog. I am thinking of doing instagram I just have so much going on right now to take that on. Its on the bucket list lol! I love that you and I have become friends. Your friendship and loving heart have been such a blessing. Hoping for lots of connections in the new year. So happy those dishes I won fit your sweet cottage and I could gift them to you. Have a great week.
ReplyDeleteKris
Amazing story. Happy new year 2016!
ReplyDeleteOh I adore Patricia and her Nacho, Luna....and Vera and Kris! Yes, this is my eight year on social media thanks to Blogging and now to Instagram, and what would I have done without this very special correspondence with YOU and other dear women who have become such an important part of my life. WRITING and taking the time to transcend the physical and go beyond to reach out to each other has had a profound impact on ME! Carol, you have been the best as well. Thank you for all your support and care, gifts and friendship. MUCH LOVE!
ReplyDeleteVery cool, Carol. As soon as you mentioned the book, I immediately thought of our virtual friendships through blogging. I love it.
ReplyDeleteRita
You know there is a movie of the book???Better not miss out.
ReplyDeleteSuch fun to read. it is amazing, isn't it. A whole new way of being connected. I still like the experience of reading a letter written on paper though. :-)
ReplyDeleteRandom connections and inspiration - the key phrase to why I continue to blog. Happy New Year to you and thanks for the ideas you given as well as the smiles and friendship. Hugs, Jackie
ReplyDeleteCarol, you are so absolutely right! I met so many friends via blogging and now through IG. It is a wonderful world, indeed.
ReplyDeleteI've thought about making friends by blogging and on social media before many times, but you somehow put it into perspective and worded it in a beautiful way. I am thankful to be part of your community.
ReplyDeleteLove this post....some of the finest people I've ever "met" are bloggers...and so many of them, you included, have become my heros. I love seeing all the talent that's out there and have been so inspired by so many lovely ladies...and gents.
ReplyDeleteI am looking forward to 2016...it's going to be every bit as good as we imagine.
Carol, what a thoughtful post! I was amazed when I started blogging how accepting and kind my fellow bloggers were! Instagram is my favorite social media, so much inspiration! Blessings and I am so glad we connected!
ReplyDeleteThose are wonderful examples of how good social media can be. Sarah x
ReplyDeleteIt is a wonderful, magical community, you are so right, Carol...and I think about this whenever I hear someone say that social media is all bad or that kindness in the world doesn't exist. I see it pop up every day, many times a day, in my feeds. :)
ReplyDeleteI agree that having these connections is such a blessing! We all learn so much from each other.
ReplyDeleteHi Carol, So glad to be able to tell you that you inspired me a while back with the tidbit you shared about where you purchased your letter stencils. You shared that they were from DecorSteals, which I now subscribe, and low and behold, today was the long awaited day that they were available, done and done. Thanks to our IG connection, your sharing with me through our mutual following, and your blogging, I can now start stenciling everything in sight for 2016! Thanks Friend,
ReplyDeleteMarilou aka @518frenchgirl
Neat correlation! While writing and receiving letters from across the pond sounds more "romantic" - the ease and instant communication of modern technology is definitely a blessing. We can reach a lot more people quickly, can't we? Though I wonder if the same depth of relationship is there? I'm sure it could be as long as we are not spread too thin! I liked hearing about your connections and how one helped another... very cool! ~julie
ReplyDeleteHi Carol, it's very special how friendships are made in the social media community. I have met so many who, like you, inspire. I see the sharing each day and it is encouraging.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing and always inspiring us through your talents and cottage home!! Wishing you a very happy new year. xo
84 Charming Cross Road is one of my favorite books. I own both the book and the dvd and have re-read and re-watched many, many times. I agree with your assessment of social media and how it is the modern equivalent of pen pals developing firm and lasting friendships. Happy New Year dear one.
ReplyDeleteBig Texas Hugs,
Susan and Bentley
Carol this post truly is delightful, I think back to the decision to blog and I am so glad I listened to my heart pull me into that form of social media. How sweet to be mentioned ... You do know if a real live mouse ever ran through my house I'd probably freak out. But I truly love the cuteness and artful play with faux mice. Did I tell you I'm making clay mice? Carol you have inspired me with all your adorable pixies and I because of your inspiring pictures now enjoy one in our row-home. I find your posts leave me happy and I think of you as color me happy Carol. I hope you know how much I enjoy your posts, your emails and comments, your gifts and your amazing ability to create the best homespun charm of anyone I've ever met in real life and in Blogland. I truly hope one day to hug you in person.
ReplyDeletexoxo,
Vera
I know!!...isnt it amazing? Its like instant pen pals...we dont have to wait on letters. Altho i DO ADORE LONG OLD FASHIONED LETTERS! blogging is fun and i learn so much! Happy new year!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great post, Carol! I love how one IG question led to help from so many friends. I have made some wonderful friends through blogging and even through Facebook, so I agree that social media does have its perks. Funny you should mention that Helene Hanff book...I recently bought that one online, as well as another one of her books, Q's Legacy.
ReplyDeleteThank you Carol for putting into words what I feel about blogging and Instagram also. It's amazing the friendships I've made with many I will never meet in person but are good good friends never the less. We are a loving and generous community.
ReplyDeletehugs,
Linda
"Thanks to all my blogging friends for connections ... friendships ... ideas ... and so much more."
ReplyDeleteHear hear !!
All the best Jan
Beautifully said, Carol. These are exactly my feelings with the way I connect to so many of my blogging friends. I've long felt that bloggers are much like the pen pals my generation had growing up in the 1950s. We would write each other about everyday things, share ideas, hopes, dreams. Never met my pen pals, and sadly I've lost touch with them.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the friendship across the miles.
Carol...love this post!! When I first started blogging....I never dreamed that I would make so many wonderful friends online. Plus I've got to meet 6 blogging friends in person over the past few years and it was wonderful to meet them and give them hugs!!
ReplyDelete~Cindy
I love this!!! What a cool way to tie everyone together! I love blogging and recently Instagram too. Beautifully written Carol and I look forward to a new year sharing and being inspired by you my friend.
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I just started Instagram but have been blogging for 4 years and have made some great friends. I would love to meet them all some day.
ReplyDeleteHi Carol,
ReplyDeleteI loved reading this post, and you are so right...we just never know how someone will come into pour lives...the connections and friendships I have made in my short time blogging truly amaze me...and for me my blog has truly become about the friendships! I love all of the gifts that you received!
My tree(s) are still up and I still see the ornaments you sent me for Vicky's gift exchange! I may never take my trees down! ;)
Hugs, Kimberley
I was very skeptical that true friendship could be formed via the internet, but now I'm a believer! I have met some dear friends through my blog, and had the opportunity to meet one in person. Jo @ Let's Face the Music is just as lovely on person as I imagined her to be. These friendships are what keep me blogging. It's nice to know there are people out there that care.
ReplyDeleteYou are such a dear. I'm not as "social" as you are, but I know every time I see your name reaching out to me it makes me happy. I need to be better at reaching out myself.
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