Well, guess who meandered up the drive to Willow Manor, all theway from the great state of Idaho? None other than the sweet JohnHayes, from Robert Frost's Banjo! He is making his way through the country, towards the east coast, stopping here and there to visit friends and family. Not only is John a great musician, he is a very talented poet, as well. Just last week, I was lucky enough to win a copy of his latest book, The Days of Wine and Roses, available for purchase over at his blog.
It's always a bit on the surreal side, meeting someone from the blog world; someone you know so much about, but have never actually met in person. We had a very pleasant afternoon, chatting about all things bloggy and poetical, and even took a wee spin over to my favorite second hand bookstore. Yes, the one with the creaky hardwood floors.
7/11from 'A Few More Fold-Out Postcard Sonnets',
The Days of Wine and Roses
India ink spruce trees up on the hill it
could be anywhere watching the sunset's
locomotive crash into the swamp with its
refrigerators & rowboats & slightly effeminate
ferns & a black wool blanket overrun with
beetles & ladybugs & a snapshot of Jane with
a peach pie & a thermos It could be
anywhere anytime September 2 1988 Albemarle
County VA like a porcelain full moon that looks like
a magnolia blossom sprouting from a caboose that's
rattling & hooting through heaven like a
tugboat chugging through water lilies &
Marlowe's just now dropping a line to the past stating
If you miss the train I'm on you will etc
Jack Hayes
Well, that is an interesting afternoon. I think SURREAL is a very good word to use too...as one often thinks you would NEVER cross paths with MOST of the bloggy friends we make!
ReplyDeleteVery good poem. Pappy
ReplyDeletehow very cool. i hope to meet some bloggy friends in the near future...i imagine surreal is just the right word...
ReplyDeleteYes, it must seem strange and beautiful at the same time to while a way an afternoon with a blog friend you care about. Sounds like you had a great time, creaky bookstore and all ...
ReplyDeleteHow splendid! I've made some wonderful friends through the bloggy world ~ I mean, when you read someone's writings, you're pretty much connected to the heart of them.
ReplyDeleteMay your friendship with Jack be blessed always.
Interesting to say the least. LOL
ReplyDeleteSurprise. surprise. There are some people I wouldn't answer the door to see/meet. LOL
I am now going to change the blog where you left the comment. It was dark black to a new color and design. It only takes a second to make the changes.
How lovely, did he like the bookshop with the creeky floorboards? I am guessing he did.
ReplyDeleteYes, Acorn, he did enjoy the bookstore, and even left with two special finds. (so did I) :)
ReplyDeleteWhat fun! I've met a few blog buddies in person and it's both familiar and weird. But very satisfying.
ReplyDeleteDear Willow, As you say, it is a little daunting to meet with someone about whom one knows a great deal, and with whom one has possibly communicated at length, but who one has never actually met. It seems to me that you had a most enjoyable time, culminating in a visit to a bookshop - never a bad thing to do.
ReplyDeleteHave a happy, and restful, weekend.
I'm with you and Jill...it would be SURREAL to spend an afternoon with someone you only know from their blog posts. Hopefully, you also had phone conversations with "Mr. Banjo" before he arrived. I find that lessens the surreal effect of meeting a blog friend in person.
ReplyDeleteit is always such a delight to meet a neighbor of the bloggyhood (your term)... i have found the experience incredibly real!
ReplyDeletewonderful photos! i especially like the one of you and john.
i'm crossing my fingers that the plan will stand for john's return to idaho. he's planning a lunchtime stop in cleveland! really hoping that the weather will be nice, a repeat of this week is being ordered up!
thanks for posting the pictures and congrats on winning a copy of john's book! hope he's carrying some copies with him for purchase for those of us who aren't signed up with paypal (just call me paranoid!)
Great poem! And wonderful photos of you two. Isn't that a wonderful treat? I have met people on the road through flickr and my blog, and had dinner with them, gone sketching with them, etc. One woman told me when she met me, "it's like walking into a photograph," and I have to agree. It is.
ReplyDeleteI do hope he plucked a few strings for you.
ReplyDeleteBisou, Cro.
Yes it is a little weird. You just never know do you. but it can also be such fun. I corresponded with a lady via email from a glass related BB for a year or more and then we finally met in person and became instant and life long friends.
ReplyDeleteKimy, he mentioned looking forward to meeting you! It was pouring rain here Wednesday morning, but the sun decided to pop out and the rest of our afternoon was glorious.
ReplyDeleteWhat a pleasure!
ReplyDeletesuch a wonderful adventure for both of you !! I love to hear of meetings like that. Maybe next time he can meet your ghost.
ReplyDeleteHow fun to meet and spend some time with a blog buddy. I liked the picture of the two of you.
ReplyDeleteWhat a pleasure that must have been. I like the poem. Will check out the book. Nice picture of John Hayes and of you both too.
ReplyDeleteHow exciting, it sounds like you both had a wonderful afternoon, sharing your poetry and bloggy world tid bits.
ReplyDeleteThe poem is just delightful, so special.
"a snapshot of Jane with a peach pie & a thermos"
ReplyDeleteI love that!
Thanks for sharing your visit Willow.
I've always wanted to meet blog friends, but never have the money to travel to those huge events - and not sure that's the venue I'd choose, anyway. I'd rather visit one on one, one at a time.
ReplyDeleteSince I am not familiar with Mr. Hayes, you will perhaps forgive me for being more intrigued by the red walls, the arched doorway, and the swords. More on that, please!
- M
Marcheline, that's the red entryway to the manor, which I am itching to paint, but haven't decided on a color, of course. A Libra thing, the indecision, not the red. hee.
ReplyDeleteHello Willow,
ReplyDeleteI was intrigued by the red paint and swords too. I like a red entrance hall and it's a good colour for displaying armaments! To which part of the spectrum are your colour leanings taking you?
Birds of a Feather flock together! Mr. Banjo! I am presently googling and starting to wrap myself in this dear bards wisdom. How lovely his life of travel, so idyllic his verse. Inticing and very encryptic, and humanized. Like a puzzling mystery the last line "If you miss the train I'm on you will etc" and Marlowe reference. Please explain? I am sensing a very fine time had by all! Thank-you for sharing the virtual real time Willow.
ReplyDeleteHi! Willow,
ReplyDeleteNice post!
Nice Photographs!
Congrats! on winning the book too!
Now, I must go and play catch up on Thursday Theme post(s) from yesterday.
Take care!
DeeDee ;-D
You gotta love the internet! These are connections we wouldn't have dreamed of making twenty years ago....
ReplyDeleteThat's great Willow, Surprize's are fun. Must have been a very interesting visit. You look fabulous in the photo.
ReplyDeleteyvonne
WOW! Interacting in cyberspace with fellow bloggers is wonderful ~~~ meeting them in person? Priceless.
ReplyDeleteI love the poem -- thanks for the link and I sure do wish I could actually meet some of my blog friends.
ReplyDeletewhat a treat! and his poem? wow - I loved it!
ReplyDeleteHow special this is!!! It's great when fellow bloggers have an opportunity to meet face to face... good for both of you!
ReplyDelete:) The Bach
I really like the poem and am going to check out his blog. Sounds like you had a fun time.
ReplyDeleteLoved that old bookstore and our purchases.
What a joy to have a friend and talent visit you! Lovely photos as well. I must admit that I hadn't seen your blog previously. I happened to see your comment on Edith Hope's post where you mentioned your grandmother who decorated her Indiana church alter. My family is from Indiana, Decatur County farmland in the SE part of the state, to be exact. So, of course, I had to rush over to your blog and check you out. Lovely writing and interesting topics. I will definitely be back!
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful! I love meeting fellow bloggy friends. They are always even better in person.
ReplyDeleteThe poem has such vibrant imagery. What a great afternoon you had! I've never met anyone from the blogging world, but I'm sure it will be a great experience when it happens!
ReplyDeleteSUPER cool. I love meeting people from the blog world - hasn't been weird at all (so far). At least, I've never yet run out of things to talk about, as you can always fall back on the blogging topic.
ReplyDeleteI have just recently begun visiting John's blog and he sounds like a fascinating guy. Glad you enjoyed your visit!
I'm sure the visit made his day as well as yours. The trip to the bookstore was icing on the cake.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful way to spend the day. Wouldn't it be nice if there would be a blog pals convention somewhere, sometime?
ReplyDeleteWhat a delightful character. Mr. Banjo - reminds me of Bojangles! Super little extract and a really nice photograph of the two of you.
ReplyDeletePhysical meeting of minds instead of the ethereal type of thing. Lubbly Jubbly, as Del Boy of TV's Only Fools and Horses would say.
Way cool to meet up with a fellow blogger...I miss the old creaky bookstores! Good for you!
ReplyDeletethat's fun. i love it when blogger friends can connect in the real world.
ReplyDeletewhat a beautiful poem! :-)
ReplyDeletestupendous...I love the visit. how delightful.
ReplyDeletemuch love
How excellent! Sounds like a wonderful afternoon. Although, I think I would find it a bit strange/wonderful to meet someone I have met through the blogosphere.
ReplyDeleteHow very cool! I think John would be easy to talk to and easy to be silent with. It must have been fun and strange to meet a blogfriend.
ReplyDeleteHow very fun! Love the poem, too! :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful bloggy friendship. Love the poem, it runs on with great breath and strength.
ReplyDeleteHere's to poetry, friends, and pleasant afternoons walking creaky book store floors!
I'd love to be able to give you a call & tell you to put the Manor kettle on, I'll be over in a jiffy. However, it would be somewhat of an excursion dear Willow & require a liberal dusting off of the Millie passport. One day MOTH & I might just surprise you & WT!
ReplyDeleteM ^_^
Obviously a superb moment and superbly caught. A great post. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteLove the way he sees life through his thoughts, as we do through our bloggy friends...isn't it grand to be so connected and not even know it!
ReplyDeleteNever a smoker, I am often awakened to the wafts of smoke in my presence...an ex-husband perhaps in another dimension...?
I love meeting blog friends. There's never any need to go through the usual small talk; it's an ongoing conversation.
ReplyDeleteGreat pics and I love seeing the two of you at the end of the post.
I bought the book of his SF poetry because I love that era of his writing - so edgy and psychedelic.
I would love to come see Willow Manor some day. You never know!!
That's pretty cool. And yes, it certainly is surreal meeting people in real life.
ReplyDeleteGreat to see you two together. I've done a few meet ups too, and I am always curious about why I seem to click with some bloggers so instantly. All the meet ups have been great, and the people are just as wonderful in person. But it is a bit surreal to finally meet someone you feel you know so well but have never seen in the non-cyber world. I hope Mr. Banjo comes my way since I enjoy his blog a lot.
ReplyDeleteI so enjoyed reading this, and seeing the photos - really a thrill. I asked John today if he had seen this post, and he said that he hasn't had internet access for the past few days - and would I please tell you that he is anxiously awaiting an opportunity to do so! Hope all continues well at the Manor.
ReplyDeleteEberle, it was so incredibly nice to meet John in person. My only regret is that you weren't with him!
ReplyDeleteHi Willow: I made it at last! Thanks so much for your hospitality--& thanks to WT for his hospitality too! I've been either without a connection or on the move ever sine I saw you! Thanks for posting the sonnet too!
ReplyDeleteReally enjoyed meeting you!
Oh yes, & thanks to all the commentors for your kind words about the poem!
ReplyDeleteI think if i ever met you I would definitely ask if you;d take me to that fantastic bookstore. Talking blogs and browsing books. Lovely.
ReplyDelete