Approximately 90 minutes ago, I was in an overpriced, snooty Manhattan restaurant with a group of really cool OS bloggers, including Cranky Cuss, Alysa Salzberg, Sally Allen, Dirndl Skirt and a few others I was meeting for the first time. Lady Lucia was there, too, and I'd told her she would be meeting people who had read about her in my posts and considered her to be a fictional character.

"That's alright," she replied, "I am a fictional character...except in the mind of G-d."

Anyway...y'all know I don't post pictures but I wanted to give the first, brief word-picture of our gathering.

People introducing themselves thusly: "I'm so-and-so...known on Open Salon as whozits..."

Looking at the overpriced menu and deciding that just one drink and an appetizer would suffice. (Ouch!)

Alysa, circulating 'round the table and making sure we all got introduced and hugged. Yes, she is that cute...and I say that even though we do indeed share enough phenotype features to be relatives - the Italian/Jewish thing.

So, we talked about blogs and families and Paris and New York and cats.

My Mama, Rosy Cheeks was there in spirit and I mentioned her when we toasted the gathering, early on. Dirndl Skirt was especially pleased to be meeting Rosy's "Rosebud" and wished that she could meet Rosy, too...

Oh. Just fyi for those who read my last post; I found a dress today! For twelve bucks at a thrift shop. Ivory with a pink and lavendar floral print. Just above ankle length. Fitted in the waist and full in the skirt. Perfect for my rather extreme curves. I'd be happy even if it hadn't been so cheap. And, oh, I am just so glad to be done shopping!

And...I'm too tired for any more stream-of-consciousness right now. Alysa will post pictures (yes, I'm in a couple of them) as will some of the other participants, I'm sure.

Yes. I am, indeed, tired. But it's cool to be filing the first report!

Blessings and well-wishes as ever,

Eva T.