Monday, June 24, 2013

The Blue Glass Box

As the crow flies, she traveled about 5,363 miles to get here.  Of course, we all know that airline travel is never really "as the crow flies".

The trip from Turku, Finland to San Francisco, California took almost 24 hours.  

I met Ziva several years ago when I discovered her blog, "Ziva's Inferno". I was dazzled by her intellect and her writing talent.  Ziva has almost a magical quality to her rhetoric as well as a wicked sense of humor.  She's sophisticated, witty, and sometimes a little bit naughty.  What's not to like!

I knew Ziva's (then) partner "M" traveled to the US on business once in a while, and I begged Ziva to make the trip with him.

I was thrilled and shocked when I got an email from Ziva saying she would be in San Francisco a couple of days ago.  We set a date for Sunday evening to have dinner.  Alex and I both decided to bring Ziva and M here to our home, rather than just meeting them in the City at a Bistro.  (When I'm traveling, I get very tired of dining out and long for something "home cooked".)  Alex decided he would make his famous Shrimp Creole for dinner and I would contribute a wilted spinach salad.  (And, of course, chocolate torte for dessert!)

We drove to the City to pick Ziva and M up at their downtown hotel.  They were waiting for us out front when we arrived.  I was thrilled to finally meet this gorgeous young woman and her now husband M.  By the way, they are both exquisitely beautiful and they make a perfect couple!  M is auburn haired with sparkly eyes and a wonderful smile.  Ziva has almost waist -ength shiny tresses and looks like a movie star with a smile that makes your heart lurch!  Wow! 

Before I met Ziva, I never really thought about Finland one way or the other.  Now I'm wondering how soon I could get there!  We had a fantastic evening and the dinner was lovely.  I was delighted that both Ziva and M are 'dog friendly' and Zoe had an almost pathological penchant for Ziva.  We had to push Zoe away several times to keep her from showing so much sloppy affection to Ziva.

Unfortunately, the evening had to come to a close much too early.  Alex had to work this morning so we took Ziva and M back to their hotel about 9:30 so that Alex could get some sleep.  Before they left, Ziva gave me a gorgeous blue glass box.  It really is a special piece.  I knew immediately that I wanted to put my pearls in that gorgeous blue box.  Now I have one place to go for two of my most precious "things".

Not to be remiss, I must add that Ziva and M also brought us little boxes of wonderful Finnish candy.  Now, I had heard from a number of well respected sources that this Fin candy was "different".  I actually liked it!

After leaving the couple off at their hotel, I had tears in my eyes.  I hate it when people I love leave me.  I know they'll be back one day, but it hurts none the less.  We had given M a bobble head doll of Ryan Vogelsong (a San Francisco Giant's pitcher), and a big plastic bag of plums that had just been picked off our plum tree.  I wish I could have given them the ability to stay with us for a longer time.

Alas, with Ziva, a longer time would never be enough.  She's the kind of girl you can never let go of completely.  The glow of her is still in my heart and always will be.

36 comments:

  1. How delightful that you got to meet the Divine Ms. Z! When bloggers meet, you never know what will happen!

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  2. Oh honey, I'm so touched by this. i miss you and Alex and Zoe and Harry already! I want to adopt all of you and bring you home with me. Thank you so much for having us over and treating us like royalty. I am privileged and lucky to have met you, and one day, we shall meet again, beautiful Linda.

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  3. She is really something! I love her.

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  4. I am so excited (and sad) for you. You got to meet Ziva and then had to part with her. :(

    Also...did she forbid photos??? I was hoping to see this beautiful person.

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  5. I have plastered photos all over FB, Margaret! Don't be tardy to the party!

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  6. That's so nice! I need to connect with my blog friends in the same way! If I'm ever in San Francisco, I'm looking you up!

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  7. http://ladyfi.wordpress.comJune 25, 2013 at 3:31 AM

    Ziva sounds adorable! And what a lovely blue box.

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  8. An almost pathological penchant for Ziva? I can identify with that dog. The rest of Ziva's blogger buddies are so jealous of you, Linda. Lucky you.

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  9. Dufus is right! We are all insanely jealous of you! Which leads me to the insane thought that you could just be posting pictures of any young couple and bragging that it is the famous Ziva and M. We wouldn't know and could all be dying inside at the thought of you spending time with them.
    Plus, if that is gorgeous Ziva and her gorgeous hubby, she can give up all claims to Johnny Depp - he is mine alone, now.
    Okay, I'm a tiny bit bitter...but oh so happy for you Linda! You are such an amazing hostess!!!

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  10. The blog world is amazing. I have met amazing people (you being one of them). I feel as though I have such an extended family. How lucky Ziva was to spend time with you... just a titch jealous, but happy you both got to finally meet. One day it will be our turn.

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  11. Nubian, I am sure you will come to the SF area in the next year. And I'm really looking forward to spending time with you!

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  12. Ziva has nothing to fear from Angelina Jolie and M has nothing to fear from Brad Pitt. Angie and Brad can't hold a candle next to Ziva and M. They are both heartbreakingly beautiful and their goodness and sweetness shines from them like a beacon.

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  13. Now, Dufus, the San Francisco Bay Area has some of the greatest golf courses around. You have had an open invitation for years. Grab Mrs. D and come on down.

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  14. Cheryl, they are both such delightful people. They are so smart and so charming and so lovely it breaks my heart not to have them closer!

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  15. Ziva is such a lovely young woman. I quite adore her! M is gorgeous and adorable as well. It was such a pleasure having them and I adore that blue box!

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  16. If you are in the neighborhood, I'd love to meet you!

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  17. I know, Cheryl. I simply adored both of them.

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  18. So glad you got to meet Ziva and her husband in person. Sounds like a lovely evening.

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  19. Jeanie, they are both just stunning young people! I adore them!

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  20. I want to warn you that if you keep posting menus like the one above that I'll show up on your doorstep too. But unlike Ziva I won't go away! :)

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  21. Nora, you can turn up at my doorstop any day! We would love having you! And you don't have to go away. You can be my sister wife.

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  22. I knew I missed out on a great time when my trip to San Fran was cancelled last year. Our dinners in AZ were great but I'm holding out for Alex's cooking (although I'm allergic to shrimp - I know he'll come through with something.) However, I am glad you and Ziva got together.

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  23. I'll take you up on either of those next time I'm out there. And, yes, I do need to count caloriies

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  24. Yeah, you can count the calories, but you can also laugh. If you weighted 25 pounds more, you'd still be a slim young thing!

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  25. What a wonderful evening that must have been. There are so many people I would love to meet in person. And I love shrimp creole. I understand your feelings. When we meet up with someone we have a rapport with, it is sad when we have to part.

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  26. I just adore Ziva and M too. They are darling, beautiful, funny and talented young people. Such fun to meet them at least for an evening!

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  27. And I know they fell in love with you and Alex, too!

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  28. I am so happy you and Ziva had the chance to meet up in real life.

    And I LOVED every single photo you guys posted on Facebook during the visit!

    Also, that blue box is stunning!

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  29. How lovely for the opportunity to meet special blog friends!

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  30. They are so darling! I adored both of them. And I love the blue glass box!

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  31. The box is a real treasure, Meleah. And I so wish you could have met them. You would have loved them too!

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  32. I am jealous of all the bloggers you seem to meet. I still haven't met any other. And it sounds like you had a great meeting with Ziva, which is absolutely awesome!

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  33. Ziva is a woman you never forget! Truly special!

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