Thank you, Dennis Lane

It’s been over a year since the Blogfather, as I like to call him, Dennis Lane was killed. His death rocked the Howard County community and bloggers who knew Dennis united in their blog tributes to him.

I often think of Dennis, or Wordbones, as was his blogging moniker, because he was a ‘connector’. In both life and death, Dennis has provided me with all sorts of connections, but particularly with my now very, very good friends here in Howard County.

When I met Dennis to be on his podcast (video above) called ‘And Then There’s That‘, which he ran from the Columbia Mall, he came across as an intelligent, bright, cheery spark with a twinkle in his eye and a host of opinions on topics both local and national. It was then that he said to me, ‘You must meet Tom Coale, haven’t you met him yet?!’ And so I did meet Tom, and his wife Nicole, and we are now the very best of friends thanks to Dennis.

My chums, Tom and Nicole

When Dennis passed three months later I attended the moving, funny and touching memorial service for him at the Merriweather Post Pavilion. A few days after the event I received a message from a local guy called Andrew, who also knew Dennis and had been at the service too, but felt it was not the right place to introduce himself.

Andrew had been reading my blog for a while and wanted to meet up to chat. So, being the curious type I met him. And it would be a blatant lie if I did not admit that that was one of the best decisions I ever made, because Andrew and I are the bestest buddies ever (in fact, people think we’re married!) and through him I met the other #hocohomos, who welcomed me with open arms and a full glass of wine into their fun, lively and fantastic world here in Howard County.

Fun with the #hocohomos

So, thank you Dennis, for your your connections and networks because they have made my life a brilliant one here in the USA. Your memory and legacy continue.

New Orleans weekend

Whoop, whoop! Call us mad, call us crazy, call us silly British fools, but we’re heading to sweaty, swampy and steamy New Orleans for the weekend, just me and hubby!

I have wanted to visit this part of the USA for a while, and whilst some people take much pleasure in telling me how dangerous, dirty and seedy it is, others revel in the fun, frivolity and history of the area.

The city

So, let’s see what I make of it whilst I’m partaking in a cocktail walking tour of Bourbon Street, watching a burlesque cabaret show, attending a Gospel Brunch, taking a steamboat down the Mississippi, eating amazing local food, and touring the historical French Quarter and the plantations.

I’m also interested in seeing how the city is coping after Hurricane Katrina, because I hear it is still suffering from the havoc it wreaked and I’m planning on going volunteering in this area to help rebuild houses next year. I’m sure it will all be an eye-opener.

Down the Mississippi

See you after the weekend! 🙂