21 Jump Street...Almost!

Back in the day when you were still dating, did you ever have a friend, cousin...or even your well-meaning mother...do a "fix-up" for you?

And didn't they always swear up and down, he/she was perfect for you?

And didn't they always guilt you into going when you said "thanks, but no thanks" by crying if you didn't go...they couldn't go?

And didn't you always cave...even when you knew better...and agree to go anyway...hoping against hope for Captain Jack Sparrow?

And ending up instead with Captain Underpants?

Yeah...I  thought so!

Happened to the best of us!

(For the record...I once spent an entire evening perched on the roof of a '55 Chevy while at the drive-in with my so-called perfect match!  I shall forever remember him fondly as Sir Handsalot...and I'm still not speaking to my cousin for thinking that troll was my anybody's perfect date!)

(Photos courtesy of La LuLu and friend Sherry!)

Such was the case just recently when I was contacted by someone I had "met" through a mutual blogging friend.

This new friend was going to be in Texas for an art retreat and e-mailed to ask if there was a way we could possibly meet.  She was going to be at Canton so I suggested we meet at W&T's...and our blind date was set in ink!

Gotta tell y'all...I was as nervous as a bride on her honeymoon about meeting this lady for the first time.  For one thing...she's gorgeous and for another...you know how it is.  People aren't always exactly the same as they appear on a monitor.

In fact...let's talk real here y'all. 

We all tend to hide our faults and put our best "face" out there...moi included...right?

Who'll know the difference...right?  That is until we step outta the boat and meet someone we admire face-to-face!

So I was a little worried that either she...or I...would be disappointed with the "warts and all" first howdy-do!    

Arriving at Winnie and Tulula's, I was greeted by these mavens of madcap marauding, mischief, and mayhem.  It was a lucky day indeed for to me to meet this bevy of beautiful bloggers...but the high light of my day... 

was meeting La LuLu!

I tell y'all...I was gobsmacked!

La LuLu is everything you read on her blog...and more!  She's delightful, insightful, and...

oh gosh...what's another 'ful word to describe her?  Forget it...there just aren't words enough!  She is the person you visit when you pop in...nothing phony or contrived or warty....and I love her!

All I can say is...she was my perfect mystery date.  We sat, talked, laughed, cried...and talked some more!  Talking was more like catching up with a long lost friend 'cause I felt as if I'd known her forever....an instant connection...a bonding.  I truly hated for the afternoon to end, but smiled out loud at the thought of it all the way home!

(Are you reading this Cousin EX?  This is the kind of personality you shoulda fixed me up with!  Certainly not that guy who thought if a little Hai Karate good...whole bottle even better!  "Be careful how you use it"?  Yeah right...someone forgot to tell him to read the little manual that came with each and every bottle...assuming he could read!)

(Photo of Junke & Disorderly Sale courtesy of Margo!)

Let me tell y'all...if you've never visited W&T's...you might want to think twice about getting yourself in there...PDQ.  You never know what kind of treasures you'll take away...maybe even some warm memories that will last you me a lifetime!

Psst!  FYI...also you'll never know who's loitering just around the corner in the alley either!  Captains of industry...or

Captain America!