The trof report: Dinner with Ava

[trof]

DU's Own Ava, award winning author of the peacetakescourage.com blog, was the featured speaker at our South Baldwin Democrats' Jefferson-Jackson Dinner last night.
More about that later.

Through the generosity of a friend, I was able to provide overnight accommodations for Ava and her mom in a nearby beach front condo.
Since it was available for the entire week end, they decided to come down Friday evening and enjoy the next day at the beach.
(:-( It rained cats and dogs, but they said they got some much needed rest just hanging out and watching the thunderstorms.)

Miz t. asked if they would be arriving in time for dinner and, if so, would they like to have dinner at our house?
(FYI: Sauteed shrimp, rice pilaf, green beans, spinach-strawberry-pecan salad with raspberry vinaigrette. Turtle pie for dessert.)
Yes, and yes. They'd be delighted.

I was a teeny bit apprehensive. Although I didn't 'know' Ava, I knew a fair amount about her from DU and her website.
But 'mom' was an unknown quantity.
Well, she WAS Ava's mom, so how bad could it be?

They arrived around 6, and after introductions and a few minutes of conversation, it was like we'd known each other for years.
Ava's mom is a warm, intelligent, and fascinating woman, just like her daughter. I call her 'the woman behind the woman'.
It's true that the acorn doesn't fall far from the tree.

We stayed up WAY past my bedtime, talking politics and personal experiences around the dinner table. Miz t. and I haven't had such a fun and interesting evening in a long time. We live in the reddest county in a red state. It is a genuine relief to be able to talk politics and politicians with like minded folks.

It has been said that Ava is wise beyond her years. True.
Sitting next to her and deep in conversation about something or other it struck me that it was like talking to a 45 year old in a 17 year old body.

If you should have the opportunity to meet either of these amazing women, do so by all means.
I'll tell about last night's J-J Dinner in another post.
:-)

[Tuesday Afternoon]

1. this is one of the best meet-up stories that has been my pleasure

to read on here. You and Ave are two DU'ers whom have my utmost respect and affection. I am glad you enjoyed your time together. Thanks for sharing and WHERE are the pictures??

:hi:

[trof]

2. Thanks. Ava's mom took some pix.

Unfortunately I dropped our camera a few months ago and busted it to smithereens.
Maybe Ava will post them when she gets home.
We're having lunch together before they head back.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

4. that is nice...lunch.

Please tell Ava :hi:

[trof]

5. Will do.

Lunch is at friend's house down the street.
They met Ava and her mom at the banquet last night and were captivated.

[NMDemDist2]

3. how nice!

:yourock:

so glad you had fun and were able to show those lovely gals some good southern hospitality

:hi:

[DemoTex]

6. Excellent post, trof!

You might want to cross-post this in G-D. I think the G-D crowd would love news of this meet-up too.

[trof]

10. OK.

[Flaxbee]

7. sounds like a very nice meetup!

I only wish I'd been a fly on the wall, or perhaps even a guest! :P I'm kind of crowd-averse, and I really like meeting people in small groups - the scenario you described seems to me the best way to get to know someone or several someones.

[applegrove]

8. Sounds like a great time all around. Ava sounds like she rocks!

[Haole Girl]

9. Pics?

No pics?

Glad you had a great meet-up!!

:D

[trof]

11. Put them on the road home at 4:30

Lunch at friends' down the street, dessert & coffee at some more friends next door.
And an afternoon of fascinating talk.
Everyone's in love with Ava and her mom.
'Mom' has a name but prefers not to share the limelight with her daughter.

They have open invitation to return and promised to do so.
Damn. What a great week end.
:-)

[GreenPartyVoter]

12. That sounds lovely! But then Ava's just the coolest, so how could it not be? :^)

[Ava]

13. thanks for having us! we both has a blast!

thanks for welcoming us and being so hospitable. we both really had a great weekend.

here are a few pics:

trof, ms. trof, and i after dinner friday night:


trof and i trying to get the video system working saturday night so that the dvd with a few of my videos that i brought could be shown:


where we stayed had an awesome view, and mom and i both actually really loved watching the storm come in over the water:


sorry there are no more photos. we were too busy having a good time to take photos. :)

it was a nice, relaxing, and fun weekend with a little bit of politics thrown in. ;)

[Tuesday Afternoon]

14. Thanks for posting these, Ava. I am so glad that you had a good

time and were able to relax and have fun. :hug: You deserve it! :yourock:

[trof]

15. Nice pic of my butt.

:rofl:

[siligut]

16. I am still mad at you for cloying me into giving you a Frito pie recipe.

However, your post about our marvelous Ava, well, bless you anyway.

And yes, that is a nice picture of your butt.:applause:

[xchrom]

17. sounds wonderful! and the menu delicious.

i can well imagine it was grand to meet such a thoughful person.