When I joined an online writing group last year, I had no idea what to expect. I had read horror stories from some other groups. I knew as a social person I would do well if I could connect with other positive people who were engaged in the same activity. I took a deep breath and posted an introductory note, hoping I was not making a mistake.
Tonia was the first to welcome me, to say hello and reach out with support. She does this consistently for new members. If I have questions, or need to share a moment of joy, Tonia is always there. Whenever group members are struggling, she is the voice of reason and encouragement. Tonia is honest but never malicious. Earlier this year, when I was overwhelmed by the positive response to one of my posts, Tonia sent me a note I now have taped to my screen. Writing is not about numbers; it’s about heart. The message keeps me grounded, and has helped me focus many times.
Tonia’s blog, The Vast and Inscrutable Imponderabilities of Life, is full of wit and honest observations about the wonder of life. Like many bloggers, Tonia is participating in the A to Z Challenge this month. She graciously offered me an opportunity to write a guest post. I asked for the letter “T.” My post on the Tasmanian devil appeared on her blog yesterday. If you are interested, you can read it by clicking this link. While you are there, please visit her other pages. Read her exquisitely written prose, and admire her gorgeous photography.
In the post I mention a photo from my days as an exchange student. I did not provide that photo for Tonia’s post, and of course another amazing writing friend commented on the lack of said photo. So, for Roslynn, here is the photo of me as an exchange student twenty five years ago holding a Tasmanian devil.

Very cool
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Thank you for stopping by today!
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I had those glasses, too, or at least ones very much like them! 😉
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I think if we’re honest, we all had those glasses! There’s a reason I didn’t send that photo to Tonia for the post!
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Cute! The devil and the glasses 😉 I’m sure I had a pair like that too… in the eighties just about everything had to be big!
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Yes. At least you are all spared from the left over perm frizz, which I had cut right before this photo was taken!
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LOVE the glasses (just saw my cousin’s wife-to-be in a #TBT photo from 1982; same glasses…) and love the Tasmanian Devil (what a cute little thing!!). But what I absolutely love more than anything else about this photo is the cute hair… NO!!! I mean, what I absolutely love more than anything else about this photo is your adorable smile! So much life. So much joy. Forget about the glasses. The smile and the radiance. That’s what makes this photo so wonderful.
Thanks for having the guts to get past the glasses! I had large, plastic aviators, too.
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Thank you Dave! When I was looking at photos from my recent trip I noticed the same smile. The contrast between the joy and happiness I felt to what I immediately came home to was shocking. Things are better, but that big smile is present in all of my Australia photos, from every trip.
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We all had BIG glasses, and sometimes big hair! I too love the big smile.
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Thank you! Yes, big was in then!
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We *did* have those glasses, all of us! (Some of us for longer than we’d care to admit.) And you are ADORABLE! You upstage the little Taz, I can tell you! 🙂
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Oh, thank you my friend. It was many years ago, before I realized my smile could be a weapon to break down others’ hesitations to approach a cute chick in a chair 🙂
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It’s the smile *and* the genuine openness that can be read in your eyes.
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That is such a cute picture I feel robbed!! Much cuter than the Tasmanian Devil. Much enjoyed your fun and thoughtful post.
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But the post was about the Tasmanian devil, not me. And you always share such great images. I couldn’t give you that grainy old thing 🙂
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I wouldn’t have hesitated to share that pic, it’s so cute! And add me to the list….I also had those glasses…….
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So, we ALL had those glasses 🙂 Imagine what we’ll all say 25 years from now….
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