By Mandy Feder
I sent Jackie a birthday wish on Facebook.
She replied, “Since we”re both on the West Coast now, we should get together for a glass of red wine.”
I wrote back letting her know that we have great wine in Lake County and that the annual Wine Adventure was coming up soon.
Before I knew it she had a plane ticket and we had a plan.
We hadn”t seen each other in 27 years, but we exchanged notes whenever time allowed.
We wrote back and forth, I posed questions such as: Are you allergic to dogs or cats? Are there any types of food you favor, dislike or are allergic to? I asked if she wanted to go to a concert or if she preferred to get more sleep. Did she want to go out on the lake, hike or participate in other types of activities?
It hadn”t occurred to me before, but I realized then, I did not know her and I got nervous.
I admitted to her that I worried if she would like me as an adult. She said she was sure she would.
When we were in high school we enjoyed sleepover parties — laughing until we cried. I can”t recall what we found so funny, but I remember the laughter vividly.
Now she”s a college professor in Walla Walla, Wash., an expert in the fields of military history and multicultural studies.
She”s traveled the world doing research. I was so excited to hear about all of it.
I heard her voice for the first time in more than a quarter-century while on my way to pick her up at the Sacramento Airport.
She sounded like Jackie. I think I smiled the whole drive there. When I met her at the airport, she looked like the person I remembered.
We conversed freely about everything, all the way back to Lake County.
Not in chronological order, but we caught up on college, family, friends and careers.
We reminisced about the old days and then talked about the present — ideas, books and even some politics, but not much.
She told me I was her father”s favorite of all her friends. I never knew that. I told her I used to love to listen to him talk.
I remember that he had the most soothing, relaxing voice.
She transformed from a one-dimensional Facebook friend to a three-dimensional human friend, as friends should be.
It was a wonderful weekend for me, because I have an old/new friend.
It was also good for the county, because she tasted and purchased wine. She said she would definitely come back to Lake County.
When she returned home to Walla Walla, she shared a Facebook post about the trip and other people from all over the world commented and asked questions.
Word-of-mouth is powerful.
While Jackie and I went from winery to winery, with our lovely designated driver, Diane, we spoke with so many people who came from other counties, states and even other countries.
We watched as they loaded bottles and cases of Lake County wines to take home with them.
The weekend spoke volumes about the quality of the wines as well as the quality of the hosts and attendees.
It was refreshing to hear the complimentary comments about the county, the scenic atmosphere and the genuinely kind nature of the residents. It afforded me the opportunity to see Lake County through their eyes.
I didn”t overhear anything about algae, weeds, addicts or even the roads.
I did hear about obsidian, Bald Eagles, pelicans, great big bass, delicious goat cheese, delightful organic appetizers, delectable wines, serene settings, breathtaking views, plump pears, wonderful walnuts, golden California history and the diversity of the towns and cities that surround the lake.
I watched people dance, celebrate and absorb all that is good here.
If you get a chance, step back for a minute and try to recall what brought you to Lake County or made you want to stay here and make it your home.
I know that having an old-fashioned, stay-up-all-night-laughing sleepover party and showing my friend around revitalized my love for Lake County.
Of course it didn”t hurt that we had great wine either.
Mandy Feder is the Record-Bee managing editor. She can be reached at mandyfeder@yahoo.com or 263-5636 ext. 32.
