TRADING PLACES

New friend, Sharon, right, who hails from Pendleton but for many years has lived in Liberty.

A few months ago, Sharon Lindsey of Liberty was assigned the task of contacting me about giving the program at the Union County Extension Homemakers’ Jamboree.

We didn’t know each other at all, but we found that we had something unexpected in common: We had traded places.

What resulted is a pen-pal relationship  since then, due largely to that unique fact.

To her, home is Pendleton but she lives, happily, in Liberty.

To me, home is Liberty, but I live, happily, in Pendleton.

We are both interested in the people, events and milestones of one another's hometowns because they are our hometowns too--either in the original or transplanted senses.

Sharon gets her hair done by, and is friends with, my childhood friend, Angie. Some of the names on my Facebook friends roster ring a bell with Sharon from her days growing up in Pendleton.

So when Jamboree evening came, and I pulled into the 4-H building complex, there was one car in the parking lot awaiting my arrival: Sharon’s. We recognized each other right away (not so difficult when mine is the next car that arrives and we’re both smiling from ear to ear). We both got out of our cars and offered each other a hug.

“You look like Pendleton! You smell like Pendleton!” Sharon told me. She meant it in the best of ways.

We chatted and she told me about the table they had awaiting me, all set up with a beautiful white mum for decoration and plenty of space for my books in the room’s prime location. “Do you remember where the fireplace is?” Sharon asked.

“Of course I do!”

I enjoyed my evening with the Union County Extension Homemakers so much. I think I had goosebumps the whole time, reflecting on old stories that happened in the county, town and even right there in that 4-H building. The ladies were receptive in listening to my tales and kind in purchasing books.

The only problem was that, like all good things, it was over far too quickly.

 I look forward to seeing them in November 2016 at their fantastic annual bazaar, always the Saturday before Thanksgiving—with copies of my sequel in hand.

And until then, I’ll keep up with them through my new friend, Sharon.

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