Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Kathryn Watson's Networking Secret [Cont.]

High in the Eastern Sierra Mountains of California, the ski resort town of Mammoth Lakes is a great place to visit even if you’re a warm bunny like me. Some people call Mammoth "God's country." Some call it paradise. I call it cold! But Kathryn Watson, aka “The Chieftess,” calls it home.

Kathy has been chronicling the beauty and history of the California Sierras on Mammoth Lakes Daily Photo for about three years. Accompanied by her Golden Retriever Kelly, the Chieftess gets around: to the many lakes in the mountains, to the small, western towns along California’s highway 395, and to her favorite spots, like the ghost town of Bodie. Kathy’s pictures tell of history, hardship, and grace. With each photo she posts a quotation, expressing her connection to it all.

That connection might be surprising, because it hasn't been there long. Kathy's a transplant from the warm, San Gabriel Valley of southern California. Three years ago when her husband took the job as Mammoth Lakes Chief of Police, she went with him and they've quickly made a home there. It's not impossible for Kathy to get back to soCal and see family and friends, though the roads can be impassible in winter. But a five hour drive is not a hop/skip/jump proposition, either.

How do you make friends when you’re new in town? "Join a group," says Kathy. "Volunteer for something that interests you."

It doesn't hurt that she's an extrovert. She's on the board of the Friends of the Library, helping to raise funds for the Mono County Free Library. She's active in Rotary Club, where once or twice a year she joins other members on a trip to build homes for indigent families in Mexico. And she's a docent/tour guide at Mono Lake (if you click no other link, click this one), where she shares her knowledge and love of Mammoth Lakes with visitors.

Another group Kathy joined is the Mammoth Lakes Original Book Club, and that's where I come in. Kathy talked her club into reading my novel, Camelot & Vine, and they invited me to their March 21, 2013 meeting.

A five hour drive? From sun and warmth to the freezing cold? I'd be delighted! Yes, Mammoth Lakes is remote and yes, it's cold. Yet at least one other CDP blogger has visited Kathy there: Bibi (Pat) from A Yankee in Belgrade. (I will never, ever, complain about a five-hour drive.)

I loved my visit, and I especially enjoyed meeting the book club. While the fire glowed in the pellet stove, we ate potluck dinner at the Watsons' big dining table and talked about Camelot & Vine. I felt blessed.

The next day, before I drove back to Pasadena, the Chieftess took me to two more of her favorite spots: The Booky Joint independent bookstore, where she introduced me to the owner, and the Mono County Free Library, where I got to meet the head librarian. Both agreed to consider stocking my book. It’s generous of them, and it was generous of Kathy to introduce me to them.

Kathy Watson knows the secret to networking, which is simple: networking is giving. Being generous of heart and spirit, Kathy's a natural.

17 comments:

  1. Well I"ve networked with you and Kathy and can't wait to get back out there for more fun, laughter, and photos! What a great piece.
    Hugs all around.
    V

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  2. Get on out here, V! It will be good to see you again.

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  3. Great description of the visit!

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  4. What a great 'feel good' story. Lovely!

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  5. Ahhh shucks Petrea!!! Thank you for the kind words!!! It was fun to have you visit, and to be a part of the book club party!!!

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  6. Oh...and by the way...for all you bloggers out there...if you're in the mood for a really fun read...pick up a copy of Camelot and Vine...you'll love it!!!

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  7. Wonderful story, thanks for sharing :)

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  8. Bloggers are saving the world, one blogger at a time!

    Well, maybe we're just keeping worldwide relations as good as we can get them. At least Kathy is.

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  9. How heartwarming to read about such wonderful people, and I love the pictures, such beauty!
    Thank you for sharing the story,
    Merisi

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  10. Fantastic story! We get to meet such interesting people in the blogging world. Thanks for sharing this encounter.

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  11. Thanks to all of you for keeping this article alive too, it's nice to see some activity!
    Peter

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  12. A real insight into a person and their region- fascinating!

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  13. Thanks, y'all. When you visit a CDP blogger, take some pictures and write about it!

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  14. Indeed, Petrea. That is just what Peter and I have been discussing for the last 48 hours: how to harness the interactions that we KNOW occur.

    For example, I know that Bibi [Pat] will be in Washington State soon, so I will try to email her and get her interested. She also asked me about bloggers in India. I will follow it up with her.

    I know that VJ has just been to Paris, so I fluffed that one.

    Peter, himself, is about to fly over to London and Paris for his canal-living, and he is hoping to meet with a few bloggers and, with their permission, write their story.

    City Daily Photo is not just a board for whacking your photography URL. It is a community of people with similar interests.

    How say you all?

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  15. I don't know if we have similar interests--photography, yes, but I have no idea what else. Visiting is a good way to find out.

    Not everyone feels comfortable writing an article, but I would encourage a photo of everyone together, and a few notes about where they met and what they did.

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  16. Wonderful post you two, it really is a small world when you begin to meet fellow bloggers from around the world..

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Actually, it will probably be first on Facebook, or Twitter, or maybe you'll hear about it from the nice old guy next door. Whatever the case, if you have news to share, how about sharing it with us, so we can share it with everyone and actually make these pages useful?

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