happy anniversary to us
A year ago yesterday, Jude, her son Nathan and I sat at this very computer,
and Nathan pressed the “Publish” command on my first post to launch this
blog. I posted daily (except when I had my hand surgery) until April 30th,
then cut back to twice a week.
Spring projects were looming large and I had presented much of my back story,
so I thought it best not to burn out. In my research on blogging, I discovered
that most bloggers quit within a year. I decided to commit to a year and then
re-evaluate.
Yesterday as I bustled around Campbell River on the mainland, I did, in fact,
think it over. But I already knew my decision. Now that I’m starting to find
my “voice”, I very much want to keep blogging.
As a long-time writer with patchy success, I welcome the discipline of on-
going production. It keeps my writing muscle toned, which has helped me
with some other projects. It has also proven a great way to stay in contact
with family, old friends and neighbours, a satisfying alternative to the mixed
blessings of Facebook. And it’s reconnected me with other folks from my
past, like ex-classmate Charlotte.
The experience has linked me to skilled bloggers like Kate, Brainie/Blondi,
Tiffany and my mentor Kathy. Thanks for a free year of advice, Coach. The
most serendipitous reward, though, has been making so many new friends,
like Beth, Rosie, Beanie, kris, Joan and others my calcifying brain is not
supplying.
I don’t have an image of my “average” reader. I’ve never met an average
person. But when I sit down to post, I imagine that I’m sitting down with
a friend, being careful not to mention your rectangular face, because I know
how sensitive you are about it.
As we share a digital cup of coffee or a cyber beer, I try to amuse you with a
story about the farm — or some arcane, generally useless trivia — or just some
silly shit. Because I know without consulting CNN that it sucks a little bit
more out there today.
So dawdle here a bit. I hope I can help you head out the door with a smile.
Comments are closed.
Anchor Struck 
Congratulations! Before you know it you’ll be a 12-year veteran like myself!!!
Hooray for manking it to one year. I really enjoy your stories, and I am so glad that you are planning to stick around!
A year already. Happy Anniversary to us! I wish I had internet acess to blog every day because I would. I enjoy the stories and bits and peices of what people are doing in their lives.
here is a bit of what I did today. It has come time for me to apply for my diability. I spent 2 hours in the interview and I have ny fingers crossed that I get it.
I will ask my kids the names of those books. They were neat.
I’m so glad that you started blogging. It’s so nice to see how my old friend, Jude, is doing – and that she ended up with someone like you! xox
Congratulations! Blogging is a nice diversion…it keeps me out of trouble and off the streets:)
Congratulations! Glad to hear you are going to continue. I enjoy reading and learning about your world. Hope the next year is just as fun.
Thank you all very much, ladies. I have every reason to believe Year Two will be even more fun.
Allen, I’ve read every word over the past year and I would miss you greatly if you stopped writing. I wrote religiously for a long time but my path took me onto other projects temporarily. So if this has been a one way street I sincerely apologize but I have sincerely enjoyed the company!
I really appreciate the support, Diane. No apologies necessary. I hope that your path takes you to fascinating places and that you’ll find the time to write again.
Hey, Allen,
Thanks for giving Blondi and me a mention. I love your writing and am glad you will be continuing. We also reached the one-year anniversary and I decided not to write online for a while, as you may have seen on the site. I’m not finished with the online community, but I want to start a new website. For the moment, I’m just letting my ideas mellow, “sitting on the egg” waiting to see what will hatch.
I hope you like my chicken analogy, you being a chicken-grower and all that.
Cheers,
Julie (formerly known as Brainie)
Julie, I know your new venture will be worth reading. Please let me know when it launches. Stay with the chicken analogy. They are some tough ladies. They just survived an 11-day stretch of sub-zero nights (including a -12) and gave us eggs every day.