Lake Atitlan, Panajachel, Guatemala

Sunday, July 9, 2017

My Good Old-Fashioned Blogging Style

In many areas, I've tried to move with the times. Like my mother before me, I want to keep on learning, growing in interest and curiousity about the world and what's going on there. But I think where this blog is concerned, nothing significant will change. I really don't want it to.

When my husband and I owned a home with lawn and gardens, I'd go outdoors to pull weeds, plant flowers, shrubs or trees, water, tend to my vegetables. These close to the earth activities would calm my soul as I connected with the natural cycle of life.

But now we live in an apartment and my only garden is a pot of basil on the patio. I'm okay with that. Neither of us want the responsibility of home ownership right now. We relish the freedom of knowing we can leave the country for years if we want, without worrying about a house. Or maybe just leave for a long weekend, with no weeds taking over while we're gone.

I rather enjoy the fact that blogging the way I do has become a relic of sorts. All the rage, the big new thing a decade or so ago, many were started then abandoned for the ease of other social media. I use Facebook, Twitter, Instagram-- they're fast and easy but not as comforting as the good 'ol blog. It's like my big untended garden.

 I'll come back to it when I feel like things are moving too fast and furious everywhere else. And the old-fashioned blog awaits. Here I can ramble on and putter around and say hello to the neighbors who pass by.

I'm not at all interested in adding links or ads or "making money with my blog!!!" or getting listed anywhere up and coming or being relevant. I don't plan on changing a thing. I quite prefer my out-dated, go nowhere blogging style, thank you very much.

And thanks for stopping by, neighbor. I made cookies, help yourself!


28 comments:

  1. Thanks for the cookie!
    Like you, I find comfort and friendship in blogging. Other forms seem so impersonal. I don't blog as often as I did in the beginning, but I'm still enjoying it.

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  2. I've never been tempted by the instant and fleeting gratification of newer social media. If I have something to say, I want to take time to say it properly. Very Ent-ish :) However I also don't blog as much as I used to and many blogs I used to follow have fallen into disuse, which is rather sad. Continuing your metaphor of neighbors passing by, it feels like a neighborhood where many of the houses are now boarded up and empty.

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    1. Botanist, Here's another strange thing I've noticed-- some of the blogs I regularly visit have dismantled the comment feature. It seems weird to read the post and have no option to post a response. Comments from readers are the best part. I wonder why this has become a trend?

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  3. After several years away, I'm finally destressed enough to get back into the game. I'm not fancy either, no links, nothing to buy, no ads. I still adhere to the old web-log idea, a place for me to write my thoughts on ...writing.

    I envy your view. I had one of those once. Maybe someday I'll make enough money from writing to get it back.

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    1. Hi Anne, I love that about your blog. No matter how long between your posts, I know I can find the same "view" from your blog and the same voice in your posts. I never tire of reading your thoughts on life and writing. I'm glad you're back in the game. Although like most of us, not posting as often as in the "old days."

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  4. It's your blog - good to know you are resisting all pressures and doing it your way.

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    1. Jo, Yeah I've managed to ignore all the advice and just keep doing the same thing the same way lol. It's how I like it, and so I've decided not to feel guilty about it, or like I'm somehow fallen behind the trends.

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  5. I've been at it for 12 years now. I'll drift and then come back. I at least remember to check it every day which is more than I can say about my Facebook account. LOL

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  6. Hi Karen - well I'm with you ...simple and easy, with nothing fancy ... it's good to know you're around and you'll putter in and out as you so desire ... take care and enjoy being home for a while ... cheers Hilary

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  7. yes, blogging feels more like a conversation, less like a race.

    Your cookies look delicious. I'm still learning how to bake at our super high altitude and nothing is looking that good.

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    1. "more like a conversation, less like a race"-- so well put! Sometimes social media does feel like that, and life goes fast enough without the added pressure to do more, go faster, scroll faster....

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  8. I may want to blog a little less, but I still adore my blog. And the blogging community is great!

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    1. Hi Chrys, I'm actually glad that people are posting less often these days, as it gives me more time to get around to visit. Back when the trend was posting several times a week it was tough to keep up.

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  9. I love a good ol' fashioned blog myself. It's more like sitting down for coffee with a friend. The other things--though fun--are more like passing someone in the hall for a quick hello.

    And thanks for the cookie!

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    1. H.R., Have you noticed though that several formerly conversational blogs have disabled the comments feature? That makes me so sad! It's like wanting to sit down with your friend but the table and chair are missing!

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    2. I wanted to chime in on this subject. I don't understand why people do that, and I really don't like it. To me, it is greatly at odds with the whole premise of blogging.

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  10. I'm with you on this, sister! To me, blog posts are like real letters and the other sites you mentioned are telegrams. {Speaking about dated; I wonder how many young'uns know telegrams except as relics from old movies.}

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  11. I know what you mean about blogging. I've been blogging for seven years now, and I've thought about quitting a few times (particularly when I don't have anything to blog about). But I like the community of bloggers that support and encourage each other; it's nice to be a part of that.

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  12. My blogging enthusiasm comes and goes. It's better now that I only have one blog, and I don't post but a couple of times a month. I have a ton of posts ready, but just can't seem to pull the trigger. As to the other stuff, I don't even have texting enabled on my phone. I want NO part of that.

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  13. Dear Karen, like you I enjoy blogging just the way I always have. I took a two-year recess, but when I came back I quickly realized how much I'd missed the friends I'd made over the three-four years I had blogged regularly. I know that if I decide to self-publish I'm going to need to know how to use social media--Facebook, etc. My niece Linda is going to give me a tutorial in that sometime this summer, but I think I'll stick with the blog because of the friends who, as you say, stop by for a visit.

    Thanks for the cookies!!!!! I took more than one because I think you must have baked around 12 dozen! Peace.

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    1. Dee, It's so nice to see you back. I need to get over to your site and see what you're up to. I sure did enjoy your cat book!

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    2. Dear Karen, thanks so much for saying you enjoyed Dulcy's book. I don't know if you're aware that she has two books: "A Cat's Life" and "A Cat's Legacy." I'm writing another cat book right this year. Peace.

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  14. I like this old blogging too. I was all excited when I looked up the other day and realised I've been blogging steadily for ten years. Such a great little community!

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  15. Good grief! Cookies indeed.

    " I quite prefer my out-dated, go nowhere blogging style, thank you very much." My philosophy, exactly.

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  16. Thanks for the cookies. ;)

    I love blogging. Social media has its place, but each blog forms its own community. I love that.

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  17. I also love blogging, but I have had to take a step back and decide what I wanted to do with it, because over the past year, my updates have slowed to a trickle.

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  18. I was all excited when I looked up the other day and realised I've been blogging steadily for ten years. Such a great little community!


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