I often think the bloggers don't realize how important their blog is to some of their followers. Certainly blogs on my reading list quietly disappear at a discouraging rate. So I want to write a post or two on how much blogs that I follow mean to me. I can't possibly mention more than a few of the dozens I follow, so please don't be disappointed if yours isn't mentioned.
Now that I'm in a wheelchair, this has become enormously more important to me. I expect that reading blogs will be a real lifeline when I can't get out and do some of these things myself.
Perhaps my favourit is Al, who writes 'Travel with the Bayfield Bunch', and it's because Al likes to do things that I enjoy, like going for a drive in the country. There aren't many of his posts that don't feature some cows, birds, forest trails or farm fields. I look forward to it every day.
Patsy's blog, 'Chillin' with Patsy' is a daily journal about what they've doing. I guess it's mostly ordinary stuff, but based on a rural country property where they park their 5th wheel for 6 months a year, I can really relate to it. And her husband Bill builds and flies model airplanes - not something I will ever do, but a fascinating hobby.
Further away is DJan, who writes 'DJan-ity'. Based in Bellingham in the Pacific Northwest, DJan was sky-diving well into her seventies. Now she's replaced that hobby with hiking in the mountains, another thing I'd like to do more of.
As a final example, Jaqueline Donnelly writes 'Saratoga woods and waterways'. Jaqueline is a serious botanist, and writes about what she finds exploring forest trails, lakes and rivers near her home in New York State. Perhaps the most specialized of these 4 blogs I've mentioned, but one I
really enjoy and almost always learn something from.
The point is not these particular blogs, but how much I enjoy them. Reading them means a lot to me, and in the future will mean even more. Each provides a taste of the outdoors that I like. So bloggers, don't ever think your writing is not worthwhile, because it is. I get outdoors vicariously through your stories.
I seem to be fizzling out on interesting subject matter but I keep on blogging. I look at my comments and they are slim to none but then my stats show I have 60 or more people checking in each day. As long as I know that they are reading, I will be writing. I feel badly that there isn’t more that I can do to help my blogger friends when things happen like they do to them, but I do want to stick around and recognize once in a while that I am watching and reading. Do take care and do be encouraged that bloggers do care about other bloggers.
ReplyDeleteLike L.D., I sometimes find it hard to write about something new. Also like L.D., I keep writing even though it isn't as frequent. One thing I enjoy about reading other people's blogs is finding new people to follow. I just checked out DJan's blog and started following her. Our part-time home is in Bellingham so it's interesting to read about a place I know, and to find new spots to explore. Keep reading, and writing. It's good for all of us. - Margy
ReplyDeleteThanks for the shout-out, FG. I have enjoyed writing and reading blogs for a decade now, and I wonder what my life would be like if I didn't have that outlet. I have looked forward to yours ever since I discovered it. I'm glad you're keeping up and will be writing about your transition into another phase of your life once you get home. :-)
ReplyDeleteI read DJan too she is my lifeline to hiking and beautiful views of her mountains..plus that she is a really nice lady!:)
ReplyDeleteHello F.G. To me, the blogs I follow here and the friends I have on Facebook are so important to me, and I do understand how you can live life through the words and photos from others. For some years, I was disabled, almost a cripple, spinal surgery was not a success, I could not walk to collect the mail, and when I look back now, a laptop, a blog, and others to read would have saved me from so many very lonely days. I could not drive, struggled to get dressed or do normal things at home. Read on,and watch for my Friday post with what will be , we hope, some exciting news. You will maybe have a good idea of what it might be, if I tentatively say, " You and Mrs F.G. have followed this path just a few months ago"!!! Not saying anything too public until the final OK is done. meantime, as you say, Live Vicariously. Fond greetings to you both.
ReplyDeleteGlad the internet is serving a good purpose for you. Sometimes it seems like it spreads so much misinformation that I feel discouraged. It has so much potential and no doubt has helped people learn many things. Keep on finding things to enjoy!
ReplyDeleteSo nice that you enjoy reading blogs , there is so many out there and each one has their own style. Hope it helps you look through our eyes and enjoy more of this great world around us.
ReplyDeleteWhen I first came across your blog a few years ago Stew I saw that you and I had much in common with our mutual love of nature and the outdoors. We liked photographing some of the same things like old barns, animals, and birds, etc. Previous commenter L.D. said, 'Bloggers do care about other Bloggers' and I have found this to be very true in the blogging community. We Bloggers have a habit of sticking together when the chips are down and are known to often reach out and help in our own unique blogging ways. In a world seemingly gone mad in so many areas it is refreshing to read the simple down to Earth honesty found in so many of our fellow Blogger's posts. Glad to have you in the blogging world Stew, you are a natural fit and a definite inspirational asset to all of us. Thank you for your kind words regarding my blog. It is folks like you who keep folks like me going.
ReplyDeleteYou've described my blog perfectly, everyday, ordinary living but I'm so pleased you enjoy the outdoor stories even though I often think they may be humdrum to readers.
ReplyDeleteWe all have a few very special blogs to read and don't miss reading them daily. Your blog has always been one of mine since I found it and meeting you cemented the bond. We all seem to have stories to tell and I really enjoy putting words to paper. Thank you for reading it and even more for the nice shout out.
You are so right, I enjoy reading all the blogs I follow. I feel like I can travel the world without leaving my home. Happy Monday, enjoy your day and new week ahead!
ReplyDeleteIt's good to hear that you enjoy reading our blog posts -- I intend to keep going with In Forest and Field as long as I can walk in the woods -- and maybe longer. Unfortunately, many of the blogs I've followed have either slowly faded away or stopped suddenly and it's hard to find any new blogs that may have started up. Perhaps some of those bloggers have switched to facebook, an operation I've avoided on principle, but I may have to put principle aside and join facebook (under a nom de plume of course).
ReplyDeleteIt's hard writing things that interest everyone especially when sitting still. Personally I would rather have the wheels turning.
ReplyDeleteIn the past many Bloggers have wondered if it was all worth the effort and my response has always been that people in positions that you are now facing, live through our Blogs.
With the our travels ramping up soon I will hope to find something to catch your attention.
Be Safe and Enjoy!
It's about time.
I've 'met' so many people through blogging and enjoy reading their blogs. I just can't imagine not blogging.
ReplyDeleteI to enjoy all kinds of blogs as it is a window into others areas that I may never be able to get to and to me it's like traveling the world in the comfort from your home and screen . I have found many blogs I enjoy following for many different reasons . I myself do not travel and really don't go very many places as that part of life is on hold for us as hubs still works outside of the home and I am retired kind of hard to have one retired and one not yet but when he does retire I hope we can get out there enjoy and share as much as possible as we both enjoy our photography and sharing it through my blog . I do what I can with what I got now all though there are times I even bore myself with the same old same old lol ! I am soo grateful for my friends/followers for hanging in there with me even when I don't have much to post about ! Connection however it may be is important .
ReplyDeleteI know that it'll do you good as time goes on.
ReplyDeleteThe blog world is a great way to expand our life experiences.
ReplyDeleteA note for your words yesterday. If I remember rightly, pilots a long time ago had silk liners inside their flying gloves, Would something like this help? I have a silk scarf that is SO warm, but now have fleece mitts. Or those mitts for photographers that have the flap that turns back so you can use your hands. Just a few thoughts from down here, a cool morning at 5C, at 6.20 a.m. no frost, clear skies to the East, palest pinky/mauve to the west.
ReplyDeleteGosh....This post touched me as I don't think about how my 'scattered' posts make a person feel or how they might enjoy them. Thanks for commenting on my recent post on Kings Landing Historical Settlement. I sure appreciate you taking the time to do so. Hoping you will be 'released' soon and praying for continued strength and healing.
ReplyDeletePam
I closed down my blog as I needed a break and not many visitors to my blog. It was time to close it down.
ReplyDeleteI started my blog in order to keep family and friends updated as we travel. I am surprised at how many still read my blog even when we are out of Mexico for half the year. My husband and I have met so very wonderful people over the years, many just stopping us on the street in Mazatlan or dropping into our RV site on the Isla. The 5C's are down to just the two of us but the blog makes for a a great diary of our travels and visits with friends. So happy that you are communicating once again. Good luck with getting the next few months settled.
ReplyDelete