Monday, November 15, 2010

Of Blogging...

This has been a very busy few weeks around our household.  And with the holidays approaching, it will undoubtedly get busier.  At such times blogging has to be put aside for awhile.  That is why I love the button that says "Blogging Without Obligation".  I love to read blogs and I love blogging.  But there are days when there is simply no time for it.   Other bloggers make time for posting everyday or nearly everyday.   If they have the time and want to do that, great!  For those of us who can't, don't or won't blog everyday...that should be fine, too.  As far as I'm concerned, there is no set rule for how often one should blog.  Unless, of course, you are blogging to get lots of hits for whatever reason...such as making money or page ranks. 

One of the great things about blogging is that we can say what we want...within the guidelines set forth by Blogger, of course, and even design the look we want!  In other words, we can write our own script, design the stage, and play any part we choose.  How fun is that?

We can pretend that everything is hunky dory when we are hurting or worried and no one will ever know.  We can pretend the house is immaculate and we have a gourmet meal on the dinner table (a beautifully decorated one, of course) and we're getting ready to fly to New York for the weekend and no one would be the wiser.  However, one of the things I have found to be true, is that most bloggers are simply down-to-earth people.   They share the ups and downs of their lives; the good, the bad and the ugly.  Because that is Real Life.

There are those who blog like I do without worry whether they have X number of comments or followers.  Others may worry if they are not receiving what they think is a fair number of comments. I think that depends on why you started blogging to begin with.  My blog is a sort of online diary with some photos...a place to muse about what's going on in my world or to share memories of days gone by.  I'm aware that my thoughts might not invite a beaucoup of comments.  :)

I have some questions about blogging.  Why do you visit a particular blog?  Is it the writer you feel you've become friends with or is it the content of their blog?  How do you keep blogging fresh?  Do you ever get where you think blogging is too much trouble and think of quitting?

Do you have a counter like Site Meter and check it often?  I have Site Meter, but I don't check it very often.  I do wonder why it says I'm from a different city that's about 200 miles away from where I actually live.   Not only the location of a blogger may not be accurate, but the length of time it shows may not be the amount of time spent reading a blog.  Many times I've gotten on a blog and am called away from my computer for one reason or another and a lot of time may pass before I get back and it will probably show I've spent an hour or more at a blog!

Blogging is many things...fun, entertaining, and even therapeutic.   There are so many wonderful writers out there whose work I enjoy, wonderful photos of beautiful places that I haven't seen yet, great recipes that I plan to try, and decorating photos that I enjoy seeing.   Blogging friends are great people.  I hope you are still enjoying blogging.  It's a wonderful world and I hope it stays around for a long time to come!  Happy Blogging!

Edited to add:  Just wanted to say that I have no intention of giving up blogging even tho I may not be able to post as much as I'd like some months.  I thought some may think that is the direction I was headed in reading a comment or two.

Until next time...

13 comments:

  1. Dear Cheryl,
    I am so glad you did this post,I agree with every issue you have raised.
    I have followed many blogs,the ones I like I have stayed with,some I have left,for various reasons.I also have some new followers that have ' found ' me,in the last few months and I enjoy yours and their blogs very much.
    I feel that after a while we instinctively know which blogs or bloggers have something in common with with our own interests.
    I do not post every day,perhaps once a week,depending on what I have been doing,I definitely would not have enough time or topics to post every day,however,I still enjoy following other blogs that do post every day.
    Do not feel guilty,those of us that follow you,will still be there as and when you feel like posting.
    Have a good week,Carolyn.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hello Cheryl,

    I am a first-time visitor. I so enjoyed this post and totally understand. I will be following and checking in.

    I hope you have a blessed Monday! Come see me.

    Diana
    www.dfseason.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  3. Cheryl-

    I'm not even sure how we found each other, but I love following you because you are from the area I grew up in. Sometimes you made me yearn for Missouri!

    I started my blog as a way to tell stories to my children & family that I didn't want forgotten. Sometimes it is just easier to write it down. But during my story telling, it also became a journal of my day to day life. I try only to tell what I think will be interesting to others. I have a very small following but that doesn't matter. I do post a link of Facebook & several of my friends leave me comments there. I have a counter & it used to drive me crazy watching it. Now I seldom check it. I have several decorating/tablescape/gardening blogs that I follow. I've found by "following" them, I don't waste time checking to see if they have a new post.

    I don't post as often as I used to. Sometimes I have to put it aside. It can be time consuming. I don't think I've ever thought of completely giving it up, but sometimes I just can't think of a thing that I want to share. And then a dozen ideas will come to me.

    I think I need a "blogging without obligation" button on mine too! Don't quit! Blogger will let me know when you have something new! And if we don't "talk" again...have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

    Now I need to get off of here & get some laundry going...

    ReplyDelete
  4. Cheryl-I just read your note on my blog. Your Thanksgiving sounds wonderfully stress free!!! We have talked of doing the same thing but it never happens. We live about 5 hrs from Pigeon Forge so would probably do that location instead.--Next summer my hubby has a car convention in Springfield & I am making plans on going to Branson! Have a great time in southern Missouri!!!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Enjoyed this and totally agree. When I first started, back in 2007, I tried to post each day but that soon fell by the wayside. I, like you, just love blogging. I have found most people to be honest and open. That is what I endeavor to be.

    I read various blogs for various reasons: some because I truly feel that blogger has become a friend, some for the spiritual content, some for the indepth content. The only blog I dislike and will stop following is one who is constantly whining!!! But I don't surround myself with whiners in real life either. Now when I say this I certainly don't mean someone sharing true pain, hurt, disappointments of life, etc. There is a BIG difference between that and a whiner.

    Boy, you pushed my button on this one. I've been missing a lot of blog reading, and commenting lately due to our Suzette's situation but I always enjoy coming here.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hi Cheryl, Blogging does become time-consuming --and we all do it (or don't do it) as much as we want to... I happened to be retired --and put blogging as one of my priorities. However, it did become overwhelming --so I decided to cut back on weekends and also when we travel and when there are holidays.

    I like comments --and get plenty--as you know. I pay very little attention to my followers list or to my site meter. People that visit and don't comment really don't mean much to me. I like the relationship... I love emaliing with my friends--and getting to know them personally--as friends.

    Each of us blogs for different reasons. Some people never give their names (not even first names) --and they don't tell us where they live. That's their choice--but these are not people I generally become great friends with...

    Some people blog occasionally and some blog every single day. Some even blog several times a day... Yipes!!!! Some have long blogs; some short ones; some photos; some not... I enjoy them all -- but get a little overwhelmed when a blog post is extremely long. It's all just a personal choice for all of us.

    What I don't like is when a blogger will just disappear --and never tell anyone. To me, that's just rude... They could do what you do and that is to tell people you are going to take a blog break.

    I understand being busy --and I appreciate it when you do blog, Cheryl... BUT--don't do it, if you have too many other much more important things going on... I always say that blogging should be fun and when it becomes a 'task'--quit doing it.
    Hugs,
    Betsy

    ReplyDelete
  7. I totally agree with you about blogging. I have to blog without obligation or I would go crazy. Sometimes there are thoughts that just need to get out. Other times there is no time. Blogging would cease to be fun if it became an obligation.

    I love reading about other's lives and thoughts and feelings. You have a great blog.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hi Cheryl!

    I love reading your blog! I think the reason I started reading your blog, was because I could identify with you - you just seemed to be down to earth and real. I have really enjoyed your blog and your beautiful photos, and I love reading about your real life experiences, they are something I can relate to.

    I don't care how many followers I have, I didn't even realize I could have followers until I had a few! My daughter helped me set up my blog and she added the followers gadget...who knew! I have sitemeter, but I don't look at it very often. Like you, I don't think it's very accurate anyway. I too, love my "blogging without obligation" button! Sometimes, all I have time to do is check in!

    I don't have time to blog everyday - when it becomes a burden, I start losing interest! I have loved the friendships I have made blogging, and I include you as one of those friends!

    I have been thinking about this very subject lately, so thank you for blogging about it! I do get tired of reading about perfect women, who have perfect homes, perfectly decorated, with perfectly color coordinated furnishings and perfect yards! Their husbands and children are usually perfect too (Oh my...I'm ranting!)so I usually delete them from my blog list after a while. That is the glory of blogging though - we can do what we want - it's our blog!

    You have had a lot on your plate lately, if you take a break, we will truly understand, but please, don't stay away too long...:0)

    Hugs,
    Barb

    ReplyDelete
  9. Awwwww, take some time off...we'll be here when you have time to post again! We always come back to the really good blogs! :o)

    If it's not fun or becomes a burden...what's the point? I blog because it's entertainment...when it ceases to be fun, I'll stop.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Hi! I found your blog thru another Missouri blogger. I live in Mo too! I agree with you on the blogging. People could make up all the stories they could.. But Ihave found most to be more honest in their blogging then in person even. I can type what I think out better than I can say it..
    My blog has its ups and downs. Sometimes I find time to blog everyday and sometimes once a week. Just depends on what is going on.. I will be back to read through yours some more!

    ReplyDelete
  11. I'm sayin'! I don't see how bloggers blog several times a day. Heck, I'd doin' well to get an post out a week. (Pattin' self on back!) Life is so busy I do sometimes contemplate that I do not have the time but I've made so many wonderful friends and connections...I just can't. I'm addicted.

    God bless ya and have a most incredible day sweetie!!!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Very glad to read that you're not giving up blogging. I love bloggers...all kinds and have a terrible time if I can't visit everyone every day. I'd really rather visit than post myself. We're coming into the holiday season and life will get really busy. Course I want to see your beautiful tree and how you're decorating your door, but if you can't blog because real life is tugging, I understand. There are only so many hours in a day!

    ReplyDelete
  13. I really don't know how some folks manage to blog so often. I may or may not blog once a week. Sometimes I've taken a two week or longer hiatus, unplanned. "Blogging without obligation" made me sigh with relief! Thanks for this post. Also, I feel you are almost my neighbor, so there's no way I'm leaving! ;) Well put.. all of it! -Tammy

    ReplyDelete