My life is to make everything around me beautiful.

Sunday, April 17, 2011

Answering Claudia's Post about Blogging

ME! And, yes, that's a good photo of me. I shaved my lip and chin hairs that day and put on makeup. I'm getting more wrinkles around the chin line. ;-( I've also included a few eye candy photos to "pretty up" the blog post today. :-)
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Update: At first I erroneously named the book by Jeffrey Deaver The Numbered Account. My mistake; it was called The Broken Window by Jeffrey Deaver. I have no clue why I called it that other than I'm a prolific reader of his novels. Sorry.
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Recently, Claudia at Mockingbird Hill Cottage blogged about...well, blogs and the evolution and authenticity of them. I found it extremely interesting as she echoed some of my very own thoughts, and I'd like to expound on it with thoughts of my very own.

As with Claudia, my thoughts are on blogging frequently, and it is indeed a very personal thing. I also don't put much on here that would lead to someone stalking me as I've had that happen to me, and it's not something I wish to have repeated. [I've even seen blogs that have the house number and their last name on the front. Very easy to burglarize if they happen to post they'll be on vacation at a certain time. I know this because we've been burglarized twice in California and once here in Idaho. It will get worse. If you doubt me, just read The Broken Window by Jeffrey Deaver for a look into what the internet is becoming. It's an eye opener for me and the technology is there at this very moment for these things to happen.] I've tried finding my voice or own little niche for the 5 years I've been blogging. There have been times when I'd venture into different things but it just didn't feel like me. Hence, I went back and deleted every single one that didn't stay true to who I am. I have ended up just putting my thoughts on here many, many times. My very first post didn't even have photographs, but that changed very quickly as I love seeing photos. Photography has become a passion of mine, as has writing.

I don't journal, although our Church recommends it both for personal growth and a legacy for our children and grandchildren. I just could never get the hang of it because, mostly, it hurts to hold a pen and write. This is so very true for these old hands, plus my life isn't that interesting actually.


Giveaways also were a way to draw people. I'm like anyone and everyone else; I love people to visit. I tried different ways to attract viewers but gave up after realizing it wasn't for them especially, as much as it was a creative outlet for me. I joined just about any and every meme that came along but that didn't work for me and, again, wasn't true to who I am. I don't do swaps anymore unless I really, really feel like it, but I'm trying my best to get rid of 50 years of accumulation in this house; hence, I've only done one for the last 2 years. I don't particularly like them. I saw one blogger who only posts when she has a giveaway and has a very successful business in her area of crafting. I just can't do that. I won't do any giveaways anymore to draw people to my blog. I do them for the goodness it makes my heart feel and to truly make someone happy who, perhaps, has never won anything. But I wasn't even any good at that! One woman won a Christmas tree ornament I made that was truly lovely. I made three to see which ones I wanted to keep, so I tried to give away this Victorian one. It turned out beautiful. Well, I thought so anyway. I alerted her to the win a couple of times and never heard from her. I ended up sending it to a woman in Florida who was in my eBay group because I knew she'd love it. She did. This is that tree topper.

I have at the moment 1,035 blog posts with the very first several having been deleted by blogger because I suppose I've exceeded their limit. I've let trying to get more viewers NOT be my driving force for blogging. I do it for ME and only ME. As with Claudia, I'm a talker and love to write (type/keyboard) and share ideas and thoughts. And to write correctly. I'm sick to death of people trashing the English language the way it is today. I've yet to meet one young person who can articulate well and that's pathetic. I speak the way I write. Sometimes with a soft expletive thrown in, but I don't have a trashy mouth.

I also want my blog to be recognizable so I haven't changed it much. Nothing stymies me more than going to a blog I frequent and a whole new look stares me in the face. Usually, I'm not sure if I'm in the right place or not. Do as you please, but for me I'll not change much. And some posts will be long and some short; that's just the way it goes, chicks.


I shamefully lurk a lot also, Claudia, but I simply don't have the time to post at every single one I follow. Plus, some truly don't require a response and some others are ones for which I don't necessarily have a response. I love hearing from bloggers. I truly do. And I do try to hit everyone once in a while but I get so busy with other things I might not be able to. I've stopped viewing or following blogs that only do giveaways or blog mostly ads for things they sell. I don't do that; I have another blog for things I want to get rid of or sell. For me blogs are for regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, and graphics. Being somewhat OCD and a very visual person, ads, lots of blinkies or "fluff" and "sponsors" distract me quite a lot visually, so I don't visit them much, it at all. That is one reason I love Google Reader to peruse the blogs. You don't have to put up with all that distraction.

Having said all that, I truly don't see a time when I'll completely abandon blogging, but with all things, it has to end at some time. Also, who knows what the next social trend will be? I don't do Facebook except to see photos of my cute great grandchild, Caroline, and Twitter doesn't interest me at all. But someday there will be another thing that catches fire like mad and who knows; you just might see me over there. I'm a very young-at-heart old lady! And somewhat tech savvy also. I also hope you enjoyed the bit of eye candy I took with my Canon Rebel XS, Claudia. ;-)
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14 comments:

  1. Very interesting, Connie! I agree with a lot of this. I haven't done a giveaway in a very long time, but the only giveaways I do are to solely feature my readers and their Etsy stores, or things like that. I don't ask for anything when I do them.

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  2. Interesting post, Connie.
    I, too, enjoy blogging and have met so many, many nice people. I've been exposed to talent and creativity that I would have never, ever been exposed to otherwise.
    I enjoy the difference in personalities and love them for what they are.
    I blog when I can and when I have some to share or to say. I do love doing giveaways as I feel the need to share, in some way give back to the blogging community for what it has given to me.
    You are as beautiful on the outside as you are on the inside.
    And I very much LOVE MY RIBBON TREE knowing it was created by YOU>
    Happy Sunday evening,
    Hugs,
    Gerry

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  3. "Love your post today Connie".. AND I want to tell you I LOVE your picture, "I think you are "Beautiful"!!! I kept nodding my head through your whole post. I feel the same way about change and I do actually like when people keep their blog recognizable... Something I really don't care for AND I noticed "IS" some are getting TOO COMMERCIAL! They took all the fun out of knowing them(at least that's my opinion)...
    Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us...
    AND Big Squishy Hugs to you,
    Donna

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  4. love the photo of you! I don't do a lot of giveaways either. I love blogging, I don't expect anyone to read it and am happy when people do! I love the pictures that you post all the time. Thanks for the reminder about personal information. I try to be careful, but one never knows. I don't even have my city listed on Face book page. I love face book too but I think I like blogging even better.

    I do hope your foot is feeling much better! I hope the braces aren't hurting you anymore.

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  5. Wow! Can't say it any better. The only reason I do giveaways is for the fun of it, NOT to draw followers. Anyone may join me to enjoy rather than expect any other reason than to visit ... I love finding & solidly holding these 'sisters' that I have met & love dearly ... you being one of the delights of my day.

    I do not journal, never was interested in doing so despite I write a lot.

    You are such a joy & delight, fun & talented ... THANK YOU for being a friend & just you, you sweet lady.

    Have a beautiful week~
    TTFN ~
    Hugs,
    Marydon

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  6. Hi Connie...I liked what you had to say in this post today...very HONEST and very heartfelt...good for you!!

    Have a wonderful week,

    Jo

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  7. Hi Connie,
    You speak to my heart and echo what blogging should be all about. But having said that, everyone is different and you just never know anymore why anyone does anything they do.
    I am not all that into followers. If someone finds what I offer interesting, I hope they will return for more. I see you, sweet one are not lacking in the follow department. You have quite a gathering there. I have always found you to be great at wit and very kind.
    I think people are competitive at nature, and there go the give a ways and things to attract attention. It's all good to me as long as the spirit is right.
    The one thing you did not touch on, and I am sorry to do it, but it's the mean spirited of some people. You talked about that in a previous post, and it's just too sad. We should all wish and hope for the same things for others that we ourselves desire and love.
    I look forward to reading what comes next. I know it will be good!!! Thank you Connie for being YOU, Char

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  8. Thank you Connie. I'm not a newbie at blogging, but I haven't had my blog for a year yet. I have had many questions though about blogging, and what to expect. When does one do a give-away, and what does one give-away. Of course there is other questions and I just try and figure it out as it comes along. But thank you for this post, it has helped me. You have just written many things that I have thought of, and didn't know who to ask.
    ~G~

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  9. Well said, Connie.
    You never need to try to 'draw' people to your blog, it is just a lovely place to visit.

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  10. Connie, I love your post. And your photos taken by your Canon Rebel (slightly jealous!) We think very much alike, my friend. Oh, and those blinkies? They make me nuts. Just not my thing, though some blogging friends use them.

    Thank you for blogging. And I love your photo - you are beautiful inside and out.

    xo
    Claudia

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  11. Claudia and your SIS both enjoyed this post!!

    Love that pic of you!

    You know that you and Dolly were the culprits that got me into doing this blogging thing, don't you?!? I bet you remember! So I'll just keep on blaming you for the stack of dirty dishes in the sink and over-flowing clothes hamper......

    Love,
    Stephanie
    Angelic Accents

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  12. One thing I wish people would realize as bloggers is that all that extra stuff like music, etc. drags others computers down and makes thing just "crawl" along. That drives me crazy. I had music at one time and for that very reason took it off. I was at a blog the other day and she had so much commercialization and ads on it I could not find what I was looking for. .... but to each his own I suppose. Your blog is great Connie. Be true to yourself because if you don't it shows thru on your blog. LOL...that's my story anyway. xoxo

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  13. P.s. So sorry about all your woes lately. I am going thru a teeth makeover too. The periodontist finishes one thing and then wants to do something else. I am getting tired of it but it's better than losing my teeth. I have more surgery coming up. ugh! Your eyes are so pretty!

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  14. Connie, love your post and it speaks out to many, including me. I would be in bad shape if I only gave away somwehing to get followers and I love that I have the special ones that follow me frequently.You are such a joy in my life and always seem to write something that inspires me and I know other people also. God has given you a wonderful gift and that is the gift of honesty. I am glad to see you put it out there. I wish I were so brave. You have been a blessing to me as a few others also and I thank you for that. I don't go looking for giveaways, but I do enjoy having one. I am a giver of the the heart. Thanks for making my day a bit brighter today. Love and hugs, Pat

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Comments are so nice and I thank all of you that leave one for me.