I was looking back over my blog the other day and I came to the conclusion that I really do like to blog. Claire called it correctly when she encouraged me to start my own blog over a year ago. She said I would probably like it. I do like it. I like to have a place to put down my random thoughts. I like a place to share some of our family goings on. Since we're far removed from most of our family and extended family, I do like to know how everyone is doing. I like to have a place to share interesting things I come across and I like to have a place that is uniquely mine. I like to have a place to put into words what really does matter to me in life. It is a creative outlet for sharing, writing and exploring. In my advancing years I have time and inclination to write my thoughts and experiences and to use graphics and pictures to make it more interesting. I've learned how to do it quickly and easily. I blog mostly for myself. Others can read it if they want to, but I'm not driven to have a large reader base. Thanks to Google Analytics, I think I have a core group of readers who are followers and I appreciate their support. Comments are appreciated but not expected. I think it's interesting that I probably have more friends than family members who are readers. I do wonder who some of you are though!
I'm not a journal writer. Never have been, never will be. I just don't think that many people are interested in reading the journals of others. Maybe the writer themselves and their close family members read them, but most won't take the time to read what was written after the years pass (unless you become famous and your every thought and experience is analyzed by the public.) Of course there are a few exceptions, but mostly I just don't think writing a journal is worth the effort. I've written pages in journals that I have torn out and destroyed after rereading years later. I've mostly written about the high highs and the low lows in my life experiences. Frankly, I don't think anyone really cares reading long journal entries or in knowing the daily minutia of a person's life. For example, I don't think that many people actually read the blog entries that have a lot of words. They tend to skip the words and just look at the pictures. They don't want too much information and they don't want to spend too much time reading long entries. Same thing with journals. I suppose that if you aren't interested in reading a wordy blog now, you won't be interested in reading a journal later. But with a blog, the entries will be on the Internet forever. That is kind of a daunting thought. If my grandchildren and great grandchildren want to see what Grandma Vonnie was up to in February of 2010, they will be able to read all they want. Therefore, I choose my words more carefully. I think through what I really believe and what I really want to convey. I state my options and thoughts, and all might not agree, but I take ownership for what I think and feel.
I take great inspiration from some blogs I read where people I know express their thoughts, feelings and ideas about various topics. I don't read stranger blogs, except for two on occasion. I love to have a glimpse into what other family members and friends are up to. I enjoy the humor and cleverness of some blogs I look at. It doesn't take much time to give a quick perusal of some of my favorites, thanks to Google Reader. New posts show up as they are posted and it is easy to keep up to date.
The blogging world is kind of scary in some ways. As a blogger, you put yourself out there. You share your thoughts and ideas, and people are bound to make judgments about what you share and more than likely make judgments about you as the blogger. I think it's generally understood that many blogs aren't real in the sense that people generally present their best selves, their happy thoughts, their perfect surroundings and their edited family pictures. Real life challenges are seldom presented and problems, dirt, augments, marital problems, children challenges and ugly situations are left out. As in most things in life, we only share what we want others to see and know about us and we keep the undesirable stuff to a minimum. So, we are only presenting our best stuff. I'm guilty of this as well, I'm sure. Who wants to air their dirty laundry? Yet, it's more interesting and real to read about true life experiences and to see how people handle their challenges. Isn't this the appeal to a lot of people of reality shows on TV?
My blog represents what is going on in my head and some of what is going on in my heart as well as what is going on in my surroundings. I don't often mention the hard stuff, even though it is there. Most people don't want to hear too much about others hard stuff because they are generally busy dealing with their own challenges. I have a few extended family relationships that are hard and frustrating for me. I have suffered from rejection in some family relationships that are still painful and hurtful to me. I wish I had more interaction with some of the people I love, but alas, they don't want to. They are aloof and apathetic and they obviously want the relationship to stay that way. I ponder about how people show love in different ways, how to truly forgive, and how to be accepting of others with differences on a daily basis. I think about doing my part and more to improve relationships and build bridges, but I don't often write about these types of things because they're personal.
I've posted most days since I began this blog. I know it's a lot of material. Almost daily posting doesn't appeal to everyone. That's fine. Again, I do it for me. Blogging gives me something to think about. I have A LOT of thoughts (in case you didn't notice) and blogging helps me organize and categorize my opinions and feelings on lots of different topics.
My blog is random and it's totally mine. My sweet husband is my greatest supporter and he often looks forward to seeing what thoughts I've had on any given day. If that were the only reason, it would be reason enough. He decided early on to comment on every post. I think he's kept to that goal.
Thanks for reading.
Sweets & activities for my little Valentines mailed out last week. No Valentines Day would be complete without some hot lips cinnamon candies. Love em.
Dinner with the extended family yesterday. Yum!
Double batch of Patsy's famous sugar cookies made for our HT families, the sister missionaries at the MTC and the family. Wow, that was a lot of cookies baked.
Attended the "New World Symphony" by Dvorak at Abravanell Hall. The audience gave the symphony a standing ovation at the conclusion for many minutes. It was a marvel indeed. It's one of our favorite symphonies that we've listened to for years.
Chef's Table has amazing food and service. The best in town! What an evening out. So fun.
