Back to Blogging

I have been away from my blog for so long that when I opened it, it had basically died from lack of attention! August was my last post and here it is mid-March. I had to find a new blog site to get things up and running again.

You could say I have been “under the weather” with the most snow ever experienced in one winter, yes it is still piled 5 feet high on the driveway. Or you could say I have been “under the pile” having experienced the most stressful months on the job in my ten years at a job I love.

In any case, I am back, spring is in the air, a sense of new life is beginning in me. I even went for a run last night for the first time in months. I did have to leap over a few snowbanks, but it was a balmy 35 degrees. (it’s crazy that 35 feels balmy!)

My Dad mentioned to me on the phone something I had blogged about months back and I realized I missed it. So I’m back…I hope at least once a month to get my thoughts out, because I really do enjoy it. This is a new blog address, so if you find me say hi!

So there’s my first post-winter post. That was easy!

The Best of Blog

This post is for you Carolyn.

Carolyn is my friend who is an amazing writer. She volunteers to write for our church publications and every time hits a homerun. I can tell writing brings her much pleasure. So today some of us were trying to talk her into starting a blog. So for you, Carolyn…here’s the best reasons to blog. Maybe you’ll take the dive!

1. You can just get thoughts out there, and it feels great!

2. You are forced to write with at least a little bit of purpose and order, but you don’t have to worry too much about typos…people are gracious. They all have them!

3. You can touch someone with your writing. People you know, and people you don’t. It’s really fun when someone you know mentions something you wrote. Or maybe this is prideful..whatever!

4. You can run into old friends. I’ll never forget the day Stephie showed up in my comments!

5. You can meet new people, sort of. And sometimes if you are Mary they send you a birthday present!

6. You have a cool way to let people you know into your life a little bit if they are interested…you don’t have to know if they read it or not, and they feel no pressure but it’s out there if they want to read it.

7. It gives you a semi-public way to talk about things and people you care about in encouraging, inspiring ways. You can get on your soapbox, or brag on someone.

8. And if I can give a plug for VOX (sorry Mary) it seems like there are many voxers who love Jesus, want to live life for him, and are trying to figure it all out. It’s often inspiring to learn from their candid posts.

Any of you bloggers want to give Carolyn some incentive pitch in…what’s the best of blog for you?

I’m enjoying Blogging…is that bad?

So I have been a part of voxtropolis for about a month now. I have written a few posts, I have commented on a few, and I find myself checking the Vox Cafe at least once a day. Is this good? I’m not sure but here is what I like about blogging:

Community without commitment – you can enjoy other’s thoughts, follow their lives, dialog about issues, and not ever have to really do anything with or for the person. I am on staff at a church and when I dialog with others in that community about ideas, I am usually thinking “now I am going to have to do something about this..” It’s so refreshing not to feel that pressure. Is this bad? Maybe! My husband says it sounds like a one-night stand. So far I have only given my blog URL to people I know who live out of town. Maybe I should keep it that way!

Conversation without pressure - I love thoughtful conversation. But at times, it gets too intense, I am ready to change the subject, take a break. On a blog you can give your two cents and then leave…coming back only if and when you feel like it. Kinda nice.

Relationships without the “edges” – You can actually sort of get to know someone, or at least feel like you do. Or sometimes you actually do know the person…but you don’t have to put up with the stuff about them that drives you crazy. Their mannerisms, the tone of voice, the little smirks..you know what I am talking about.

Communication at your own pace/timing - I hate it when the phone rings, it’s someone who I really enjoy, but I just don’t feel like talking. Or when I open up email and know there is a really long one from someone expecting an answer ASAP. You can read someone’s blog whenever you feel like it. And they can read yours if and when they feel like it – on my own terms.

Okay, so blogging is pretty fun. But I sure hope I never substitute it for true community. Because somehow community without commitment, pressure, “edges” and on my own terms isn’t what I think God had in mind for us. But maybe blogging will give me a break when I need it from the community that I need and that needs me.

Why do you blog? I’m curious.

What is a BLOG anyway? I think I’m too old for this!

My first introduction to a blog was last year when my now son-in-law sent me his blog address. Wow, what an interesting concept. A public journal. To tell you the truth, I didn’t really get it. Who would do that? But I must admit I became hooked on reading it. It was great to see how his mind worked, and it worked for him. It won me over to his eventual marriage to my daughter.

Then just a month or so ago my daughter joined the blog world. She began to blog about the changes in her life – her processing, our family, her faith. Krissy has kept a journal since she was around 10. They were often left laying around her room. Well into the teen years I would see her journals laying on her bed. I never – never picked one up. Oh, yes it was tempting. What is going on in that head of hers? What is she REALLY up to? But I had self-control. Never cracked a page. When she sent me to her blog a few weeks ago, it was an amazing thing. Suddenly I had a window into her thoughts, it felt strange. Like I am not supposed to be reading this!

But it has been a blessing. And as she moves far from the place she has always lived, I think it will be even more of a blessing. Blogs are a little strange, but pretty amazing just the same. So one afternoon, not too long ago, I said out loud that I might join the blog world. It was met with enthusiasm by my daugther and her husband, and with a bit of hesitancy from my husband (I promised I wouldn’t write about him without his permission!) So here I am. I have no idea if I will have much to say, but I will give it a shot. Maybe it will help me not miss them so much when they are far away.

I just turned 50. I have learned a few things over the years. In fact I learn new things every day. I un-learn things too. Maybe this will be a way to share learnings with fellow-learners…including my kids. Or maybe I will just ramble…but it could be fun. In any case, here we go! Hello BLOG world!