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Looking back

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It’s laughable that I’m feeling so hesitant to make a change of location for this blog. What started a year ago today as a diversion from other things has become something entirely different. The sense of this thing being mine and important is a surprise. Maybe it’s because I’d never before kept a journal, but knowing now that I have a year’s worth of stuff here makes me want to hold on to the record of my thoughts that it represents.

That anyone takes the time to read my ramblings and that some do so each day is a remarkable compliment. Thank you for indulging my whimsy!

There are many readers and bloggers for whose friendship I am grateful. You have all made this blogging thing great fun and I’ve so enjoyed the excuse to ramble on about the things I love with you. That part of yourselves that each of you share via your blogs or comments here is important to me, as I’m sure it is to you. I hope that you will continue to be so generous.

SELECTING A READER by Ted Kooser
First, I would have her be beautiful,
and walking carefully up on my poetry
at the loneliest moment of an afternoon,
her hair still damp at the neck
from washing it. She should be wearing
a raincoat, an old one, dirty
from not having money enough for the cleaners.
She will take out her glasses, and there
in the bookstore, she will thumb
over my poems, then put the book back
up on its shelf. She will say to herself,
“For that kind of money, I can get
my raincoat cleaned.” And she will.

25 thoughts on “Looking back”

  2. I only “discovered” your blog in August and enjoy reading about your appreciation of the little pleasures of life. You find the most appropriate quotes and excerpts…today’s is no exception.

  3. Happy Anniversary, Laura! I just discovered your blog in October when I started my own. You are a talented writer and artist and I love your style – having so much depth in meaning. I hope I can last a year, too.

    The Blogger Blues sometimes gives us a break from working a post, but not without some hair-pulling. Maybe the transition to WordPress will allow us to transfer our Blogger posts?

  4. You have provided a wonderful link during this past year!

    I have been looking at Word Press also but am finding it a very difficult learning curve… I tried to switch to Beta Blogger but for some reason my blog doesn’t seem to qualify yet. Keep us informed as you make your choices – I think there are a lot of us out here who are making decisions just now.

  5. Happy Blogiversary to you and the bunnies! Whether you stay with Blogger or move someplace else, Tidbit and I will keep reading!

    Regarding the book, you should be able to order directly from Shutterfly. You can even make a book or calendar of your own. One of my bosses is married to a professional photographer, which is how I heard about them. I’ve been very happy with everything they do.

    But if you have any issues with ordering, I don’t mind sending a book to you. Just let me know.

  6. Happy Bloggerversary!
    You were my first “real” reader, and I appreciate all that you do on your blog, for our benefit and enrichment.
    (See, I can be serious when I wanna!)

    Hugs to you!
    ***whisper….Minnesota*** 🙂

  7. A belated happy blogiversary, Laura. You’ve created a wonderful “place” here, so I’m not at all surprised that you feel it’s important to preserve. As others have suggested, I hope you do find a way to archive it and also migrate it if you end up moving on to WordPress (or other).

  8. I read and enjoy your’s and Susan’s and Julie’s and Birdchick’s blogs everyday — even if I don’t leave a comment (sometimes I don’t feel like I can be as articulate and lovely as your writings). I love the pictures you have of your walks, your musings about your garden, your appreciation of the creatures outdoors (and in — thanks for introducing me to the joys of having rabbits). What a treasure you have here with your blog and its community!
    My word verification is “oystaa” — are they good to eat from the Jersey shores?
    Heather
    Wayne, PA

  9. LOVE that poem! For myself, I’m not giving up on Blogger until I get to try out the Beta Blogger and see if their new solutions make a difference. Also, I almost NEVER post photos via Blogger. I use Flickr and usually just blog directly from Flickr. It helps immensely.

  10. Happy blogiversary!! You left my first blog comment and generously offered encouragement. Many thanks!!

    Do I hear Minnesota whisperings?!?

    Reasons to visit Minnesota:

    1. We have GGO’s here.
    2. Birdchick is doing a winter trip up into GGO territory.
    3. I will be your personal driver.
    4. It’s beautiful here.
    5. I would love to meet you guys!

  11. I have long known that Ted Kooser poem and find it wonderfully humbling. When we write, our words like children leave us–we wonder at their creation, at how marvelous they are (our offspring). We long to own them, claim them and at the same time share them. I completely understand your ownership of a year’s worth of words. With blogging, we can all be authors practicing our craft. Wherever you go, into that great blogosphere, leave a trail so we who read you can follow!

  12. Laura, I am so sorry I haven’t responded to your comments in my Bunnygardener blog! For some reason I’ve never checked my comments because I had it in my head that no one would leave any! I really love your blog and you are a great writer – I’m looking forward to visiting more often. And of course I love your bunnies – give them a hug for me!!
    Ruth

  13. It has been a true and much anticipated pleasures reading what you have written here, Laura. You have a keen sensitivity, a sparkling whimsy, a sharp eye and a kind way with words that I’ve come to value highly. Best wishes from here on,

  14. Happy blogiversary! I have really enjoyed getting to know you here and at Whorled Leaves. And…do I hear a Minnesota blogger bird excursion in the making? 🙂

  17. Thank you, John.

    Thanks Ruth. Isn’t it fun to find new blogs?

    Mary: Wasn’t it you that someone linked to a post about Julie Zick’s book? And then she commented about all the people showing up at your doorstep, cluttering up the place? I’m one of them! Thanks for saying such nice things.

  19. Endment: I don’t *get* the whole Beta thing – what’s the difference? Is it easier and more well-behaved?

    In some ways, WordPress seems much easier to use, but you’re right about the learnign curve – everything is so different! There are also a lot of features that confuse me.

    Bunnygirl: I might take you up on that offer – as I would like a copy soon. Bunny people – look at Tidbit’s book! It really is precious.

    Susan: I think you and I were writing just for each other for quite a while there. 😉 Nice to have new friends joining the conversation, isn’t it?

    Bev: Thanks! I think maybe I just like threatening to leave Blogger – makes me feel better when it’s acting up.

    Heather: Thanks for saying hello from time to time – nice to know you’re out there. Oh! and beware of the bunnies – they practice mind control!

    I think those might be NY *oystaas*

    -llm.: So there’s a way to blog directly from Flickr? I’ll have to try and figure out how to do that. Hints are welcomed!

    Lynne: I remember seeing your comments eveywhere and always *clicking* on you to see your blog. One day I found your test post – glad you joined our ranks! Between you and Deb I think the Minnesotans are trying to gang up on me! Isn’t it really really cold there in February? 😉

    kgmom: Are you a Kooser fan too? What I love about him is that he makes me laugh, usually. His pooems are a joy to read.

    Ruth: Thanks for stopping by – and yes – us bunny people are reading!

    Thanks, Tim.

    Deb: Susan and Lynne are tempting me with the promise of great grey owls – are they possible every year by you?

    Thanks, Pam.

  20. So, you have to set it up in Flickr first. But, it is SO easy. Here’s what you do . . .

    Go to your main page in Flickr.
    Scroll to the bottom and click on Your Account.
    Scroll down until you see Blogging.
    Click on Your blogs.
    On the new page, it will walk you through adding a blog to your list.
    Once it’s set up, you’re all set!

    Now, go back to your pictures and find the one that you want to blog.
    You need to be on the picture page itself where just above the picture you have all sorts of options like “Add Note” Send to Group” One of those options should be “Blog This” Click on it. :)You’ll have to choose which blog even if you only have one!
    Then you are taken to the Compose your blog entry page. Give it a title and write your post.

    I sort of do a rough draft here and then go into Blogger to do any final editing. You can add other pictures to the post by finding them in Flickr, clicking on the “All Sizes” button and choosing the small or medium version. You’ll get the code then to copy and paste into the HTML version of your blog.

    Hope it helps — it’s helped me immensely!

  21. Happy Blogoversary. You have changed my view of NJ just about 180 degrees. Thanks.

    Also, thanks for that Kooser bit.
    I’m going to have that image in my head the rest of the day.

  22. Thanks -llm. ! I tried it tonight and it worked well, once I got flickr and blogger to cooperate with one another.

    FC: Thanks for stopping by. Glad you liked the Kooser poem.

  24. I’ve never once considered your writing just ramblings. There’s a sweetness here and a calm, clear voice that I enjoy turning to anytime, Laura. Thank you for sharing your life here with us.

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