Eight Years

About this time eight years ago I started blogging. We had just finished the 2004 Presidential elections where blogs played an important role. I was intrigued. My son showed me how to get my own blog, and I was hooked.  In the past, I had tried starting journals only to write for a few weeks and then stop.  For whatever reason, I loved blogging. I loved reading other blogs and commenting. For about the first year and a half I had no regular commenters.  Then I found Buck on another milblog. The Exile in Portales caught my eye. It was the beginning of a beautiful blog buddy relationship. Buck showed me lots of new tricks. I learned how to post photos and all about blog etiquette.  Thanks Buck.

In Feb. 2005 we bought the property where we are now living and began building a house.  Most of my blogs were about my life on a farm doing ranch-hand stuff and as carpenter building a house.  Of course, I blogged about my family and being a first time grandmother. By 2005, my dad had been battling cancer for a couple of years and was a large part of my blog. He died in December of 2005.  It does not seem like eight years have gone by, but I'm so glad that I can go back and read and see what was happening in my life and how I felt at the time.

For about a year and a half of the past eight years, I did a Painting of the Week. That was a fun time and kept me hopping.  I should probably do it again to make myself paint more. But it is kind of like dieting. It works well the first time, but gets harder after you cheat on your diet or get off for a while. 

One of my friends, who loved my blog, asked if my family read my blog. My friend was surprised that most of my family and friends did not read my blog. Some read for a little while, but I guess it was not for them. Some read it and did not like my thoughts and opinions. Whatever!  To those who did not like what I had to say, I tried to explain that it was MY blog, MY thoughts, MY perspective on things. Still, I must have been boring or irritating, 'cause they do not read me, which is great. Please move on if you don't like me. If you do like me, but are sometimes put off, well, be patient with me.

Through several different experiences, I did learn not to write about some things or some people. People just don't appreciate being teased on the internet. Since I have very few loyal followers, I never thought it was a problem. I will tease you and make fun of you to your face; why not on the internet. Still, I try to respect certain folk.

I appreciate those who have stuck with me through the years.Thanks! For those who did not stick with me, I have to admit, I'm a bit hurt. But whatever - all is good. I don't have as many ranch-hand experiences as I did and we are about finished with building the house, but I still can't quit - yet.

Jesse and Mr. T wearing green stripes.

Update:
Buck's comment to this post made me do some thinking. Something I was not expecting out of blogging was making good friends. Buck was the first, but there has been so many others. Jo Castillo and I may be long lost sisters. I love keeping up with her through blogs. But more than that, I love seeing her and Gene in person. Good friends!  Then there is Becky - always loyal and friendly.  We've traded art and knitting. I've met lots of bloggers through Buck's blog - like Christina and Kris, but some on my own.  My new blog buddy, NavyOne, has a whole new set of followers that have become part of my blog world. NavyOne will be settin' sail soon, but will hopefully keep blogging from the brig.