Oh, Blog. Three name changes, 733 posts, and ten years this February. One whole decade.
When I waited impatiently for my computer programming Dad to finish setting you up, did you know you would still be around today? That was February 2007- the year sounds so distant. Then I was still really little, waiting just another month for my twelfth birthday. Today I read over posts written at different times and watch the style of writing change over the years. Slowly, gradually.
Who do I write for? Sometimes I wonder: who visits this blog, who comes back again, and who passes through. I have had one time commenters, frequent commenters, and faithful commenters,- (Hi Grandma Kathy! I love reading all of your comments!) :)
I do know why I write. I write to preserve the small memories that would be lost, the tiny bits of joy that illuminate life and family bonds. I write for the joy of creating stories from words, as a child made in the Image of the Creator. I write because it can help unravel life. It’s a chance to reflect and ponder the week’s many twisting threads and choose a few to share. “Sometimes you never know what you think until you start writing”, my English teacher said once, and I have found this to be true. Occasionally, I sit to write with a definite map of a post in mind, and an hour later I find myself exploring a completely different path.
Social media threatens to overshadow blogs. After my first two years at school being proud to be the only one I knew without a Facebook account, I signed up after realizing it’s the most important communication tool in my age group. I’ve heard that some now consider blogs passé. Yet I keep blog writing and reading as a priority since it is so much more…peaceful. Much more peaceful than being bombarded by stream of consciousness posting from several hundred people. A blog is designed for stories, not snippets. For cherished memories, not tirades about the current political happenings.
The goal is always to regularly have interesting and entertaining posts at hand to publish once a week or so, but as soon as school has begins again I wonder if I will be able to be able to post any more than once a semester. I am trying to aim to implement some simple goals this year to see if it helps keep some simple posts going:
- blog link ups, since I’ve enjoyed series such as ‘Pretty, Happy, Funny, Real’ and ‘Daybook’ on other blogs I read.
- notes from what I’m reading. During the school year, reading for enjoyment is almost nonexistent, since I always have several textbook chapters to be reading. But I’d like to record the thoughts that captured my mind when I do have time to read some literature, scripture, or historical writings.
- document the crafty stuff! Because I have been a bit crafty in both edible and non edible materials lately, and documented of any of it.
- Wordless Wednesdays. Enough said.
Any other ideas for the next ten years?