Wednesday, June 20, 2007

Create a Connection


My blogging has slowed due to stress and heat which together bring fatigue. I saw this at create a connection and was motivated to play, in the cool of the morning. This photo is Dave's as he played with the reflection on our back table.


When did you begin your first blog and what inspired you to do so?
My husband's daughter had an AOL blog to keep us updated on their lives far away and I got hooked on reading other blogs. I came across a woman that was writing her journal on her battle with cancer with raw honesty and strength. When she died I sobbed for the loss and the connection I had made with her, even though she never could return any of my comments. I was seeing real life, creativity and encouragement in every blog I read. It made me want to be a part of it and not just a voyeur. There was a mass exodus from AOL at the time, so I tried out blogger Nov. 2005 and here I sit.


Do you have more than one blog? Why? How are they different?
I thought of doing a "poetry only blog" because I wanted to eventually put together a chapbook. I found that I was not keeping up with my clubs and was blogging too many hours due to my one working finger. When I scaled back I found a good balance and no need for another blog.


How would you characterize your blog? Creative,Political,Informational,Community-oriented or something else?
A journal of my life, Love's and newly found creativity. I'm hoping my grandchildren will know me fully one day by reading my blog and the power of encouragement from people all over the world. Pretty cool legacy!


To paraphrase Oprah, what is "one thing you know for sure" about blogging?
People need to be connected to other people. Blogging connects people on many different levels and brings a creative outlet to many.


Is it important to you to get feedback in terms of comments or pings? Why or why not?
I think the love and encouragement in a comment keeps me blogging, gives me confidence and allows friendships to blossom. Comments are a validation that what I'm doing is worth the effort. I don't know what a ping is and I don't have a site meter. I can tell the "response" comments from the ones who care about all my posts. It's good manners when in a club to give comments on as many posts as you can. Some of those encouraging "response" comments can bloom into real friendships over time. I do my best to have good blog manners, so I cut back on clubs and discovered Bloglines. :)


What 3 blogs would you recommend to our readers and why?
There are not just three and at this point I could never narrow it down. I would like to say a loving thank you to those who lift my spirits on every post, whether good or bad. I'm really drawn to poetry, creative writing and photography.

Join in here http://www.bealivebelievebeyou.com/create/2007/06/getting_to_know_1.html

14 comments:

DEREK said...

love the new look, i'm catching up, been out of commision for awhile, back had gone out on me again.

Julie said...

You have so much to share; I'm glad you found the right balance to be able to continue without feeling overwhelmed (now if I could just strike a balance rather than swinging from one extreme to the other!).

I love the picture you've included. Dave has a very good eye, and with the natural beauty around your house and yard there is much to capture.

Happy Hump Day! xoxo Star :)

daisies said...

i loved reading your thoughts on blogging, nodding along as i went ~ am so glad that you do what you do here and i get to share in that in my own small way :)

dave's photo is brilliant ~ i love reflection shots, just gorgeous!!

xox

daisies said...

i loved reading your thoughts on blogging, nodding along as i went ~ am so glad that you do what you do here and i get to share in that in my own small way :)

dave's photo is brilliant ~ i love reflection shots, just gorgeous!!

xox

Anonymous said...

The photo really caught my eye, and your blog entry was so worth reading, as they always are.

Tabor

Anonymous said...

Thanks for sharing with us! I really enjoy reading your blog and so glad I found ya.

Nancy said...

You have some of the greatest reasons to blog...and you make us all so proud.

(wow, that sounded lame....but sometimes, especially when I'm exhausted, the right words escape me)

YOU know I love ya!

Nancy

Tinker said...

I'm so glad you decided to start blogging so I could find and connect with you, Tammy!

Hope the heat and the stress ease up, sweetie. Hope you can just *chill*
(That would SO bug my kids if they heard me saying that, hehee!)

turquoise cro said...

I didn't start blogging til' 2006! I have missed a whole year of your SWEETNESS! That photo is great! I hear a train whistle in the distance as I write this! I LOVE to hear this sound! and I am soooOOOO sleepy, Sweet Dreams sweets! xoCinda

Joyce Ellen Davis said...

Great thoughts on blogging, togetherness, etc. I can't understand why there hasn't been more action (like buyers) on your beautiful house! But I'm sure someone will come along and when they see it, they will fall in love with it....

paris parfait said...

Tammy, I'm so glad you blog! Lovely post, my friend. xo

Becca said...

Your reflections on blogging are right on. I think I've developed a better balance as I go into my second full year.

Love Dave's photo :)

Jana B said...

I for one am VERY glad you blog! You brighten my days with your words, your images, your chattering about life... and of course the cute pics of TK!!!! :o)

BTW looks like I'll just be getting a promise ring for now... James isn't really ready for engagement yet. His life is out of control, and he needs to figure some things out. I'm hoping he'll decide to go back to school, and do something he loves (instead of something he tolerates, like he is now)

Kim Carney said...

I love reading about your blogging. I know it must be hot there. I think about the fires, and all the folks in harms way. Hope all is well! The fair looks like fun, it has been a long time since I have been to a small fair ... and I miss them. (especially those really greasy corny dogs with lots of mustard ... my faves ;)