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Top 10 Reasons to Join the Bloggy Blast


It’s going to be a wild and wacky WordPress weekend for my partner Sara and me—as we leave  to attend my friend Tori’s “Very Bloggy Wedding.”  It’s Nashville or bust for us.

But, here’s the very big, bloggy deal—one you might not expect.

I’ve never met Tori.  At least not in person.  Yet she’s one of my best buddies in the blogosphere.  And to top it off, Tori has done something no one else has, as far as we can tell.  She has had  readers of “The Ramblings” plan her wedding—down to the tiniest of bloggy details—selecting everything from bridesmaid’s dresses to center pieces, invitations to bridal bouquets.

Tori and Tom (image via their wedding website)

This upcoming trip has inevitably got me thinking about the benefits blogging has brought to me—big benefits—till-death-do-us-part benefits.  So, below are some of the reasons for joining what we could call the “Very Bloggy Blast”—reasons why, if you haven’t already, you should begin a blog today.  Heck, you should have started one ages ago.

1.       Fun

Though I’m not a humor blogger, by any means, reading them rarely fails to make me laugh, as my own blogging efforts have put me in touch with some of best humorists I’ve ever (not) met—the soon-to-marry Tori being foremost among them.  It’s even given me the chance to make fun of myself, to make light of some of my personal challenges, including the opportunity to write a Freshly Pressed post in which I moan about my miserably failed attempts to study French—and another about our borderline-lame efforts to move our dog with us to Vietnam, one that outlines all the lessons we’ve failed to learn in the process of “trafficking” our precious pooch.

Blogging has also afforded me the opportunity to guest post, even once for a humor blog.  I may not be over-the-top, pee-your-pants funny myself—but I can ride the hilarious, wise-cracking shirt tales of folks like my friend Mark, who at “The Idiot Speaketh,” catalogues his innumerable misadventures in idiocy.  Filling in for bloggers like Mark has helped make me feel less like a comic failure, and if not all the way, at least a little closer to something that remotely resembles funny.

2.       Advocacy Opportunities

I began blogging when my partner Sara (check out her photo blog here) and I moved to Vietnam and then to post-earthquake Haiti.  Sara is an international aid worker who specializes in disaster response, and blogging gave me a platform to address issues such as the hunger and poverty faced by the Haitian people and the housing needs of folks in Vietnam.  (Check out Sara’s photo blog here.)

It’s also given me the chance to know other bloggers who use their sites for advocacy purposes.  I think about folks like Betty who blogs on behalf of NGO Heifer International and Beth Ann, who each month donates, to a different non-profit, 50 cents for each comment she receives.

For women like these, blogging is about acting on behalf of others—not just talking about it, but doing it, making a difference, being the change they want to see in the world.

3.       Accountability

Writing isn’t easy.  Sometimes we feel stuck.  Sometimes the words won’t come, and so we push away our pen and paper.  We abandon our keyboards.  We procrastinate.

Blogging doesn’t allow me to do that.  I’ve set up a schedule for posting.  I have nearly 300 followers who expect me to post on Monday and Thursday mornings (EST).  They do me the honor of reading what I write.  I owe them the respect of posting when they anticipate I will.

4.       Body of Work/Portfolio

Besides giving me a schedule for writing and expectations I want to fulfill, blogging has also afforded me the opportunity to create a body of work—to assemble a selection of writing samples I can use to sell myself as a writer to potential publishers—or simply a collection of essays and stories I can be proud of—ones I can share with friends and family.

For example, last spring I wrote about my ongoing struggle with bipolar disorder, a piece that was picked up by my local newspaper, the Lexington Herald Leader, and published as an op-ed for Mental Health Awareness Month last May.  If I weren’t blogging, I might not have made myself sit at my laptop and made complete that particular, painful-to-write essay.

5.       Data

At the same time, blogging also gives me valuable information.  It gives me concrete detail about my performance as a writer (artist, photographer)—how many subscribers I have, how many folks read each post.

Most bloggers I know are, in fact, addicted to stats—checking them multiple times a day—excited by each new comment, each potential reader.

This statistical information not only satisfies our need for instant feedback regarding our performance, it also allows us to gather data we can share with potential publishers about our ability to attract an audience and maintain their interest over a period of time.  In an age where it becomes harder and harder to get a book contact with a mainstream publisher, blogging data provides concrete evidence that can be included in book proposals to prove your ability to sell an idea to a potential audience. And if you plan to self-publish, blogging provides a platform for promoting your book and a ready-made group of readers who might buy that work.

6.       Audience/Feedback

The writing process is an inevitably solitary one, but most writers create in order to communicate with others.   Before the blogosphere, it was much more difficult to acquire readers and gather feedback about our work.

But blogging allows us almost immediate feedback on what we write—often responses from a wide range of potential readers.  People follow my blog from as far away as India and South Africa, Vietnam and Pakistan, and WordPress provides bloggers with very concrete evidence of this.  For example, the map my stats provide literally gives me a global perspective on the significance of what I write.

And comments—comments are a blogger’s pride and joy—the gift that keeps on giving.  They make what we do truly meaningful.  Most of my posts now accumulate as many as 60 to 90 comments each—a huge number of very immediate and caring responses to what I’ve shared.  These comments make me cry.  They make me laugh.  They make me keep on writing.

7.       Creative Growth

But even more importantly, the fact that I continue writing, continue producing—paragraph after paragraph, post after post—has allowed me to improve as a writer.  To grow.  To mature.   To attain new skills.

There are a huge number of gifted bloggers, and reading them has allowed me to imitate what they do best—and even to get feedback about what works in a particular post and what is less successful.  This is invaluable information.

It used to be that writers and artists gathered at literal locations like the Algonquin Round Table during the 1920s.  Today bloggers gather at a place like Freshly Pressed—present the best of their work and hone their craft.  I may have felt honored to have my work featured on Freshly Pressed, but more importantly, a forum like Freshly Pressed offers examples of excellent work that other bloggers can strive to emulate.  It demonstrates what works.  It shows us how to be better writers, stronger photographers, more daring and accomplished artists.

8.       Nurture/Support

But the blogosphere also provides the support we need to grow as writers and artists.  I, for example, have been working on a memoir, sharing parts of what I’ve written on my blog along the way.  Fellow bloggers have been enormously supportive of me in this process—offering innumerable suggestions for how I might get beyond my blocks or tackle a particular passage in an another way.  I’ve received numerous emails offering encouragement and have even had one blogger, Renee at “Life in the Boomer Lane,” call me on the phone so she could give me more extended feedback and offer suggestions about agents and book proposals.

I have one blogging friend whose partner died unexpectedly several months ago.  She has received much emotional support and caring from her readers in the wake of this enormous and painful loss.  I’ve been honored to offer some of that support, myself, and to send virtual hugs to a fellow blogger overcoming such a huge life crisis.

9.       Community

Sometimes, indeed, support in the blogosphere comes from an entire community of writers.  For me and many others this has been the case.  What has meant so much for me, at least, is not just receiving one email of support but many, not just a single empathic comment but 70 of them—and sometimes many more than that.

At the same time, community means much more than simply support during times of need.  It means fellowship in both good times and bad.  It not only allows us to grow; it allows us to thrive.

Blogging offers a demographic of similar souls—the ability to connect with like-minded individuals who share our passions and concerns—our greatest hopes, our deepest dreams.

Because writing is often done in isolation, the ability to connect with others who do similar work, who wrestle with words alone all day—the opportunity to reach out in both posts and comments—breaks down barriers and allows us to expand as artists.  It allows us to know that we are part of something bigger than simply me, alone in this house, on this particular street, in this singular country.  It allows us to hope for more—to dream bigger dreams—to think on a global and even universal scale.  It helps us see the bigger picture and paint a part of it, as well.

10.   Friendship

But as evidenced by our upcoming trip to Nashville this weekend, the process of posting and commenting affords us the chance to develop special friendships with specific individuals who are a part of our larger blogging community.

I have two blogging buddies, Tara of “Tara Piece of Paper,” and Mark of “Mark my Words,” who met via the blogosphere while living in different parts of the US.  They are now a couple.  In fact, Tara is moving this coming weekend from Nevada to Oregon so she and Mark can live together.  Blogging has brought these members of our WordPress family the deepest kind of friendship–the ultimate in very bloggy love.

Bloggers Lisa and Kathy at Third Street Stuff (August 2011)

This past summer Sara and I had the pleasure of meeting and eating with two very special writers who occupy important spots in my blogroll—spending an afternoon with Lisa from “Woman Wielding Words,” and another with Emily of “Hey from Japan,” who came to Kentucky all the way from Tokyo, mostly to visit her sister, but also to spend an afternoon with us.

Bloggers Kathy (left) and Emily (right)

I was honored to take these friendships beyond the blogosphere—to bring these writers and their families into the everyday world I so often write about— into the real world where we eat ice cream cones with new-found friends.

Sara and I enjoyed ice cream with Lisa, Nathan, and Sarah in Midway, Kentucky

Conclusion

So, Sara and I are preparing to do just that all over again—in this case, taking a road trip and making yet another writer from my blogroll into a real-life,  about-to-be-married friend.

And, to be honest, we can barely wait.  It’s gonna be a hard-core, utterly fantastic, very bloggy, Nashville bash!

(Love and hugs to Tori and Tom–)

Have writers from your blogroll become friends? 

How have you benefited from blogging?

To read the follow-up post that covers the wedding itself, click here.

Note:  If you are new to my blog, you might like to know that  I am writing a memoir and blogging about growing up in an organized crime family.  (The post you’ve just read is not part of that series.)  For a list of my  memoir posts, click here.  If you are interested in reading any of my protected posts, please email me at kownroom@yahoo.com  or let me know in the comments below, and I will gladly share the password with you.

335 thoughts on “Top 10 Reasons to Join the Bloggy Blast”

  1. Thank you for this post today, Kathy. I am back in the questioning stage of why bother, but this list is an excellent reason why. I hope your Nashville trip is full of fun (it can’t be anything but fun with Tori’s wedding the central piece) and can’t wait to hear all about it. Hugs to you, Sara, Tori (and Tom). Safe travels.

    ❤ Lisa

    PS I love the ice cream photo, if only because it proves we are who we say we are. 😉

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  3. Great post, Kathy. I agree with you on all counts, of course. Thanks for the link, too.

    Another thing I’ve noticed about blogging during tragic situations…Not only do you receive amazing support from readers and other bloggers, but you are also able to process your emotions through blogging. Sometimes when I’m feeling really down and write a post about it, I don’t even understand what I’ve written until after I’ve hit publish. Then I go back and read, and discover all sorts of things about my feelings that I didn’t realize before. It’s quite remarkable, really.

    Have a great time at the bloggy wedding!

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  4. How wonderful!! Hope you have a GREAT time in Nashville, and here’s to loads more bloggy friends becoming ‘real’! So happy to be a part of your blogosphere Kathy!
    I just met a fellow Karachiite blogger a few days ago….it was so so nice to meet him! I think it’s absolutely lovely to connect in real life. I have also met a few facebook friends that I had never met before, and that too has enriched me in so many ways that i am grateful for.
    Blogging has given me so much! It has helped me reach out, find people who are interested in what I have to say, who love what I write and sometimes can’t wait for my next post 🙂 It has helped me grow in confidence, given me a voice, an identity even.
    Loved this post! Everything you say is so true.

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    • I’m so pleased this post spoke to you, Mun. It might sound a bit Pollyanna-ish to say–but blogging has changed my life–and only for the better.

      I hope that someday Sara and I will make it to Karachi to meet you, as well. You are dear! Hugs, my friend——–

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  5. Kathy, your post just sang to my heart! You said everything that I have been thinking lately about blogging. Any blogger knows there is a struggle to getting a new blog started, and why would we expect everyone to start running to our blog for a looksy. It takes time and a whole lot of effort to write, and when we write such personal, close to the heart, comical posts we as bloggers put our thoughts out in the open for anyone and everyone to read. And once you do that, you want acceptance, you want followers that believe in you. Thank you for your words. You are an inspiration to me!

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    • Listen, my friend, you will have many, many followers. It’s inevitable. Your voice is clear and honest and fresh and true. And that touches people. You are dear–very, very dear. I’m so glad you are blogging and that we are getting to know one another. Hugs——

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  6. Wow—what a wonderful post!!!! And thanks so much for the shout out!! That was totally unexpected!!! I am so with you on the whole community aspect of blogging. When I first started it was really for family to keep up with us while we were in Australia. Then I started getting some comments, checking stats (WordPress makes it all so easy…) and I was hooked. The Comments for a Cause thing has been THE best thing I could have done and as long as we can continue to do it my husband agrees that we need to. But the community of folks like you who I know are out there an someday are folks that I hope to meet in person is the real encouragement that I need to continue. Your

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    • I know what you mean about using your blog for family while you were in Australia. I had another blog whose archive I have transfered here, that was all about sharing with family while we were in Vietnam. I didn’t use tags. I didn’t know anything about stats. It was purely personal. But when I began this blog in Haiti, I stared to reach out, as well. And it has lead my to beautiful people like you, Beth Ann. Thank you for your “Comments for a Cause” projet. I love it!

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  7. Ooops—it cut me off. I guess I was too wordy! But your support and encouragement has been wonderful the past couple of months so THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart. Your journey and your posts have touched my heart!!! And more than once. I believe that both you and Sara have hearts as big as mine!

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  8. You are a big, big, BIG reason I am so thankful I started blogging. I can’t imagine not counting you as a friend and it is so strange to think that that came from simply reading a “stranger’s” words. Cannot wait for this weekend. You and Sara will definitely make the celebration complete!

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  9. Reblogged this on the ramblings and commented:
    I’m toe polishing, bra fitting, and crafting up a storm today in preparation for the bloggiest wedding to ever hit Nashville. Well, maybe the only bloggy wedding to ever hit Nashville. I’m thrilled to announce that a lady I consider a talented, kind friend will actually meet me for the very first time. Without further ado, say hello to your very own Bloggy Wedding Correspondent, Miss Kathryn McCullough from Reinventing The Event Horizon!

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  10. Kathy, I can’t wait to meet you and Sara in a couple days. Thanks for being a friend of my daughter’s and coming to her party, looking forward to seeing you there!

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    • Oh, thank you so much for this comment. We are honored to be included–simply delighted to have been invited–and to be the Very Bloggy Wedding correspondent. We can’t wait to meet you, as well. It’s going to be such a beautiful day. You must be so proud of Tori!

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  11. Have a great time in Nashville! I haven’t been blogging for long, hasn’t even been a year. I am finding some of those benefits you’ve listed. I never thought about it in such clear terms. Thank you for your words and also your support.

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    • Thanks so much for this comment. I’m sure we will have an amazing time in Nashville. Being a relatively new blogger, is a wonderful place to be, as you are on the brink of so many amazing gifts. So happy this post spoke to you. I love your blog!

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  12. I see your name all the time on blogs…glad I have stopped by. It sounds like you have a great blog community and I am so jealous that you get to go to the bloggy wedding. the lots of pictures (and try and convince her to broadcast it live)

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  13. Kathy I’m so excited you and Sara are going to Tori’s wedding. She is so lovable from her writing. (: I hope you guys enjoy the trip and meeting the hilarious Tori! Great insightful post too. Enjoy! (: Melissa

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    • Great to hear from you, Melissa. We can’t wait. It’s so fun to think about meeting another blogger in person–and on their wedding day. I totally love the quirkiness of this! I will share photos–promise!

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  15. Oh! What a great post! And so appropriate right now. I started blogging about 11 years ago and have made some wonderful friendships along the way. And hello – one helluva boyfriend! I’ve since abandoned that other place where I wrote, but I continue to keep tabs on other writers there.

    So far I’ve only met three people in person from that place, but many of those writers are FB friends and there are plans to meet a couple more in the future. It truly has made a difference in my life and I’m so glad I’ve started blogging again!

    Congrats to Tori and Tom! And safe travels for you and Sara!

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    • Crap, Tara–I should have mentioned your and Mark’s story. I will go back later today and add that to the post. How did I forget that! Okay–I’m so irritated with myself. Oh, well–you all are the PERFECT example! Will fix this insane omission of the obvious! Sorry to both of you, my friend.

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      • Oh, gosh! You don’t have to go through all that, but I appreciate the sentiment! Your post is perfect and I just love the timing of it with everything that is going on, not just with Mark and I, but other people in my life as well. 🙂

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      • No, God, I had to add it. It’s the perfect example of what I’m talking about. It’s done–added under #10. You and Mark are like the ultimate example of what blogging can bring to folks! Good luck with your trip this weekend! You all are going to be so happy!

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  16. This post is so inspirational. I am not a writer, but I have always loved reading and dream to write a novel one day (specifically scifi/fantasy). I started my blog as a getaway from the engineering education that I am pursuing. It is a place where I can think about other things. This is why I blog and as a relatively new blogger, I don’t necessairly know what I’m doing or if I will really get anything out of it, but reading this makes me want to be a part of the community to really be a part of the blogosphere. We crave for community and overall physical community is decreasing as the world gets more virtual. I look forward to one day feeling like I have a place in this blogosphere. I will carry on.

    Have an amazing time in Nashville. That wedding concept is so awesome.

    P.S. I’m a stats obsessed blogger. It’s embarassing. Non-bloggers just don’t understand.

    P

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    • Congrats on starting a blog. You are welcome to join me and my friends. We would love to have you as a member of our gang. Sometimes I think it’s even better for non-writers to blog, as it contributes a totally different perspective on things. Can you leave a link to your blog here, so others can find it? I have to run–am crazy busy today–but can’t tell you how fun it’s been to hear from you. Happy blogging!

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  17. This is awesome! A great piece, first of all. But also, so excited for you to meet Tori…and of course for Tori and Tom and their big day. Hope to meet the bloggy backwoods princess one day myself! Haha, that’s for you Tori. Have fun on your trip!

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    • Ha–love the bloggy backwoods reference! I think it’s going to be crazy fun to meet the hysterical Tori. I will share photos and as much other info as I can. So great to hear from you today. Thanks for your visit!

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  18. Kathy, I’m looking forward to following Tori’s wedding through your eyes and words. I bought a special hoodie in Nashville last week just to wear all day on Saturday in honor of Tori’s big day.

    And, to answer your questions, yes, I have made friends all over the blogosphere. Some of my closest friends who live within proximity of me are people who got to know me by reading my blog, and I got to know them through their comments. When we travel, I always try to meet bloggers in cities I visit and have made numerous friends that way. It’s like an extended family, and that’s so great.

    I hope you and Sara have a blast in Nashville. If you have any free time, my favorite restaurant there is City House. It’s well worth a trip.

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    • Oh, Andra, you are my hero. You have done exactly what I want to do more of. It’s amazing what great friends the blogosphere brings to us. And how sweet that you bought a hoodie to wear for Tori’s special day. I love that. We need to come up with some kind of t-shirt or something to sell as a tribute to the event. I loved hearing from you, and as soon as I can, I will check out your blog! So fun to “meet” you!

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      • I see you so often on the blogs I read, and I’ve never visited yours. I’m glad Tori did this, because every time I see you, I mean to get there, and I haven’t until today.

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  19. Oh, Kathy– you are one of my favorite bloggers and I am so happy to have “met” you through your writing! Have a wonderful time at Tori’s wedding, and maybe one of these days, we can meet each other in real life, too. 🙂

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  21. I agree with everything you said. This medium is magic. And I count you as one of the most powerful magicians in my life. Have a wonderful time in Nashville and keep us posted.

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  22. THIS post needs to be Freshly Pressed! What a wonderful list of reasons to blog. If I didn’t already have one, I’d start after reading this. Have a great weekend!

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  25. Have a wonderful, bloggy time at Tori’s wedding. I can’t wait to see the photos and hear all about your adventure. It’s sure to be an awesome time. Dance like no one is watching. 🙂

    Thanks for reminding everyone the great things about blogging. I hope someday I get to meet you and Sara!

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  28. Thanks, Kathy. I’m honored and touched that you would mention us at all! Blogging has changed my life, without a doubt. Love this post – you list some great benefits to blogging, and if I weren’t doing so already, I’d hop aboard the blog bandwagon (the “blogwagon,” perhaps??) immediately after reading this. I vote for Freshly Pressed a third time, in fact!

    Great that you’ll be meeting Tori and attending her wedding. Obviously I read her too, and am also a fan. You gotta love this little community that has popped up around our blogs, huh? Like Tara, some of my blogging buddies have become FB friends, and beyond that – real-life friends. Among my BEST real-life friends, as a matter of fact, and that never ceases to amaze me. I’ve met many of them in person, and have even fostered a strong business relationship with one.

    Of course, nothing tops what developed between Tara and I. I love her immensely. But you already know that! 🙂

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    • I’m so grateful to Tara for reminding me of you guys. I am like a really, really slow writer, so by the time I got to #10 last night, I was brain dead. You all are the ultimate example of what I was writing about. And I have to say, you and Tara are a couple Sara and I really, really want to meet. I think the 4 of us would have a “very bloggy blast” together.

      I can’t tell you how happy I am for you both. I’m a real romantic, so your story means so much to me.

      About Freshly Pressed–that would be cool, but actually it’s only happened to me once a LONG time ago when my blog was only 3 weeks old. I have to admit, I do want it again though.

      Hope you all have a marvelous weekend, Mark! Hugs to both of you————-

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      • Oh, Mikalee, Mark has Big Very Bloggy Super Powers! I’m so glad he and Tara got mentioned in this post! Yippee! Thanks so much for reading! I notice your comments everywhere and have to get over to your blog!

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      • Ditto, Kathryn…I’m just glad Freshly Pressed finally forced me to get off my a$$ and make a visit to your blog! We seem to be fans of the same awesome peeps…which undoubtedly means I should totally be your fan as well… 🙂

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    • By the way, forgot to address the part of your comment that mentions the incredible community that has developed around our group of bloggers. It is so, so true. I think we are a pretty talented, close-knit group–and I totally love it, too! I wonder if a lot of other bloggers have the same experience.

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  29. Maybe you could be our Bloggy Wedding Correspondent/Photographer? This post really does capture all the good things about blogging- of course- of which I had no idea when I started! Have a fun weekend!

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    • That’s exactly what Tori has designated me over on her post/repost today. I’m trying to figure out how best to carry out my duties. I have a Twitter account that I used Haiti, but haven’t used since. Thing is–I’ve never tweeted myself. At any rate, Sara thinks I should tweet during the ceremony. We’ll see. If I decide to do that, I will let you know.

      And meeting you? One of the highlights of our summer, my dear! Hugs——–

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  30. You’re going to Tori’s wedding??? You’re going to have SO much fun!

    Thanks for reminding me of all of the reasons and benefits for blogging. I feel myself slipping from the habit lately. It’s partly due to the demands of work and life, partly due to a mood that just keeps telling me I have nothing worth writing about. You’ve reminded me why I love this hobby. I’m going to try to catch up again and get back into it.

    I would definitely call many of my blog buddies “real” friends, you especially! There are a couple of bloggers I “met” when I first started writing 5 years ago who are still some of the first ones I read when I sit down to read blogs. I’ve met a couple of others, and am planning to meet my pal, John from England next summer!

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    • Yes, Tori’s wedding is going to be amazing fun. Sara and I can’t wait. And we feel so honored to have been invited.

      Sorry you have been feeling like you don’t have anything to say. I know that feeling. But let me assure you, you have plenty to share. And sometimes sharing the routine of your life means the most, as it helps folks feel connected to you.

      I love it that you have met a number of bloggers and plan to do so again this summer. That is so fun. I, too, consider you one of my friends, Terri, and hope we can meet sometime. Hope you have a wonderful weekend, my friend!

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      • It seems that WordPress took my suggestion seriously! Congratulations on being Freshly Pressed again. WordPress, if you’re reading this — and I am sure you are — you should FP Kathy’s great follow-up, too — the actual Very Bloggy Wedding.

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      • I know, V! Great to be taken seriously, isn’t it? I wish they had selected the actualy wedding post, at least for Tori’s sake. By the way, she’s a blogger you would appreciate. She is so damn funny!

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  32. I think you summed it up here quite nicely. When I started blogging it was to express myself. Finally, a venue where I could write and put it out there for all the world to see.

    What I didn’t expect, didn’t anticipate was all the wonderful fellow bloggers I’d meet. I find myself gravitating to those who write with humor, honesty and courage. I also love reading posts about dogs, and posts by fellow boomers. And yes, I’ve made a friend here and there, who I’ve started corresponding with on the side.

    Sometimes I feel like Alice and the blogosphere is the Looking Glass. One of these days, I’m just going to fall in and spend all my time there, writing, sharing and most of all, laughing. I, too, love the blogosphere! I’m so glad, Kathy, to have met you. I think it’s awesome you’re going to the wedding. Hope you and Sara have a great time and a wonderful road trip! 🙂

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    • I love having met you, as well, Monica. I may not be pee-your-pants funny, but I gravitate to humor blogs as well. Even if I’m not a genius at making others laugh, I love, love, love to laugh myself. Love to have funny friends.

      Love also what you say about Alice and the blogosphere. That’s a post, Monica. And so often that’s what I love about blogging–the ability to decend into this other wonderfully weird world and come out on the otherside whenever I want–not be trapped. But then my partner sometimes thinks I am trapped in the blogoshere–that she has lost me here.

      Thanks for reading–hope you have a wonderful weekend———

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    • Hi Claudia. I think I have been to your blog, haven’t I? I need to check it out again. So happy to hear this post encourages you. That’s what I hoped it would do. I appreciate hearing from you and hope to see you around sometime again soon. In the meantime, have a wonderful weekend, my friend————

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  36. This is a fabulous blog! (Freshly Pressed, are you reading? This would be a wonderful piece to feature!) Your enthusiasm for blogging is so catching that any newcomers reading your blog will be eagerly writing and photographing. How fun that you were invited to Tori’s wedding! I’ve been over to her blog once or twice, but should visit more often–especially to hear how the wedding met. I have met tons and tons of people through blogging in the last four years. OK, maybe not tons, but at least a dozen maybe? (Some of them from blogging in the pre-WordPress days.) When my daughter and I went to Europe we even stayed with a couple of them! Keep on blogging, Kathy…you share so much with so many.

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  38. Oh my goodness Kathy this is amazing – a blogging wedding! AND you are the embodiment of all that is good about the blogging world and I salute you! I hope you had a blast at the wedding. I especially love what you write about community – you’ve perfectly captured what it means to me. Great post 🙂

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  39. I love this. I really really really love this! I hope you are having fun on your adventure and congrats on making so many lovely connections. Maybe one day our paths will cross. I love reading stories like this. It really is a wonderful world, isn’t it? So glad you are part of my blogging community and I am honored to be a part of yours.

    Sending smiles,
    Currie

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    • Oh, Currie, you are such a sweetie! I’m delighed we have “met.” We are just getting home from Nashville, but the wedding was so, so much fun. If you haven’t read it, hope you will check out Tori’s blog sometime. She very, very funny! And dear on top of everything else. Hope you’ve had a great weekend, my friend!

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  40. Who would have thought that blogging would have such a huge impact on so many people’s lives?? For someone to put her entire wedding plans in the hands of her readers is amazing (I hope they had good taste 😉 )!! There are so many wonderful people out there in the blogosphere, so many more than I had ever imagined. I finally decided to take the plunge and let some of my feelings come out in a post – I was pretty nervous about doing it, but now I’m so glad I did – the positive feedback was amazing!! I haven’t actually met anyone in person from any blog friendships, yet – maybe someday! Until then, it’s wonderful to be able to support each other here! ♥

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    • I know what you mean about sharing your feelings. Folks really seem to respond to that kind of authenticity with warmth. I woud never have guessed blogging would affect me the way it–how it has positively impacted so many. Who knew? Blogging has demonstrated to me just how many delightful people are in the world–and you, of course, are one of them, Holly. Hugs to you!

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  41. My co-editor Katie and I met via our blogs, back when I was still using blogger and living in Alaska. Though we’ve never met in person (she’s a Sydney native living in Paris, I live in E. Tennessee), she’s become probably one of the most influential, and dearest friends in my life. I never would have had the gift that is her spirit if she didn’t send me an email after reading my words. She initially found me via Imagine Childhood, where I participated in their lovely nature walk series. I would NEVER be the writer that I am today if it weren’t for blogging. 🙂

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    • Oh, Chrissy, I love this story! I hadn’t realized you all had met in the blogosphere or just how important she has become to you and your writing. That may be one of the best parts of blogging. It helps people connect with soul mates/best friends, we might never find next door or down the block. Happy Monday, my friend!

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      • I was kind of hoping that would happen, I thought it would be great for both of you! This is just as good though, plus this post was so well written. Not that the Wedding post wasn’t, but it was mainly pictures, you know. This one was just what blogging is all about so it deserved FP status!

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  46. You really hit on the what blogging can mean to our personal lives. I just started a year ago and look forward to meeting my blogger friends in real life. In a way we are more ourselves when we write at least I am and I think that if people met me they wouldn’t be too surprised at my energy level!
    Congrats on being Freshly Pressed!

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    • Gosh, you make an excellent point. We are more ourselves when we blog. Maybe that’s what gives blogging its appeal. I hope you get to meet some of your blogging buddies soon! Thanks so much for reading and congrats on having a year under your belt!!

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    • I swear to God, Lisa, you have amazing super powers! I owe you big time. I have you get lots of traffic from this. You deserve this, as well. You deserved it long ago! Thank you for nominating me. Thank you, thank you, thank you! And hugs!

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      • I’m really okay with not being FP’d but it is nice to know that we do have power to nominate quality posts, rather than some of the not-so-quality stuff that ends up on there. I hope this doesn’t overwhelm you, and that Sarah forgives me for being an blogging enabler.

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  48. This was wonderful! I’ve only been blogging for about two months, but I have experienced almost all of the things you listed so far. Blogging has changed so much, especiallyl my accountability, the way I view the world and myself, and it has certainly given me a new community of firends, support and ideas. Congrats on being Freshly Pressed as well!!

    ~Nina

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  49. It is amazing how much this blogging community can mean to all of us. Kathy, your post was just perfect! I hope you had a wonderful time at Tori’s wedding and I am thrilled you’ve met some amazing people and writers already. Congrats on being Freshly Pressed as well!

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    • Thank you so much. Tori’s wedding was amazing. We had so much fun, and, of course, she was a gorgeous bride. Blogging really is a lot of fun, isn’t it. That’s kind of an understatement, I know, but it is. Great to hear from you today!

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  50. Pingback: We said we wanted a revolution! « scatteringmoments

  51. This post is so deserving of its ‘freshly pressed’ status. I loved reading this from beginning to end, and I couldn’t agree more with all your 10 points. In a couple of months it will make 1 year that I’ve started blogging, and it’s been an incredible experience so far. I never cease to be amazed by how much I love it, how much my writing has grown and developed through my blog and how wonderful the blogging community is. Thanks so much for sharing this and congrats on being freshly pressed!

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    • Oh, thanks so much. Glad to know this post spoke to you and that you have enjoyed blogging so much yourself. You are so right about how it improves ones writing. Can’t wait to check out your blog once this FP stuff settles down. Great to hear from you today. Can’t tell you how much I appreciate your comment!

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  52. Kathy! I just logged in and saw that you were FP!!!! YEAH!!!! Cheers to all us fellow blogging friends! I am so glad you got to meet Tori! This is becoming a common trend now with our small blogging community! Hope to meet you someday too! Congrats again! 🙂

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    • I know. I told Sara how much I want to meet you. Plus, I have another blogging buddy (Terri) in your lovely town. Though it would be more fun to meet up at some exotic location. Thanks for being a part of my blogging family, Nicole. Hugs to you!

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  54. Wow! I’m doing all that??? And here I thought I was just writing about the stuff that happens in my life 🙂 Great post and congrats on the Freshly Pressed! Have a great time at the Very Bloggy Wedding!

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    • We had an amazing weekend at the Very Bloggy Wedding. I wrote about it today. If you haven’t realized yet how blogging can benefit you, I suspect you will before long. At least, it has meant a lot to me. Thanks so much for your comment. Great to hear from you today.

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  56. I am jumping up and down, I am so happy for you!!! Funny, I was thinking you should have been Freshly pressed for the bloggy wedding post! You are such a positive force in this blogging world and it’s such a joy for me to call you my friend. You are one of the special people of this planet, Kathy.

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    • I think it would have been really fun to have today’s post featured, especially for Tori’s sake. But, I suppose, this post has larger appeal.

      And, Renee, you have no idea how much your support has meant. You are an amazing role model for me! Thanks, my friend!

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  58. To be frank, (No I’m not really frank) most of the blogs on Freshly Pressed are uninteresting, to me at least. I was beginning to lose faith in them and then on a whim I clicked on yours. I was not disappointed. Great blog and great piece of writing!

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    • Thank you so much for taking another look. I’d love to renew your faith in FP–though I admit, the quality can be mixed. However, I have met some of my best blogger buddies through this forum. I think most folks I mention in this post have been featured at one time or another.

      I’m delighted you enjoyed my post. Once these comments stop comming in, I look forward to checking out your blog.

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  59. This is one of the better blogs I have read on FP. I was losing faith in it as most of the blogs selected are uninterested, at least to me. This was very well written. It actually helped to motivate me to keep writing. All the best on your writing endeavors.

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    • Gosh, thanks for the second comment. Glad to help renew your faith in FP. Like I said below (or above?), I have met all of my favorite bloggers on this forum. And I’m delighted to motivate you to keep writing! Can’t wait to check out your blog–once all this craziness settles down.

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  61. It’s certainly good to read a well done blog by a fellow Kentuckian. Well, I noticed you mentioned the Lexington Herald Leader. I visited Lexington one time and I remember the newspaper. I’m from Louisville, Ky. I’m not a very good writer. Well, it’s just my posts aren’t very helpful or well-written and end up sounding too angst ridden. So, I’m workin’ on it.

    But your blog is well done and I enjoyed reading this post.

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  62. this is so cool! I had no idea this whole little world existed. so glad I just decided to start blogging again! congrats on FP 🙂

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  63. I have had 2 or so blogger I have gotten to know but times have been tough. I had to cut back on online time [ kids growing up ] , one one my blog friends had to go back to work [ cut her time short ] and another basically decided to turn her blog into an eBook and hard cover book [ I am happy for her, but she has basically stop writing in order to make this happen].

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    • I’m sorry to hear you have lost some of your blogging buddies. Ever thought about trying out WordPress? I’ve found it really easy to make friends here.

      Regardless, it’s great to hear from you today. Hope you have a lovely evening.

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  64. I understand what you mean. A lot of this applies to me, and now my blog is very important to me. I also enjoy having people to talk to, and it’s something I can add to my portfolio as a writer. In a little less than a year, I’ve found my blog not just an indispensible tool, but something better than Facebook even, for making friends.

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  65. Imagine my surprise when WordPress opened with a picture of you at the top – I went to Whistler with my bookclub for a day, and look what I miss! I love that you are getting this broad exposure, that your words will touch so many more. Truly happy for you, my blogging friend.
    In answer to your question, I have two people that I follow closely: you and Tori! I wish I had time for more, but feel you two are all I can manage. So somewhat circuitous that here you are, blogging about Tori’s wedding.
    (Although I am subscribed to Tori’s blog, my email updates have stopped coming, mysteriously, I don’t know why – has this happened to you?)
    Well done Kathy, and thanks for the reminders of what can happen to you when you are dedicated to the craft.

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  66. I wouldn’t say I have blogging buddies but I have gotten to know some people I’ve never met before through their blogs. I originally created my blog to keep my uni friends updated with what I was up to but the majority of my subscribers are people I’ve never met. It’s incredible have there seems to be a whole new relationship status called “Blog buddies” emerging.

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    • I started my blog when my partner and I moved overseas, like you, to keep friends and family updated. But like you, as well, most readers now are folks I’ve never met. Interesting what you say about a new relationship status. My friend Robin calls them “blogmates.”

      Great to hear from. Hope you will stop by again soon!

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  68. I often wonder why I should keep blogging, especially when I’m trying too hard to think of something to write about.
    Your list is definitely a few good reasons to keep at it. My number 1 reason: Release. Allows me to vent and relieve some stress in the most passive-aggressive way. 🙂
    Congrats on being Freshly Pressed!

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    • I know how hard it can be to come up with things to write about sometime. I feel that way often. But I’m glad you can use it to relieve emotional stress–hard to imagine that is passive-agressive. Could it be more proactive, instead? Thanks for taking the time to comment! Hope you will stop by again soon!

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      • I say passive-aggressive because if I get mad at someone, I express it on my blog rather than to their face. But “Proactive” sounds better. 🙂

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  69. I’m kind of new to blogging and I have a small number of followers, but I am loving it so far. Yeah, my blog shows posts back to 2008. I imported my blogger posts, but my posts there were infrequent and I was not very committed to blogging. I have tried to really focus on my blog this year. I have some writing projects I hope to finish this year and blogging helps keep me focused on finishing them. Switching to wordpress has changed my blogging experience. I do not get many hits or comments, but I love seeing people read my blog. I also try to comment and thank each person who takes the time to comment on my posts. 🙂

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    • You are doing all of the right things. Like you, my blog seems to go back further than it really does, as I imported stuff from an old blog I hadn’t even attached tags to. Congrats on your success over the past year! I look forward to checking out your blog once all of this FP stuff slows down. Great to hear from. Thanks for your comment!

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    • Your comment made me laugh out loud. Thanks for that. Love it! Thanks for taking the time to read and respond. Hope to see you again soon. Stop back by. I will check out your blog, as well, once this FP thing settles down.

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  71. Great article! Continuous writing is hard. What has helped it pre-scheduling some posts to post automatically throughout the week. Also, joining blogging challenges like National Poetry Writing Month (http://www.NaPoWriMo.net) and most recently with the BlogHer National Blog Posting Month challenges (http://www.NaBloPoMo.com) have helped me stay on track with blogging and it helps with attracting readers and followers too.

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    • I’ve not tried any of the challenges myself, as I don’t have the time, but if I did, I would in a minute. Great to know it helps attract readers. I hadn’t thought of them in that regard, so I’m happy to learn that. Appreciate your taking the time to read and leave a comment. Hope to see you again soon!

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  72. What a wonderful read! I recently started blogging my fears and uncertainties as I was being diagnosed of ADD. I met wonderful people online, people who sympathized with and supported me through tough times. One who is actually from my hometown. I’m excited to meet her in person when I go back to my home country after my study abroad year. I do love the community as a bloggy reward – I’m still a greenhorn but I know that friends, not followers, count the most. Thanks for sharing this! Best of luck!

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  74. How exciting! I’m thrilled that Lisa’s nomination came to fruition– there is nobody more deserving of a FP than you, Kathy, and this post was PERFECT! I’m happy that Tori’s wedding prep got to be included, as well as the photos from your visits with Emily and Lisa. What a great community! 🙂

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    • I know. We do have a great community, don’t we? It amazes me how many friends the blogosphere has brought my way. I wonder if most folks have similar experiences? Thanks for checking out FP, Dana. Hugs to you today!

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  76. Pingback: 7. You Can Make Money From THIS? « Cannon Learns to Blog

  80. On breaks at work or home I used to catch a magazine article or read the news. Now I find I’m lost in Freshly Pressed. I am so impressed by such talented, creative people all over the world. It’s all so inspiring and is the catalyst I need to get going. It’s just great to see what quality writing everyday folks are doing. Imagine the future legacy we are leaving our family’s.

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    • Darn, that’s another good reason to keep blogging and one I hadn’t thought of–the legacy we leave our families. Thanks so much for mentioning it. It may be one of the most important reasons to do what we do. I’m so happy to hear from you today and would love you to visit again soon.

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  86. I bookmarked this blog and liked it as well. The info was lengthy was informative and just what I needed to help advertise my blog. I’ve been with Blogspot, Tumblr, and WP, and the last of the three has done me some justice. I try to blog more often to get more responses and advertise my photography business. This entry has helped me out a great deal. I also compose short stories (which have yet to appear here on WP), as well as poetry. So I try various mediums as I go. Thanks for posting this blog. I will be using it for reference (if that’s OK).

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  87. Looking for some rich lover friends, Share your hobby with more millionaire lovers or find friendship, romance, and love on: Meetingrich,℃’0m I spend most time on meetingrich.

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  88. It’s one of my newest dreams to meet some of my blogger friends sometime in the near future. Since I got into blogging and came across so many awesome blogs, I’ve always harboured the secret hope of being able to meet some of them atleast once in my lifetime! Your post has just heightened my hopes! Anyway, loved your post! Congrats on being Freshly Pressed AGAIN! 😀

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  89. Pingback: Back to the blog… « Design Introspective

  91. Awesome post and congrats on getting your post onto freshly press!! More people need to read and see your blog, you are an inspiration to me a lot of others 🙂 Keep up the good work and I hope this helps to further spread your message!!!

    I hope you are well,

    Dave.

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    • Hey Dave. It’s so great to hear from you. You’ve been away for a while, but noticed when I got back from Nashville that you had started posting again. As soon as this FP stuff settles down I will stop by again! Keep writing, my friend!

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  92. I’m very happy to read this. This is the kind of details that needs to be given and not the accidental misinformation that is at the other blogs. Appreciate your sharing this best doc.

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    • I always figure you should share concrete evidence of how it could benefit someone, if you want them to do more of it. Without detail, none of this matters, I suppose. Glad to hear you appreciated it! Thanks for reading!

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  94. I really enjoyed reading your post! Blogs like these are great reminders of the highs and lows of writing , and great encouragement to keep on going. Congrats on being Freshly Pressed!

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  97. Great points, Kathryn. Love your posts – and your ornament post was my favorite – I got so many compliments on the ornaments I made and gave as gifts. You are definitely multi-talented. And thanks for your comments and virtual hugs over at my spot – they are appreciated.

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      • You are up early!!! Congrats on being FP’d. I just got over there – my brain isn’t awake or I could have figured out the bazillion comments…Your wedding post for Tori’s wedding is a blast.

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      • I’m an early riser. Always get my best work done when the day is beginning.

        Actually this post already had over 100 comments even before it was FP, so now it’s just nuts. Glad to hear you enjoyed the wedding post, as well. Hope you have a good day!

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  100. I think I needed to read this post today. I’ve been questioning why the hell I’ve been keeping a blog at all lately. Sometimes it fills me with excitement and sometimes I feel like its nothing but a major time suck.

    Congrats on being freshly pressed. Or, if I’m reading this right, freshly pressed for the second time. You deserve it.

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    • Believe me–I know how those bad days feel. I have them, as well. I’m beginning to think that’s an inevitable part of the process. Hang in there and keep at it. Hope you will visit again and let me know how it’s going.

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    • It can be truly wonderful. It has taken me over a year to fully begin reaping these rewards, but I’m sure it could happen for you, as well. Thanks for visiting. Would love to see you here again. Hope you’ll stop by soon.

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  103. Hey Kathy,

    Hooray! I’m so happy for you! I did think when I read this post that there was a chance it would be Freshly Pressed. It really deserves it. But of course one never knows.

    Now I’m doubly glad that you linked to me 🙂 🙂

    xoxo,
    Heather

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    • Yes, one never knows. It’s been fun to have this experience again. I hope you got some traffic from this–hope you got lots of it, actually–but you never know about that either. Hugs to you, Heather!

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  104. Hi Kathy. I am glad that I have read your post and it’s packed with all the benefits of blogging. I do not have a troop of readers flocking on my blog but I always write for the benefit of those few readers who are interested in my work. It always gives me pride and a purpose.Get connected with me on my blog@http:goldenfingers.wordpress.com

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    • I will definitely check out your blog. One of the thing I’ve noticed about blogging is that some of earliest readers mean the most to me. Treasure them. It doesn’t take a lot of readers to experience a sense of community. I’m so happy to hear from you today. Will check out your blog soon. Keep writing!

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  105. I absolutely love this post for so many reasons! I had no idea that people could plan a “bloggy” wedding and I simply can’t wait to read more of your blog to see how it turns out and what it’s like meeting Tori and her husband-to-be for the first time. This post meant many things for me, but most importantly, I strongly agree with many of the benefits you detailed in today’s post. Most salient to me was the points accountability and building a portfolio of work. Although, I’m a new blogger, I can’t wait to reach the point where individuals are counting on me to share my experiences and then, for that courage and those stories to open up very important doors and opportunities to not only share my story, but those in the blogosphere. You and your partner are doing an amazing thing Kathy – keep it up! I look forward to reading more about your upcoming adventures and experiences.

    Cheers to touching lives, sharing happiness, and so much more!

    cc:Keith

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    • How great to hear from you, Keith! I love your enthusiasm.

      If you read my most recent post, you can see the photos of Tori’s wedding. It was wonderful and so fun to meet her.

      Keep blogging. Keep writing. Your enthusiasm will take you far. I so hope you will come back to my blog. I have been so crazy with this whole FP thing the last day, that I haven’t had time to check out the blogs of folks like you. Will you stop back later this week or next to remind me? I really want to see what you are writing.

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  107. Hi,
    I’m so glad I read this post. It rings so true in so many ways. I have been writing for a few months and have been amazed at what a generous, giving community I am getting to know on WordPress. I have had some wonderful experiences and have come to love blogging. Thanks so much for sharing your experiences. How sweet you are to take an opportunity like this and giving a shout out to so many people that you have come to love. I think that’s just incredible.

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    • Oh, thank you so much. I’m delighted this post spoke to you–and so happy that you are having great blogging experiences. It actually feels almost impossible for me not to give credit to others, as they have given me so much. They are great gifts.

      Love your comment and hope you will come back sometimes soon. I really want to check out your blog, but this FP thing makes it too crazy to do that immediately. Hope you’ll come back by and remind me. I love your enthusiasm.

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  108. Hey Kathy,

    Freshly Pressed!!! Well done! I knew there was a reason why I felt a strong urge to check out the FP page today. I’m glad I didn’t miss it.

    As you might have gathered I haven’t been online much lately. Not been feeling well, and find it difficult to post. Although I did read when I could.

    Again I’m thrilled that you got some recognition for all your great writing.

    Best wishes to you and Sara!

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    • Oh, how great to hear from you today. So glad you happened to check FP today. So fun to hear from you today, of all days–my first subscriber!

      I suspected you weren’t feeling well. Hope things get better for you as your winter approaches–that you feel better. Hang in there, Lisa. Hugs to you—————-

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  110. Great points made about the benefits of blogging. I recently starting blogging again after a very long hiatus. I was motivated to continue moving forward with that decision after many friends expressed their excitement to read my crazy ramblings regarding life, my three neurological diseases, and now my fitness adventures and blah blah blah!

    Anyway, great post and I hope you guys have a blast at the wedding.

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    • Oh thank you. The wdding was so, so fun. Actually, this post was published last week–though not FP until yesterday. You can look at my most recent post to see the wedding photos.

      Your blog sounds interesting. I have bipolar disorder, so I’m interested in anything even remotely related to that. Plus, I’m working at gettingin shape again. Hope you will come back by again soon. I truly appreciate your visit and your supportive comment.

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  113. This post is very insightful in making the most of having a blog. Friendship be it virtual or tangible are of equal importance in this day and age. There are so many scare stories about how technology is distancing us from social aspects of life, but with WordPress and other blogs this simply isn’t true….this technology encourages interaction and response, it’s a very “sharing” community rather than solely voyeuristic, because it is personal.

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  114. You are so right. Not too long ago, I had a couple of near life-ending strokes accompanied with a heart-attack. I was told to get my affairs in order, family visited from around the country, and I started on a new regimen of meds and therapy to regain lost physical abilities.

    My passion had always been playing guitar, but I had rarely played in public.

    I decided to make playing guitar the focal point of my rehabilitation, and posting guitar licks/solos or songs, along with the tablature I wrote for it, on a wordpress blog so that I would have weekly goals to accomplish, as well as to provide assistance to budding guitarists, and I wasn’t going to worry whether or not they were perfectly performed. They would mark my progress from not being able to recall/play, to having some increasing ability.

    My blog has turned out to be fun and I’ve met quite a few nice people as a result.

    Thank you for your post. Blog-on!

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    • I love hearing your story. I’m not very musical myself, but I hope you continue to recover. It’s great that you are reaching out and giving back! Hope you will stop by again soon. Thanks for your comment!

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  115. Great post, I enjoyed reading this article! I agree that blogging brings some great advantages and that everyone should try their hand at it. I have only recently begun blogging in the past year and a half, but find it very inspirational and educational.

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    • I’m delighted you enjoyed this post. And thanks for tweeting. Tori and Tom’s wedding was wonderful, and, as far as I know, a first. I appreciate you taking the time to comment, as well. Have a great evening!

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  117. Wonderful post, Kathy. Blogging is a wide variety of things, mostly (I think) fun. 🙂

    Looking forward to your wedding post (which I did already have a peek at).

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    • Great to hear you have started blogging. Meeting other bloggers has been among the hightlights of the past year for me. And I plan to do it again soon. Keep blogging, and I hope you get to meet someone soon. I’d love you to stop by again soon.

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  119. Great post! Congrats on being Freshly Pressed. I recently met two women who I am happy to call my friends. We started out reading each others blogs and realized we live near each other so we took the leap from the virtual world to the real world. It was a great experience!

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    • This is a great story. Love it that you have taken that step and that your blogging friends actually live close-by. That’s a huge advantage. Hope the three of you continue to deepen your connections and support for one another. Thank for stopping by!

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  121. I created a word press account a year ago in order to comment on a friend’s blog. I want to thank you for this post, as I am trying to overcome my fear of actually creating a blog. Your list of reasons to join are also part of my reason not to. So reading your words has encouraged me to consider more seriously taking that step. One question, how do you protect your ‘body of work’ from being hijacked??? Thanks again.

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    • I hope you go ahead and take that leap. I suspect you’ll be glad you do. You can add a copyright notice on your blog (which is something I need to do), but actually I’m not an expert on that topic. This is a question you could raise on the WordPress support forum. You can find the link toward the bottom-left of the FP page. Good luck!

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  123. Congrats, Kathy! You’ve said it all. I’m unexpressibly grateful for having the opportunity to “get to know you” online. I’ve missed reading your blog (and receiving your encouragement) terribly. 😀

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    • This is terrific. I’m happy you have experienced some of these benefits of blogging. And I’m glad you enjoyed this post. Hope you will stop by my site again soon. Thanks so much for reading and taking the time to leave this encouraging comment.

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    • Gosh, I love your enthusiasm. I have to agree. It IS too freaking cool. Tori’s wedding was lovely, and I was so excited to meet her in person. Hope you will keep blogging and stop by my site again soon. Thanks for reading!

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  127. Congratulations, Kathy! I’m so slow! I got busy with post-vacation stuff and just noticed. I’m so glad you’ve been showcased again so that more readers can find you.
    Doing a happy dance for you,
    Tori

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  128. Excellent! I intended to just stop in to congratulate you on being FreshlyPressed, but was ‘hooked’ from the beginning (as usually happens when I read your posts.) I am happy to have you as a blogging friend, and someday I hope to meet you. After all, I’m a KY gal myself. 🙂

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    • Gosh, Cecelia, I had no idea you were from Kentucky. There are actually several bloggers I’d love to meet who live in your part of Ohio, so maybe we will someday–both Robin of “Life in the Bogs” and Miranda of “scatteringmoments.” Wonder why Cleveland tends to attract so many great bloggers. Is it in the water up there? LOL

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  129. Kathy,

    I followed this here from your Do-over: A Frenzy of Freshly Pressed blog this morning, somehow I missed this last week, where the heck was I? Still catching up from returning from Vermont?
    This is an amazing blog and one that deserves the Freshly Pressed Banner !

    You have offered an insightful collection of reason to be a blogger… and as my blog is called “The Reluctant Bloger” which is because it has taken me a long time to see and realize the usefulness of blogging. The power that it could have and does.
    I have yet to form “strong” bounds with many bloggers because my blogs are so “reluctantly” written and posted. There are a few I follow regularly, and you are one of them, the blogger from whom I met you, Kathy Drue, and Laurie B, these two ladies where people I had met on an old site. Gaia network, and have continued to read and be involved in their lives. Last summer I met Kathy in NYC when she was visiting her daughter there. It was like we where old friends meeting after so many years.

    I could go on and on about this blog but I think you are going to be busy with many more responses now!

    Love to You and Sara!

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    • So, do you live in NY, Jeff? I’m delighted to hear about your meeting Kathy. I would love to meet both her and Laurie. I follow both of their blogs closely–both are beautiful people with huge hearts–as are you.

      I, actually, enjoy the fact that you call yourself “The Reluctant Blogger.” There’s something lovely about that–your wanting to hold back but blogging anyway. I’d love to meet you, Jeff! Hugs to you, my friend!

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      • Kathy,

        I live 2 hours South of NYC, in New Jersey, just across the river from Philadelphia ! I would love to me you too…

        I was and still am a reluctant blogger to some degree. I am glad you find that aspect of me enjoyable and Lovely! ((Hugs))

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      • I think it’s charming–the reluctance, that is. Great to know where you are. I have this desire to start a meet-the blogger project or something like that. I thought about trying to organize a gather here in Kentucky. One of my bloggy buddies is talking about doing something in the Cleveland area. Check out Cecelia’s comment–either just above or below yours. Have a great day, my friend! Hugs to you———

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  130. Kathy, again, congratulations! As you most probably know, I heard you had been Freshly Pressed through Sara at Blipfoto, and whilst I was absolutely thrilled at the news, I quietly cursed the fact that I have been so busy this week that I missed the moment as it unfolded! I hope you will forgive my tardiness and accept a huge hug of gratitude for the wonderful words you share here. I am so pleased to have met you and Sara through the blogosphere. 🙂

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    • Oh, we love having met you, too. Sara told me the other day, “I really like Joanne!” That’s when she showed me your tattoo photos. You are a sweetie. Hope we can meet some day! Hugs to you from both of us!

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    • How great to hear from you. Being new to blogging is an exciting place to be, as you are on the cusp of getting to know some wonderful folks–and potential friends. Thanks for subscribing. I will check out your blog this weekend. Keep writing–and may you, very soon, be FP yourself!

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    • I agree. It would make a GREAT title. Will have to pass that idea along to Tori. She’s an amazing writer. If you haven’t read her blog, I can’t recommend her highly enough. Thanks so much for reading. Great to hear from you today.

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    • I’m so happy you enjoyed the list. This was an especially fun post to write. It’s fun to “meet” new bloggers, as I know what exciting things you have to look forward to. Keep writing. Keep posting. (By the way, love the name of your blog. Will check it out over the weekend–and if I don’t, come back and remind me.) Thanks for reading and taking the time to leave a comment.

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  135. Wow this story is so cool. It really brings home the point of connecting with people, even if you’ve never met face to face, through words and reading the intimate thoughts of their blog. I feel like through blogging people let down their guards and let loose so to speak which in turn really lets you get to know them. Thanks for your story and you are absolutely right about the great benefits of blogging, you nailed the “data” on the head. Seriously obessed with stats… and I recently told my bf of my goal to have my entire map be full of color.. slowly I am getting there and can’t wait for that date! Keep up the great work. I will be following you now I really enjoyed what I saw on your blog.
    xoxo, andrea

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    • Gosh, thanks so much for stopping by. Sounds like you really get it! Isn’t it crazy how obsessed we get with stats?

      Also, you are especially right about why people connect through blogging–because when you share from your heart, folks respond. You have said this very well!

      Thanks also for subscribing. I want to visit the blogs of everyone who comments on this post, but it may take me a while, as the comments are really beginning to add up. If I don’t make it to your blog soon, please remind me.

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    • Oh, thank you, Laurie. I taught writing for a number of years at the University of Kentucky–but never blogging. I think teaching blogging would be a ton of fun. My problem is that I know NOTHING about the technical aspects of blogging.

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  137. I would try and write a smart comment – only I can’t. This is such a great post. Congratulations on being Freshly Pressed!
    I really enjoy the photo of yourself and Emily together – Brilliant 🙂

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    • I can’t tell you how much I appreciate this comment, as that is exactly, so often, my own issue. I can’t think of anything interesting to say. LOVE it that you admit that. I’m with you. Glad you enjoyed the photo with Emily. Do you read her blog?

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  138. I am a brand new newby blogger looking for inspiration – and I have found it in spades in your wonderful blog (which I fell across by chance). Hope you had a lovely time at the wedding and that everything went well. I am looking forward to reading many more of your blogs 🙂

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  139. CONGRATULATIONS! I finally made it here. I tried to comment from my car with an iPad yesterday and wasn’t able. Now I’m in Buffalo, NY sitting at a hotel room desk.

    Of all weekends to get Freshly Pressed! Like you didn’t have enough to do. Haha. Looks like you pulled it off. I’m sure you didn’t mind.

    You make some excellent points.

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  140. One of the good and more thoughtful lists I’ve read until now. I’m rather new to this bloggy business as well, and I started because I thought it’d be a good way to ameliorate my writing skills.

    Anyway, I’d like to ask if you’d be willing to share some advice on getting inspiration for writing ? ( because, in the three weeks I’ve had the blog, I have only made 3-4 posts, since I never seem to have any inspiration ( + I was away for one week)).

    Thanks in advance.

    Greetings, Peter.

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    • Peter, I’m so happy to hear from you today. Glad to hear you enjoyed the post. I wish I could give you some suggestions for getting inspiration, but I think I’d need to know more about you to be really helpful. I can suggest, however, that when I struggle to find something to write about, I write about how hard it sometimes is to find something I’m truly motivated to write about–or about how I feel blocked. The experience you describe is so commom among writers, that actually addressing it in a post, it likely something that will appeal to most readers. As writers we like to know we are not alone–that others face the same writing struggles we do.

      Hope that helps. And hope to hear from you again soon!

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      • Thanks, I’m happy you took the time to answer me, Rgiht now I’m finding more and more subjects that I think need some writing about. I’m also getting closer to finding a direction for my blog, for now I’m thinking of doing posts which merge reviews of good, odd or plain weird books I read and some comments about what’s happening around the world. (which will probably begin with France, since that’s where I’m living right now, and end up being about Australia, as I am going there on a sabatic year before I go to university.).

        Thanks. once again, for this great post and hope you have a good day.

        My Greetings, Peter.

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    • It really helps, doesn’t it? Sometimes it’s just to easy to put off writing–to think we can do it tomorrow or next week–especialy if we feel blocked. Thanks so much for reading. It’s great to hear from you. Hope you will stoy by again soon!

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    • Gosh, I know what you mean. Wonder why we become to obsessed with that. Maybe it’s a way of conctetizing our writings effectiveness–something that generally feels so intangible. So happy to hear you enjoyed the post! Thanks for reading.

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  143. I’ve only been blogging for a few months but I was starting to sense that there was the potential for nice little communities to form. Loved your post, it gives me great things to aspire to.

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  144. Pingback: W is for What wonders we … | The odd ramblings of a mind that does not quite fit

    • So happy you stopped by. I have to agree that commenting for a cause is a great idea. I know what you mean about all of the links. Hard to imagine anyone being able to check them all out. At any rate, hope you’ll come by again soon.

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  146. Pingback: Redefining Front-Porch Culture: Bloggers and a World-Wide Notion of Neighbor | reinventing the event horizon

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