I am a loyal and committed person. Really, I am. Ask any of my friends, former colleagues, fellow PTA slaves, or Cherubs.
But this blogging thing? For some reason it doesn’t “stick” with me. Um, in case you hadn’t noticed. I’m about as loyal to this site as I am to my brand of toothpaste.
As the Small One put it, this morning my breath “stank all cinnamon-y instead of stinking all mint-y.”
But what does he know?
And what do I know, for that matter?
I mean…what is the purpose of this site? To make money?
Please. The good people at BlogHer are onto me every time I put down the proverbial microphone and they revoke my meager kickback privileges quicker than you can say my dog’s full name.
Which happens to be Gwendolyn Jane Brooks Coates Dog Thing Poop Corner.
“Eats Caution Tape” is her lesser used middlest name.
But that is a story for another day. A day when I have the opportunity to sing for you the song that I penned around her name.
Ahem.
So why do I do it? Blog, I mean?
I don’t have a “niche,” as they say in the blogosphere.
Folks don’t come around here to glean Feng Shui tips. Or Paleo recipes. Or Dear Abby-esque advice. Or crocheting how-tos. I write about a little bit of this and a snippet of that, and I’m not much of an authority on anything.
I do it because I just like it. The writing. Until I publish that first novel, this little corner of cyberspace serves as my virtual calling card and a big recycling receptacle for all the oddness that flits around in my sassy little brain.
But sometimes? I don’t like it. The writing. My sassy little brain runs dry, so to speak, and the words do not flow. And so then I stop. Not forever…more like those Black-Eyed Susans in my backyard that wither away in the fall, appear dead to the world through the winter months, and then return with renewed strength each summer.
Yeah. Like that. My name *is* Susan, after all.
Coincidence?
Why, yes…yes, it is.
Only my eyes are brown instead of black. I’m not one to rumble, usually.
But I did wither a bit this fall. There was the loss of my sweet friend, followed by a series of sucker punches delivered by Life that left me almost literally gasping for air and wondering what the eff God had up His sleeve when He allowed for the blows to keep coming.
And coming.
And coming.
And I still don’t know what the eff He has up his sleeve.
But I’m still here.
Breathing. Gasping at times…but breathing. Each breath is a reminder that I am alive. I am a survivor.
Oh, LAWD, no. I speak metaphorically.
I am stronger than I know thanks to this God who is stronger than any of us know.
Is that vague enough for you?
Perfect. Maybe I’ll delve into it here one day…
…and maybe not.
But in the meantime?
I’m back for awhile.
And I think I quite like it. Thank you for coming by today, friends. And please do drop in next Thursday, when I most certainly will have something more jovial to say. Something a bit more Feng Shui-ish or Paleo-like, perhaps. Because in between all of the sucker punches?
I’ve been a busy little bee. And I can’t wait to show you what I’ve been up to.
Linking with Shell at Things I Can’t Say
WOW!!! I could have written this post about events in our lives and how I’m coming through. It’s made me al oat completely unable to blog. Sort of because I think the bare places of my soul are too ugly to share. In fact, typing that may have kicked something loose. The truth is even in my melancholic philosophizing before, I was still just playing in puddles compared to the clinging to a life preserver in the middle of the sea.
Glad you’re hanging onto The Preserver, Maggie. It’s the only way to survive. xo
That the last few months have been in real life.
SO good to hear.
To my brown eyed Susan and a dear friend. God doesn’t give us anything we can’t handle and apparently he knows your a badass.
Apparently, Chrissy. Cause He sure did let it rain.
It’s a test of strength. Stay strong. We never walk alone. Remember that.
Amen. xo
It’s so hard when life throws us those punches. I tend to cope by writing about everything else on my blog instead of what it the most important. Though that will sometimes backfire when someone won’t understand why I’m in such a dark place because after all, I hadn’t shared anything traumatizing on the blog.
Can’t wait to hear what you’ve been up to! xo
Yeah. It’s easier for me to step away altogether when things are rough so I can focus on IRL. And I can’t WAIT to share the fun stuff with you, Shell! xoxo
I’m glad to see you back here.
I have a hard time writing when life is throwing those punches at me, too, so I totally get this.
Hello, friend! I know that YOU know a thing or two about survival as well. Thank you for dropping by.
You HAVE been a busy little bee! Keep Calm and Blog On…..
You know it. Now put your money where your mouth is, girlfriend.
Good to see you back! Loved this post and looking forward to many more.
Awww…thanks, Boss. Let’s stay in touch.
Welcome Home, as they say in Disney!
Good to read your posts-i can just hear your voice talking when i read it.
Here’s to a GREAT 2014!
And so that? Is the best complement that I’ve heard in a long while…my writing voice being one and the same with my talking voice. Thanks, babe. And yes…good riddance to 2013. xo
I’ve missed your little bit of this and little bit of that, but I totally get it. I’m on a bit of a hiatus myself – mostly because I’m lazy. Welcome back.
Poppy! I have been doing things that would make you proud! {and some that might not…but you can’t win ‘em all}. Here’s to productive hiatusesesesessss.
Welcome back, stranger! Believe it or not, we’ve missed you
Kerrrrryyyyyyy! Missed you too, babe! Will swing by soon and see what you’ve been up to. xo
Oooh I can so relate!
I love what you wrote here and you are brilliant!
Happy to catch up with your blog.
Oh, sweet Maureen. Thank you. I’ve seen you around on FB and the like…and you look so WELL. Here’s to catching up to you soon. xo
I’m glad you’re back. I don’t know all of what you have been through, but I remember the beautiful post you wrote about your friendship. For me, this past year seemed to have a black cloud hanging over it. I kept saying to myself, “well it could have been worse,” And truly, it could have been. But the most recent ones are “the worse,” and it’s a struggle. But I am really glad to see you here again.
Hello, doll. I’m glad I’m back, too. My beautiful friends have definitely helped me through this season. And yes…it could *always* be worse. I hope that you’re ok…and letting the struggles refine and strengthen you as I’m trying to do. xo
You … Go ….. Girl
I’m going, friend…I’m going. Not much of a choice, really, when you think about it.
If you want to write about bile flow next week, then do it. It’s you blog and you can do whatever you like. The loyal crew will be here to tell you that bile flow is random and you should cut back on grease but we’ll still be here.
That made no sense.
So what toothpaste do you use?
I love you longtime. You speaka my language. That is all. xoxoxo
Glad to see you back! I am sorry that it has difficult – life doesn’t hold back sometimes, does it?
I look forward to hearing about all your stuff – the good, the not-so-much, and anything else your sassy brain wants to share.
Thanks, Kim…good to “see” you again! xx
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