I've been thinking about my blog a lot lately & really missing it. I started this blog over 10 years ago while I was home writing my dissertation as a way to take a break from and connect with people since I felt so isolated. Also, writing a dissertation is really hard. I needed something fun. The few years after graduation was a strange transition time. BB started middle school & I was trying to decide what to do with myself. I had reached my goal of a PhD and was out of a project and a long-term goal. And no job in sight. There were lots of challenges and difficulties: my dad got really sick, we lost our sweetest Alice, middle school was a black hole. Everything kept changing and shifting in distressing ways. As I tried to steer my ship through all the many storms, I couldn't figure out how to continue my blog. I've noticed that blog friends come and go -- I think everyone struggles with the problem of maintaining a blog persona as their life shifts. I began teaching full time 5 years ago, so along with home responsibilities, my days are very full -- too full sometimes. The blog has further languished.
Last summer, we moved from our home of 22 years to a newer, smaller house. To say that this was an upheaval and massively overwhelming is an understatement. We had so much packed into that house, and it was unbelievably hard to manage the sorting, culling, packing, and all the logistics that go into moving. I became ruthless in the end trying to decide what to keep and what to let go of. Some of my decisions were good, but some were not. My eye twitched a lot and my eczema got worse. Although I was ready to leave my old house and neighborhood, the process was traumatic. We are mostly settled in our new home, which is lovely. There are still a few things I miss about my old house, but I very much like my new one. It is also beginning to feel like my home. I had not expected it to take so long for me to feel that way. Things feel more settled in general & everyone is doing well. While there is still some lingering sadness and worries, I don't feel as though the sand is continually shifting below my feet. I can breathe. As for the current pandemic, we are only affected by inconvenience.
One of the things I've always loved about blogging is that it makes everyday occurrences seem special. I think that is what I want my blog to be about: everyday adventures. I want to begin cataloging that again.
Springtime in Pea Ridge
Over my Spring Break in mid March, Annie and I visited my mom in Pea Ridge, which remains much the same as ever. The trees were blossoming and pollen was everywhere! It is beautiful there and I love it. So does Annie!
4 comments:
Lulu: "That sure is a lot of changes over the last few years! I'm glad to hear things are settling down and your new place is starting to feel like home. I had a lot of changes last year when my old family turned me in to the shelter and then I got adopted to live here with the Hipster Kitties, but it feels like home for me now, too. I love it here with Mama and Dada and the Hipsters and I'm sure the Hipsters feel the same way about me."
Charlee: "You're all right for a dog."
Chaplin: "You're not Dennis though."
Lulu: "See? They love me. Anyway that looks like a great place for a walk, with lots of good smells! I hope to see you around again soon!"
I cannot speak for others but I always love it when you return, however briefly, to blogging.
It is true that things change over the years, one's circumstances, and one's companions too. For me, the loss of Tommy in December 2018, followed by the loss of Bibi in May 2019, was like a blow from a sledgehammer. I was not as rigorous about posting as I had been but did continue, especially as there was a new pup, Ollie, to bring into the fold. I have now also acquired two more horses, my Violette's 25 year old mother and 3-year old sister, so from being cat-heavy, things are now horse-heavy (or heavy horses!). Still, I do love the discipline of writing something every day, and sharing photos.
I do hope you will blog more regularly!
#1 and everyone at The Poupounette
Thank you dear friends for your comments. So happy to hear from both of you again!
Pea Ridge is beautiful. I love Wisteria. Especially the smell of it when it blooms.
I definitely understand about the stress of moving after 20 years in the military. I am glad to read that you are finally settling in.
Be safe and God bless.
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