Saturday, February 27, 2016

Blogging news and an anniversary. . . . .

Carolina wren on my front porch last week.

Sometimes I too feel like I need more balance in my life! I'm finding at this age I am not so good standing on one leg! I struggle to get into a pair of tights now, usually ending up sitting down! Trying any type of physical exercise which demands balancing sometimes makes me dizzy. Lately even getting up too fast from bed causes me to be off balance. Blood pressure is good with a little medical assistance. Guess it's 'an aging thing', like kneeling - why is that so difficult also?  Oh these golden years, so full of challenges!

Anyway, not to worry. Here I am, past seventy and still blogging! Yes, today is my anniversary. Nine years ago today I put up my first post on my first blog named Across The Pond (still available via the link on the top of my sidebar).

My guess is anyone starting a blog wonders, what the heck shall I write about that would be of interest to anyone who doesn't even know me? Who would even want to look at tiny photos, most of which were blurry and nondescript as I'd never used a good camera or had any formal instruction.
Perhaps my saving grace was that I had worked in art and advertising for several years. . . . all before computers became commonplace. This had given my untrained eye a path to creating lovely things to look at, whether through a lens or on paper. I learned about design and color, I tried basic airbrush retouching - the old way with a huge tank of compressed air standing next to my desk. I did line drawings and calligraphy. I learned about typography and choosing fonts. I wrote copy for page layouts, edited copy, and sometimes assisted art directors with ads designed for national companies. I was used as a hand model (my other bits apparently not marketable!) as I have long fingers and always kept my nails looking good! I used hundreds of rolls of Kodak film in cheap cameras. Don't laugh. . . . . I was actually the studio manager/admin. assistant but I so wanted to be an artist like all the talented people I worked with! All those things brought me to the understanding that I loved to be creative with pen, ink, paper, and a camera, that I could do things without being a real 'artist', and that I had found my niche in the world of art. I enjoyed those years more than any others in the workplace.

I realized how much I missed that creative part of my life when I retired. But then I found blogging! Here was a platform waiting for me to step up on, a place which might allow me to become creative again. This time I would be my own boss, working at my own pace and on my own terms, but with the help of an amazing computer and digital cameras. So here I am, nine years later, still blogging with no plans to cease quite yet. As far as what I write about - anyone who's followed me for a while knows that can be just about anything and everything - and that I take a lot of photographs both here around town and the world.

Last, but by no means least, you are out there and actually reading my posts, and seem to like them! Because of this blog I have a wonderful relationship with each of you. I love learning about you, your lives, your loves, your homes, your pets, what you cook, where you travel, everything that makes you tick! Sadly, some of you I may never meet in person. Others I have met, several more than once, and we have done fun things together. I do hope to meet more of you this year - who knows where or when - but it may happen, it's one of the big perks of having a blog.




So here I am, often feeling a bit like the squirrel, off balance, feeling my age a bit,
 but still ready to climb a tree in the sunshine, take a trip to a new place to share
 with you, or go on an expedition. 
Thanks to each of you taking time to stop here, read my words, or perhaps just
 take a look at my photographs. 
I always love reading your generous comments and understand how much time
 it takes to comment on the many blogs we each follow.
 I cannot thank you enough for stopping by as often as you do.

Hope you are having a great day. I am - and I'm enjoying my 9th anniversary!
See you next time.



30 comments:

  1. Well happy happy anniversary my dear. I've always loved your blog(s). I find your style fascinating - your grace amazing. I enjoy your photos from around the block and around the world. You've certainly had an interesting life and always make the most of any situation. Blog on my friend - we are here to share and enjoy.

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  2. Happy Anniversary Mary! As you know, I think I've been reading your posts for almost all those years. I don't always comment but I do enjoy!

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  3. A beautiful post, Mary, truly inspirational. A very happy blog anniversary to you!
    Amalia
    xo

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  4. Dear Mary, Congratulations. What an achievement! I love your blog. I love the way your camera skills tell the story. I am not surprised to read about your art background...it shows in the way you present each and every blog post. ox, Gina

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  5. I find my friends that don't blog, also don't get what a blog is. I have been doing it for some time also and have enjoyed it. Glad you will keep at it as I so enjoy my virtual travels with likeminded friends. I always miss when blogs I used to follow suddenly stop and wonder what has happened. I know some go off to other social media. Congratulations and thank you for the memories.

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  6. Happy Anniversary! And I loved this peek into what you used to do for a living, Mary. Fascinating! I'm so glad you're here.

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  7. Happy Anniversary Mary! February is my ninth anniversary too - from the days when I blogged on the Country Living UK site.
    The challenges that come with age are just reminders that we are ALIVE! I don't know many people who do as much, are 'up' for as much and enjoy life as much as you do. It's such a pleasure to see your new posts and to 'know' you!

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  8. Happy Anniversary! Your blog is always an inspiration. Hugs! Bonnie

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  9. Happy blog anniversary Mary! I have loved your blog from the day I first started reading it. I am one of the fortunate ones who has met you in person, several times in fact and we have become great friends! I hope you continue blogging and I hope we get to see each other this year! xo

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  10. Nine years is a long time Mary - congratulations.
    Your creativity shines out from your blog for all to see and admire - I was interested to learn that you had previously worked within an artistic environment.
    I see many people much younger than our generation who are greatly incapacitated - painful knees we can be coped with by not kneeling on them! - but I do sometimes wonder exactly what it is that makes them hurt! and yes, why not sit down rather than wobble on one leg.
    Keep on blogging Mary you are an inspiration♡

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  11. Congratulations on your anniversary, dear Mary. Now I understand why your blog is one of the most lovely ones out there, resembling a glossy, high class magazine in every respect. Such a joy to peruse, both the photos and the words. I feel very blessed to have discovered you a few years ago and to call you a friend. Blessings to you! Sara

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  12. Mary, I've not been blogging nine years, but close behind you. I published my first post on August 2, 2009. Your words certainly ring true. If I were as eloquent a writer as you, I could easily share the exact same thoughts. Just an hour ago on our morning walk, I was thinking about this process of aging. The body does tell us that time has passed, but my mind and spirit feel young as ever. I'm so happy that you feel inspired to keep sharing with all of us. It is amazing, this world of blogging friendships. I'm lucky that I found Across the Pond all those years ago. Congratulations on your 9 year anniversary. Well done!

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  13. Happy 9th anniversary. I too felt like you when I first started my blog, I love reading your posts, where you've been what your doing and just love seeing the birds you catch on camera.

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  14. Happy Anniversary! I, too, often read your lovely posts and enjoy your photos but haven't posted a reply for some unknown reason.

    As a retired RN, I'd like to mention that your dizziness when first sitting up, could be due to a sudden drop on your blood pressure called "postural hypotension". If your dizziness clears up quickly as you remain sitting or doesn't happen at all if you sit up slowly, you might ask your doctor if your BP medicine dose is a bit too high for your current needs. That may be due to weight loss or a change in your usual activity level. You might actually faint if you try to get going while you're dizzy.

    Wishing you well!

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  15. Mary, Happy Anniversary! It is always a pleasure and joy to read you blog posts and enjoy your photos from your house, your garden, or around the world. You both entertain and inform us and we appreciate your style. Do KEEP on blogging. Best wishes,
    Farm Gal in VA

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  16. Happy Annie! I read Across the Pond from day one and read A Breath of Fresh Air every new post. Hope you find a solution to the dizzies. I suffer if I turn too quickly.

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  17. Congratulations, Mary! And you do such a beautiful job of it, so creative. Your artist spirit shows all over the place here. For me it will be 8 years in June. My oh my how time flies. Don't you just wish we could freeze time for a little while? Thanks for all you share.

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  18. Happy blogging anniversary! So glad to have met you through blogging. I always enjoy your beautiful photos and writing. I'm sorry to hear about your balance and dizziness. Could you be experiencing vertigo?

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  19. Congratulations Mary on your 9th anniversary! I can remember first finding you and sitting for ages reading your posts of your travels and thinking what an interesting and well travelled lady. I love reading your posts with your amazing photos detailing the places you see, often places I can only dream about. Here's to many more years, no matter how dizzy you get :) With love from across the pond xx

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  20. Happy blog anniversary. It's amazing how time flies when you're having fun. I love the photos of the squirrel. He looks like such a cheeky little chap.

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  21. Happy 9th year of blogging, Mary. I am so happy to have found your blog many years ago now, and feel as if I know you personally as you've shared your life in your sweet cottage and your world travels. May you have the good health to continue blogging and sharing and taking photos. It would be so wonderful to meet you in person but that may never happen. Unless you visit the Maritime Provinces of Canada again while your dollar is much better than ours. :) That, my friend, is a big hint! All the best to you and I thank you for all the moments you've shared. Blessings and hugs,
    Pam

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  22. Congrats on nine years. Your pictures are beautiful. I am right behind you on the age thing. I love the friends you meet blogging.

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  23. Hi Mary i am one of your new readers and enjoying your blog very much. I also was intrigued by the Drake Passage and went to read your post about that and enjoyed that as well. Another reason i love blogging...learn so much. Hope youve had a good weekend

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  24. Congratulations, Mary! Love your blog, so keep up the good job!

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  25. Happy Blogging Anniversary, Mary! Your posts are always interesting and fun to read. I've gained so much through blogging - friendships around the world and insight into other people's lives.
    When we decided on our river cruise in France, I remembered your posts and came back for a read. I'll probably be contacting you in the near future - we're going with Avalon Waterways, as well.

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  26. Mary. I am so glad we met and also I am glad that I met your wonderful granddaughter, Jasmin. It has been a pleasure! Happy Anniversary!

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  27. Happy blog anniversary, Mary, and congratulations on 9 successful years. You're an amazing lady, and I'm so glad we've met through blogging. Here's to many more years of gracing us with your talents! Hugs, Nancy

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  28. Happy 9th blogging anniversary! So glad that you've found it to be such a positive creative outlet for you -- I feel the same way, as I'm sure it will become even more special once baby has arrived. I'll be CRAVING an outlet then!! :) xo

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  29. Well, dear Mary, happy 9 years! And what a 9 years it's been. I enjoyed going back into your first foray into blogging (a few months ago) and reading your posts back then. And to think, I'm (we are) still learning new things too about you, such as that you worked in advertising and such. That makes total sense. So, that's where you get your eye to design which is very evident in your blog...and aside from the lovely photos and excellent writing, is what attracted (and kept me) me here in the first place. I have done all those things too but also been the actual designer and still am (but more on a digital platform now)!

    "I'm finding at this age I am not so good standing on one leg! I struggle to get into a pair of tights now, usually ending up sitting down!"--oh yes, me too and I'm only 50! Well, ok, yes that's me on the first part, not the tights really. :) hee.

    Must admit, I felt a twinge of heartache there when I read that you still plan to blog at least for a little longer--I hope it is for another two decades--into your 90's if able! :) you are certainly a friend from afar and coming her bring me a certain degree of comfort, if you will.

    Well, the fact you have traveled a fair bit and still can and will, I suspect you will indeed meet more of your audience out there. Have you ever met Rosemary or any of the others in UK who read you here? It's lovely you have ex pat friends too to keep alive those connections. I feel that one day we are gogin to cross paths. Never really felt that way with other bloggers but it just seems to me, I would not be surprised. Even an hour over tea one day would be fun. Who knows what the world has yet to offer on all of our journeys. :)

    Your very last paragraph btw was so poignant and heartfelt. Lovely.

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  30. Haha, it really is quite amusing but as you write so much, it can take a while to respond to everything so that by the time I post my comment, I realise I've left something noteworthy off! Like the fact that my younger sister was a hand model too and yet she had a portfolio of face shots. She was (is) very pretty too! Maybe she was not thing enough but certainly her other bits were jsut fine. hahahha.

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