SPECIAL DAY arriving soon!
On Tuesday, February 27th - 17 years ago (2007) - I wrote
my first ever blog post.
Blogging changed my life! It made me see more clearly the corners and colors of the world close-up, often through a lens, and it gave me the wonderful chance to write down my thoughts . . . . . . . . and to become acquainted with you.
Thank you for the many times you have stopped by to encourage me to keep writing and taking photos. I love to read your generous comments and, when possible, have truly enjoyed meeting several of you in the real world. Knowing each one of you, and being gifted with your friendship, whether in person or online, has been a part of my life which I will always treasure. This year I may not be traveling as much or to such exotic places. Our home needs a lot of TLC as, like us, it's aging and has issues, and we need to address them. I still hope to bring you stories and images, some perhaps from special places, others leaning more toward memories from everyday life over the years.
I just want to thank every one of you, my friends who are my 'blog family', who visit here from around the world, share your lives, ideas and tips, support me when I'm feeling up, down, mediocre, or indifferent, and have stuck with me for so long. All I can say is thank you so much, I hope I can continue to take photos, post them, and add words and stories you will enjoy.
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Dear Mary, I have always enjoyed meeting you on paper and in the real world. Seventeen years is a goodly time to have thought of all those interesting posts! I think I'm up to seventeen also. I hope all goes well with the eye surgery.
ReplyDeleteMany thanks dear Barbara. Yes, we've known each other all those years thanks to blogging!
DeleteDearest Mary,
ReplyDeleteWishing Bob a good eye surgery coming up on Tuesday.
Yes, we're always grateful when that goes without any complication(s)!
The time is flying by—you indeed found a worthwhile way to document your journeys around the world and it will be fun to read them again and also for sharing with your family.
Wishing you many more years of blogging. On the sidebar it shows your first ones from March of 2010...
Hugs,
Mariette
Bob thanks you Mariette - we'll be glad when it's all over!
DeleteI had a previous blog named Across The Pond where I first posted on February 27, 2007. It's still available and you can open it from my bio at the top of the right column. Blogger problems in March 2010 made it necessary to start a new blog, this one, which so far has run smoothly thank goodness.
How those 17 years have flown by!!!!!
Dearest Mary,
DeleteDon't know where to find your bio and blog at the top of the right column... A link below your post would work better!
Oh, years are nothing when looking back.
All the best for Tuesday.
Hugs,
Mariette
Mariette - where are you viewing my blog - computer or phone? Some views on a phone don't show entire page with thumbnails etc. down the right side. Across the Pond, my old blog is linked in the 'bio' on the right under my header. Or you can perhaps Google it here - https://devondesigns-mary.blogspot.com
DeleteI was so much younger then, and my photos were a bit blurry without a good camera, haha!!!!!
Mary, viewing blogs on a phone—not me with only one good eye! On my MacBook mostly and now I found it, the bold is a link. Would work better if you use a signal like an arrow.
DeleteI too started blogging in 2008. At first I was still working, and didn't dedicate as much time as I would have liked. But retirement brought free time and some boredom, so the blog became a life saver :)
ReplyDeleteOne of the great joys of meeting new friends on-line is expanding the range of views we are exposed to. Most people are thoughtful and polite, even when we do not always agree on issues.
Hels
Art and Architecture, mainly
So true Hels. You've really blogged for a long time. It is time consuming but I've always enjoyed it, especially when traveling. Hopefully when I'm gone my family will read my stories!
DeleteDear Mary,
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your blogging anniversary. I have so enjoyed getting to know you via your blog, and even happier that we were able to meet once, in person, even though we live so far away from each other. Your posts are always interesting and well-written. I'm looking forward to many more posts from you.
Thinking of Bob and his eye surgery next week. Sending love...
Thanks for your always kind, generous words Lorrie. That was so much fun when we met up in Victoria.
DeleteBob appreciates your good wishes - we're nervous but hope all goes well and he will have better vision.
Good luck with eye surgery to Mr. Bob. I'm new to blogging (I had an account a long time ago but I was working so many hours it was impossible to get involved) but I'm really excited. I think it's the good side of the internet. Your blog is very interesting and you take great pictures. I hope you continue for many many years to come!! Be well!
ReplyDeleteSo nice of you Katerina - and glad you now have more free time to join us here in blogland again!
DeleteBob thanks you for your kind words.
Happy Blogoversary!
ReplyDeleteAs a fellow blogger, I know exactly what you mean about friendships with others, whether you have ever met them offline or not.
Yes, you will be busy next Tuesday. Is Bob going to stay in overnight, or come home right after the surgery?
We go back quite a while Meike - and you are always amazing the way you keep up with blog posts and photos of your daily life, family and friends, scenery in your beautiful area of Germany, travels etc. We still hope to meet in person some day!
DeleteBob should just be at the hospital during the day on Tues. - no plans to stay overnight unless there are problems.
Fingers crossed all goes well for him.
Dear Mary, I love your blog - and what a great idea to start 17 years ago writing your blog!
ReplyDeleteLooking more closely at things surrounding us, awareness - all that good reasons to go on, and to send congratulations and thank you from me.
And my best wishes for your husband.
Thank you dear Britta. Tomorrow will be a bit nerve wracking for us as all surgery is. Enjoy knowing you and hope we might meet some day - we really would love to come back to Germany.
DeleteWishing Bob ☘️good luck☘️ with the eye surgery on Tuesday - is he having both eyes done together? I have a sense of how he must be feeling as I had both of mine done on separate occasions last year. It's all done and finished quickly and doesn't hurt. In no time at all he will be amazed at his new eyesight.
ReplyDeleteYou have been a wonderful blogger Mary - your blog is a constant source of inspiration along with your beautifully presented photos.
We will never forget meeting you both in Bath - a memory that I will treasure foreverX
Just his left eye - his right eye vision is very, very weak as he's had Amblyopia since childhood. That one is inoperable which is why this left eye surgery is so important and the outcome needs to be good otherwise he will really have a bigger problem!!!!
DeleteThank you for always keeping in touch dear and saying such kind things. We did have a memorable day in Bath didn't we? We talk about it so much and would love to do it all over again some day!
Happy early blog anniversary! Even though I am not blogging anymore, I do try to catch up with your posts. I have always enjoyed your writing and photos. I am glad to be one of your blogging and real life friends. Sending Bob prayers on his eye surgery!
ReplyDeletePlease come back and tell me who you are. Thanks for commenting - Bob says thanks too!
DeleteSorry!! I am not sure why my name doesn't show anymore. It's Penny Carlson xoxo
DeleteAh, sweet friend Penny, we sure do miss seeing you and K. Thanks for the kind comment and good wishes for Bob. He's still awaiting the 'magic' to kick in from the surgery - sometimes it takes longer apparently!
DeleteDoes your name not appear due to Google's shenanigans? Wouldn't surprise me at all.
Hugs - Mary
I remember your early days of blogging! ‘ Across the Pond ‘ was one of my favourite reads.
ReplyDeleteI’ve been a bad blogger just lately…must do better!
Wishing Bob all the best!
With much love,
Sal 😁
Thanks Sal, Bob says he appreciates your good wishes.
DeleteMy tree guy is due here any minute after waiting so long this time - hope he shows as we have quite a lot of work for him, not huge trees coming down but some small ones and lots of pruning - especially the mighty fig which continues growing and growing, taller and wider!!!
Love to you both - so glad we met in Torquay last year, it was special!
Congratulations, Mary! Best wishes and healing to Bob as he has surgery tomorrow. 17 years is quite an accomplishment. It did indeed open up for dear, dear friendships. I will celebrate my 16th year in June. Thanks for your friendship and so glad we have had opportunity to meet. Hugs, Marilyn
ReplyDeleteI have always enjoyed reading your blog, Mary and it's been wonderful getting to know you over the years. Doesn't matter to me what you blog about; your posts are always enjoyable! I can relate to the house needing TLC. Ours needs a lot of updates and TLC right now, too. Unfortunately, we can't have a lot done right now because we can't have a lot of noise in the house with work being done and contractors going in and out because of our kitty, Clementine. She's 15 years old and in stage 4 kidney disease. It wouldn't be fair to her to have all that noise and commotion.
ReplyDeleteMany congratulations on your blogging anniversary Mary....... 17 years is amazing. I started my blog in 2009 so I'm just a couple of years behind you ! Blogging is a joy and the people that we have met along the way have been interesting, inspirational and a joy to get to know and to become friends with, even though most of them, we haven't even met ! I always say it's like having pen friends all over the world ...... my sister has been writing and visiting her pen friend in Atlanta that she first started writing to when she was about 11. She is 77 this year so they have been corresponding for around 66 years ! Bob will have had his eye operation now so I wish him a very speedy recovery and send him a big hug 🥰 Here's to your next 17 years of blogging 🤭. XXXX
ReplyDeleteHappy Blog Anniversary dear Mary. Your blog is such a delight to read and the pictures always exquisite. It is a privilege to have your online friendship and enjoy your very considerable blogging talents. Long may you reign! xoxox
ReplyDelete