Wednesday, November 9, 2011

THE TIMES, THEY ARE A-CHANGIN'

Yes, the times are changing, but before we go there, we just gotta say how much we enjoyed our get-together Sunday with fellow RV Bloggers John and Aileen of John and AIleen on the Road. They are staying at Florence, AZ, about 117 miles from us, and they asked if they could visit. Well, sure, c'mon over! We quickly became old friends, sharing stories and ideas.

Aileen brought some of her excellent rice pasta salad, Suzy made some wonderful potato salad, we grilled some chicken, and we had a fine meal. We took the required picture of us standing on our front porch, but because I wasn't smart enough to use my tripod, I didn't get a picture of all four of us. John graciously allowed me to use his picture for this post.


Now, about the times a-changing. They are doing that, and we are changing along with them. Change is inevitable, and usually for the best. People (including us) often resist change, are uncomfortable with change, but nonetheless, change is gonna happen.

For us, change is affecting our blogging practices. Our interest in some of our old favorite blogs is waning, and other blogs are gaining in favor. And with more and more blogs coming onto our list, we just can't keep up with everyone like we used to try to do. There are some blogs we simply skip over all the time. Is that bad? No, it's real, that's all. Heck, our Follower list says we have 165 followers, but we know that far fewer that that are with us anymore.

Even in our other blog, One Shot Leads to Another, where we post a single picture every other day, we had 20 Followers, but now we're down to 19, of whom only about five ever leave a comment. We're wondering if the one person who left our list was offended, perhaps, by the picture of two grasshoppers doing what grasshoppers do in grasshopper mating season.

Added to our changing interests, time is playing a major role. There are still 24 hours in a day, but how we use them is different. I'm spending much more time now involved in activities related to my Board of Directors job, and that promises to expand even further in the near future. And we are getting more active in the social / volunteer life of this park. What has to give? Blogging. As much as we enjoy writing and posting these blogs, as much as we enjoy being part of this community, we are probably going to be sitting on the sidelines much of the time. We'll read as much as we can, comment as often as possible, and put out a post once in a while just to show we are still here.

We're rounding another curve in the road in  ... Our Life on Wheels.

28 comments:

  1. Boy, do I understand! In fact, I might have been the follower who left One Shot Leads to Another. Why? For exactly the reason you mentioned: I want more time to do other things.

    Blogging and reading blogs becomes very addictive, and suddenly you can find it taking WAY too much time from "real life". When keeping up with blogland becomes more of an obligation than a treat, that long list needs to be trimmed. As you can see, I continue to read your written blog, but the photo blog was pruned.

    The blogger community is great. So is "real life". Gotta' find your own happy balance, eh?

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  2. I'll look forward to your blogs when you can find the time and energy to do them. Enjoy life and what you're doing, even if you have to give up other things.

    Selene, NC

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  3. Howdy Suzy & Jerry,
    I for one don't read y'all's blog often, but I read so many of your comments on other blogs it like I read yours every day..
    Of course, if you're going to stop blogging I'll just keep on reading your comments!!! They are usually cogent and sometimes funny..

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  4. Hey guys - totally understand. I certainly don't post every day and sometimes I go a week or so without finding anything whatsoever to blog about. So just check in once in awhile and let us know everything is okay. And we'll catch up with you at that time. That's what friendship is all about being blogging friends or face-to-face friends.

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  5. OH, I am sooo there with ya. If you noticed, I have been blogging only once or twice weekly..That's about all I can muster. I still enjoy it, but it was becoming too much like work. We will miss you, but jump in line when you do blog..."The only thing we can be certain of in life is that things will change".

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  6. I was looking at the list of blogs I follow and was amazed that it was up to 95. I certainly don't see posts from all of them very frequently, and use the readers list feature rather than the list on my post. Yes I skip over some, but I am reluctant to drop them from my blog roll.

    I try to comment frequently, but if I'm busy, I don't. I almost never reply with an email to a comment, nor do I go bak and read comments on blogs that i have commented on unless I asked a specific question.

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  7. Well Jerry, I sure know exactly what you are saying here. Like you, I have waaaaay too many blogs I try to follow and then feel guilty when I drop way behind & do not leave comments on everybody's blog every day. I have even gone into my blog list and took people out only to feel so guilty about doing it that the next day I put them all back in again, I totally understand what you are saying about this whole 'commenting thing.' It is the main reason I did not get involved with any of those 'photo a day' sites awhile back. Did not want to get into that whole commenting loop again. Good for you in blogging about your blogging thoughts. And good for you in establising your priorities and understanding the importance of change. You go guys:))

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  8. I think that most all of us agree with you. Blogging and reading blogs is enjoyable, but it shouldn't take over your life. :)

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  9. Sounds like we all understand and even agree. It seems that on many days Anneke and I spend more time with the computer than with each other. Something has to give.

    I am keeping you on the list and await the time you are inspired:)

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  10. We have been with you for several years, and maybe we should have commented more , but like you trying to keep up with a long list of blogs and still get on with life an be tough. We have enjoyed your travels and will miss you guys. I will keep you on my list in case you have an occasional blog and will look you up if we get out near your park.Be safe out there. Sam & Donna...

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  11. We started following your blog almost a year ago now and have enjoyed it. Your travel this past summer was enjoyable and interesting reading, along with the events at you park last winter. Look forwar to an occasional blog also. You are on our list.

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  12. I totally agree with you, Jerry and Suzy. I've been feeling the same way. I guess it's a good thing when "real life" takes precedence over "cyber life". I'll still look forward to your posts!

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  13. Just to add my two bits, I sure hope you check in at least once in awhile. Your comments have cheered me up many times. A lot of my blog peeping is done after I've finished my other stuff for the day and sometimes it runs me well past bedtime. We don't have a TV so we don't waste time that way (some people consider both TV and computers a waste of time) which does allow me more computer time perhaps than many other bloggers. Again, we really enjoyed meeting the faces behind Our Life on Wheels!
    John

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  14. The picture of you four is excellent! How fun!
    I certainly understand how you feel. It does sometimes become overbearing. I actually just cut reading one person's blog because they never leave a comment. I left one each time I read it but never heard from them. Is that bad? Like you...I don't think so. Also, there blog was so so! We are fairly new to yours but have enjoyed each and every time. You have super pictures and do an excellent job of writing. We will miss you but have you on my Google Reader list so we will get updates as soon as you post. We wish the both of you wonderful sunny days. Enjoy your new position! Happy Holidays!

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  15. Great post Jerry and good thoughts. Life is short and we all only have 24 hours in a day. Spend those hours wisely and you will be amply rewarded. I have met some wonderful friends in Blogland but do not want it to take over my life. Meeting people in person and doing fun things is more of a focus for me.

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  16. I hear you ... I've felt guilty about not keeping up with my blog reading and commenting, but I just have to accept that there's only a limited time in which to do what needs to be done. I do the best I can and hope that others understand.

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  17. Sorry to hear you may not be blogging as much in the future as I've always found your posts to be interesting, informative and loaded with great photos.

    It has to be fun though and not a job. Also, at least for me, it can't be my main focus in life and it isn't. It's just a hobby and as long as it remains that it's o.k.

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  18. I follow blogs and don't comment that much unless I have something to say that will add to it. I do notice people send comments to each others blog about every day. I guess is just a way to say I read your latest blog and is fine, but it isn't my style.

    I also read blogs, but don't join follower lists that often. I find it easier to check the Bayfield Bunch, Rick & Paulette, Our Life on Wheels, Nick's blog and a few others. From them I check the latest entries on the people they follow. Different, but it works for me.

    It can be difficult to write a blog everyday when you aren't doing anything interesting. Then when you are doing interesting things, it is difficult to write since you are so busy.

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  19. Blogger only allows a body to "follow" 300 blogs, so once you reach the limit, you have to decide what to keep and what to let fall away. Sometimes people stop following to make room for a new thing they're currently enjoying. I'm sure that' it, and not that poop is my new theme.

    Roxanne

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  20. Since I also write a blog, I completely understand where you guys are coming from in relation to your blogging. I find it hard to right a blog every day so I just post whenever I have something new to say.

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  21. Understand -- enjoy your life but I will look forward to any posts you wish to share in the future.

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  22. I agree with you completely. While I enjoy reading every blog on my list, I don't always have the time or energy.

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  23. I'll be sorry to see less of your blogs, but happy to know you're busy and engaged w/ fun stuff. Sure do understand :)
    Nina

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  24. I know exactly how you feel, but I want you to know how very much I'm enjoying your photography blog. By coincidence, I just viewed your Manzanar crane pictures (and left a comment) right before I landed here. I'm guilty of rarely leaving comments, but whatever you do, I'll still check out your blogs. And I hope one day we get to meet face to face and you can help me with my photography!

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  25. I remember you telling me about your new job when we met at Lone Pine last spring. You mentioned that it might wind up keeping you off the road, and keeping you busy. Well, I guess the time has come. We'll miss your regular blogs, but will look forwward to the ones you do post. Good luck and thanks for the bloggings.
    RVing Beach Bums

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  26. As you know, Don and I have enjoyed following your blog. But I certainly understand all your reasons for changes in your lives and the effect they have on your blog. We'll try to stay in touch in other ways and look forward to getting together in person from time to time - hopefully soon!

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  27. I have enjoyed your blog since the starting of 2011. But times do change and thats what keeps us busy and active. We will possibly be in Benson for one night and then moving on, we'll look you up if we do stop for the night.

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  28. Both of you know I have been following you for a very long time. I absolutely LOVE to see the pictures and read about your adventures. I understand how it could take up a whole lot of your time but I just want you to know that whenever you DO post something I will read it and will be missing you the other times!! Enjoy life!! Donna nana.donnad@yahoo.com

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