I have had an easy love affair with blogging. My own personal need to write, my somewhat grandiose belief that I have something to say, my love of people and social interaction have made me love this blog and all I have gotten from it from day one. I have chronicled 2 1/2 years of a day in the life of this farm mom, and lets face it...the last few months I have been more than a little remiss. I have been considering quitting altogether for pretty much the entirety of 2009. Something has been stopping me all along. Perhaps it's because I still love the act of writing and sharing....but more to heart of the it is I love the people I have met here and the connections I have made.
Yet none of that changes the fact that this blog has gotten stagnant. How much more can I talk about the animals, the gardens, the children, the activity in the kitchen? The tutorials are tapped out and the familial anecdotes have gone stale.
I also know myself well enough to know that the health issues I have been having for the last few months have taken their toll and changed me in ways I am still trying to deal with. I cannot help but wonder if much of what is happening here with the blog is a result of those changes and not reflective of the blog at all.
So, I am stepping away for now. Giving myself a bit more time to come to grips with what just may be my last ditch attempts at holding on to this thing. (I'm sentimental at heart, and letting go is never easy for me.) Perhaps I'll come back in a while, refreshed and renewed and back to my old self. Maybe I'll take this in a different direction entirely. Or, I might just come back for a final goodbye. As always, I'll let you know when I do.
Not Dabbling in Normal
4 hours ago
(8)
22 comments:
Set it down for a while...if you feel like writing from time to time, you know there will be plenty of folks here reading. And if you don't? It's not like you're obligated :)
It's very nice of you to share all that you have shared - you don't owe anybody the next chapter.
Meanwhile, I hope things go well for you and yours - all the best to you!
Your tutorials and day to day experiences shared in this blog are invaluable to me. I wish you the best with your health and hope to keep in touch with you no matter what happens with the blog. If you ever need anything at all please don't hesitate to get a hold of me!
I hope you don't go away 'cos I just found you! I've really enjoyed reading your excellent blog, and I'm especially interested because I visited Huron County a few years ago. Stayed with an internet friend from Bad Axe. I had a ball!
Awww Ang... You gave me permission to call you "Ang" awhile back. :-)
Please don't give up the blog totally. You have no idea how many you have "helped" and given tips to....like me.
"How much more can I talk about the animals, the gardens, the children, the activity in the kitchen? The tutorials are tapped out and the familial anecdotes have gone stale." I respectfully disagree. I love clicking on your blog, and seeing pics of your life, especially the kiddos, as well as your wonderful tips, stories of your past, which affect your present...your animals, your garden and recipes. I think your blog is anything but stagnant!
I was hoping that you would offer some more of your dried Sour Dough Starter! ;) LOL
You still have SO much to offer...You are such a wonderful, sensitive, vibrant person. I'm so sorry that health issues are affecting a large part of your life. Please know that it's OK to step away, refresh, renew, and come back another day....
I do hope that you don't quit sharing here though. Wish I was close enough to give you a big hug!
Try to remember that this blog was originally for you and your family. You haven't quit living, they're still there to witness the day to day life and how you interact with them.
You're simply taking a break or putting down permanently, another way of interacting with your family. We were simply along for the ride. Your first job should be for yourself and your family. Take care of YOU first, and the rest will fall into place----blog or no blog.
I have enjoyed your blog. If you ever decide that your muse has returned and you feel like blogging, I will enjoy it again. If not, I will know that you have moved into a different phase in your life and that will be great. I wish you all the best and hope for brighter days ahead. :)
Sincerely,
CeeCee
Yeah take a break...let us all look back over your stuff and learn from it. Most importantly, take time to rest and be well...
Take care of yourself first. I've been in a blogging slump this summer too.
I sure am grateful for "meeting you" through your blog. Does this mean i have to go to FB more? :-P
Oh, I do hope you return! This has always been one of my favorite farming blogs. I appreciate your insight and opinion so much. Take care of yourself, but I'll be here when you get back :)
Oh I want to cry, not because you are considering quitting blogging, for I know we will always be in touch.
I truly understand what you are saying and believe I too have suffered "2009-itis" and it sucks!
Hugs lil' sis!
Sorry to hear it. We're all the better for what you've shared thus far, though. Thank you.
I'm with Sue, I don't find any of it stagnant. I love getting updates on what's going on and seeing your pictures. You feel like a friend and you can share here in ways you can't on Facebook.
I'm glad I got to read your blog when I did! You were the first "farm mom" I found out there and it meant a lot to me to "know" you because our families seemed so similar (well, I didn't do 10% as much as you did, particularly in the preserves department, but you know what I mean!). I don't think your blog has gotten stagnant, but I TOTALLY understand the need to take a break when you're feeling like it (I just "closed" my blog, too). You should turn your archives into a book! I very very very much hope your health doesn't hold you back from doing anything you want, no matter what it is. Good luck with that! Take care!
Oh, Angie! I am so sorry you are feeling like this! But I totally understand! Sometimes it is just hard to blog-And my mom and father-in-law are both not doing well~! Your blog was the first I found and it opened me up to this world! I have so much enjoyed reading about what you do from your part of our wonderful country compared to my little part of East Texas! Hang in there-This to will pass!!
Love ya!! Susie
Hi Angie,
I have known you for most of the time that you have been writing and you have become a friend. We live in different worlds but your generous spirit, love for your family and humour cross the ocean and warm me whenever I drop by.
Take time to look after yourself and get well. Enjoy your farm and home and family. If, one day in the future, you feel like writing again we will be here to read you and smile at your photos.
Alicex
Take a break or do whatever works for your life but you'll be missed. You were and still are an inspiration for me, new to farm life and all. If you plan to erase your blog you should atleast print out of have a book made with your archives so you have something to reflect on later in life.
just like the garden is always changing, the advice you give here follows suit.
i was logging on today to see what you had going for fall...even though i was here last fall.
be encouraged- what may seem like the same ol' same ol' to you is inspiring to those of us that live where it is still well over 90 degrees everyday. to see what you are doing, and living vicariously as you experience the seasons and the garden in a different way is inspiring.
take care of yourself! i'll be here when you get back! : )
I agree with CeeCee's comment that your blog, first and foremost, is for you. If you're not feeling it, you owe nobody an explanation. Just take care of yourself and your family. Everything has a life span and if your blog no longer brings you joy, then it's time to let it go. But...you have so much knowledge, experience and wisdom to share, I hope you will find your way back here. For now, hugs to you, Ang, and we're always here for you. :-)
I agree with all of your blog family. Take a hiatus if you must.
But don't give up on it.
I know how hard it is to blog without a camera as I haven't blogged for most of the summer because I don't have one either. However that is my "cop-out" because I do have many photos for stories as yet umpublished.
But whatever you decide, DO NOT erase your blog. It holds way to much helpful information. You put way too much love and hard work into it to just let it vanish.
Just write when you feel like it or when the mood hits you.
As a long-time lurker, I wanted to say thank you for everything you've shared so far. You gave me a way to organize my freezer that finally works, for one.
I love your voice, and if you choose to post more in the future, I'll be glad of it.
Thank you all for your kind words and show of support. I have to admit, I miss this even more than the creative process of creating the posts...this interaction with all of you!!
I wish I could say I've come to some sort of decision about what to do here, but I still haven't. I definitely won't delete the blog, so no worries there. There are so many people who come here daily for information (esp on the butchering process) that it makes no sense to me to take that away from people. "Children in the Corn" will outlive me if I have anything to say about it! :)
To Sue or anyone else who would like some (or some more) dried sourdough starter just leave me an email with your addy at farm_mom74@yahoo.com and I'll send some out for ya! :)
Take a break - you deserve it. But come back if you feel like it - where else will I find what I am supposed to be doing when???? haha. Here's to hoping things go well for you and your family:)
Kris
Angie, we'll be here if you come back. Sure do hope you'll stop in if it's good for you...I love everything you write not just for the things I've learned but because we just love you and your family :) Do what's best for you and know we're thinking about you!
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