I started my blog on 1 October 2008 (you can see this here and here ) so this is not my blogaversary. This is a post about blogging, my regular readers and what they mean to me.
In short, I love blogging. Firstly it's a journal of my day-to-day life with nostalgic posts when the occasion calls for it (like yesterday's post). It's also a platform for me to profess my love for the Lord Jesus who by Grace saved me and guides me constantly in my daily walk.
Secondly, by posting about what I do (mostly gardening) or the adventures - and sometime sad events - I experience, I'm honing my writing skills. Recently I read a statement in a writers' magazine: "Every word you write on your blog, is one word less for your great novel." Well, I beg to differ. On the contrary: if I scroll down through the archives I see that I 've posted (written) about things I would have forgotten had I not blogged about them. So no not one word I use on my blog is wasted. The majority of what I write here will be used in the many articles, books, short stories, how-to and travel features and non-fiction pieces which are bubbling inside my head!
The aspect I love most about blogging, is the friends I've made across the world. Some I may meet up with some in real life; others I will embrace when they arrive at heaven's gates. I love that I have personal contact with fellow bloggers via e-mail. I love that many have spoilt me and my grandchildren with gifts all the way from around the world.
In the beginning my posts were a little stilted. I was always concerned that readers wouldn't understand what I want to say. As the years pass and I learn to improve my writing style (through blogging and other media, like the afore-mentioned writers' magazine) I've relaxed a lot in my posts. I think we also get to know our regular readers, are grateful for the feedback via comments so it gets easier to blog.
I love having visitors to my blog and reading the comments. I used to reply to each comment on my post but due to time constraints, I don't anymore. I'd rather visit that person's blog (I love it when I click on a new name) and answer any questions there or e-mail them direct.
What I also love about blogging (there's nothing I don't like about blogging - I'm a positive rather than a negative, nagging lady, ha!- is that I can post my photos (literally thousands!) and write the story behind them. This helps me to remember the event.
I'm not all that confident using the gadgets and other technical aspects of blogger but I've added a fair amount. Recently I uploaded a mini-globe (the world) and am delighted to see visits (dots on various continents) and then flags from New York, (hi Lori!) Niamey (West Africa) - Esther, Manchester, Nottingham, (John Gray?) Cape Town, (dear Caroline and Desiree respectively) the Middle East (Missalyn) and more. Yesterday for the first time I saw the flag: Brussels (hoofstedelijk Gewest). Is that you, Gattina? Must be! The one flag I see most when I click on my own blog, is Bloemfontein, Free State, so I know I'm visiting me! BTW there are many more blogger friends than I've linked here, I just don't know what states would show if you visited me. So to Gaelyn, Pat, Sylvia, Diane, Betsy, EG WOW and more, thanks for visiting.
I only have 132 followers in comparison to people with the same blogging style as mine who have several hundreds. This doesn't worry me because I still love to blog, visit other blogs and connect with my fellow bloggers. Yet I trust that this year more people will add their profiles to my blog.
According to my stats, the most pageviews my blog receives, is from North America. Next is South Africa, United Kingdom, Sudan (huh? I never met or heard from a blogger in the Sudan!) Australia, Canada, Sweden, Germany, Netherlands, Russia and Brazil. Thanks everyone!
To date, the post with the most reads/pageviews was Stopover in Addis Ababa and the second most-read post was A Sudanese Wedding . Our last weekend in Khartoum and The Nubian Desert Treasures came in third and fourth. It sure looks like my readers enjoyed North Africa as much as I did!
So this post is dedicated to my regular readers and those who comment: thank you for your continued support. For those who read my posts only, why not take the plunge and add your name to the followers' box in the sidebar? I'd love to have you around.
Above all to everyone out there, never stop blogging.
I love that globe thingy you've got, and I love the clock that says Bloemfontein time. Right now it is showing "Medicine Hat, Alberta" which is the city next to our little town, and it is 3:41 in Marquard, South Africa.
ReplyDeleteI think the stats thing gets confused sometimes. When I first discovered that page, it said 7 people in Latvia had looked at my blog. (It doesn't just count people who comment.) But now there's no mention of Latvia at all, so the Sudan could be people who don't comment, and you don't know about them, or it could be a blogger blip like my Latvia.
Keep on blogging, Jo, I'd really miss you (and Shadow) if you were to stop!!
Luv, K
Kay, Alberta, Canada
An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travel
Love your photos and I feel the same way about blogging
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing
Johnina :^A
It's funny but I've been thinking lately about my own reasons for blogging so it's interesting to hear what you have to say on the topic. It's also good to know you don't feel your words are wasted because I for one enjoy reading blogs from around the world. Blessings.
ReplyDeleteOh Jo, You don't realize how much I needed to read this post tonight. I am at a Blogging Block period for some reason. I love it and have blogged since 2006--but just needed some encouragement tonight. I got a very ugly email yesterday from an Australian friend (I thought) and then today-another blogger said she wasn't coming to my blog anymore because it won't load for her... I'm such a pleaser ---and get upset over little things like this. I just needed to read something from a very positive person who love blogging like I do (at least 99% of the time).
ReplyDeleteI will say that it's not the number of followers... It's the quality of the blog. Yours is TOPS... Thanks Jo--more than you know. And God Bless You.
Hugs,
Betsy
I started blogging one week after you. So glad we crossed cyberpaths. Next time I'm in ZA I'll definitely meet you. I agree with your reasons to blog. I feel like I've got a real good start on my autobiography. It's wonderful to share and learn about people from around the world. Please Do Keep on Blogging! Hugs!
ReplyDeleteI agree with you wholeheartedly but couldn't write it as well as you do. I enjoy making friends in other countries and states of Australia. I love travelling with other bloggers on their trips. I have learnt a lot about other cultures from blogging. how did you get the borders around your cute photos?
ReplyDeleteCongrats! Looking forward to visiting your blog throughout the year and following your adventures!
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading this post, Jo (but then I always DO enjoy your posts) - I appreciate the mention you gave me, too ;) especially since I'm so very new to the game still. Yesterday (18th January) was my blog's 2 month 'versary :) I still have a long, looong way to go.
ReplyDeleteEverything is still all so new & exciting to me :) I hope the 'novelty' of it all never wears thin.
Wishing you everything of the best, Jo, with the growth of your blog. You are doing a MARVELLOUS job and I love visiting!!!
I think blogging is a great invention too. I love reading about other poeple's worlds and lives, especially kindred spirits, and meeting their pets and kids. So here's to many more years of it!
ReplyDeleteHi Jo. Its been a while since my last visit. I am still actively blogging in Al Ain city Daily Photo but due to time constraints, blog hopping was put on halt.
ReplyDeleteLooking at the icon and thumbnail on my bloglist, I thought it is your blogversary.
I may not visit your blog on a regular basis, but each time I visit, I do learn something from you. Your photos are not mere images, it is a poetry. It tells me something.
I myself, learned to love blogging. Actually, it is already in my system. I may not post everyday but when I do, it makes me happy.
Keep blogging and keep clicking. You inspire your readers in each post that you share with us.
Isn't blogging fun?
ReplyDeleteI use my blog as my Big old fat Diary...I'm with you...It helps me remember what happened and Where.
And I love Your Blog and all your gardening tips and animal photos!
I'll Never be able to see South Africa but Now, I can...through you!
Thank you sweet friend!
hughugs
Thank you everyone for your kind comments and for the confirmation that bloggin is TOPS. I love visiting every one of your blogs and I LOVE to see you over at mine. For those bloggers who have had negative comments, rise above it. Those people making those nasty comments are unfortunately very unhappy people and they are the losers if they don't want to follow a blog anymore. So to all of US, whoo-hoo. Keep blogging and I love and bless you all. (((Hugs))) Jo
ReplyDeleteJo...great post. Your feelings are identical to so many others. The photos are beautiful. I like the thick red frames.
ReplyDeleteIt has been a real pleasure for me to meet people from around the world. To enter into their lives has been quite an experience... I have also learned so much about other cultures.
Wonderful post! I agree, wholeheartedly.
ReplyDeleteVery well written, not a wasted word in the lot.
I started blogging in 2008 also, Jo. It was in April of that year. I love blogging, too, for the connections I make with other bloggers around the world. I'm not as regular a post-er as you, as Jerry and I must share internet time. Now that he's retired, it limits me somewhat, but that's OK. I do love reading your blog--it's so interesting and informative.
ReplyDelete