Tuesday, July 6, 2021

Tuesday 4 ~ Blogging

Welcome to Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4 kept up in her memory.  This week the questions were supplied by Pamela Steiner.  Thanks Pamela and thank you Annie for keeping the meme going.

 


 

 1.  Tell us about your blog.  When did you start blogging?

My blog is about the simple things in life and later I also blogged about the charitable work I do in Kenya, East Africa. I started blogging in 2009 as a way to keep myself occupied with fruitful things, maintaining a simple life and sharing photos.  My brother set up my blog as it was all 'Greek to me'.  I started looking for simple and beautiful things to share and it also became like a diary of what was going on in my life. Mostly it was a way for me to keep focussing on joyful and happy things as a way to deal with  health issues that I am dealing with though I did not want the blog to be a daily journal of my illnesses. I was in fact trying to take my focus off of illness. At one point I deleted many blog posts (perhaps about 100 or more) though I can't remember the reason why. I think it had to do with the watermark on photos. I didn't like the look of them or something like that. I didn't delete them all.

 
2.  What prompted you to begin blogging?

I started blogging because I had time on my hands due to medical leave. I was looking for something constructive to do that would help me keep in the right frame of mind for healing.  I worked on keeping the blog positive and in those days blogged about simple things and beautiful things. I had a lot of trouble with concentration and I would publish a post only to discover many problems with my writing and grammar. I would then correct my errors and republish only to discover yet more errors and so on it went until I got it right. That still happens but not nearly so often.


3.  What was your first blog about and why did you choose that subject/title?

The first blog post published (April 2009) is a post about the beauty of nature. I created a short video and haiku verse to accompany it. I chose the subject because like I've already mentioned, I was focussed on beautiful things.  I wanted to use some beautiful, relaxing music in my short video. I'm not sure if the video and photos are still on the blog because so many of my posts are 'missing' photos (I'm embarrassed to look back over how the blog now looks in the earlier days). I'm unsure why but it probably has to do with photo storage issues and there are a number of things impacting on what I do going forward.
 
4.  How has your blog changed over time, and has it done for you what you hoped it would do in the first place?

My ability to concentrate has improved over time though my general health has not really improved.  I no longer feel that my original purpose for the blog has remained the same because over time it has expanded to include daily life, family, hobbies and philanthropy. I may ultimately stop this blog and start a new one. From time to time, I consider whether to continue with the blog. I feel everything has stagnated both with the reach of the blog and the things I blog about.  I should clarify that I do feel the blog served it's original purpose and that is one reason I may stop the blog and start another down the line. The blog isn't a legacy blog for family to look back on since I don't ever post photos, or very seldom have posted photos about myself and my family since this was never the focus.  The decision about what to do about the blog may be forced on me sooner than I care due to photo storage space nearing the limit. I don't want to pay Google storage but right now it is the easiest thing to do. The other options are not things I can do right now for various reasons.  There is so much in the air at the moment and when things are up in the air I tend to leave the decision until things are more clear.

Thank you for stopping by. Sorry I am late with the post. 

I somehow missed a day this week!


Linking up with Tuesday 4

10 comments:

Martha said...

I love that the focus of blogging for you was the simple, beautiful, happy, and joyful things. I am so sorry you haven't been in the best of health, but blogging friends will stick by even if you post some of the harder things in life. It's really great to focus on the positive things, but sometimes an outlet for the the other things can be just as important. Stick around no matter what life brings!

Stacy said...

You certainly had more serious intentions than most of us for getting started in blogging. Even though it may not have achieved your original goal, I feel sure it was still good for your mental, emotional, spiritual, and maybe even physical health by serving as a focus and outlet. I did not really know that there is a limit to how many photos you can have stored. Does Blogger let you know you are getting close? Anyway, thanks for stopping by my blog and commenting. It's nice to "meet" a new blogger.

Joanne Noragon said...

Lovely flowers.

Susan said...

I enjoyed visiting your blog today. I hope you continue to blog. I did not know there was limit on photos. Life does change and so we change with it. I am glad you did not let health issues get in the way of your blogging. Thanks for visiting my site!

eileeninmd said...

Hello,
I am happy to have found your blog. I enjoy the various photos, flowers and scenes and the book reviews you have done. I have slowed blogging, but it is nice to see updates from blogging friends. Take care, have a happy day and week ahead.

Pamela M. Steiner said...

I always enjoy your blog and having conversations with you here and on Facebook. You are a beautiful person who cares about so many people. You have opened up the world to us with your stories of your friends in Kenya and their needs. I love that God has placed that burden and love in your heart for those precious souls in Kenya. I enjoy your patio garden and views from your balcony, especially of the steeple in the distance. And you always have such interesting meals to share! I pray that your health will improve and that God will show you His plans for your next blog, if you choose to do that. Thank you for joining in today. This was very interesting!

affectioknit said...

Hi Penny,
...I enjoy your blog and I'm glad you're here in this space...I went back and watched your first video...praying for continued healing for you...
~Have a lovely day!

Debby@Just Breathe said...

Thank you for sharing your journey through blogging. I know I have a note for my family to keep paying my google storage for my blog if something happens to me so the pictures stay in the posts.

Lowcarb team member said...

Many thanks for sharing your blogging story.

All the best Jan

Jeanie said...

I love reading about how people came into and approach blogging. So, this post made me smile. Happy week, Penny.

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