I've been tagged by Caroline. grumble, grumble. Dang it, now I gotta think!! Well, at least it's not one of those 100-things lists!! Actually it is kinda cool. So here we go.


1) When did you first start blogging and why?
CAROLINE MADE ME DO IT!!! No, really, she did! Well, OK, she didn’t force me but she suggested it several times. Before I blogged, I was keeping family and friends informed about events via long newsy emails. It began when my husband’s health was becoming very serious, and trying to remember who knew what was difficult. I began to write descriptions of the medical treatments, his progress or setbacks, etc., starting in August 2003, and continuing until shortly after his death in October 2005. At that point several people commented that they would miss my newsy letters. Since I was embarking on a long auto journey from the Seattle area to Melbourne, Florida, then back to Kansas City in March, I figured I would have a lot to write about. During that period it became a travelog and I described the events and people along my path. I also began taking pictures, some of which have been shared on this blog, and included those in the travelog. I found that as I rested each evening and wrote about the day’s events, it helped me to look deeper into each piece that I documented, and I believe I appreciated it more than had I simply driven and looked. Caroline made me consider it, but it took a long time for me to feel that I might try it. As you’ve probably seen, my writing is personal and important to me. It is one thing to share it with people who already know me; it is something else entirely when I considered opening it for strangers to peruse. I began in May, with a lot of anxiety, but within a few posts I was completely hooked.

2) What don't you talk about? Anything considered a no-no in your book?
I still have some trouble writing about my grief at a deep and personal level. It is still raw and confusing. Because we had reached a very difficult place in our relationship, pressured by many things, including the stress of his illness and how it had made our lives horrendous, and because I was on the threshold of leaving when he was diagnosed with cancer, the guilt I felt became inseparable with the anger and everything else, good and bad. Until that is resolved in some way for me, I don’t think I can say more than I have here. It is just too painful. And a no-no for me is anything that I wouldn’t want my grandchildren to read because at least a couple of them do so. I appreciate that, without anything being said, my blog guests have been polite. In other settings, I have been known to have a mouth on me, haven’t I? But rather quickly, this venue became something special. Thanks, everyone.

3) Are you and your blogging persona the same person?
I think so. When I write, it is from the heart. Whether what I write is lighthearted and silly or the more serious posts, it is something that means something to me. Yeah, I’m pretty much just me.

4) How do you use blogging to build friendships?
You know, I had no idea how that would happen. I actually figured that people would read and then go on, maybe never returning. I’m glad it isn’t that way with everyone. I like having the opportunity to meet new people here, and at least a couple have lead to possible personal contacts sometime in the future. And some of the best relationships I’ve had over the years came from situations in which I got to know the other person by writing letters or emailing. There is something about the written word that expresses best and that strengthens bonds like nothing else.

5) How would you describe your writing style?
Hmmm. Multifaceted? Or is that just unpredictable? I feel as if every time I “pick up the pen,” so to speak, some different aspect of me shows up. and I don't know what to expect any more than you do. I think the only consistent thread is that I am as honest as I can be in what I express. As a social worker I was taught to always focus on the positive aspects of my clients in reports. That was sometimes really hard, but it was also a good exercise in reframing things! Bottom line is that I’m really honest in everything I write on a personal plane. I also use a lot of humor or wit. I think another common trait would be use of descriptive wording. And I am probably too expansive, right???? OK, I’m done!


And as Caroline says, now I feel obligated to pass this along. Hey, don't blame me! It's Caroline's fault. Am I using that excuse too often? Let's hear from Write On, MessyBeautiful (and I know this is a bad week for her, so she might not get to it soon), Patti-Cake Land, and Rambling On(jen).


Watching the weather, I'm again struck with the bad news. Just after 4:00 it was 104, HI was 121, and that is in the shade. She (meteorologist) said that if you go into the sun, add another 15 degrees to the HI. I've chosen to be lazy, er, make that sensible for today. I have stayed in except to pick up the newspaper in the driveway and take the dogs to the back yard for their business several times. When outside, it truly felt as if I was breathing in warm water, because the air was so moist. I haven't even dressed. This is a MUCH better way to spend a miserably hot day than how I spent it yesterday! I'm happy to report that the junk was picked up before noon today. Hurrah!!! The best news of all is that tomorrow is the last day of this super hot and sticky weather. Temps will begin to ease down through Friday and next week looks about normal with temps in the mid-80s to low-90s. I think I'll make it that long!

Please keep the puppy prayers going. Thanks.

PS added at 10:12 PM - There is a sweet thanks from my daughter in the comments of the previous post. If you've been doing puppy prayers, please see it. It will make her feel better to know you got the message.