Sunrise. I’ve learned you have to quickly get the camera or all the gorgeous colors will fade in the blink of an eye.
The same goes for pretty cloud formations.
Everything changes, minute by minute, second by second. A camera gives you the chance to capture a moment in time before it’s gone forever. It’s a reminder to live in the moment. Something so simple but so hard to do, don’t you agree?
Thank you for all your wonderful comments on my most recent posts. Well, thank you for your comments on every post. But lately, there have been some wonderful, thought provoking ideas shared on this old blog and I’m extremely grateful for them. Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts, your experiences, your views. Sometimes, all it takes is reading about another point of view to turn my perceptions around in a different direction. I may not always agree with you, you may not always agree with me, but the dialogue is the important thing. I love the conversation. I’ll go even further: I thrive on it. So thanks and thanks again, my friends.
Every once in a while I get an email asking about BlogHer ads and the process of applying for them. You have to go to this link and fill out an application. It’s not enough to register on BlogHer’s site.
As far as the approval process, I’ve heard about some bloggers waiting for up to two years for approval, some are approved in a few days and others, like me, wait for about a month and a half. BlogHer has a finite number of blogs that are part of the Advertising Network. I imagine, though I don’t know this for sure, if they are full up, you might not hear anything for a long while. If there are openings, things might move more quickly. I do know that BlogHer chooses all kinds of blogs; big, small and in-between.
If you are interested, I urge you to apply. But prepare yourself for a wait. I think BlogHer is fantastic and their customer service is the best. They have been nothing but supportive and there for me when I’ve had a question. And they really do a great job of highlighting our posts and our blogs.
Do you know that BlogHer has their conference in NYC this year? Since I live so close to the city, it would be wonderful to take part in it. But I can’t really afford the registration fee. So when they issued a call for volunteers I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to attend the conference, help out wherever needed, and save money on the fees. I applied. To my disappointment, I got an email yesterday saying I wasn’t chosen. There were a lot of applicants. I’m bummed.
I also submitted an idea for a panel discussion. I thought there should be a panel about bloggers who are 45+ years of age. There’s a whole lot of us out there. We are consumers. We have life experience. We know a lot. And I think we’re sometimes a tad marginalized in the blogging world, just like in the real world. 30-something bloggers and mommy bloggers are everywhere. And I say, good for them! But we’re here, too. And we have much to contribute. It would be nice to take part in something that spotlights us – our challenges, our blogging audience. I often look at photos from these conferences and see a sea of young faces. Here and there, I might see a ‘seasoned’ blogger, but for the most part, I don’t. Maybe it depends on whose taking the pictures.
Anyway. I heard back from BlogHer. They passed.
Who knows? There may already be a panel scheduled to discuss this topic. Maybe there has been a panel about just this thing at previous conferences. Most likely, my presentation wasn’t strong enough. That’s my fault.
Do you remember being younger and looking at people who were in their forties or fifties, thinking they must be dull and old? I do. I now realize what my parents and elders felt when they were my age. I may be in my fifties, but I’m smart, savvy and still very hip, if I do say so myself. I have a lot to contribute. I’ve learned a lot in my lifetime. In fact, I’m full of ideas and am more vital than ever.
Take heed, world. We’re out there and we’re creative, smart and strong.
And now for a little Etsy advertising:
This is the latest scarf. The yarn is made of silk and bamboo. I think these are perfect for the warmer months because they are so soft and silky to the touch and they aren’t made out of wool. I wear these scarves with a T-shirt and jeans all year round. I’ve already decided to make another one in this color for me. Update: Sold.
Love to you all on this Wednesday morning.
Hi Sister, the scarf is beautiful. Love and miss you,
Meredith
Your scarves are so lovely! I applied to BlogHer and it’s been months and I’ve not heard back. I’m still hoping but if it is meant to be it will be. hugs, Linda
Sorry you and your idea, didn’t get approved. Sounds like both would be a good contribution.
You’re right about our part of the blogging world. It’s nice to see the mommy bloggers out there, doing what they love and being able to stay home with the kids.
But, there are a lot of good ideas and all that knowledge of us ‘elders’ out there, too.
We do indeed live and learn.
AMEN sister!!!! I am so much smarter, wiser, kinder, and thoughtful than I was when I was younger. I have raised 4 beautiful daughters (inside and out) and I think I have something to share, teach, and contribute. I AM NOT OLD, I AM NOT OLD…..ish.
I’m disappointed they didn’t take you up on that challenge. And also they turned you down for volunteering. That would have been so much fun. The color blue in the scarf is beauitful. They are perfect for wearing all year round. Annette T
Maybe we should come up with our own group……….I agree lots and lots of young faces.
Beautiful scarf…….love that color of blue.
((((((HUGS)))))
I’m a little ‘older’ but I’d like to join your ‘smart, savvy and still very hip’ club! I am doing more now than I’ve ever done before and feeling GREAT! Love your new scarf…the color is perfection! ♥
Love the scarf! In fact, I just bought it! :) Thanks for the info on BlogHer.
I’m also very bummed that they passed on your terrific ideas. My best friends, outside of my hubby, are 20 to 30 years younger than me. Why??? Because I think young, sugar. I may be 70 but I look and sound much younger. Most people are astounded when they meet me. They can’t believe I’m that old, especially when they sit down and talk with me. I always tell them that I’m always the same age inside—25 yrs. old. They believe me because I exhibit it. I never think old. I am, however, a moral compass for many of them. I just don’t feel a day older than 25 in my head. The body is a different story, but I love younger friends!
xoxo,
Connie
Here-here..older girls. Here’s to our knowledge and experiences. You can’t get old and not learn things. Some times I feel amost invisable around young people. But I know things they do not :):) Smiles to you Claudia. xo, Susie
The blue scarf is a wonderful color, waiting for mint to arrive but just may need another one. If you think you are marginalized now wait 10 more years. What I don’t understand is we outnumber them by a wide margin and generally speaking we have more money to spend, yet it’s hard for women in the upper age groups to be heard.
I do attract a lot of younger people because I don’t think old and hate the senior word. Labels, Labels everywhere. I would like to see women-fully blooming-be heard. We have to think of something besides old and senior!
Beautiful scarf. Good thoughts.
Joy
Oh boo! Sorry you didn’t get in. But your scarf is sensational!
Oh yes; we are “out there and we’re creative, smart and strong.”
Regula, turning 50 in no time and feeling great. :-)
I agree with everything you said Claudia. Hmmm, now that I’m older I feel a bit invisible at times! When did that happen?! Like you, I still feel relevant, hip & smart!
Oh, love your scarves, they’re very pretty!
-Lynn
Too bad about your BlogHer session – where do they think the “younguns” got their creativity – from their moms and grandmas. There are still lots and lots of us out there that are doing exciting things and sharing them. In response to the sometimes feeling invisible comment, I think that frees me to do some outrageous things I’ve always wanted to do.
I’m one that constantly needs to be reminded to live in the present. Thanks. On the other hand, I was unaware that I was marginalized in blogland so haven’t wasted a minute worrying about it! ~ Maureen
Oh snap, I want for you to go. What a marvelous idea you had for a program too. My twenty year old tells me I am hip so it must be true:-}
Love the color of that scarf!… I have not heard back from blogher in …two years. I gave up.
How disappointing! It’s too bad they didn’t pick up on that idea-I do think there are a lot of older bloggers out here and to have some part of the conference dedicated to them would be wonderful.
I do remember looking at older people and feeling kind of bad for them…that their life was what it was…and now I am one of them! ps…I think I’m still pretty cool, too, for an old broad! xo Diana
I think I had a dismissive sort of attitude toward older people until I hit my mid-40s. Maybe dismissive is too strong of a word, but, it was almost like I thought older women had been born sitting on the porch shelling peas like Aunt Bea, and had never been young and in the know like my generation. Pretty silly, I know now. If the BlogHer conference is lacking when it comes to older bloggers, it’s a mistake. Maybe there is some way older bloggers can just up and organize their own convention?
Great post. Here here on us older bloggers. I will be 45 next month and even though I have one little one, I identify more with the bloggers of my age.
Hmmm….I never did hear from Blog Her either and that was a very long time ago….they missed the mark not having you as a volunteer. That would have been quite the experience, oh wait that would just gain you more experience and that might count against you…..just kidding! I’m sure they were inundated with volunteer offers…..
Your scarf is divine! I was just thinking I should make one, I just need a break from stitching.
For some reason this year has been one where I have struggled with the invisable women syndrome, does it happen to anyone else after they’ve been fifty for awhile? It just seems that I’m too old for my job, too old to hang out in the knitting groups…I noticed that Nate only has the young, slim, perky bloggers on his show. Is it my imagination or do they seem to be doing all the things we did and made 20 years ago?
Keep trying that idea, someone will love it, look at how many of us said we love it!!!!
Hugs,
Margaret B
xx
Seniors are the fastest growing group in Social Media – BlogHer would be smart to address them. It wasn’t you – it was them (:
It’s disappointing that you didn’t get to volunteer or speak on a panel. When is the conference? I have a funny feeling that you just may be going. I don’t know but my intuition is telling me that this isn’t over yet.
Another reader mentioned starting your own group?? That would be awesome! Maybe all your readers could get together and create a little conference??? We could have the more seasoned bloggers,you being one of them, put the panels together. Hey, organizations have to start small and who knows where it may lead?
On another note, love your scarves! Saving my money so I can buy one or two and maybe a couple pillows from Brenda.
Claudia, you are a beautiful person. Your writing always moves me to action, causes me to pause, stirs emotion inside of me and helps me to see other points of view. Your world is a moving and shaking! So happy for your success.
Hugs, Sandy
Love the little dividers you’ve come up with, you savvy girl you! I totally agree. I feel somewhat marginalized, when we have so much life experience to bring to the proverbial table!!!
Brenda
Love your ideas.
Bummer that you did not get a spot this time. You would be perfect to represent us! Fingers crossed for another door to open.
Love my scarf and want to add to my collection.
Blessings~
Hi Claudia, just stopping by to say how delightful your blog is. Thanks so much for sharing. I have recently found your blog and am now following you, and will visit often. Please stop by my blog and perhaps you would like to follow me also. Have a wonderful day. Hugs, Chris
http://chelencarter-retiredandlovingit.blogspot.com/
Thanks, Claudia. From what I have seen we older women are really putting our mark on the blogging world. I think this is something BlogHer should revisit.
Laura
Love the scarf, Claudia…a beautiful color! I’m a “seasoned” blogger, too, and there are a LOT of us out there…
The scarf that you made is so pretty. Your site is always interesting to read. You are such a multi talented person. I had never heard of “the invisible woman syndrome” before I read what French Bear wrote, but I sure have felt it a few times in the past year or so. One day I found myself feeling very invisible and then naughty me thought there might be all kinds of things I could get away with doing if I really am as invisible as I feel. I didn’t do anything bad afterall, but felt like the old Indian chief in that 1970’s movie, Little Big Man, where he walked right through the masacre and no one seemed to see him. We should remember that,as a demographic, we women of a certain (or uncertain) age still have a lot of buying clout. I think that the twenty and thirty somethings don’t always consider that fact. Afterall, we are still the “boomers”.
It’s good that you made your voice known to BlogHer, maybe more of us “seasoned” ladies should voice our opinions to them.
One of the reasons I pulled away from blogging was that I got tired of seeing too many cute baby photos (my opinion only) and the “look what I bought at Pottery Barn” posts. I don’t mean to sound tacky, that’s just the way I am – blunt.
Now I’ve curbed my reading down to blogs that are age appropriate and more my style. I’ve reached a happy medium.
Have a good day; I’ll be back later to read today’s post.