It’s February and that means my blogging anniversary is coming up. On February 17th, Mockingbird Hill Cottage (the blog, not the house) will be 8 years old. The house is 125 years old.
Blogging has changed a lot during the course of those eight years; some of it good, some of it not so good. Several bloggers have recently written posts about wanting to go back to the way they used to blog, before everything became about being bigger, better, and earning lots of income. None of that is at all bad, but along the way it’s easy to lose sight of what drew one to blogging in the first place.
Above all, what drew most of us to blogging was the desire to share our lives, our thoughts, and to connect with others (like-minded and not so like-minded.) That’s certainly what drew me to blogging – the opportunity to write, which has always been a passion of mine; and not only write, but create a visual journal by taking photographs that corresponded to the text.
Simple, right?
I’ve been posting daily for several years now. The discipline of writing every day is good for me. It anchors my mornings. I’m very proud of what I’ve created and I’m very proud of the fact that every post on this blog – and there have been 2,337 of them as of today – has been written by me. That means original content (for better or worse!) with no photos grabbed from other sites, no posts that originated elsewhere that I tweak for the blog, no guest posts (which I routinely decline.) There’s the rare sponsored post, and they are truly rare, but again; honestly and candidly written by me. It isn’t always easy to find something to write about on a daily basis, but I’ve stuck to my vision and I’m proud of that.
I guess I never had to ‘find’ what kind of blogger I was because I always intended to write about our life in the country in our little cottage. I’m comfortable with that. Luckily, when I first started, the blogging world was still a relatively small place. Now, it’s much, much bigger.
I often think about that. It must be hard to find a interesting and unique blog name nowadays. I don’t envy having to come up with something new.
Anyway, more thoughts on that coming up on February 17th.
I wanted to tell you about an item that I ordered and which just arrived yesterday. It’s from the shop, Lucy Jane. I read about it via another book blogger and promptly bookmarked the site, though I didn’t get around to ordering it until a couple of weeks ago.
It’s the Arrow Pencil Pouch, which comes in red, navy or black. It’s made of vinyl and is beautifully lined and the reason I bought it is because it is the perfect size for a Kindle Paperwhite. I tend to throw my Kindle in my bag when I’m on the road or traveling to NYC, and I was looking for something to protect it.
See, I’m slipping it in the pouch….
And there it is, safely nestled inside.
I really love it. I chose this bright red because I liked it and I thought it would be easier to find in the depths of my tote bag.
You could probably do the same thing with a cosmetics bag, and I have, but this is sturdy and has some heft. And it’s cute.
I’ve no affiliation with this company – just wanted to share it with you.
I just finished this scarf, it’s a special order.
It’s made from a yarn I got at my local yarn store – Malabrigo Pure Merino Superwash Rios in English Rose. Isn’t it beautiful?
Okay. I have to go take a shower and meet my friend Charlie for coffee.
Happy Wednesday.
Beautiful scarf and beautiful work on it Claudia. Enjoy your day. Doris
Thank you, Doris! Have a wonderful day, my friend.
Congrats on your upcoming Blogaversary. You are a part of my daily life, because your’s is the first blog I read each day. I don’t comment very often, but i thank you for your inpiration and thoughts and pretty pictures.
And thank you for taking the time to read my posts, Leslie. It sure means a lot to me!
Happy Blog Anniversary. Your blog continues to be my daily treat to myself over my morning coffee. The scare is LOVELY.
Maybe the scarf is scary???
Beautiful scarf Claudia – lovely color. What a great idea for your Kindle. And red! Perfect for the depths of a bag (I’m forever losing things). One of my Christmas gifts this year was a cover for my Kindle – a Klever Case made in England, hand sewn…and my husband picked out the “To Kill a Mockingbird” cover. Now I can easily throw my Kindle in my purse each day. Congratulations on your upcoming Blog Anniversary. You certainly bring a lot of pleasure to many people each day. Thank you.
Oh, you know I’d be all over that To Kill a Mockingbird cover, Vera! Send me a photo sometime, okay?
LOL…just read my comment back and it autocorrected to scare instead of scarf…silly computer.
My autocorrect misbehaves all the time, Cindy.
Beautiful scarf Claudia. I really like the bag for your Kindle, especially the polka dot interior. It’s cheerful and happy, just what’s needed on these gray winter days. I hope you have a day filled with joy and contentment today Claudia.
Blessings,
Betsy
We all need some color during the winter, Betsy! Have a wonderful day.
Claudia,
I enjoy your blog so very much. I find it interesting, heart warming and it has educated me in so many ways. Books, theater and pottery…so many things. I also enjoy your family and hearing about and seeing “your world .” I stop by every day.
Hugs to your sweet Scout,
Kaye
Thank you so much for your kind words, Kaye. Keep stopping by – you’re always welcome here.
Claudia,
I am seeing so many bloggers complaining about the state of the blogging world, and while I completely share your disdain for sites that seem to be just an excuse for advertising and rehashing DIY projects or stealing professional photos, I don’t think the blog world as we wish it to be is gone. It is just harder to find easily, because that is the point of the marketing type bloggers. There are MANY blogs out there which I have found and read which are still in the old style, and they are written by intelligent, educated women who know how to spell and write and have actual, reliable knowledge to share. Some are garden blogs, some are cooking, some are craft based, and some are simply lifestyle. Many are from the UK, but there are also real women writing interesting blogs here too. Just keep looking, and PLEASE keep writing and sharing. You help keep my brain in gear. :) Linda
Oh, I know that, Linda. I read a lot of blogs! The posts I was referring to are from bloggers who have gone BIG, as they say, and now miss posts that are from the heart. They miss writing them. So, many of them are going back to where they started. Which is a good thing. Blogs started out as Weblogs, meaning a sort of journal or log on the big old internet. Many of them have become closer to a website, which is fine, there’s room for everyone.
I haven’t been following you for eight years but since I found your blog I’ve been a fan and a friend. I recently went back and started reading some of your first blogs. It’s fun to see how you started. Blogging has changed in the 5 years I’ve been blogging but I think I’ve stayed true to me. My blog content has changed as my life has changed, but as always the content is all me. I hope you enjoy your day. It is raining, grey and awful out but I still need to take my Mom to a Dr’s appt. So I’ll stop by the library return books and pick up some new ones.
hugs,
Linda
I sort of shudder when I read those early posts, Linda, but I was taking small steps into the blogging world. As I got more comfortable with the whole thing, I wrote more. Tiny photos in those early posts, too! It’s raining here today, too. A gray day made lovely by coffee with a friend, then a trip to the museum.
My first blog posts were awful! I’ve come a long way. Glad you had a good day.
Thank goodness we’ve evolved, right! Love to you, my friend.
I am growing more and more dissatisfied with blogs that post an abundance of lifted and otherwise un
original text and photos. The authentic and original content is a big reason why I love your blog Claudia. Thank you for keeping it real.
You’re most welcome, Carolyn Marie! Thank you.
I got my husband the best kindle cover: it’s like a book. You slip the kindle in, and the closure has magnets. You open it and it turns on; close it, and it shuts off. No fiddling with buttons. Plus the screen is protected.
The screens themselves seem to be pretty sturdy. I’ve done nothing to protect mine, other than normal somewhat careful usage, and it’s just fine. BUT, I think a nice pouch to put it in will help ease my mind about the whole thing.
That is such a cute cover for your Kindle…I got one on clearance at Walmart…I love having my Kindle with me when I have to wait for appointments etc….The scarf color is beautiful…Enjoy your coffee and chit chat with your friend…
I had a lovely time with Charlie and then I walked to the museum and spent a couple of hours there. Lovely on a rainy day.
The scarf is absolutely gorgeous and I like that you, from what my novice eyes can tell, choose a good-quality yarn.
Congratulations on your many years of blogging. Please know that I went through a period to where all I did was read blogs for a great portion of the day. I clearly needed to stop that, because it was a bit excessive/obsessive, and I consequently pared down my reading to (what is now) approximately 3-6 blogs/sites per day (varies, but no more than that); i.e., I kept the good ones. You’re one of the good ones. Quite possibly the best. I so appreciate that you blog every day and consistently offer so much good info and insight on many things. You’re a terrific writer. Your life is very interesting! And it is very good of you to respond to reader comments.
In short: I love your blog.
Oh, I think we all went through that period, especially when blogs were new and fresh. I spent hours reading blogs – every day.
Thank you so much for your kind words, Vicki. They mean a great deal to me!
I do hope that you can see how popular you are, Claudia!
Well, I guess I am! I’m not a big blogger but I sure love and appreciate my readers.
Congrats on your upcoming blog anniversary, Claudia! Eight years of daily posts – that’s awesome. What I love most about your writing is that you are as thought-provoking and literate with “major” issues – such as the loss of your parents – as you are with the small, ordinary details of life. Do not underestimate this ability – it’s a very valuable skill to have. And to this day, yours is the only daily blog I read. I honestly haven’t found any others where the blogger posts daily AND can hold my interest every day. PS – the color of today’s scarf is fall-down gorgeous. A rich cranberry to me, but I can see how it was named “English rose” too. ⭐️
Isn’t that color beautiful??? I want one myself! But it’s for Cindy, so I have to be a big girl and sent it to her.
Thank you so much for your kind words, Janet. I’m sure glad you’re out there!
That scarf is a beautiful color….so Springy! The state of blogging has changed, so it seems. I admire you for continuing to blog every day….and I do enjoy the range of topics that you talk about. I can’t believe you are coming up on 8 years of blogging. I have to assume here, that it’s as much fun for you to write this blog….as it is fun for us to read your blog! ;)
It is. I sometimes contemplate quitting – not all that seriously – but as of this moment, I can’t imagine my life without it.
Congrats a little early on your blog-versary. The scarf color is beautiful, one of the colors to which I’m attracted. And I love Malabrigo, especially its Mechita yarn…..my one of many weaknesses. I needle pointed a cover for my Kindle. I’ll email you a photo.
My sister is a big fan of Malabrigo. But it’s my first time with it and I really love it.
I read your sister’s blog too, and enjoy seeing her knitting, and her latest woven purse. I love knitting with Malabrigo a lot, but it’s so darn expensive…
Oh, I know! It was more than I usually spend on yarn for one of the scarves, but I was trying to find a pink variegated yarn per the customer’s request. I finally found the Malabrigo.
Congrats on your eight year anniversary – wow, quite an accomplishment!!! I so look forward each morning to opening up my Mockingbird Cottage email – the perfect way to start my day. So many blogs have gone away – either due to the competition or to the stress of posting. I love your blog because you speak your mind, share wonderful snippets of your life and because there are no project challenges, and no link ups for decor or recipes. Your blog is like a breath of fresh air, it is insightful and interesting and very special. Plus you always pass along great books to read . Oh, and thanks for the heads up for the kindle case – definitely going to get myself one.
I tried a link-up for a bit and I really grew bored with the whole thing. Also, since I post about whatever I’m thinking about on any given day, I really disliked having to stop my blogging rhythm to post the weekly link-up. Link-ups were a big deal when I first started blogging, and they were a great way to get to know other bloggers, but now people link a post to several link-ups at once and they rarely stop to read the other posts. So it’s not really what it was supposed to be in the beginning.
Thanks so much for your kind words, Liz.
Do you have any advice regarding starting a blog?? Where does one initially start?
I’d start with Blogger. It’s free. Just google Blogger.com and they’ll give you instructions right there on what to do, Mamey.
I’m sure it is much like raising a child to the age of 8. There are some bumps along the road, a few tantrums, and always trying to continue to grow.
I have told you many times, I feel like we have coffee (along w/ several other regular followers and commenters) every morning. Sometimes it is a bit later in the day when I finally sit down, but I then have your post along with the benefit of many more comments to read!!
Sounds like you had a lovely beginning to your day. That is always a very good thing.
Yes, and I went to the museum as well, so it’s been a lovely, albeit rainy, day.
The tantrums happen when people try to hack into my blog, which is going on as I write this. I wish they’d just get a life.
Claudia: I have never commented before, but I read your blog every day, typically first thing in the morning. It is part of my routine, just as blogging is part of yours. I share your views on animals/animal rights/anti-experimentation. I always look forward to your book reviews and recommendations. Just a quick note to say that you are appreciated and have a very like-minded friend in Southern California.
Oh, thank you so much for taking the time to leave a comment, Chris. It’s so appreciated! And thank you for reading the blog.
You and I have a lot in common regarding blogging Claudia (my 9th anniv. coming up this month). You certainly state here, in this post, just how I feel. I too have tried to keep focused on the true reason to blog, for me, which is a creative journal of my daily life, which hopefully will be read by my grand/greatgrand-children some day. First great-grand due in April! If that doesn’t happen I won’t know of course, but I’ll have enjoyed every minute putting my thoughts down and sharing many of the wonders of the world with my photos.
Let’s keep on dear friend – I think we still have a lot to say and share here in blogland. And yes, I still remember finding you because of your lovely cottage plank floors!
Love and hugs – Mary
I love your blog, my friend, and I’ve seen so much of the world through your travels – of course, it gives me the travel bug, as well. Congratulations on the first great-grand! That will be an exciting event!
Have a nice day Claudia.
You too, Jan!
I think your thoughts on blogging are very interesting. I see what you’re saying when I look out there. I also see attention divided, between the various forms and mediums of sharing and chronicling our interests and days. Hm. I think I’ll still be thinking about this for a bit, but personally I’m happy with my little slice of internet pie and how I’m using it as well. It feels like mine, though I notice, I’m crankier on twitter. ha!
The scarf is beautiful, the colorway compliments the pattern quite nicely. I hope coffee with Charlie was good stuff.
The bag/pouch for your kindle is great. I think I’m going to knit a few cozies for friends for Christmas presents this year. Thanks for the inspiration.
Unfortunately for me, I only discovered your blog a few months ago. I love it and look forward to reading it every day. You write about things I want to read about! I hope you spend some time today savoring the compliments and encouragements you are receiving!