I never imagined I’d undertake blogging when I first heard about it years ago. (Of course, I never thought I’d be retired, either!) I like to write, but I never felt I was that good at it. My mother was a writer and magazine editor, and I grew up hearing about poor syntax, sloppy prose, and the difficulty of staying on track. Although she had to critique others as an editor, she was hardest on herself – and she really wrote beautifully. She’s a tough act to follow.
I’ve followed the blogs of some friends over time, and enjoyed them very much. As I approached retirement, my older daughter suggested that blogging might be a good way to stay in touch with people, and to keep track of my retired life. After doing a little research, I plunged in.
Like most people, I have a theme, and great plans for what I will do with my blog (which is still an infant.) But finding readers and gaining momentum takes a little time, and I despaired that most people approaching or in retirement aren’t in the “blogging generation.” Who’s going to care about my topics, let alone what I have to say about them?
Enter the The Daily Post at WordPress.com, with its suggestions, postaday and postaweek goals, and its Weekly Photo Challenges. Bereft of a weekly topic, I decided to try a photo challenge. I have never claimed to be particularly artistic, and I’m hardly a champion photographer. Still, I do know what I like, and I’ve gotten fairly handy with editing software as I’ve cleaned up old family photos. I gave it a whirl.
Wow. For the first time I got it. This really is a community. I got hits. I got likes. I got comments. I got followers! And while they were looking at photos, the other bloggers sometimes actually looked at the rest of my fledgling blog. I received suggestions, encouragement, and commiseration. As I’ve responded, followed, and made comments on other bloggers’ sites, we’ve started to “know” one another and look forward to one another’s posts. You know what they say – if you want to make a friend, be a friend – and this is a very friendly universe!
Now, I have received two lovely gifts. I was nominated last week for the Versatile Blogger Award by melouisef at Just Fletcher, and this week for the Kreativ Blogger Award by Diana at A Beginner. I am putting together the requisite blog responses for both while I am caring for my mom, so I’ve been a bit slow, but to both of you, thank you, thank you, thank you. My tardiness in no way reflects my appreciation that you have taken time to notice and recognize me.
As random and diverse as we are, the blogosphere is a generally respectful, encouraging, delightful place to be, and I hope I’ll be part of this community for a long time. So, thank you to my two benefactors, and to each visitor, commenter and follower who takes a moment to look in on what’s happening with the Retiring Sort. Like every blogger, I’m thrilled each time you stop by, and I appreciate your encouragement and support. Thanks for making me feel like I belong.
Picture credits: BLOG: © Alexandr Mitiuc – Fotolia.com. Award stickers: respective award hosts.
The Retiring Sort 
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Congratulations! 🙂
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Many thanks 🙂
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Congratulations. You are a very generous, talented , gifted person. Your blog celebrates life in the most beautiful way. Thanks.
http://thismansjourney.net/2012/06/13/weekly-image-of-life-happiness/
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Thanks so much – if there’s one thing blogging is teaching me, it’s how many wonderful people are out there with incredible gifts and perspectives to share. You are certainly one of them!
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I congratulate to you. I always enjoy your blog my friend.
You deserve this honor, wonderful nominated 😛 Success and regards
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Many thanks!! 🙂
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You’re welcome 😛
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Congratulations on the awards. I may check out The Daily Post.
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Thanks! I really recommend subscribing to the Daily Post. There are regular tips on writing, help for finding topics, notice of new themes, etc… and the Weekly Photo Challenge! Sometimes the topics don’t “grab” me, but I’ve found it helpful and interesting overall! Enjoy!
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Congrats on the awards. We are a very friendly and encouraging lot, aren’t we. 😉
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Yes – and for the newbies, the support is especially helpful. Thanks for stopping in today! 😉
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Congratulations! Hope your mom is feeling better.
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Many thanks for your kind thoughts!
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CONGRATULATIONS! I too am fairly new (Dec, 2011) to the blogging community and retired. I just love it.
BE ENCOURAGED! BE BLESSED!
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Thank you! Glad you’re also enjoying the journey! 🙂
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Congrats! I too hope this lasts a while 🙂 It’s a friendly community.
(four school days to retirement. More time to post!)
😀
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Wow! Good for you!! 🙂 😉 🙂
Glad you also enjoy our environment!
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Congratulations!!! : )
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Thanks, sweetie!! 🙂
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