This is why

Why do you blog? I think that's something we all ask ourselves. I blog to create an online presence, to accentuate the positive (most of the time) of my days, to meet great people, and to read their stories. We follow each other through the ups and down, the moves both blog and physical. Susan-on-the-other-side-of-the-world and Ihave been blogging/flickr friends for many years now. She's had her ups and downs and her wonderful up post of yesterday was just fantastic! {{{hugs}}} Plus, she has a picture of the elusive Julie!

Cheeriness From Sydney

Fall is probably my least favorite month. I do like MSU Spartan football, and the colors are great, but the loss of daylight is kind of a downer. I mean, in June it is light out until almost 10:00 p.m. Now the yardlight comes on at 7:30, and it will only get earlier.

I've also been a bit bummed about my knee acting up. It appears that old arthuritis is making an appearance there. I've had a spot of it in my hands for years. I just never thought he would appear in my knee. The knee is much better now, thanks, but it was a downer.

So I've been a little down lately. But this is where blogging and bloggers can often bring me back up, thank you all very much! I got home from work on Tuesday, and there was a package in the mailbox. I hadn't ordered any books. What could it be?
I pulled it out and noticed the postmark. It was from the other-side-of-the-world.!!!

Susan and I became blogging friends due to the lovely little ladybird or ladybug, whichever you say. She had sent me some new ladybugs to keep me company, plus a stitched goosie, and a book on Sydney, showing where she works. (Except that a teaser on her site says she has a new job. C'mon, don't keep us hanging!)

So thank you, my dear friend, for the lovely gift and for the boost. Much needed, much appreciated.

Contented Sigh

In May of 2006 I embarked upon a great personal adventure. After years of living in a tiny student apartment I moved to the country, to live in an old farmhouse that had been in the family for 98-years. My mom had had renters, but it was hard to find the right person, and after a particularly bad renter, her manager had kind of pulled back. I got up the gumption to ask: what would you think about me renting it? (It has always been my favorite place in the world, but I tend to keep secrets, I guess. Plus, I thought, a single woman in the country? But then I began to think of all the women who did live out this way, and with the addition of an alarm system, I've always felt incredibly safe here.) And so the adventure began.

The experience has been incredibly positive, other than the horrendous heating bills in winter. My life has expanded in so many ways. I tend my gardens and my projects around home (most of them half finished, but hey) and . . . I have company! I have drop-ins, and I have people I invite. This is way beyond what I was accustomed to, and it has been so great! Tonight twelve folks from work came for an impromptu shuffleboard tournament. I'm probably the goofiest hostess most of them have encountered, but everyone is so kind and I think everyone had a good time.

I can't believe the risks I've been taking and you know, I have to lay a lot of it to blogging. Reading about how others deal with life, how they pick themselves up and keep going, trying new things, has been very inspirational. Life handed me a few knocks in my twenties that I didn't adapt to very well. But it is great to know that even in the 50's, life can change and be changed for the good.

And thank you all for your inspiration!