My blog posts take on a life of their own, no matter how I may try to plan them in an organised way. As I begin typing they often ramble away in a totally different direction to that which I had intended.
Perhaps I am a flibbertigibbet. Possibly the human version of our ginger cat, Silly Milly who sits and watches clouds in the sky.
My attention and enthusiasms are easily diverted by interesting or beautiful things. You may well have noticed by the random subjects I choose to blog about. Random and rambling just about covers them and my way of life. I rarely get to use my computer (and all my blogging, comments, etc are done on a laptop computer) without a stream of interruptions.
This led me to wonder about how you write your blogs.
Do you plan your subjects ahead of time? Do careful research? Hone and tone your words?
Have a stash of posts stored away, awaiting publication? Stick to a list of carefully prepared topics, or follow where life and interests lead you.
Or perhaps you just go with the flow?
I don't believe there is any right or wrong way, I am simply curious/nosy.
This is what happens when I spend far too much time weeding and tidying the gardens. I have too much time for mulling over inconsequential things, the equivalent of humming, or tuneless whistling.
Today's lunch - toasted wild garlic bread (not to be confused with buttery garlic bread) with mozzarella and salad. That hit the mark nicely.
Back to the weeding!
These two naughty cats thought it would be great to charge around this newly planted vegetable bed, I suppose that means we need to net it, beforre they get any ideas about a nice fresh latrine.
The sky has been grey and dull again today. Just look how dark it is in Owl Wood. The year is moving on, the cow parsley is dying back and it has lost that fresh and frothy look which marked the month of May.
One last look, before it all fades away to a dull brown.
Time for a quick game of football with the ever hopeful Toby, then back to the weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeding.
ps ...This was planned as a post on oceanography... 😕
Your blog Elaine is a joy, beautifully constructed, the words flow, the layout is artistically arranged. More importantly it is a snapshot into your life.
ReplyDeleteI don’t really know how I approach my blog, I live in my head a lot of the time, the curse of an only child I suppose? That is why to
the reader I suppose my posts don’t always make a lot of sense. Added to which I blog on my ipad, ipads and blogging don’t have an easy relationship, Parts of the text disappear and editing is a nightmare. I usually knock out a blog, post it, then let the thing lie in a darkened room for a while then go back and see what I’ve written. By catching it unawares it doesn’t get up to it’s usual tricks. I wonder if it is me not doing it quite right or the two being mutually incompatible?
The bottom line for me is I get a huge amount of enjoyment from doing it. No I don’t put in much effort planning and having a strategy. I shoot from the lip, I am after all doing it for me, my enjoyment and a cameo of a life well lived and in the main enjoyed. Self centred only child again I suppose. Sometimes, only occasionally, I look at my old blog and some of it is painful, you remember which bits I’m sure, having both shared similar things in our lives? I can’t believe I said that type of thing, the poor writing, the grammar etc., then I think this is me, so be it!
Long winded reply... Sorry!
LXX
Lettice, you are a one-off! There is nothing wrong with a bit of mystery and a change of style. Your old blog was you, and this one is still you, just you presented slightly differently. This one makes me imagine you dressed in floaty scarves and extrovert style, even if you do don a (very stylish) pinny now and then to bake for the builder or to feed your lucky guests. Has he relented about that dog yet? XX
DeleteYou’ve got me in one Elaine... ageing hippie crossed with Mother Earth, I suppose? I always feel folk don’t recognise me and if I’ve seen them before I introduce myself as if they won’t have remembered our paths having crossed? The shy and retiring gene fighting to get a look in. Himself says you are a force, how could they forget, what he means by that heaven only knows?
DeleteThe dog whinging is only spasmodic now, the old me would have said ‘Bugger it! I’m getting one!’ Obviously mellowing by the minute!
Is that crinkles in your hair I spy? I do hope so!
LXX
Alas! Only wrinkles, Lettice. The older I get the more I find, but only if I wear my specs, so that's okay.
DeleteYour blog is a treat, with lovely photos of your part of the world, the wood and your garden and books.
ReplyDeleteThe black Elder( I'm guessing that's what it is) in the photo is the second I've seen in two days and reminds me that I had one at the smallholding and must find one for here.
I've got a whole load of posts in drafts....just in case, and things keep happening so I keep writing about them.
Oceanography?!
Sue, You are right, it is a black Elder, a very handsome plant - I hope you can find one. We share so many interests, and i love those glimpses of your life in Suffolk. My father's family were all from Gorleston-on-Sea and Lowestoft, fishermen all, so I feel a great affinity with your part of the country. Most of all, I totally admire your 'just get on with it' attitude.
DeleteI nearly forgot, the oceanography bit - I was trying to think of a subject that I would definitely be unable to write about.
Ooh, ages since I saw that word "flibbertigibbet". Lovely!
ReplyDeleteI occasionally plan series of posts, usually when I reminisce about my childhood, but mostly it's things which occur to me day by day. I do try and hone my words though. I like things to be carefully expressed and "a care for words" is part of who I am.
"Ooh, ages since I saw that word "flibbertigibbet". Lovely!"
DeleteMe toooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!
:-))))))))))))))
It is a great word, isn't it! I should think that, given your calling, it is very necessary and that you do it well. I enjoy your visits to those parts of Lincolnshire which I rarely get to visit these days. I have a particular fondness for old churches and the churchyards and you visit some beauties.
DeleteI don't plan my blogs though I did take photos with them in mind. The Church explorer takes a bit of time, planning and some research along with my Exploration blog but the daily photo is just plain pot luck and I have to think about what to do sometimes
ReplyDeleteGoodness, yes. Your church explorer posts must take up a lot of time, I do love exploring those wonderful churches and churchyards with you though. It is a shame, though understandable, when we sometimes find the doors locked - I had such an experience today, despite the 'church open' sign being on the road. :(
DeleteHow do we write our blogs? What a great topic, for discussion!!! I love posts, where we are actually asked for your own views. And try to do them often.
ReplyDeleteBack... to the question... I go with the flow. Something 'strikes me' and I think I will blog about it.
No great over all plan. No posts stacked ahead of time, in queue, to be published. No set topics. Yes, I go with the flow.
Perhaps this 'makes up' for how hard it is, to go with the flow, in real life? I can't stand interruptions and changes in the usual flow of our days. Sooo... It would make sense, that my spontaneous blogging life, would/could be an antidote. :-)))
Your photos are lovely. Oh that yellow flower!!!
ReplyDeleteLunch, yummmmm!
Oh mercy, get that bed protected. Cats just love a "new litter box." ,-)))
Cool, gray, and dull here too. But Owl Wood always looks magical, no matter what the weather.
Saying good bye to Cow Parsley (Queen Anne's Lace here). Ours is still in bloom.
Sweet Toby!!!!
Oh I am so glad you switched topics. Oceanography wouldn't have been half as much fun, as answering a question! :-)
Real life, lots of stops and starts - if it is not cats on the keyboard, a dog who wants to play football, it is grandchildren to be collected and fed, Luna! I'm not complaining, but I certainly don't have long stretches of time to myself.
DeleteThe yellow flower is a honeysuckle, I planted it to grow over and through an archway, last year - very excited to see it in bloom now, such a wonderful colour and scent. Enjoy your Queen Anne's Lace, ours is decidedly tired now, but there will be other delights to follow.
You find some very beautiful illustrations for your posts, I really enjoyed the very fashionable women in the last one, and they were a perfect fit for the post! You must have some very good sources.
Don't worry, the day you see a post about oceanography you will know that my blog has been hijacked - or I have had a brain transplant!!xx
I often need a catalyst, but seldom stick with a subject. It is delightful to read (and view) your blog - posts that are written rather, let's say, stream of consciousness, are so much more interesting, taking us along with your thoughts. At least that's my take on it.
ReplyDeleteSusan, I saw the word stick and immediately I thought of 'ticks' and your bites. I hope you are feeling a whole lot better now and that your special clothing, etc is doing what it promised to do! I like the stream of consciousness, sounds more flowing than a ramble!!
DeleteElaine,
ReplyDeleteI don't blog, but I love reading yours. Just one of the attractions is your being, as you put it, perhaps a flibbertigibbet. (Some commented they haven't seen that word for a long time. I don't think I've ever seen it! But it's an interesting word!)
Like Margaret, I have written (and still do) for a living (or some of it, anyway). Technical stuff. So it takes planning and even calculation. If I were to blog (and I will leave that to you -- as Old Joe, in Dickens's Christmas Carol said, "We're all suitable to our calling."), I would plan. I would probably write, then rewrite, then edit. Then I would stew about saying the right thing or everything that should have been said. Perhaps that is why I don't blog!
Anyway, lovely photos (again) and an interesting post. When you're done with your weeds, I have a good crop needing attention. C'mon over!
That sounds like a very stressful occupation, Brett. I sometimes stew about some of the posts which I have written, hoping not to offend anyone, or to be presenting inaccurate information, which is probably why I post so much about this place, walks and the woodland - home turf! Safe ground.
DeleteMore weeding? Would you be so cruel?
Elaine,
DeleteNo, no cruelty intended. It would be pleasant to meet in person, but we could do that over tea rather than lambs quarters, pig weed, and smart weed.
I took care of a lot of the weeds, today. There are still some to pull, but enough was enough -- for today. I hope you're ahead of your unwanted garden plants. I never am...
Tea it is then!
DeleteI'm like you and tend to go with the flow. I take photos of the day and work around them most times. I try not to write the obvious but do like to point things out in photos. Also,I want to keep posts short but often get carried away. So I guess it all just falls from the mood I am in. I love the way you write and enjoy every post. I love to walk through Owl Wood with you. :)
ReplyDeleteDeb, It has been lovely to see how well Wilson has slotted into The Mouse House - you did such a good job. I'm glad that Annie has him around to help fill the void. The animals in your woodland would really thrill and delight my grandchildren. I hope the building work is almost complete?
DeleteI never write posts in advance, just as the mood or subject takes me. If I can't think of anything interesting I just do not blog.
ReplyDeleteAs for the cowparsley, I love it. Cow parsly, wild daisies and of course the poppies, look forward to seeing them each year.
Briony
x
Hello Briony, Welcome! That makes sense, no point in forcing a post.
DeleteMay is the most beautiful month in Owl Wood, though of course when autumn comes I shall be convinced that it looks even lovelier. The changing seasons never fail to delight (even if the weather does) and at this time of the year it is those wild flowers which gladden the eye.
The flow for me, for sure, Elaine. And I don't even weed!
ReplyDeleteBut you do so many other things, Joanne. I wouldn't weed if I could get away with it, trouble is that I let on that I know the difference between a weed and a plant - fatal - I should have played dumb right from the start!
DeleteMany thanks, for all your comments.
ReplyDeleteMy computer crashed, after being bombarded with updates, and by the time normality had been restored I was too tired to respond. I am heading off for the bright lights of Cleethorpes this morning but will answer you all individually upon my return.
You have a very beautiful blog, Margaret. I hold my hand up and admit that I have developed many a crick in my neck as I scan along the bookshelves in your beautiful home. I totally understand your need for a keyboard and touch-typing, I am the same. I meant to say, a week or two ago you showed us your new lipstick, LFF. I looked them up and placed a small order. Their products are very good on mature skin! I had not come across them before. One of the unexpected bonuses of reading blogs - Sue often gives me the names of new (to me) authors and book titles, just as I often get inspired by the beautiful things you share with us. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteHow do I prepare? I don't is the short answer. I try to remember to carry my camera so that if I see any interesting subjects, I can take photos and construct a post around them.
ReplyDeleteSuch a good idea, doncha think? But so often, I don't actually get round to posting and the photos stay 'on file' and eventually slip from my thoughts. Hence the long gaps between posts, for which I feel very guilty. At this time of year, I spend much less time on my laptop and more in the garden. A poor excuse!
Sounds perfect, Rambler! I do something similar when I take my walks, but so many of my ideas refuse to take wing, no matter how much I wrestle with them. They certainly make interesting, retrospective reading, a reminder of some beautiful places. Plenty to do in the garden, no need to feel guilty.
DeleteI finally have time to get back to your blog! I am a bit random, like you. My best blog posts are written when I am driving (!) and forgotten by the time I sit down at the computer.
ReplyDeleteSometimes I will jot down a title I want to write about, sometimes I have a completely blank mind, and sometimes it is just gentle witterings of my days.
I know the feeling, sometimes in the middle of the night I have a brilliant idea for a post, by the time the cats wake me in the morning, it has disappeared without leaving a ripple. I do hope you are feeling much better - although I hear that the pollen counts are very high right now.
Delete