I hope everyone is doing well, all things considered. It’s been a difficult couple of months for me, but life goes on… Spring may even show up one of these days!
Just wanted to stop in and give you an update regarding this blog. It’s been stagnant for a while, and I’ve been retooling a few things.
Travelogues
The plan is to finish writing about all the ports of call we visited in 2018. It was a marathon Mediterranean and Adriatic cruise that lasted 24 days. So far, I’ve only completed 6 (published between 2018 and 2021), with 13 more to go!
Travelogues are incredibly time consuming to put together, so this will probably stretch out over a few years. (It took me 7 years to complete the previous European tour.)
Hopefully, you will find them interesting, but my other purpose is to have a visual record of this fantastic trip for our own reference. On the horizon:
Travelogues already published. Right-click to open in new tab: 👇
More Original Material, Less Blog-Hopping
Out of the 19 posts I’ve written this year, 14 were for blog hops: 8 photography, 4 creative writing, 2 music. That only leaves 5 original ones. I’d like to re-awaken the muse, and come up with some unique material independently. The above-mentioned travelogues, for example, or more “Monday Musings of an Old Broad”, maybe some new poetry or dog stories. So many possibilities!
Not to say I will stop altogether, as the camaraderie is always enjoyable. But consider this, courtesy of ChatGPT. I asked it “What are the downsides to blog hops?” The answers echoed most of my thoughts on the matter:
1. Time-Consuming
- Blog hops often require you to read and comment on multiple blogs.
- If you’re participating in several, it can become a major time sink without a clear return on investment.
2. Low-Quality Engagement
- Many participants visit just to leave a quick comment and a link to their own blog.
- This can result in superficial interactions, not genuine readership or community.
3. Diluted Branding
- Trying to appeal to a wide blog hop audience may lead to off-brand or less-focused content.
- You might shift away from your niche just to fit the theme of a hop.
4. Traffic Without Retention
- Blog hops may bring a spike in visitors, but those visitors rarely become regular readers or subscribers.
- It’s often quantity over quality.
5. Reciprocity Pressure
- Some hops operate on an unspoken rule of “you comment on mine, I’ll comment on yours.”
- This can create a sense of obligation that takes the fun out of blogging.
6. Content Fatigue
- Having to create posts that fit blog hop prompts can become draining or repetitive.
- It might stifle your creativity if you’re always writing to meet hop themes.
Regarding number 5, I always put a lot of pressure on myself (German, pedantic 😆) to respond to comments, visit other participants, comment and share as much as possible (because that’s the assignment, yes?), which is often not reciprocated. That definitely takes the fun out of it and leads to burnout. Number 6 is a relevant factor as well, along with my dislike for keeping to a schedule.
I will still join in occasionally, time and muse permitting. Check out these favourite blog hops:
- Mixed Music Bag hosted by Glyn
- Monday Music Moves Me (#4M) co-hosted by Cathy, Alana, Stacy, founded by Marie
- Moonwashed Weekly Prompt hosted by Eugi
- Photo Friday hosted by Marc
- Sunday Stills hosted by Terri
- Wordless Wednesday (#WW) hosted by Sandee
- Writer’s Workshop hosted by John
More Republished Content
Before you start rolling your eyes and think I’m just being lazy, that’s not it! I’ve been doing this blogging thing since 2009, and there’s a lot of what is called “evergreen” content here, much of it viewed by very few people. You might find it entertaining, especially if it’s new to you.
Between editing and re-formatting, it still requires a fair amount of work to update these posts, so it’s not a cop-out. That said, if you’ve been following me for years, I’m hoping you may have forgotten the original material and enjoy the repeat. 😉
Recycling plans include poetry, A to Z Challenge entries (2014-2017), memoirs and more…
[click on images to view categories in new tabs]
Speaking of the A to Z Challenge…
It’s going on right now, and some of my blogging cohorts are involved, including:
- Arlee of Tossing It Out (Challenge Founder)
- John of The Sound Of One Hand Typing (A to Z team)
- Tamara of Part-Time Working Hockey Mom
- Holly of A More Positive Perspective
- Fedora of Fedora Pancakes
- Nancy of The Elephant’s Trunk
- Barbara of teleportingweena
Lots of interesting material! Have a browse. 😀
View the Master List HERE ►
In The Works, Dates TBA
Final Notes
A long time ago, I filled out a blogging survey that included this question:
“Do you blog on a schedule or as the spirit moves you?”
My answer:
“Mostly as the spirit moves me, but occasionally I will join a day-specific blog hop.”
Nothing has changed in that regard. 😆 I’m commitment-phobic and don’t like structure, schedules, lists, etc. This likely comes from my being a former burnt-out corporate workaholic. Time to go with the flow! 😎
I realize some followers aren’t cool with that, but there is a simple solution. You can subscribe via email (see sidebar or below), RSS feed, or the WordPress Reader and never miss a thing! 👍
Please let me know what you think about this.
Also, if there’s anything else you’d like to see here.
Looking forward to your comments!
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Dog Mom and (retired) Canine Innkeeper in suburban Toronto, Canada, known as The Doglady. Former corporate workaholic. Writer, photographer, digital creator. Animal lover, music fanatic, inveterate traveller. Eternal hippie/rockchick. History, literature and cinema buff. Hockey and soccer fan. Dedicated night owl. German/Canadian binational, multilingual. Let me entertain you!
35 thoughts on “AS THE BLOG TURNS…🌎 NEWS FROM THE DEN 📢”
I love armchair travel 😊
I love the post title “As The Blog Turns”! I totally get where you’re coming from and I really don’t blame you one bit. I’m feeling a lot like you. I don’t have a lot of original content to share but it would be nice to find creativity again. I’m working frantically to share as much as I can between and the end of May, then I plan to scale back to music only through the summer. It sort of helps to do the semi hiatus but I’m not really on a blogging break. Cleaning up things on my site is a full time job. I also want to pull together more posts from last fall’s vacation if for no other reason than for my own amusement. It’s easy to forget things as time passes. Then, there’s clearing out archived files on my computer. Sometimes it feels like a nightmare and then other times it’s a joy because I rediscover lost moments. I couldn’t agree more with all the disadvantages to blog hopping. The interaction with others is what drives me but you have to hit the breaks somewhere. I never want anyone to feel like they have to leave a comment, so that’s why I started ending most posts with advising folks to click the like button. I’m doing my best to pay more attention to this so I know who to visit when I have can. Everyone here loves you, so do what works best for you. We all get it! Have fun without guilt not doing anything in Blogosphere or simply working on the back side of it for your enjoyment! xo
Hi Cathy! I’m glad you enjoyed the post. 🙂 My site has had a few technical glitches recently and I’m trying to clean it up as well. It is a big job and I hope all goes well with your efforts also. And my computer files need cleaning up too. 🫤
While I enjoy the blog hops, it seemed like that’s all I was doing and it was getting repetitive. Plus, apart from a few loyal followers like yourself, the engagement was lacking. I get just as many (and sometimes more) responses to original material.
I enjoy your 4M and art posts. BOTB has kind of lost its appeal, but that’s just me.
Thanks for your kind words, Cathy! 💖 It’s blogging friends like you who make it all worthwhile. 😃
Your posts are always entertaining Deb. Great idea to create a travelogue. I know you put a lot of time into your posts with all your creativity. And I feel the same pointers about doing blog hops. <3
Thank you, Deb! 🙂 I’m glad you enjoy the posts. Yes, I do put a lot of time into them. The graphics and formatting are especially time-consuming, but I love the entire process.
Your fellow bloggers can appreciate the time you spend. 🙂
Thanks! 💖🌷
<3
You have quite an extensive blog Debbie and it is obvious from each post or perusing your site just how much work you put into it. Travelogues would encompass a lot of time, not only to showcase where you traveled for your readers/followers, but a special keepsake for you and your husband as well. You do what makes you feel comfortable – it is your own personal labor of love.
Thank you, Linda! 🙂 It is indeed a labour of love, but I also do enjoy the social aspects. I think time management is the key and I’m not very good at that. 😆
Time management is difficult Debbie – the struggle is real I tell you!! I agree with you on having to keep true to your ideas in your blog, but just occasionally for kicks stray to blog hops/challenges. I think the interacting part is the best part of blogging and I missed that the first four years … only two subscribers/commenters … it was a whole different concept once I interacted with other bloggers here at WP.
I think time management was easier when we had to work, because there was a schedule in place. That said, I like not having to adhere to one, but I tend to go off on tangents. Must be ADD! 😆 I agree about the interactions being the best part of blogging. Where else can you virtually meet people from all walks of life, all over the world? 😎
My schedule is a bit more loosey-goosey now, but yes, I feel we deserve it after our years in the corporate work world, grinding away. I did a pie chart for my “day”, but it doesn’t really fly to be honest. Yes, with the exception of having a pen pal, you can’t experience of interacting with those around the world like we have right here by blogging.
I think you do you! It helps to refresh the way you do stuff once and a while, and if you have a goal, like finishing those travelogues, you need to do it the best way for you. Hence some of my music posts lately…
Thanks for the encouragement, Chris! 🙂 Sorry the blog was being temperamental yesterday. The technical glitches appear to be resolved for the moment. 🤞
Wait; those were called “blog hops”? I thought they happened on what we called “blog day”; those were the days. lol I don’t get around as much as I used to, but I’m still following a number of blogs, including yours. Keep doing what you do, when you want to do it; I’ll be around eventually. 🙂
My first online experiences were in 2009, and I don’t remember “Blog Day”, but I guess it was similar to blog hops? I think we are all getting around less these days and that’s okay. There is more to life than blogging. 🙂 Thanks for coming by, Mitch and for following my blog. I have yours in my feed as well.
The weather must be playing havoc with your Renaud’s. I’m now with you, winter must go and let’s see some spring…any spring. I. Sorry that you have been having a tough couple of months but I hope both you and your spouse are doing ok. It can be time consuming and I hate feeling obligated to be honest. You must be free to do what you want and not feel that you have to do it. I love your blog and, I do love your comments on mine but be true to you. Who cares, in the end what others think..this is supposed to be fun.
Yes, this has been a nasty winter, and it’s dragging on, but hopefully, the weather will improve soon! Hubby and I are fine, health-wise, but we were impacted by an unexpected tragedy last month. My best friend’s son was found shot to death in his Waterdown home. Imagine our shock when we heard his name on the local news, related to a homicide! He was only 55 – so sad! 😢 My friend passed away in 2021, and I’m glad she’s not here to suffer through this, but it also dredged up the feelings of grief I have about losing her. Depression has a way of creeping up on a person!
I’m glad you enjoy my blog, Birgit, and even though I won’t be participating in too many blog hops, that doesn’t stop me from visiting and commenting on the ones I like by other people, including yours! 🌹
I am happy with anything you want to post on your blog, and I always find it enjoyable. I do not participate in Blog Hops for the same reasons you mention, but if you do some occasionally, that doesn’t concern me. I think the golden rule of blogging is to post what you want to post. Then if it appeals to others, count that as a bonus. I hope things have improved for you since those difficult couple of months.
Best wishes, Pete.
Thank you so much, Pete! You and I have similar mindsets about blogging. For me, it is primarily a creative outlet, but the social aspects are wonderful as well.
It is always nice to hear from you. I, too, have been an infrequent blogger. So many bloggers have disappeared. Our lives move on. I look forward to whatever you post.
Thanks, Denise! 🙂 It’s true, the Blogosphere has seen better days, but it’s my creative outlet, so I’ll keep at it, even if it is more sporadic.
Hi there Debbie, … lovely to catch up, … its been a while but I’ve started this new blog, ..I tried loading your site too, but only managed to subscribe, …hence seeing your blog on the reader. ..This is the second time I’ve tried to post a comment but technology seems not to like me at the moment, 😉… 💫🤗💫💙💫Penn💫
It’s not you. My site is having technical problems just now. The “joys”of self-hosting. So sorry!
Great to catch up with you again Debbie, … I had trouble loading your site too, … but I did manage to subscribe, …and it’s me Penn,(or PenPusher) again, with a new site, but hopefully the same (sane ?) person, ….😉… thankfully all has almost settled to an even keel home life wise, and I’m dipping my toes into blogging again … 💫💙🤗💫Penn💫
So nice to see you again, Penn! 😃 Apologies for the technical difficulties, which I hope will be resolved soon. Thanks for persevering! And I look forward to visiting your new site.
It’s good to know that you are still with us, and will be in future. I’m relatively new to your blog so those older posts will be interesting for me to see.
Can I make one small suggestion, please. Your site takes quite a while to load, to the point where I almost think it isn’t going to! I’ve learned to wait, though. Anything you can do to speed it up will be welcome. Thank you – that isn’t meant as a criticism, just a request 😊
Thanks, Clive! I’m sorry you had an issue loading the site. It has been slow for me all day, but I had hoped that was a local issue. 😟 Has it always been sluggish for you, or just recently? I know the hosting server has been temperamental lately. Unfortunately, I can’t afford a dedicated server and am at the mercies of a shared one. Still, I will see what I can do about it from this end.
Very beautiful photos and you have great new plans. There are really good points what all of us must have experienced, and should do something about it. You have good remedies for that I think. Have a enjoyable spring Debbie🦋🌺🦋
Thank you, Jean. I am trying to refresh this website after so many years. Glad you think I’m on the right track! 🙂
I’m looking forward to reading and enjoying some of your travelogue posts. We can’t travel anymore and I appreciate the opportunity to see places I’ve never been.
Blogging should be fun, so just do as much or as little as you like.
Thank you, Barb. Our travel days are mostly over now too, which is why I want to document all the best places we’ve been to in the past. And yes, blogging should be fun! 🙂
It is the first time I hear, well read, the term blog hop. But I’ve seen it and I’ve probably participated unknowingly in blog hops. Now I have a better understanding of what it is. Thank you so much for mentioning me and the Sunshine Blogger Award. Travelogues are indeed time consuming to write but fun to read.
I don’t remember you doing any blog hops, Thomas. They can be fun, but the time required to do them justice gets overwhelming, at least for me. I am working on the Sunshine Blogger post next. Thank you for thinking of me! 🙂