Last year, the first anniversary of my blog passed without my even noticing it. Later, I learned you were supposed to mark the anniversary with a list of 100 things about yourself that no one knew; that struck me as so boring and self-indulgent that I was thrilled I’d missed the occasion.
And now, here we are, marking the second anniversary of the Fabulous Geezersisters’ blog. I started it with the idea it would be a good way for my sister and me to keep in touch after her recent move to Poland. She’s a wonderful writer and is living such an unusual life, adjusting to a new culture and teaching English to a variety of students, that I thought it would be an interesting counterpoint to my own more everyday life. That just didn’t work out. She’s far too busy to be able to write on a regular basis.
So I kept on writing, using the now-inaccurate blog name. Then, about a year down the line, I learned writers were supposed to have blogs — and Facebook and Twitter accounts — to build a “platform.” I’d never heard that term before, but these days, I can hardly get through a 24-hour stretch without hearing it 10 times. Everybody has to have a platform.
It’s weird. I still can’t give anybody a succinct or compelling answer as to why I blog. (Platforms may be succinct, but they don’t compel me.) Sometimes, I tell them I’ve always been attracted to low-paying work — and since blogging pays nothing, naturally I love it. Which is true.
But I write this blog mostly because I’ve found I love writing it. I don’t know why. Sometimes, I think I’m writing the small stories of my life and my opinions on the world just to leave something behind — like a journal that’s personal, but not too specific or intrusive that people I care about will bludgeon me to death. Maybe it’s just for me, maybe it will be for my eventual grandchildren. Again, I don’t know. I just keep on writing and I take it very seriously. Along the way, I’ve attracted an audience of new and old friends. I feel as if we’re in a conversation and I have to keep talking, or you’ll go away.
So. Over the next month, I thought I’d celebrate it by listing my favorite posts from the first year — back when only my husband was reading it. I will continue to spare you 100 or 200 boring details about my life — but do read some of these:
celebrating halloween in style: The years our son went trick-or-treating as a Republican and my husband and I dressed up as J.R. and Suellen and I got to shoot him
to hell with the Duke and Duchess of Windsor For some reason, pistachios always remind me of this couple
what it’s like to adopt the Blanche du Bois of the cat world She was psychotic and evil and she moved in with us
what’s so hard about knowing what season it is in Texas? So what if autumn only lasts one day? It’s your fault if you miss it
(Copyright 2009 by Ruth Pennebaker)
Happy 2nd blog birthday!
I have come to love your blogs, and look forward to them every day. Thanks for blogging, and happy 2nd.
Love your blog. It never fails to put a smile on my face.
Hmmm. I’m remembering a list of 100 somethings about you posted in the last year. There was a *uckit list and at least one more.
Love your blog. Keep them coming Ruth.
Should we look for the first year on DVD soon?
Happy 2nd Anniversary of blogging! And thanks for posting some of your favorites….love the Blanche du Bois of cats story and especially the part about other cats being driven so batty that they’re “on suicide watch”. Ha! I’ve never seen a cat skeleton in a tree either come to think of it. Love to laugh and this one did it for me big time.
Always a reader….press on Ruth!
Who knows why we write. Maybe it just feels right. I’m with you on all the reasons you suggest for why we continue to pen about the everyday and not so everyday happenings in our lives.
Mazel tov, Ruth! I’ve been blogging since, god help me, 2004 or ’05. I totally hit the wall on my personal blog earlier this year. Suddenly got sick of the sound of my own voice. I hope some day to find the joy again because I totally understand why you love it.
Congratulations, Ruth, on keeping up with your blog. I personally love to blog; it’s an unedited, truly authentic part of me. Your posts are terrific and very entertaining.
I don’t know why you you do it (or why I do it, for that matter), I’m just glad you do. Your posts are so often the highlight of my day.
I think your blog is my favorite — well the Duchess too, when she has time. I am so glad you love writing it and will keep on. I think I will keep on also, and, like you, I’m not sure why. I told my husband I think of it as my job, now that I’m old and don’t have a proper one any more.
Happy b-day and many congrats for keeping it up for so long. I’m having trouble getting past my second month of blogging!
Happy anniversary! I’m a relatively new reader but relish visits with you through this blog and look forward to the discovery of the past posts you listed.
Happy anniversary, Ruth! You’ve reminded me that my blog’s five-year mark is coming in a few weeks. Off to figure out how to celebrate…
Happy birthday blog! You are doing a great job and we readers are all really enjoying it!!
congratulations, Ruth, and here’s to many more.
Happy birthday! I should really look and see when I started my blog. 😉
This was a MUCH better post than a list. Happy Birthday.
Happy birthday Geezersisters!
Happy Birthday! You rock! Looking forward to Year 3 🙂