Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Having Your Cake

When I used to blog – and I was fairly good at it – I would write first thing in the morning, and then check on the blog a couple of times per day, harvesting the comments like plump, juicy red tomatoes in the afternoon sun. I would respond to the comments, being oh, so pleased with myself.

When I was a little girl, we had a garden in the backyard. In late July and August, I would be responsible for picking the tomatoes. I would travel down each row, looking for the bright red treasures, sometimes exposed for all to see and sometimes hidden under two well-placed leaves. That is really what I enjoyed about the summer; finding the gifts, either easily spotted or well-hidden. The comments I would pick were so similar. I knew I could count on Deb, on Grant, on Ian, on some others to write comments. And then there would be occasional readers, unique readers, just different readers commenting on my words.

Now it is different. I write in the morning, and I read a few blogs after I write. I do this perhaps three times per week, knowing that I need to read others' writing to feel more connected. Instead of taking several hours per day, paid for by my employer, I now spend about 30 minutes three days per week. I still get to do all of the things I normally do, and then three times per week, I get to write a bit.

I am having my cake and eating it too, I suppose. Comments and tomatoes. No mention of cake.

10 comments:

Xmichra said...

I like dialogue, so comments are important for me to leave and read. i think that is how most feel. Not so much about validation (a teensy bit) but it's just about conversation.

Michael Mullady said...

I wish I was better about commenting on others blogs more. But I can certainly understand the fun of feeling connected. Certainly important! Enjoy the cake :-)

Zephyr said...

I almost never get comments (of course, I also have almost no readers lol) But I try to comment for people because I know that will help keep them writing. :)

Or I could bake you a cake.

LarryLilly said...

Its the comments that briung life, a dialogue into the thread. Otherwise its sort of listing to a person talk while your mouth is taped shut.

LOL

SheenV said...

I do enjoy your blog!

Leesa said...

xmichra: I rarely follow blogs where the comments are turned off for that very reason.

michael: thanks for the comment, sweetie.

zephyr: I comment on your blog, when you write a new entry.

larry: nice description.

sheen: thanks, sweetie.

Zephyr said...

Leesa, I almost never post on my public blog. My private one is under my other name... that's where I post regularly, and the one that has only about 12-15 readers. I *think* you're still one of them.

Anonymous said...

I still love getting comments, Leesa. That way I know I have hit home with somebody. And some comments (like yours, for example) I value more than others.
But, like you, I used to be a lot more obsessive about responses. And I have to confess I get lazy with it. But, certain people I faithfully check, again people like you.I love your blogs because you are so ruthlessly honest, always.

Muse said...

I can seriously feel ya wiht thispost! Im right there with you. :)

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