Sunday, April 28, 2013

That Was Then...



I occasionally like to look over some of my blog stats out of curiosity for what some of the more popular posts are and I often find someone perusing some very old posts, seeing as how I've been blogging for over 7 years.  ( it doesn't seem that long!)  I like to look back at these old posts because I often see comments left by people who only came by a couple of times and I had forgotten about or who used to comment and now never do or just to see how far things have come here at my place.  That helps greatly when I'm feeling like I haven't accomplished much or feel overwhelmed.  When I brought up this particular old post, that last idea was really emphasized to me.  I mean, Wow!  It seems crazy that it is that easy to forget how things used to be.



I know the 2 photos are from 2 kinda different viewpoints but you get the idea.  One thing that really amazes me is how much the trees have grown in those 7 years.  It's hard to even see some of them in the first photo!  And there are many that are not there anymore.  I have culled out a number of them for one reason or another.  Mostly because they were really damaged in one way or another or truly in the way of needing to build.  Of course, I'm happy with the way things are; just wish they were a little further a long...

But, that is the way of life.  Things keep changing.  People move on.  We ourselves, are the ones that move on sometimes.  I awoke last night in a thunderstorm and in that craziness that is half-consciousness, my thoughts went directly to wondering if all this effort I've put into this house has been worth it.  I don't know if I can ever answer that question really.  Yes, I could have done a lot of other things with my time.  Many, many people have told me I should have. Most all of them would have required me to stay in debt and servitude to an employer, in order to have somewhere to live.  I could actually be further along on this house.  But I would not have been able to travel as much and see so many things in the last few years, which I have enjoyed more than I can express.  I could have built something extremely plain and put all this effort into a real art career.  Maybe I should have.  But then again....I enjoy the act of creating in and of itself.  It doesn't really matter to me what it is.  Sure, I'd like to be a well-known artist and I might one day.  Or maybe I'll only ever be a person that gave a few people some ideas about how they could build something similar.  Something unique, something they didn't have to borrow money for...something they did with their own hands.

And speaking of changing:  My decision to publish the "About Us" page and it's contents apparently cost me a number of readers for some reason even though I thought it would be an improvement for the blog.  For the life of me I can't figure what is offensive about it except that stating my environmental and social opinions there and in other posts may have put some people off.  Well, that or I'm just boring as hell these days.  I hate it but I will continue to write about what I feel is important and why I live the way I do, as I always have.  I guess I'll be writing for the crickets but that's okay because it's a journal and a history for me if nothing else.  Thank you to those few that continue to hang around.

11 comments:

Rachael said...

I only just recently found your blog, but I liked the about us portion. Also, we're three years into our shift from urban to rural, from consumers to producers, and I like to see how other people have made it work.

Sal in Maine said...

I LIKE the About Us portion- I read for your progress, your sassy-ass comments, your tricks of the trade. Don't change- just keep growing and posting!

Pablo said...

Go on writing what you like and living as you like because you are LIVING your life, unlike so many others who are full of advice but not much wisdom.

What in the world could there be in your About Us page that would turn people off?

I got yer back, girlfriend!

Your oldest reader

Anonymous said...

You are one of only a hand full of blogs I read anymore. I've found that it's not my job to convince anyone that I'm living or doing something the right way. I'm just trying to follow my conscience and continue to learn about any thing that strikes me as interesting. My friend, you are interesting.

MamaHen said...

Hey Rachael! thanks! I appreciate that. Fortunately I have picked up a couple of new readers such as yourself, so the blog is not totally going down the drain. haha!

Hey Sal! Sassy ass! haha! that made my day! thanks!

Hey Pablo! I don't know, people are strange. But I appreciate you staying with me! thanks Man!

Hey Woody! Isn't 'interesting' code for, nutty as a fruitcake? ha!
I think you may have hit on 2 things there: first, people just don't read a lot of blogs much anymore. In some ways the fad is over and people want faster, shorter bits of info, like FB and Twitter.
Second, the way I write might imply I think I should be telling others how to live and that puts people off. I don't feel that is what I'm doing but I know I'm kinda blunt sometimes and it might come off that way.

myamuhnative said...

Pablo said it best.
I confess to having missed the about us tab-just read it and think it is fabulous.
If you lost any readers after posting it, they must have been folks that weren't worthy enough to be readers of your blog!!

R.Powers said...

So I had to go click on "About Us" to see what you were talking about. I can't see anything there that would bother anybody, unless their mind is securely closed to other views.

Honestly, anyone who enjoys your blog and has been around for a while knew all that anyway.

You are a great read, Annie.

MamaHen said...

Hey Tricia! thanks! well, I don't know, I think it is kinda weird.

Hey FC! thanks Man. Well, I would think they would know all that too but sometimes I go long periods without talking about it much. Ah well. Can't please everybody.

Ed said...

I can't say I agree with your views 100% of the time but I do respect them 100% of the time. Saying that, I would peg my agreement of your views at around maybe 80%.

I have been reading your blog for a long time and I love reading on your progress of your house and also your life though I am probably less inclined to comment on your life posts. I still enjoy reading them though.

I think you are right that blogging is slowing down but perhaps if a few of us keep at it, it will come back again and we will be the top bananas once again!

MamaHen said...

Hey Ed! 80%..really? lol! You and I may have a better record than me and Jack!! haha!!
What makes me kinda sad about the blogging is that it seems to have all shifted to the BIG Bloggers, you know, the fancy, big, blingy blogs with all the paid endorsements and if you are just a little guy, kinda like us, a lot of people don't feel you have anything worth saying.

Beatrice P. Boyd said...

Imagine that..folks being turned off becaus you told more about your views, ways of living, etc. honestly, I read the "About Us" and enjoyed hearing more a our you and your life choices, Annie. Maybe I don't comment on all posts, but still reading, enjoying and learning too. No endorsements or ads for us either. Like you, we don't aim for lots of followers, just enjoy the doing.