a tale of tails, tenacity, and tedium, as told by me, usually barefoot and bellowing

Tuesday, July 21, 2015

Oh, The Dilemma!

There are many things I try to do in my blog: Be entertaining and have a variety.  I give equal attention to the pictures as well as the content.
I wonder, am I representing our life truthfully and interestingly enough for readers to be entertained.
I try to rearrange and update items so there are new items to catch someone's attention.  Then I worry...who knows why..."borrowing trouble" Mom called it. I have it down to a science.
Just producing headers is a lot of work.  I have to give equal face time, I think, to all the critters here. I worry whether the picture above (third header up and to the right) of Bonnie's reaction (fear) of a crawdad will be misconstrued as an example of the BAD Pit Bull...Yep, borrowing trouble.

I don't have (and I'm grateful some days) a fancy editing program to make headers.  I probably could not figure them out anyway so I make do with freebies.

I was so excited when I found the gadget that showed my five top posts people were reading.  That worked about a month and now it's showing the full ten posts.  I can't change it and we know how much Google cares. Frustrated!  So I dragged it to the bottom and seeing if it cures itself.

I have been blogging since '08 and have learned (some) as I go.  I have a different style of humor and worry that I may accidentally offend someone.  I report some item in farm life that might appear to be so cruel to someone who has never lived this life and I worry.

Farming/country life here is even different than farming/country life a few states away.  We learn from each other and allow people a glimpse into lives they may never be able to experience in their life time.

I have discovered I am not the brilliant writer I think I am some days.

I have discovered many wonderful people in blogdom who seem to understand me and Surprise! also like my writing.

I have discovered I worry too much about pleasing every one.

“I can't compete for likes and follows, I won't win. What I will do is pour out my heart and allow love to reach those that need it.” 
Sometimes I have nothing to say...wow!  That's a shocker, but true.  “Every man has his secret sorrows which the world knows not; and often times we call a man cold when he is only sad.” ― Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
I am not a writer nor an artist nor someone planning to be.  I live.  Sometimes I'm sad, sometimes I'm happy but hopefully always I will be human and humane.
Thank you for honoring me with your visits.

24 comments:

Buttons Thoughts said...

"I worry too much about pleasing every one." Yes you do. I keep coming back and will keep coming back and yes I understand you. Love your photos and the quotes this morning are right one. Keep doing what your doing. HUG B

eileeninmd said...

I always enjoy your post, photos and writing. And I would not worry about pleasing anyone but yourself. I will always visit and try to comment. I do wish I had a way with words, I admit on my blog I am not a writer. I enjoy your stores and poems. Keep it up! Have a great day!

21 Wits said...

First, nice honest disclosure, and you've been blogging one year longer than me! Stop worrying, just be you, as I sure feel you are ... I enjoy you and your blog just as YOU are. Some days we're all sad or happy just like you, and I know for a fact on my sad days, you always seem to cheer me up! So yeah, just keep on being you!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

You do worry too much!
I think it's cool you change your header often. Gives you a chance to highlight a variety of your awesome shots.

MadSnapper said...

I agree with Alex 100 percent. ditto what he said... and i love the quote Sometimes I have nothing to say...wow! That's a shocker, but true. That happens to all of us, even ME. LOL.... you do a fantastic post and you ARE a good writer and stop fretting.. because I say so.

MadSnapper said...

just enjoy the PHUN of making headers..

Farm Girl said...

I love your pictures! I wish I could figure out how to do that too.
You know Gail, we will always worry about content. I wish I could get to a place that I didn't care, but I will.
I think it comes by being sensitive to others feelings. I was raised that way. My grandpa would always say, " Walk a mile in someone's shoes before you make a judgement." Thinking of others more highly than yourself is a virtue.
I think for me, having my blog is a way to practice hospitality. That is what you do by having the wonderful blog you have.
I wish more people cared about others before they blogged. :)

Liza said...

Lovely thoughts and I'm sorry you worry. I like that you expose me to a world that's different then mine. And really, we can't please everyone. In my mind, those who don't like what I write aren't forced to read it.

Country Gal said...

I love the way you present your photos and headers . I use Pic monkey it is free for the most part that is what I started out using it is easy to that's why I like it and I also use Windows Live writer a program that also has some fun stuff to it I blog from all free but because I wanted to use more of Pic Monkey Papa just pays for the upgrade through pay pal it has everything and more I like , water marking in any font , framing all kinds and all kinds of stuff and it is only $33 a year not bad for something I use every day ! I also try to feature all I can in my headers but I have so much so I just go with whats in season at the time here lol. I think you are doing a fantastic job . Thanks for sharing , Have a good day !

OmaLindasOldeBaggsandStuftShirts said...

I'm sorry I've been away for awhile from bloggin' or reading blogs. But I will always be back to those blogs that make me feel welcome and yours always does. I can't say "don't worry" because I do too. I can't say "just let it roll off your back like water off a duck" because you my old birdie friend are not a duck....neither am I. I can say however, you are a goodie of the highest order and I am blessed to call you friend.
And I will argue the point about you not being a wordsmith....you most certainly are.
Now I will catch up with your postings for the past couple of weeks.
xoxo Linda

Other Mary said...

I worry about all that stuff too! And I think you're doing a great job. And I do know what you mean about people who don't know about farming and animals and so on misunderstanding, or not knowing the reality of a situation. I have a picture of my dog, startled by a kitten and barking that looks much like the pic of your dog that you mention, and I decided not to post it for the same reason. Keep up the good work, Gail!

Sketching with Dogs said...

I am always entertained by your blog - your poetry, photographs, stories about the farm and the land and animals around you. So different from anything here in England. Love all the headers. I laughed when I saw Bonnie's picture with the crawdad, it was the canine version of ewwwww :)
Lynne x

M.E. Masterson said...

God made us individuals so we would not get bored with each other!
Love the new header!

Anonymous said...

You are genuine. People love that about you, and I respect that, too.

gld said...

Yes, you worry too much! I enjoy everything about your blog! Of course, I am a country gal and a bit sacrilegious about lots of things, so I am not offended by 'real' life on the farm or 'sharp' comments. You just keep on keeping on.

You don't need to label yourself.

Susan Kane said...

Sometimes I wonder if I am too "snarky". Then I, too, worry that everything will be taken in the wrong way. Being a professional worrier myself, I will think about it a week or so from now. Maybe.

I wish I could change the header, the body, the whole lot. Will someday figure it out. You have some amazing photos up there, all them different and delightful. Hard to choose.

Arkansas Patti said...

I think we all wonder if perhaps we might have gone too far or not far enough at times. You do a wonderful job on your blog. I feel your honesty and love the glimpses you provide inside country life.
Your headers are always eye catching and fun. Great shots.

Empty Nester said...

Um, Gail? There's a snake on your header. EW. :)

I LOVE your writing and that sense of humor of yours is the BEST! Just keep putting it all out there.

TexWisGirl said...

i knew bonnie was reacting to the crawdad. :) i like your love of your land and nature and each way you share that. :)

The Furry Gnome said...

I guess I agree - stop worrying and just tell us more farm and country stories. Regardless of what I think of your writing in any one post, I do admire your willingness to try new things and just put it out there!

Anonymous said...

You have done a very good job! Enjoyed reading and seeing your post!

Far Side of Fifty said...

Well said Gail! I only worry about me...not what others think:)

Sandy Livesay said...

Gail,

I always love your headers and you're blog posts.
Keep doing what you do, and don't worry about the others.
If those people don't like the content of your blog, they don't
have to read it, they can go some where else :-)

LindaG said...

Where are the chickens??? ;-)

All the headers are great, Gail. Add a line that says "Warning, graphic photos or stories may follow."

Or simply, "Read at your own risk. My blog, my stories."

Have a blessed evening, Gail. ♥

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