Improving My Blog, Need Input, Open for comments

Just read Deb Ng's post on http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/ about 10-turnoffs-keeping-readers-from-my-blog. It made a lot of sense to me.


This is my first blog and I am a newbie-I am open to receive comments and information from you about ways to improve my blog, as long as you are respectful and constructive in your criticism or praise.

I provide at least one quote, each time I blog, because I do want to give the reader food for thought. When I post, my intention is the following:

I believe it's never too late to learn something new. For work (as a freelance writer) and pleasure (empowering and creative) I find I'm excited about learning as much as I can about on-line journal writing (my definition of blogging).

Now it's time for you out there...Please respond with your defintion of an "effective" blog or what attracts you to a particular blog you follow.


"Imagination is the eye of the soul." Joseph Joubert, French essayist, moralist

In Health & Peace, Nan

Life Happens, Blogging on back burner, Motivation

I've noticed as I age, time rushes ahead much faster than it did when I was a youngster. And two quotes about time resonate with me today.

"We must use time as a tool, not as a couch." John F. Kennedy

"Time goes, you say? Ah, no!

Alas, Time stays; we go." Austin Dobson

Much has been happening in my personal life that required time, energy, and attention. Thankfully, my schedule is flexible and I took the time I needed to care for my recuperating spouse, attend to home management items, and still fulfill my commitment to myself to work on my memoir. Self-care routines like cooking nourishing meals and exercising beat out blogging.

Well, here I am back at blogger. Happy to have the few moments to spare and glad I blog only when I want to. What freedom!

I've noticed that some bloggers lose interest in one blog and move on to other things. Are there any out there who want to share the "Why" this happens? Please comment if you can. I'm curious as to why one would put the effort into blog set-up and posting and cut it loose, without an explanation (well, that's what I think, when I see a blog that doesn't have a closure statement).

Until next time...

Pins and Needles, In Between, Powerlessness

This is a post about the in-between. Did you ever have moments of vagueness, confusion, and uncertainty? This is one of my most vivid and unsettling. My husband needs an operation. I am sure that it is necessary and will help his condition, but my "agita" doesn't stem only from fear of the unknown.


I am dismayed that a condition that was supposed to have been corrected by surgery in 2001 has reasserted itself. That old powerless state is here once again. Drat!


In order for me to have my wits about me when we go to see the surgeon today, I need to vent right now. I know I can't control my husband's physical condition, but I certainly can send positive vibes his way. I don't like it that he has to undergo this operation and be in the hospital, but if I accept the reality of the situation, I may have less stress, resistance, and find an opening to see the opportunities for healing and health. Yes, I need to find hope and sound thinking. Are there any of you out there who face similar challenges and want to share about it?



Quote for the day-
"God grant me the serenity


to accept the things I cannot change,


Courage to change the things I can,


And wisdom to know the difference." The Serenity Prayer



PS. For those who can help with blogger quirks-this post was written and will be posted on 2/17/10, but I used a draft from 1/30/10 that was taking up space on blogger. I'm not sure what date will appear as the publishing date. If it doesn't print the actual publishing date, how do I change it? Your help is appreciated.

Snow and nature

This is a photo of snow on the Catalina Mountains... Isn't it grand? The picture was taken Saturday 1/23/10. Today, I am finally settling down to blogging again and that's why it appears now.

New Year Wish, Think Peace

Have a serene, joyful New Year, one in which you have many moments of true abundance. Wishing you blessings of health, hope, and love and enhanced ability to feel gratitude and peace wherever you are.

"Year's end is neither an end nor a beginning but a going on, with all the wisdom that experience can instill in us." Hal Borland. This quote was found on The Quote Garden