Friday, April 16, 2010

Goodness, Gracious ... I'm Amazed...!


I thought I would log on tonight and do a quick little post after my brief hiatus, and then I read all your wonderful comments, and I really am amazed...! You have no idea how much I appreciate your visits, and your fabulously witty, intelligent comments. What a special bunch of people you are. Goodness, I really am quite overwhelmed. Thank you...!

There ... I just broke one of my own rules, and used two exclamation marks in one paragraph.

On a slightly different -- but similar -- note, our friend Eddie Bluelights at Clouds and Silvery Linings is honoring me with The Sunday Roast this weekend, and you can read the post here. Once again, I am quite amazed. "How did that happen?" you ask. Well, I'm not quite sure, but it sure is fun. And I'm in good company, judging from the past blogs who have been featured on the Sunday Roast. Which is a perfect segue into what I would really like to say, which is that I don't believe there are any blogs that should be singled out for any blog post awards.  They're just silly.  Wherever you get groups of people together, you get those who find it necesary to establish a hierarchy. It's human nature, but it ultimately takes the fun out of it for 95% of the other people involved.

All of you have fabulous blogs, and occasionally I stumble upon one that is so good it knocks my socks off. Sometimes for new bloggers, breaking into the blogging world can make folks feel like that kid in grade eight who's new in school and isn't sure if anyone is going to like them. We've all been there. Just remember, it's supposed to be fun so try not to take it too seriously.

I now return you to your regularly scheduled program...

28 comments:

white crow said...

I I CAPTAIN!! XD

heartinsanfrancisco said...

So glad you're back and the heavens are once again aligned.

Vanessa said...

"All of you have fabulous blogs, and occasionally I stumble upon one that is so good it knocks my socks off."

Yours would be one of those sock-knock-off-ers for sure!

Maggie May said...

A lovely blog. I have just come over from my brother Eddie's Sunday Roast. Enjoyed your interview very much.
I don't think we need to take awards for blogging too seriously...... its all a bit tongue in cheek and harmless fun.
Everyone has something tremendous to offer to other bloggers and your blog proves that.

Nuts in May

the walking man said...

I think I would rather be roasted than smoked...that slower cooking time just makes everyone more ravenous for dinner.

Sueann said...

Congrats Johanna! I am just visiting from Eddie's place and I so enjoyed your Roast!! Quite insightful I might add.
Hugs
SueAnn

Debbie said...

enjoyed your interview at Eddie's place.Look forward to reading more.

DJan said...

I'll head over to the Roast after I finish getting caught up. I'm pressed for time today, but it's amazing to me that you actually thought you were writing boring posts! Glad you're back, and I hope you'll post when you feel like it. I've got one brewing about this Iceland volcano, I think.

Laurie said...

So happy to see you back!

John said...

Jo, congrats. on the Roast! I so enjoyed reading it. Thank you for sharing so much. You are so witty! I love that, but you still get your point across.

I couldn't agree with your more about getting caught up in blog "awards." That happened to me at first and I got caught up in them, even though they are really just MeMes and like you said--a way to generic traffic BACK to the award presenter's blog! I did not not do the last four award/memes and I took down all the "show off" award pictures. Getting those awards started to feel like too much pressure. I just want to blog, when I want to and about what I want to and I definitely don't like to "choose six or however many" blogs to pass it on to, when there are so many worthy of awards and some people might feel left out. So I am done with them and I feel validated now knowing what you think of them too. Ha!

Good content is all you need to generate traffic and I'm glad you realize that and guess what? You always have good content!

Glad to know you have been on hiatus, because I have been a little pre-occupied, so hopefully I didn't miss much. But I will certainly do some back tracking and read what I missed!

Welcome back, and again Congrats! Very well deserved!

Brenda said...

I went over to Eddie's and read the interview, and now I think I know a lot more about you. I also read your post about the Pope and found that fasinating. I do think we meet up with each other for a reason. Of all the blogs I could have stumbled upon I am glad that I somehow found yours. I have really enjoyed your writing. I need to go and check out the two blogs you suggested. I have noticed a lack of posting on many of the blogs I used to visit...everyone takes time off for a variety of reasons. Glad you are back and at it. I look forward to your posts.

Marguerite said...

Congrats on your Sunday Roast! It was a superb interview and you did quite a fabulous job of handling Eddie's trick ice cream question! lol I nominated you for the Sunday Roast, back in December!! And Blog of Note? Wow! Double congratulations are in order! Very well deserved, cher! Cheers!

Pauline said...

You're on my read every day list, partly because you often post every day (heaven bless you) and partly because reading here is such a treat. I never know what you'll be talking about next. Please don't go away indefinitely!

DUTA said...

Jo allow me two remarks:

1. In your previous post "Cheers" you've complained of getting fewer comments - a sign, according to you, that the blog is boring.

In the interview, you contradict the above: " The number of comments you get is not a good indicator of whether or not you have a good blog".

2. As for your choice of Well Written blogs - the two bloggers you've mentioned are professional writers/journalists. That's not very original and fair coming from you.

Single and Sane said...

Jo -

I just checked out the Sunday Roast and I enjoyed reading your interview. It was a wonderful way to get to know you better.

I also read your post about the pope - what an amazing thing!

As for blog awards, I think it depends on the intent. If it helps send readers to blogs they would never find on their own, then I think they're great. On the other hand, as you point out they often are just given out as a way to get more readers, then they're annoying.

Jo said...

White Crow, *heh*

Dylana, thank you for visiting. I love meeting new bloggers.

Susan, aw... Thanks. I just needed a rest.

Nes, your blog is one of those blogs I was referring to. :-)

Maggie, yes, I agree. Blog awards can be silly sometimes. Blogging should be fun. :-)

Mark, it must be barbeque season again. :-)

Slommler, thanks for visiting. Please come back again. I like meeting new bloggers.

Debbie, you too! Thanks for visiting as well. I love finding new blogs.

Djan, I just needed to take a break for a few days. I did think I was getting boring. :-)

Laurie, thank you!

John, thank you! I always enjoy reading your posts too. I like your observations on life. And yes, blog awards can be silly. I suppose the intention is well-meant, but they start to become exclusionary after a while, and that's not a nice feeling.

Brenda, yes, I think people have gone to Facebook and Twitter -- well, people who blog as a social network have, in any case. And there seem to be a lot of folks like that, who prefer the social networks. I prefer blogging.

Marguerite, my gosh! Thank you for the compliment. You have more fun than anyone I know. It would be so much fun to live where you live. My goodness!

Pauline, when my posts certainly are ... eclectic. *heh* At first I wasn't too sure anyone would be interested in my observations on life. I'm glad you read my blog. :-)

Duta, yes, I guess it is a contradiction. Thank you for pointing that out. :-) I just didn't want to start boring the tar out of people, which is what seemed to be happening. And, both Paula and Susan are examples of good blogs that don't seem to get a lot of comments. I wanted people to find them. That's why I don't like singling people out -- other people get excluded, which is not my intention.

Single and Sane, yes, blogs awards can make people feel uncomfortable, and I am finding that out the hard way right now. *heh*

Scoobyloves2004 said...

See Jo, you are loved...and you thought nobody listened to you. HA, you were wrong. We all love your little blog!!!!

Lisa said...

Hi. Congratulations and thank you for a wonderful and interesting Sunday Roast. I enjoyed it and I think I'll be enjoying my newfound (your)blog;)

Sniffles and Smiles said...

Oh, I'm so delighted to find you!! I have not kept up with Blogs of Note since Blogger went over to Twittering them...Wish they still posted on their home page...sigh...I would not have missed you there! But thanks to the Sunday Roast, I've now found you!!! Hooray!!! What a beautiful blog...what a wonderful "voice" you have! I loved your interview...I love your blog...and I have broken ALL your rules with my redundant use of the exclamation mark...LOL...I'll be back! ~Janine XO

Joanna Jenkins said...

Hi Jo, I'm stopping by from Eddie's. Congrats on the terrific Roast Interview. It's nice getting to know you.

Have a great weekend. I'll be back again soon.

Cheers,
jj

A.M. said...

I'm so glad your back and congrats to your Sunday Roast. Will your roast be posted on your blog? Anyways, welcome back!

Pamela Kieffer said...

Glad to have you back.Now I can sleep better at night.

Whitney Lee said...

So I'm glad you're back and that you didn't run away for long. Yours is one of a few blogs I read daily (if possible) and I would miss you if you were gone for long!

I also am sorry to say I've not paid much attention to the artwork on the side lately and have no idea how long "Salt and pepper" has been there. I just want you to know I love it. It's the kind of thing I would purchase to put in my kitchen. I'm a bit envious, I'll admit, because I don't even draw attractive stick people.

Jo said...

Arley, thank you! My goodness. :-)

Ocean Girl, thanks! I love meeting new people. Thanks for stopping by. You live in a gorgeous part of the world! :-)

Janine, thank you for stopping by. I'm so glad you did, thanks to Eddie. Your art work is wonderful...!

Joanna, thank you, too for stopping by. I love meeting new people, and I laughed at the wonderful story on your blog.

Anne-Marie, Hi! You can click to the roast on Eddie's blog by clicking on the link on my blog. Nice to see you!

Pamela, LOL...! :-) I absolutely love the Russian nesting dolls on your blog. They're wonderful!

Whitney, thank you! I was sort of bored one day at work when I was sitting in the coffee room, and I sketched the salt and pepper shakers on the lunch table. Everyone liked them, so I have added them to my list on my blog. I'm glad you like them. :-) Anne-Marie would recognize them. LOL

Cloudia said...

Very good post, Jo.


I use many exclamation points, I know...



Aloha from Waikiki


Comfort Spiral

Jo said...

Cloudia, so do I...!!! *heh*

Mia said...

I thought you were on holiday.

Paula Slade said...

I LOVE YOUR BLOG JO!!!! And, I LOVE USING EXCLAMATION POINTS!!!! (He! Hee!) :-D