Random Thoughts About My Blogging

  • I think my blog used to be a lot more entertaining than it is these days.
  • I think this because yesterday I was searching the blog for the date of my last colonoscopy (it was January of 2007 so I am due to go again next year) and I read some of those posts from back then and they seemed a lot better than anything I am writing now.
  • Maybe I’ve run out of stuff to blog about.
  • Or maybe work is just busier than it was in those days and my creative writing juices get sucked out of me because of that.
  • I also noticed that I used to get a lot more comments than I do now.
  • The weird thing is that I have more readers than I did back then.
  • Is this the price you pay for becoming popular? Not that I think I’m popular but I do get a lot of hits.
  • And I know that Wordless Wednesday posts won’t generate a lot of comments and posts about knitting will bring you all out of the wood work . . . but still.
  • I’m a comment whore, I suppose.
  • Maybe  it’s time for a contest.
  • I’m going to Fiber Revival for the first time ever this Saturday, maybe I’ll pick up something to give away.
  • That will get the comments flowing, I bet.

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This Post Has 55 Comments

  1. Comment whore. I like that. Will make more of an effort to comment 🙂 because when I read that, I thought how I like them too, and trust me, your blog is way more interesting than you think so keep it up. Wordless Wednesday (okay, I’ve been gone for awhile) I think I’ll steal that one from you too.

  3. I was wondering if you had any suggestions for quilting books, preferably both reference style and pattern books.

    I think the fat quarters have me in their control!

  4. I too was thinking of going to Fiber Revival for the first time, but it turns out there’s a tour of houses designed by Lois Lilley Howe in Cambridge that feels more compelling (and easier; though Saturday is supposed to be a beautiful day). It would have been lovely to have the chance of meeting you (among the multitudes). Another time, I hope. Don’t diss your blogging, though. It’s a real pleasure in this quarter.

  5. I look forward to your blog every day.

    The comment thing is not just you! There are hardly any comments around anywhere these days. I think it’s probably related to how people consume blogs (through feed readers, where commenting requires an extra step). But contests *definitely* draw them out. 🙂

  6. Carole I don’t always comment because sometimes I feel that my comments are kinda boring or redundant. But I love your blog! I am going to the Fiber Revival also, I hope to meet you. Did you know about the vintage baseball games that will be played there? I am looking forward to checking them out as well. FYI, Newburyport is just down the street from the revival, it has great restaurants and shops. Thought you might want to check that out!

  7. P.S. My husband is coming to watch baseball, I thought if Dale was coming they could hang out. There will be beer sold there!

  8. I’ve just recently discovered your blog, and I really enjoy reading it – not boring at all!

  9. Just as everything in life ebbs & flow so to will the writing on your blog. I enjoy visiting with you each day and love the wonderful pictures you have each day! One of these days I will get to Fiber Revival, sigh… I’m actually passing close by on my way to Maine on Sunday, but the weather looks iffy and the trip to Maine will still have another 3 hours in it. Maybe next year. Enjoy!

  10. You’re not alone…life is spiraling faster and faster, commitments add up, I’m stretched in more directions that I want to admit to, and the blog reflects that. At least you’re still posting daily during the week! Me? It’s once or twice if I’m lucky.

    I’ve noticed traffic down since I linked my blog to Facebook. People read there and move along without commenting I think….I’ve tried hard to click through to comment, but there are times when I don’t.
    (and you’re right, these are knitting blogs, so we knitters will comment on projects!)
    Nonetheless, I still love you! (and that hat photo is delightful!)
    (((hugs)))

  11. I always wear hats, and even was a milliner for a little while. That is a really lovely hat.

    You post regularly while many people have basically stopped. As you and I adjust to the ebb and flow of having our daughters around this summer and having to readjust to their return to college, if we’re a little off center right now, it’s no surprise. Having read your blog regularly for several years, from a reader’s perspective it’s still just as much fun and greatly appreciated. I hope you continue to blog and refind your mojo.

  12. ha! i think it’s more that there’s now facebook and flickr and twitter and blah blah blah.

    i definitely know that my writing blows these days and i think about posting a lot but i never do because i don’t know what to talk about. oh well.

    i’m just commenting. no need to enter me in the contest. have a fun time at the revival.

  13. I have enjoyed reading your blog for the last two years but I don’t comment when I don’t feel I have something worth saying. I think I mentioned once before that your blog is the only one I read every day and I look forward to reading it. So keep it going girl!

  15. RSS readers. Once upon a time, I used to type in each blog’s name and go straight to the blog, so I was already there to leave a comment. Now, I read most blogs through Google Reader and have to click to leave a comment. Unless I have something that really pertains to the conversation, I’m just going to nod along with a post and move onto the next one. (And I hope that’s what everyone’s doing at my blog, too.)

  16. You can blame summer vacation, FB, Ravelry, Twitter, G+ and a million other on-line diversions for the death of blogs. Maybe fall will bring more creativity, more time, more comments and more fun, to blogland. But, I’m not holding my breath. I am hoping to survive the fall, however. I think your blog is as good as it ever was and your pictures are awesome. I’m looking forward to hearing about Fiber Revival!! Hope you find something new, fun and wonderful to bring home.

  17. I do think that technology plays a large role in the lack of comments … I know sometimes I read your blog on my phone as I’m drinking my coffee. It’s a pain to comment via the phone, so sometimes (read-if I have nothing witty to say) I just don’t bother. I do enjoy reading whatever you’ve got to tell us about … and I always love the photos that accompany your blog. Adore that hat!!

  18. I agree on the comments. I don’t get nearly the number I used to get. (Even before I started blogging less because of problems with my webhost.)

    I disagree that your blog is less interesting than it used to be. Although I definitely noticed a trend on my own blogs that, as I get fewer comments, I feel less like I’m having a daily conversation with a group of friends and more like I’m just talking to myself. And since I already know what I want to say, why bother to put it out there? And so things get simplified, shortened, truncated … boring.

  19. Keep going. Perhaps it is your readers that are to busy or to tired to comment. That’s my excuse and I’m sticking to it.

  20. I have been simply dumbfounded on a number of occasions to find there’d been a stampede of folks through my blog due to a mention from someone much more “famous” or “popular” than I — sometimes over 1000 more hits than usual on a given day and elevated for a few days afterwards — but I’d never have known if I hadn’t checked stats and noticed a spike. Not a single “new” comment, even, about whatever great thing I did or said or made. I always think, “Really? Y’all had a party at my house and didn’t even tell me?”

    I think there are a LOT of reasons for this — it’s not just summer, though I do believe there are seasonal cycles in readership.

    What I do know, though, is that every once in a while I get an email out of the blue from someone I’ve never heard of or from before and it turns out they’ve been reading since who knows when and maybe even went all the way back to the beginning and they’ve laughed out loud and also cried and something in it all speaks to them and they love it and please don’t think of them as a stalker but do carry on because it’s something they look forward to.

    I miss the old days when blogging was “smaller” and a bit more intimate. I am happy that there are a few old-timers like me that continue, and also recently noticed that some have returned after a long break — maybe a different focus, maybe not as frequent, but they’re back and I get warm-fuzzies.

    ‘Cuz I’m something of a stalker, too!! Love you, Carole, don’t ever stop.
    ; )

  21. Facebook sucks out a lot of the creativity that used to be reserved for blog posts, I think. I don’t mean you or anyone is less creative (and your photos are so evolved from a few years ago) , I mean it’s so easy to post a little thought there than log onto the blogging interface, and then when you get around to the blog, that thought has already been used. And I think same with the comments, it is so easy to just hit a Like on FB rather than write a whole sentence in a blogger’s comments area. We are a lazy species!
    I am always surprised by how many comments I get on a FO post–but then, we are knitting blogs so I guess showing some knitting would make a response more likely ! Keep blogging Carole!

  22. Carole! Your blog is still wonderful! I’ve been reading for YEARS (I remember when Hannah was going off to college and I thought “Wow, she’s grown up so fast!” Is that creepy?), and at this point yours is one of the few knitting blogs I still read. So please just keep doing what you do because I’m interested in you as a person and not just a knitter.

    Also, lately I’ve noticed that most of the knitting blogs I’ve followed have died down a lot, or I stopped reading them entirely. It seems like the knitblogging community has really fizzled out. I used to live for knitting blogs, and I used to keep one myself, but there seems to be a huge hole where this community used to be. A few years ago, my college senior project was based entirely on the fact that there was a massive online community, so how can that community have disappeared? Is it Ravelry? Is it Facebook?

    Either way, I still love your blog and even if you never posted about knitting again, I’d still read it–I’d just file it in a different folder in my Google Reader. And as a reader, I’m going to make an effort to comment more, especially if that means you’ll blog more!

  23. So maybe your readers were fans of Bambi and Thumper as children?

    I’ve subscribed on Google Reader (a great way to make sure you read all the posts of your favorite blogs), and read every post. Please carry on!

  24. How could you blog more? You already post M-F, and I enjoy your reliability as much as what you have to say and show. So many knitting blogs have slowed down or fizzled entirely, that I usually don’t bother to even check them out any more. I have tried to analyze what it is that brings me back to a blog repeatedly. I think good photography, good writing, humor, knitting content, and growing children, a little veiled peek into someone else’s life saga — and, reliability. I don’t always comment because someone else has already said what I would say or because I’m rushed, or because I have nothing to say about that day’s topic. P.S. See you Saturday at Fiber Revival!

  25. Hi Carole-I’ve been reading and enjoying your blog for awhile now.
    I’m a professional lurker, I’m afraid. So I’m breaking that bad habit today and saying hello. I’m a fellow Bay Stater and in fact my daughter is a senior at BSU. I can relate to alot of the places and things that you write about and promise to try and comment more. Have a great day!!

  26. Hi Carole,
    Another professional lurker here. I love your blog and read it every day, but don’t usually comment. Don’t know why really. Anyway, going to break that bad habit right now! Also, I LOVED your wordless Wed!!(said it all after the fiasco with the stock market)

  27. Well, now I feel bad for not letting you know more often how much I appreciate your blog, and your consistency. I wish we lived closer, b/c I could find out if we really could be good friends, like I so often feel after reading your blog. I don’t know why I don’t comment more, although I suspect in my case it is b/c after 40 years of being a therapist I am conditioned to keep my opinions to myself, even (especially)when they are strong. I will be better about keeping my end of this bargain, I promise. Have a wonderful weekend, sounds like fun.

  28. A fiber festival sounds delightful! I’ve never been to one. I aspire to attend Sock Summit as it’s nearer to my home than the famed Rhinebeck, but alas, it is still a future quest.

    One thing (of oh, so many!) that I have enjoyed about your blog is your photography. You really are quite good, Carole! I’ve also loved your Hannah stories. I’m two years behind you in parenting a teen and I’ve enjoyed seeing Hannah’s job, prom, theatre, etc. And my favorite thing about your blog is having a cup of coffee with you every morning and having your creative spirit start my day.

  29. I enjoy your blog so much! Sorry I never comment but I think I must be “Comment shy”….just keep up the good work. Love your photos

  30. Your pictures are some of my favorite things about my morning web surf! I have put many on my screen saver, and enjoy them immensely. I’m not good at commenting, but you deserve kudos for all the time and creativity you put into this! Thank you!

  32. I think FB, Flickr, Rav and other distractions keep comments low and there’s the lazy factor. I’m guilty of the latter sometimes.

    You are n.o.t boring, but I too miss the earlier days when it was more intimate and the community smaller.

    A contest will definitely get the numbers up, but I also find it a tad sad that it takes a contest to get people to come out of the woodwork. Don’t get me wrong contests are fun.

  34. You may think your posts are not as interesting, but have you noticed the difference in your pictures? You inspire me to take better photos.

    I think we all go through changes in our crafting interests. When you started this blog you were mostly about knitting and quilting. Then you learned how to spin. Then you got more into your photography. Now it looks like you are catching the quilting bug again. Don’t ever think it’s boring – it’s just where you are at in life at that particular point in time!

    I’m happy that you still blog. There are so many on my google reader that simply don’t even exist anymore.

    Have fun at fiber revival. I wanted to go but alas, my hubby’s family reunion is the same day.

  35. Okay, I’m not commenting because of the contest, I’m commenting because I said basically the same thing today! And I was looking back at blog posts from 2007. (cue Twilight Zone theme).

    Maybe I’m over it? I don’t think so, I think I just have other things I’m obsessing about now. Maybe that’s it…

  37. I read every day and rarely comment, so that makes me what? A skulker? Certainly not a stalker. I can count on you to have a beautiful photo 5 days a week, some knitting content, and sometimes a recipe. I also love to see your spring flowers since your’s come out 3 weeks before mine, at a time when I’m desperate for colour and warmth. And funny enough, your fall is a month later too. Please keep on showing me your world.

  39. some say Facebook is taking the place of our blogs…..

    my comments are down too. I love comments. I try to give comments to others, as it seems only fair. I dont have that many readers, I suppose it is easier for me.

    My little blog world is just the right size…..
    but a contest never hurts

  40. Boring…Never! I will try to be a better commenter, we don’t want to be boring either.

  41. “My bad,” as the kids used to say. I am guilty of reading and RARELY commenting – I think mainly because I can’t imagine that what I have to say would be interesting to you or anyone else. And I’m guilty of this not only for your blog, but many others. I shall do better and try to provide more feedback, but – as others have said – it is most often the knitting content on blogs that drew my attention to begin with and will probably continue to draw my interest. However, your blog is often an exception to that. We live in different sections of Massachusetts – I’m in the northeast, while you are basically southeast. And so, it is often locaI events and scenes that I enjoy reading about. (You like the Brockton baseball team; I’m apt to see the Lowell Spinners) In fact, I’m about to Google Fiber Festival – which I think is less than a 45 min. ride from me – to see what’s going on and to see whether or not I should make an effort to include it in my weekend plans.
    Keep writing, Carole!

  43. I don’t think you are boring! I love your dependability in posting. I always read your blog. I originally came for the knitting but l like hearing about Hannah, your recipes, Dale’s band, your getaways, your gardening, your photography. I wish you were my neighbor.

  44. I was just having this freak out yesterday!! I get a good amount of hits but minimal comments… and for me I always get a little sad but realize maybe people just want to lurk. Even when I think, “ooh I finished a great FO, this will get me lots” – it’s like 1 or 2.. le sigh. I know people are out there too because other blogs I read have like 20 a post… and well, I get down about it too.

    I am planning a little giveaway myself for my blogiversary so I am interested to see the #s at that! (happy to be your 44th! woop!)

  45. Hi Carole,

    I too have only found your site fairly recently. I’m probably one of those “hovering” but not saying anything! So, hello from France.

    Chris

  46. I am one of your guilty daily noncommenting readers! I will do better! I am nestled at the intersection of SD, IA, & NE. I found your blog from a reference from another blog and you’ve been in my favorites ever since! Anyway, hello from Iowa.

  47. I’m also guilty of lurking, but I do read every day! My morning breakfast wouldn’t be the same without the blog to entertain me.

  48. Hi, Carole…. I’m another constant reader who doesn’t comment often. I read the comments and think “Oh, well…. someone else has already made my point so I won’t be repetitious.” But I really enjoy reading.

    I also find I am more likely to comment on blogs that only get a few comments each day. That way, I feel like the blogger will notice and relate to me, while if there are already 45 comments posted I’ll just be one of the crowd.

    Anyway, I really enjoy your blog and your photos. Thanks for sharing!

  49. I get to feeling like this as well. Sometimes, I get comments that state, I have been stalking you blog for a while. I think,”why not comment?”,but then I am not the best commenter either.
    I love you blog and never find the content boring in the least bit. I do make a point of checking in on Wednesdays to fill my heart with beautiful photos.

  50. I read all of your blog, but rarely comment. Sorry. I enjoy your blog very much. I also enjoy your pictures, love seeing Hannah and Dale also. You guys are a GORGEOUS family.

    Keep up the great blogging and I’ll try to comment more for you.

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