Thursday, June 18, 2009

Drum Roll. . .Please

When I began writing this blog in the summer of 2006, I had no particular destination in mind. The first item that I posted was part of my travel journal from our trip taken that year to Spain, Portugal and Morocco.

We have gone on a trip to Europe almost every year, since 1997. On our first trip, to the UK, I wrote a daily travel journal, and have kept up the practice on every trip since that one. At first, I used the journal to accompany photos that I carefully placed in albums when we returned home. Now, with digital cameras, and blogs, I have used the travel journals as a basis for blog material.

So, I started blog writing with no particular destination in mind. What has come of this venture? I am grateful for any audience that I have, but if I really try to decide who I intend my writing for, I would probably say "my children." Notes from Mother sort of thing. And of course I write for the sheer pleasure of writing.

Now, here is the drum roll part. This post is my 400th. Along the way to no particular destination, I discover I have written the equivalent of a book. Oh, the joy of writing. And of course that is exactly what I am writing for--the joy.

Blogging has given me an outlet for writing, and it provides a kind of discipline. Writers write--and having a place to share that writing helps give me the impetus to keep writing. And blogging has introduced me to various wonderful people--my fellow bloggers. I can't read every blog ever written, so I have settled on a circle of people with like interests. It's a great little cyber community.



So, to celebrate my blogging milestone, I hereby announce my intention to repay the "Pay it Forward" challenge that I responded to when fellow blogger Ruthie asked her readers if they wanted to participate. I gleefully said--me, me.

And, about a month ago, a lovely hand-made treasure arrived in the mail. Made by Ruthie's hand (she is a knitting fiend), it is so gorgeous I scarcely can think of actually wearing it. But I will--come winter. That was Ruthie's Pay it Forward gift to me. You can read about what she received here.









Now, dear reader, here is where you come in. I make the same pledge--here are the "rules" as Ruthie stated them: I will send a handmade gift to the first 3 people who leave a comment on this post requesting to join this Pay It Forward exchange. I don’t know what that gift will be yet and you may not receive it tomorrow or next week, but you will receive it within 365 days; that is my promise! The only thing you have to do in return is pay it forward by making the same promise on your blog.

There are no restrictions on who can respond--friends, family, anyone who wishes to. I will be in touch with you.

15 comments:

Anvilcloud said...

Congratulations on your milestone. No request though. :)

NCmountainwoman said...

CONGRATULATIONS! I am so happy you decided to keep this blog and that I happened upon it. I do enjoy it very much.

Count me in on the pay it forward. I can do three projects in a year.

BTW, am I to understand you are not going abroad this summer?

KGMom said...

NC--we will be staying home to prepare for our daughter's October wedding. Maybe when that celebration is behind us, we will break out the travel books and start planning.

Send me your email -- mine is dfwenger (at) gmail (dot) com

Jayne said...

OK, Donna, I'm in! Heck, surely I can do three in a year....lol. I enjoy your presence here. You so often make me think and help me to learn something new. :c) Love Ruthie's gift to you.

RuthieJ said...

Happy 400th post Donna! I've enjoyed "meeting" you and learning more about you (travels, job, family, pets, thoughts, etc.) through your blog.
I'm glad you like the scarf. I had no recipient in mind when I started it, but once I got it done, I knew it would be perfect as your pay it forward gift.

Grizz………… said...

Congratulations are indeed in order for reaching your 400th post. Being barely more than one-third that distance myself, postwise, I understand and respect the effort and time required. And so what if your blog began with no particular destination? After all, it's the journey that counts, the quality and insight offered along the way—the voice and mind and person behind the words and photos which is the reason why yours is always a blog worth reading.

I sincerely hope you enjoy the writing as much as I enjoy the reading…and I hope you keep posting until your total reaches—at least!—a four-place number.

Lynne at Hasty Brook said...

Congratulations Donna. I always enjoy my visits here and love receiving your comments too.

Ginnie said...

400 is a big number...especially when it is the number of blogger posts! Congratulations.

Tossing Pebbles in the Stream said...

I do enjoy your blog. I hope you continue and get some satisfaction out of it for a long time.
You do stimulate my thinking from time to time;, hence, the emails between us. Interestingly, I think you would have more in common with my sister but you are stuck with me for now.

Ruth said...

I have enjoyed reading your blog for the past couple of years. When I write a post I always imagine you scrutinizing my grammar (in a kind way of course)

nina at Nature Remains. said...

I love always finding you here, or in the notes you leave at my blog.
I, too am amazed at how something begun with no intention of longevity, seems to set for itself a great intention--finding its way to others, who in turn, wind their way back to you.
Amazing, isn't it?

May you blog on!

Mary said...

I remember reading your blog in January 07. Congratulations, Donna. I share the same sentiment as you - I write for me, the outlet, the practice, and of course, I enjoy sharing my photography. Blogging certainly connects us with wonderful, talented people like Ruthie.

Taradharma said...

I'm a brand new reader, Donna, and I feel that it auspicious that I found your blog on the occasion of your 400th post! I (think) I found your blog via NC Mountainwoman. I've very recently retired, and though I've blogged for years, I have more time to read others' work.

Congratulations on your continuing practice of blogging!

KGMom said...

Long time readers and brand new readers--thank you so much for all your wonderful words.
Oh,ok, I will keep on blogging.

It never ceases to amaze me what a supportive community can be formed in the blogosphere. I have never met any of you, yet we share many things. And I care about you--you share your joys and concerns, as do I.

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

dwperson2001@yahoo.com said...

Hi Donna..I always read your posts but I've become a baaaaaaaaad blogger....so I don't comment...(shhhh..my last post was last August..almost a year ago!!)

Congratulations on your 400th post!!!! You are the blogging CHAMP!!!!

dorothy