Six word Saturday

I need to make some changes

Since my very first blog post it has been a point of honour with me to return all visits to my blog.  If people are kind enough to come to mine, then I feel I ought to reciprocate.  It’s common good manners, and by doing so I have met some wonderful people.  Unfortunately it has reached a level where the blog has a tendency to run my life instead of the reverse.

I’m not ready to relinquish the good friends that I’ve made, but I need a bit more leeway.  If you leave a comment, I will always respond, and I will always return the visit.  If you simply ‘like’ a post I can no longer guarantee to call on you.  I realise that this means that I may miss out on some great newcomers.  I can only hope they will stop to chat.

You might notice that I have adjusted my Comments box too.  No need to scroll down and down to leave your comment, but if you want to read the previous ones just click on ‘older comments’.

I know I’m far in excess of my six words this week, but I just had to get this off my chest.  The flowers are from an Open Garden event I attended in the Yorkshire village of Stanghow last weekend.  Off you go now to visit Debbie.  And have a great weekend!

130 comments

  1. Totally with you on this Jo. It always amazed me how you found the time to reply to all comments, post new articles, and Tweet them! Blogs have a habit of taking us over, don’t they? Best wishes as you implement these very necessary changes.

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    1. I don’t have a life outside blogging is how it sometimes felt, Denzil, but it was self-inflicted and I have thoroughly enjoyed it. I don’t work so I have more time than most, but I do have a feeling that I ought to be doing something more valuable with it. Thanks for your company over here. 🙂 🙂

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  3. I know the feeling. I recently switched from posting every 5 days to posting “when the spirit moves me” because it just got to be too much to keep to a schedule while replying on a personal level to every comment (not that I don’t enjoy or want to engage with my readers in that way — it’s just that it got the point where something had to give, and the schedule was that something). Now that the ‘pressure’ is off, posting — and replying to comments — have become more relaxing, and I hope it becomes the same for you. 🙂

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    1. Yours is one of many blogs that I know follows on a regular basis, but seldom comments. I have adjusted my settings so that my Inbox no longer fills up with ‘likes’ but I do worry that I will be missing out on a lot of nice people. I just couldn’t see any other way to do it. My laptop was protesting! Many thanks for your continued support. 🙂 🙂

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  5. You don’t need to reply to this one, so take some time out Jo. I still read your posts as always (and will continue to do so), but I don’t always post a comment because, like you, I just can’t squeeze in the time to do all the things I’d like to. Keep posting, do.

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  7. “Liking” for me is “commenting” without words. Liking for me is combined with the fact, that I always read before I like but that sometimes I don’t give a like, because I don’t like what I’m reading. You see it is quit this simple for me, dear Jo. But time is a precious asset and therefore I can only honor about 50 blogs with my visits, likes and comments. More is not possible, perhaps later, when I retire.
    Have a nice Sunday

    Best regards

    Achim

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    1. If I could rely on everyone to ‘like’ in that way, Achim, I would be grateful, as I always am when you visit my blog. I realise that everyone doesn’t have the time, and I will still visit you whenever I can. It’s simply that my Inbox was rebeling. 🙂 🙂 Thank you for taking the time to comment and a good Sunday to you too.

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    2. Achim,
      This is totally off topic here, and I hope Jo will forgive me that I use her blog this way, but I wanted to let you know that I tried to comment on your blog [the Scaramucci post] but my comments didn’t appear. My first comment, using MS IE, did not show up at all, and my second one, using my cell phone’s Chrome, appeared, but then, when I checked a few minutes later, was gone. I don’t know if they ended up in your spam folder or in the electronic nirvana altogther. I don’t know what’s going on.
      Have a wonderful day,
      Pit

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      1. Hello Pit,

        I was just looking into this and found out, that your comments were victim of my spam software software. I have them “unlocked”. Sorry for the inconveniences. Strange enough, your comments were the only ones that were blocked.

        Best regards and please read my answer concerning your comments on my blog. And sorry for this off topic sentences, dear Jo.

        best regards

        Achim

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      2. Hello Achim,
        thanks for “fishing” me out of your spam folder. That worked for the two comments I sent yesterday. But I’m afraid my comments of today landed there again – as will very likely any fututer comments of mine on your blog. So you might want to check your spam forlder periodically. Sorry for the inconvenience.
        Have a wonderful week,
        Pit

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  9. I sure do understand what you’re saying! I find it really challenging to keep up even on a limited basis! We should all give a lot of latitude to one another in the blogging community. I hope you’ve had a wonderful weekend, Jo. 🙂

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    1. A little more relaxed this one, Debbie. 🙂 🙂 I find if the sun is shining I’m very reluctant to spend time on the blogs. You know it doesn’t shine too much here. 🙂 Here’s to life and the living of it!

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  10. Wow! I am amazed that you didn’t do this long ago Jo! About time! And thank you for the magnificent florals. The orangish / brownish lilies are most unusual – have never seen them before.

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    1. I guess I’m just a bit pig-headed, Lisa, and i didn’t want to admit defeat, but life is primarily for living, isn’t it? Then comes the sharing. 🙂 🙂 And very delightful it is! Thank you for your lovely presence here.

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  11. Beautiful photos Jo – the colour on the first one is such an amazing burgundy/magenta! I absolutely understand how you must feel – I have been amazed at how responsive you are to all your likers and commenters not to mention writing posts and editing your Monday Walks. I also understand that you don’t want the blog to take over your life. With social media, especially, “instant” seems to be the way to go these days and I for one find it can be a bit overwhelming. I find it can be difficult just to get a weekly post up on my blog and then I don’t always get round to replying straightaway to blog comments or likers even though I am very flattered that people are kind enough to read my blog. So I fully understand where you’re coming from and please don’t feel you’re short changing people in any way. The blogosphere allows us to create virtual friendships with many people but we also have other aspects of our life too – sometimes we’ll be lucky enough to meet people in real life but in most cases it will be an online friendship, which is not the same thing as face to face contact. Sorry this reads a bit like a sermon but it was meant to be a message of support!! Love your blog, your wonderful writings and photos and your willingness to share them with fellow bloggers. Making a few changes and only replying when you can sounds a very sensible move to me! Hope you’re having a lovely weekend and take care xx 🙂

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    1. Hi Rosemay 🙂 🙂 I guess the bottom line is that you have to have a real life before you start all the sharing. I started to use Instagram lately and I find myself thinking ‘got to take a photo with my phone’ so I can share this, but we need to enjoy the moment for its own sake. Too easy to get sucked in. I appreciate all the time and effort you spend on your responses. It always feels like there’s a warm person behind the words, so thank you! It’s been a fairly relaxed weekend so far. Off to Leeds a little later, to return washing and such like. 🙂 All part of life’s rich pattern.

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      1. Thank you too Jo! Yes I know that feeling – sometimes one just needs to enjoy the moment for its own sake without feeling you have to take a photo to share it! Just got in from day out at the footy with our daughter and elder granddaughter – cold winter’s night so sitting by the wood fire. Hope the washing returning went well and enjoy the rest of the weekend 😃😃

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  12. Jo I applaud your decision. As you noticed I removed my like button. It was for technical reasons but it has been a relief to be honest. I love all the friends I have made here around the world and like you always return comments. I couldn’t possibly do likes. I also have gone to visiting less. I post once a week and that is about what I feel I can manage on others blogs who post frequently. The fun was going out of blogging and I knew something had to change or I would pack it in.
    Bravo for you Jo! Here’s to getting life balanced.

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    1. I’m a bit of an all or nothing person, Sue, and I just about embraced WP to death! Not healthy at all. And as you say, it kills off the joy. I noticed you’d taken a bit of a step back. Family, friends, real life… here’s to those things! Thank you for your support and always cheerful presence. 🙂 🙂

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      1. Jo I will say the Grandbaby helped me see the world in a more balanced way. It made me realize that if I was giving up time with her to be blogging then the world was upside down. I have definitely lost some readership but that’s all right. Everyone needs to do what is right for them. The interesting thing is that my page views are higher than they ever have been. Most importantly I don’t wake up feeling stressed. Thanks for being open about the situation and writing the post. I appreciate the opportunity to chat about the subject. Take care my friend.

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  13. I can relate. Having the time to post or comment on others blogs takes time & energy. Today is the first time in ages that I have gone into my Reader & looked at blogs that don’t come up in my emails. I have commented on some & wondered why I have followed others.
    Thank you for your blog & giving me some thoughts. My last entry was 11 days ago. No time to do mine but am taking time to look at others.

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    1. It was Inbox or Reader for me. I could never manage both and my poor little laptop was starting to sulk at the volume of work, so something had to give. I love meeting new people but don’t want to neglect friends. I still feel guilty about the ‘likes’ but I need to breath too. Thank you for finding the time to come here. It’s appreciated. 🙂 🙂

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  14. I think this is a wise policy Jo. There have been times I thought blogging was going to eat me alive. Priorities must be set, compromises made, otherwise all the fun goes out of it. Your lilies are beautiful.
    Alison

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  15. I think your future approach to things makes perfect sense! I wish I had endless amounts of time for my blog, and really staying on top of my reading of everyone else’s blogs, but unfortunately that doesn’t pay the bills. Although I get a week or two behind at times, I still follow my favorites and catch back up again when I have the time. Yours is one of my most favorite – and I think I discovered all of my other favorites from your blog as well. You’ve been generous with your time and encouragement to us all! Thanks!

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    1. Susan, that’s one of the nicest comments I’ve ever had. I thrive on the interaction, but then I’m a retired lady. It would be totally different if I had to combine the blog with work. Thank you so much for your valued company. 🙂 🙂

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  16. I’ve since given up trying to reply to comments, so I don’t get as many as I used to, or visits. I follow about 100 people and regularly visit my real favourites, as you know. I’d like to change things, but don’t know where to begin!

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    1. I now, hon. I sometimes think it would be a good idea to start over again, knowing what we know now. But you can never regret the experience. Just look at the lovely mates I’ve found. 🙂 🙂

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  18. That’s a great decision, Jo, on all fronts! I have been in awe of how you manage to do a lot of things outdoors, write and post about them and be everywhere on the web! When a blog is as busy as yours, you have to draw the line somewhere and I think you drew it exactly at the right place. Beautiful flowers! And, easier to comment now, without scrolling down all the way. Happy weekend!!

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    1. Thank you very much, Liesbet! I do feel as if I’ve engaged with a lot of people on here, and I’ve spent many happy hours ‘chatting’. I’m sure there are many more people to reach out to, but the question is how many I can sustain, and still enjoy it. I hope you enjoy coming here. If so, the job’s half done, isn’t it? 🙂 🙂

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      1. 🙂 I have also noticed that the more blogs one posts, the “work” (of replying to comments and revisits) grows exponentially as well… Posting once a week seems to work for me now (except when there are extra features to share :-)). Also, reading other blogs is more enjoyable to me, when I have time for it, or when the mood strikes. It depends on many factors. I still manage to check out new likes, but that’s because my blog is not popular yet. 🙂

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  19. Hi Jo,
    I can fully understand how a blog can overtake your life, especially when you get as many comments as you do, and if you then not only answer but also go and look at the commenter’s post and possibly comment there. Your change is fine with me. Btw, I never expected any reaction when I just “like” a post. My “likes” are often just meant to show the author that I have seen/read the post, but that I don’t have a specific comment.
    I hope that the new arrangement helps you an will be successful.
    Have a great weekend,
    Pit

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    1. Thank you for your thoughtful comment, Pit. I nearly always have something to say when I read a blog, but sometimes it has already been said a time or two, and sometimes I really don’t have time. I always appreciate your passing through, comment or not, and your sharing on social media. The sun’s playing hide and seek this weekend, and I keep trying to catch it. 🙂 🙂

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      2. I’m the same as Pit. I try to reply to anyone who has cared enough to actually make a comment, but I do not ever visit the ‘likes’. I do usually have a peek at the blog of people who decide to follow me, though many of those are fake sites or companies that I know will never engage in my site. I only follow about 50 blogs and not all of them post regularly, but I like to visit them when they do and make a comment. I think it can take over, and I do miss it if I am away for any length of time, but as I have learned recently, life is not infinite.

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      4. Aw, Jo you have lots of friends – your walking group, your Tai Chi group and probably others. I envy you. I am not a joiner and have moved so often in my life I have never managed to have a circle of friends and I fear it is too late now. The blogging community have made such a difference to my life and I never expected it, as I started my blogs just to record my travels and also publish favourite photos.

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    1. I’m inclined to agree with you, but sometimes I might not comment if everyone else has said exactly what I was thinking, or sometimes I’m really just pushed for time. It feels like short-changing people though. 🙂

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