Adjustments

Today I opened Bloglines to see how v-e-r-y far behind I am on visiting and commenting on my favorite blogs.   Instead of seeing my page full of unmarked and unread links, I saw a notice that Bloglines will officially shut down on October 1st.

Although that deadline is over two weeks away, I knew I better act upon it immediately.  I've overlooked and forgotten many small AND large things the past two months. I don't want to wander away and lose my feeds.

Maybe I'm losing my edge, or maybe I'm just tired.  Either way, I couldn't follow the instructions that Bloglines offered to expedite my list to a new provider.  As a result, I sat down and opened two windows and began opening each of my blog subscriptions, sifting, and resubscribing in my new reader.  Throughout the day I stopped by my computer and continued this task. It was eye opening.

I've subscribed to a lot of blogs in the past 4 1/2 years. Several of my blogging buddies had moved their blogs through two or three blog hosts.  Many of my friends now post rarely. Others have just faded into oblivion. I felt nostalgic when I opened a dormant feed and saw the last correspondence from so long ago.  Not many goodbyes.  Many have moved on to other things without much adieu.  Some had actually closed their blogs and left their personal addresses at the mercy of web advertisers.  Or worse.

 
It was difficult to leave behind some of the inactive feeds.  One was "Living with Leukemia."  Another was "Gwen's Den," the homes of two bloggers who lost their earthly battle.  I took one last look at those two titles that hadn't lit up in a long time and moved on.  Yesterday I was shocked to hear that Lori, the Barn-goddess, died suddenly in July.  I could not leave her "Ramblings From The Reservation" behind.  So I clicked and carried it.  Maybe I'm hoping her husband or son will post a final note to give us closure.
 
Some of you know that there has been a plethora of events in our personal world the last two months that has consumed time and energy.  Posting on my blog and reading your blog went to the bottom of my list of priorities.  That doesn't mean you all aren't important to me.  Nor does it mean that my blog is going to fade away.

Right now it just means I miss you.  Lots.

Comments

Jan n Jer said…
We miss you too Pamela and are looking forward to hearing from you and your interesting post. Thanks for your B.day wishes today. It is hard when you lose touch with some of the regular blogs you visit. That has happened to me also. Hope all is settled down in your neck of the woods.
Jill said…
Take care of whatever you need to. You'll be in my feed reader wheneve ryou get back. I will be posting, whenever the computer, internet, and photo software all work at the same time.
grammy said…
Good to hear from you1 I don't even know what bloglines is...lol...am I out of it or what???
I so know what you mean about people just dropping out. I only have one that I worry about what happened to her. I have not known of anyone that died. That is so sad. My husband would not have a clue about letting people know. Hope and pray that does not happen for a long time. Hope you are keeping your head above water.
Living Life said…
Awwwe. Thanks Pamela. I miss you too and have been thinking about you and your daughter. Hope things are looking up.

No worries about blogging. Family is WAY more important. We will all be here waiting on your next post!
Sandy said…
We miss you, too. Take care of you and yours. We'll still be here.
heather said…
I've been thinking a lot about my cyber community and my local community--how do I balance them? which takes precedence? To be honest, while I love my cyber community, when push comes to shove, family and local friends come first.

Still, we're here waiting for you when you're ready.
Steve Skinner said…
I have only been blogging for about three years now and have already lost several of my "regular go to" blogs. It's sad but I suppose just another part of life.
bichonpawz said…
Amen indeed! I know exactly what you mean and went through a similar experience not too long ago. I was shocked to see that some people who used to blog everyday just shut down with no explanation whatsoever. It is very sad about the ones that have died. We all understand Pamela and we will be here whenever you are ready to begin posting again...you are on my sideline! Hope the Alzheimer's Battle is going along ok. I know how difficult and draining that can be. My prayers are with you Pamela.
JoeinVegas said…
As long as the flowers keep blooming
Karmyn R said…
whoa - I could have written this and was actually very close to writing a similar post...the EXACT same thing happened to me a few days ago....

unfortunately, I did not know that Lori had passed away and that just breaks my heart. She hadn't "lit up" in a long time and I didn't even bother to check her blog when I was switching some of them over to Google Reader.

And sadly - my Blogline reader of 100's went down to a much slimmer feed.
Intense Guy said…
Some friends come and go - the better friends fade and intensify in a cycle... Life makes its demands on us and time is our most precious commodity.

I'm glad to see an entry from you - you are in my thoughts and I hope you are managing the best you can.
Gattina said…
I use Google Reader and am very happy with it. At the beginning I kept all my favorite links in my favorites and it's true, lots of blogfriends just disappeared, one died (strange experience, because I didn't know him personally, but still I lost a friend) some changed that much, that we had nothing in commun anymore. Blogging also changes, some blogs really became forums where the owner gives his comments on the comments ! I don't have enough time to go back and read what he/she has to comment on my comment, lol ! I think we started quiet at the beginning of Blogging now there are so many other things, like Facebook and Twitter.
Susie said…
I switched over to google a long time ago and had to do it manually too...there were a lot of blogs that got left behind. I still feel a little bad about that, but...well...I guess we just grew apart.

Big hugs to you Miss Pamela!
Sayre said…
Luckily, I have you in two arenas! I haven't been to your blog in a while, but I've added you to my bloglist on my own blog now so I can keep track more easily.
Anonymous said…
Sorry to hear things have been tough for you lately, Pamela. You're one of the original reads that I still read. You're just so darn nice!
Take care xo
You have to take care of the important things first..you and your family! Blogging friends will always be there..well most of us anyway. I hate to lose blog friends..I hate it when they die, it makes me so damn sad, I hate it when "Poof" they are gone or stop writing..I am glad you still write once in awhile..I do miss you Pamela..and your wonderful comments that make me giggle!
Take care..I am sending you a hug:)
dawn said…
What a wonderful post. I have not changed my blogroll or anything on my blog for over a year. I know some are no longer active but I will write a post occasionally and other than that, read some blogs even less often. There seems to be so much going on here too, not all bad, but I wonder the same things about myself. I often just don't want to sit at the computer and read. I was thinking last night if I had an iPad, I could sit in front of the tv and read while relaxing. Don't know if that would help or not, but a laptop would be handy. At least there is facebook.
Claudia said…
I'm guilty of not posting much these days, although I do pop in and visit other's blogs more frequently than I actually post. Maybe it's the life cycle of a blog? Some live and thrive much longer than others? I'm not sure.
Kaytabug said…
My sentiments exactly! Lovely post! HUGS and LOVE to you, my dear Pamela!!!
Peter said…
I missed this post Pamela, so glad to find it eventually, hope life has settled down a bit by now.
Unknown said…
I was sad to find bloglines message and scared to complete the move. I made it though and I guess I'm ok at my new reader, just don't like change, lol. It is amazing to think of the people who have just passed through and I find myself wondering about some of them from time to time, especially this 15 yr old girl from NY who was a cutter, she was one of the first blogs I read and I hope her life is much better now.
MarmiteToasty said…
I to have become a blog slagbag over the past 3 or 4 months..... life just caught up with me, just trying to survive and keep a roof over our heads has totally drained what little energy I had left.... hoping to get to Twaddle real soon though...

much much love....

x
tlawwife said…
See how long it took me to read this. Spending time reading blogs just hasn't been as important lately. I do love keeping up with you on Facebook though. It seems easier because I don't have to have complete thoughts and no one cares if you don't post every day. With the kids gone I don't seem to have as much to say.
Susie Q said…
Youand those you love take center stage sweet friend. I am a terrible blogger of late and I apologize if I have missed something important. I have been here catching up and reading, re-reading in many cases, your lovely posts. You are always in my thoughts even when I don't leave a comment or get by. Life gets busy, crazy and overwhelming doesn't it? Blogging has been so sweet to me but also takes so much time. Soemtimes that time just can not be found. If I can do anything for you, do let me know. I would love to have your address sometime, if you would not mind sharing it with me.
I too feel the sting in losing some blog friends. Some have gathered on Facebook but it is still sad not to have their bloggy chatter.
Some have vanished all together.
I grieve with you the loss of your blog friends...if you are on Facebook, please look me up. Sue Groseclose Combs! Another way to stay in touch!

Love,
Sue

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