An Appreciation Bouquet for 2017

Published on by J. Kelland Perry

Happy 2018!

With the start of January, many bloggers like to share a statistical overview of their blog’s traffic and engagement for the previous year. I’ve chosen not to bore you with share my numbers, because personally, I value the quality of blogger/ follower interaction over the quantity of views, likes, follows and comments.

In the spirit of that, I’d like to throw out a bouquet to all of you who consistently stopped by and liked my articles, updates and photos throughout the year, but particularly I wish to thank my most frequent commenters of 2017. You know who you are, and I hope you also know how much I value your visits and our conversations! 🙂

pixabay.com

December 31, 2017 marked my sixth blogging anniversary.

How long I will continue to blog? I suppose I’m still getting something out of showing up here, so I haven’t the faintest idea, really!

I’ve seen other bloggers come and go over these six years, and some of them I truly miss. And as recently as this past week, two of my favourites have decided to close their blogs, one dealing with grief over the loss of her spouse, and the other citing lack of time due to her job and her art. Both of them have been here on WordPress at least as long as I have, so naturally, their absence will be deeply felt.

How long have you been blogging, and how long will you continue?
What do you like the most – or the least – about it?
Have you lost some of your own go-to bloggers?
Please share your thoughts with me.

37 thoughts on “An Appreciation Bouquet for 2017”

  1. Pingback: Author Interview – Donna Migliaccio – “The Gemeta Stone Series” – “Kinglet”, “Fiskur” and StoneKing (Epic Fantasy) | toofulltowrite (I've started so I'll finish)

  2. Happy Belated Anniversary! I’ve been blogging for almost six years, and while I’ve seen several WordPress friends come and go, a good chunk are still going strong.

    Have a blessed 2018!

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  3. Congratulations on 6 years Jennifer! It’s been 5 for me and like you, I don’t have any plans to quit yet – I enjoy it too much 🙂 I’ve also seen people come and go – and sometimes come back again, it’s always a shame to see someone go whose work you really enjoy.

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  4. I like your style, Jennifer. I’ve been blogging for nearly 6 years, and have gone through a number of transformations and reinventions. Blogging has allowed me to meet some amazing, inspiring people, to write casually without having to reach perfection, and to share thoughts without having to make them into something formal. I guess that means “conversation.” I’ve learned, I’ve grown, I’ve taken months off (one time I took a year off). And, I’m glad I have all of this in one place — it’s more organized than journaling for me, as I tend to scribble randomly in journals. A blog is something between a journal entry and something I would submit to an editor for “publication.” It’s my favorite form of social media, as it’s so much more “social.” Thanks for asking!

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    1. Thank you, Tracy. 🙂
      I’ve noticed you’ve gone through some changes – your surname for one! I totally agree with you. A blog is my favourite form of social media too, where everything is all in one place, organized, and always there to come back to. I’m hoping my children and grandchildren will visit here after I’m gone and view it as a collection of my thoughts, passions and favourite photos. Thanks for commenting! xo

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  5. Jennifer, thank you for the bouquet!!😀 It looks lovely and such a wonderful vibrant selection of flowers! Congratulations on six years of blogging and I understand it must be hard when people leave – is there any way you can keep in contact outside WordPress? I am now entering my third year of blogging – the time has flown by and I have no intention of leaving although I might slow down a little to concentrate on writing & editing. Look forward to your posts this year and to ‘chatting’ away! hugs xxxxxxxx

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    1. You’re very welcome, Annika. As one of my newer and frequent commenters, you have brought a vibrant ray of sunshine into my life online. Thanks for that! And thank heaven for other social media avenues to stay in contact with a couple of ex-bloggers, as well as a commenter who doesn’t blog herself anymore but continues to visit my blog.
      Have a wonderful 2018 and we’ll chat again soon! xo 🙂

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  6. I don’t remember when I started, Jennifer! I haven’t been on here regularly in the last year or so, but I have been reading a lot of books! I guess i havent had that much to say, a dry phase?

    Thrilled at all the things you have accomplished Jennifer. Happy New Year! ♡
    Diana xo

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    1. Thank you, Diana! You were one of my first friends here on WordPress, and I’ve been so grateful for your friendship and your accessibility over the years. It’s always good to read more books, and I understand how we go through dry phases every now and then. I’ve cut back a bit too, but maybe blogging a couple times a month is enough, especially if you’re busy with other projects. Happy New Year to you too! ❤

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  7. Sad to say goodbye to the blog Jennifer but I know it was the right time. So happy to have had the experience and the magic of connecting from such a far off distance. Thats the best thing about blogging all the amazing people you meet and what they can teach you.

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    1. That’s absolutely the best thing about blogging. I’m sorry to see you leave your blog but we will stay in touch through other means. Thanks for drawing Vivian and sending her to me. Your art has inspired me in ways you aren’t even aware of. ❤

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  8. December was 4 years for me–and that flew by! My blog has changed a bit since I titled it, but I love my blogging buddies so much. Some of my favorites have just stopped. Ugh. I wish they would give me a warning because I do miss them. But I love keeping up with everyone else–the stories, the photos, the art. It is amazing who and what is out there. And, of course, Parker loves hearing from Vivian and Maisie and her other feline buddies. I’m not going anywhere–and I hope you are not either, Jennifer. Happy 2018 to you!

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    1. I’m glad to hear you’re not going anywhere, Lois. I was a little worried, considering your recent loss. It’s funny how we get virtually attached to each other! And I remember when you blogged about prisoners as much as you blogged about pets, when you first started. 🙂 Happy New Year and thanks for being here! xoxo

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  9. I started blogging way back in 2000, that blog no longer exists I started the blog I have now around 2007 and as all who know me I love blogging and yes over the years some of my favourite bloggers have stopped blogging which sucks but it is what it is.

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  10. It’s been about 6-1/2 years for me. Wow. I’ve slowed down slightly over the last couple of years, from 2-3 posts/month to 1-2. I don’t have any plans to stop–but who knows? What I like most about it, and what keeps me going, is having a forum for some of the million random thoughts that cross my mind. Unlike a journal, where there’s no accountability and no two-way communication, a blog requires me to vet my ideas (would someone else really care about this?) and present them in a way that’s accessible and understandable. Then, of course, there’s the possibility of a dialogue with readers, which is the really great part.

    I do miss the fact that Carrie Rubin isn’t as active a blogger as she used to be, but I can still keep up with her on Twitter!

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    1. Carrie is active on Twitter which is great, though I do miss her blog too. I’ve slowed down a bit myself with blogging. I think as long as you post at least twice a month you’re doing okay.
      Thanks for sharing, Audrey. 😊

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  11. I’ve been blogging about as long as you, Jennifer. I’m nowhere near ending. I know who you mean that just left us (starts with a K) and it makes sense. Me, I am still nose-deep in writing. Blogging lets me think it all through.

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  12. It’s been almost five years for me, I guess, but I haven’t really been active on my blog over the past year. Still, I frequently visit other people’s posts so I guess I’m still in the game. 🙂 Happy New Year!

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    1. I’m so grateful you do still visit us,
      Carrie. I can attest to how a blog can be an incredible time-suck, which is why I’ve come to rely on the Sunday Snap posts to come up with something short and sweet. Making time for writing is the priority. 😊 Happy New Year to you as well!

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  14. Hi Jennifer! I enjoy your blog so much so keep the posts coming! I am approaching 5 years of blogging and have no plans to stop. I too have been sorry to see some of my favorites stop. Maybe they will be back, you never know!

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  16. I will be blogging 4 years in February. I don’t know how long I will blog. I don’t have any plans to quit. 🙂 There are a few bloggers who have disappeared without a comment and I often think about them and wonder how they are doing. I like so many things about blogging, but connecting with other bloggers has to be my favorite. Happy New Year Jennifer!

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