I love the blogging world.
I’m glad most blogs are public and available for me to read. There’s nothing like finding a great new blog about a topic near and dear to my heart. I was so bummed when the “Vegan Lucnhbox” decided to stop blogging.
Some of my friends have chosen to make their blogs private which is understandable but not for me. I enjoy when a “stranger” leaves a comment about something I’ve written. I’m always surprised when someone finds me and actually takes the time to leave a comment. Even after 6 months since writing anything on Guam, most of my google “hits” are about Guam. I’ve had numerous questions and comments from people moving to or just missing Guam. I hope they will find useful information in my writings.
If my blog were private, Books on the Brain wouldn’t have left a comment and I, in turn, wouldn’t have had an opportunity to read her wonderful blog on books. I also would have missed the following comments: Robin’s link to his flickr photo after I mentioned seeing him dressed as Robin (from Batman & Robin) at the NYC marathon, Bruce who just yesterday left a comment about how he built the stairs to Haputo Beach back in the early 70’s, and Cliff, who is a published writer, left a comment about a reading meme.
With such positive and fun feedback, private blogging is out of the question for me ~ at least for now.
Displaced Beachbums 
I say leave it public 🙂 Maybe one day I will find Batman!!
LikeLike
Keri: thanks for delurking and leaving a comment. Feel free to chime in anytime!
LikeLike
I sometimes go back and forth, but finally decided that I don’t say anything on my blog that I would be embarassed to say in front of a crowd of strangers, so I can leave it public. The only hang-up that I have is that I want pictures and video of my kids up for my family and friends, and therefore everyone can see. It is my only struggle.
But I keep writing it for people that I know, and if other people want to read and then they find something interesting, then all the better!
LikeLike
Hi again Patti,
I tagged you for a meme. Check it out if you have time:
http://lisamm.wordpress.com/2007/12/19/whatcha-reading-meme/
LikeLike
Hi I am delurking. I linked to you from Heidi, who I have been reading for awhile. I comment on her blog fairly regularily. I don’t think I have ever c ommented before, so just wanted to say hello & introduce myself.
LikeLike
Deciding to go private was a hard decision for me. I wrestled with it for months and months. I didn’t mind strangers reading what I wrote and never got any nasty comments. But a few things made up my mind.
I got burned with an email once. I sent a personal and private email to a group of friends and family from D’s hometown. Next thing I know, it’s printed in the local paper and I was “quoted”! I was furious–not only with the lack of journalistic integrity but also that a friend would think it was OK to forward it to the editor. The thought of being quoted again without my permission by someone copying my blog made me nervous.
Secondly, I realize I can have some strong opinions that are totally different than D’s, yet reflect on him. One of D’s former commanders even “warned” him about me (blogs weren’t even around at that time). He told him I should just smile and that “wives can’t help your career, but they can hurt it.” D. was thinking that the only thing that was going to hurt his career is if that guy kept talking and D. couldn’t restrain himself from going over the table at him!
Lastly, my motivation for blogging is to simply connect with and get to know old friends better, not make new ones. So I decided to go private. I know my readership has suffered, but that’s OK. I actually feel more free to write what I want now–as if I was holding back!
Keep blogging!
LikeLike
Hi Patti, Thanks for the shout-out! I love the blogging world too. It is so cool to get a glimpse into the lives of such diverse people and places.
Your snow pictures are awesome! I remember those days. It was so fun when I was a kid.. waiting for your school to be called for a snow day.. going sledding and snow mobiling.. building snowmen and forts.. big fun! But, as an adult, I can’t imagine driving in the white stuff and dealing with it for months. It is beautiful though.
Have fun!
LikeLike
Alice
We got about 15 inches yesterday. It was absolutely gorgeous when I looked out at 6 am this morning and no one had been out yet. It looked like someone had painted a winter scene. I’m so glad we’re going to have a snowy Christmas ~ if we’re going to be cold anyway, I prefer to PLAY in the snow.
LikeLike
How much snow did you get?
I miss it so much. It’s hard to think about Christmas when it’s warm out.
LikeLike