Going Forward

I have been appraising the blog situation.  I started Needles of Iron in January of 2008, and went along quite merrily and steadily for 4-ish years, before beginning to sputter towards the end of last year.

I have asked myself some questions trying to determine the cause of sputtering, if there is a motivation that can spur me on, is there a need to continue, why do I write in this form after all, and do I have something to say.

These are hard questions and not easy for me to answer. I believe come to this.

Why do I share what I share, and why is it important?

I would like to think I have Important Content, but really?  I don’t.  I would like to think I am amusing and humorous but really?  There are those bloggers out there that one should read for that sort of thing.  I don’t have any great insight on knitting techniques.  I just do my thing my way and as for free knitting patterns?  Well, I can only point the direction to those patterns I use.  I can offer some vacation photos taken at really fun places, but these, too, are strictly amateurish!

There have been posts that offer my insights on life and my experiences, and I liked those, but my opinions and experiences are really my own, and other’s mileage may vary.  Other’s mileage undoubtedly varies, and everyone is entitled to their own.  Mostly.

One thing I truly appreciated about blogging is the interaction with other bloggers, and getting to know my internet peeps.  But I noticed this past fall, when I lost the opportunity to comment on other’s blog, that little perk fell by the wayside for the most part, which saddened me, but what the heck.  It happened, and the people in our lives come and go.

My blog has been really great in letting my family know what I am doing to stay busy, and also in making sure they have enough fodder for keeping me humble.  After all, what are siblings for?  I am so pleased that my family takes the time to read my ramblings.  On the other hand, I will say because my family reads, I censor myself!  Maybe that’s a good thing.

So where am I going with this?  What am I doing and why, and am I going to keep going and how?

I am back to where I started…writing for me, about what I want and what I do, but now I am also letting my family know what I am up to.  With some photos thrown in. 

No other pretensions.

Blog Stats and Commenting

So I have been in a bit of a morass of ‘whatever…’ lately when it comes to certain things.  And in some cases, it’s been very freeing, and in others, a bit guilt-laden.

I seem to have broken free of the need to check my blog stats on a daily basis, or even every few days.  Of, course, when one is not posting every day, it is not necessary, but besides that fact....I check my stats quite infrequently now, and I am not sure why or what the difference is.  It isn’t really like I ever gauged my success (hoo haah!  I use that term quite loosely!) as bloggy person based on my stats.

Fortunately, because I would not be marked as a success! But I did get a glimpse as to where my readers…and I do have a few…came from.  Which was sort of…you know…bonding…at least from this end.

Anyway, that just sort of fell away a few months ago.  Along with my commenting on other blogs.

Have you noticed?  I am blaming it on the season.  Or something.  It’s not that I am not reading your posts, my peeps.  And it is not that I am not finding your escapades interesting, your efforts amazing, your photographs evocative, your insights astounding.

I just do not have the wherewithal to say boo once I get home from work.  So there’s my mea culpa.  (And I have no idea if that is the correct use of that term.)

So here’s hoping you are all bearing with me.  I hope to have the time with the energy to get some things updated on the blog here in a few.  Dearest Sister was good enough to point out there was no photo of the Boy Kitty.  (She’s kind that way.)  And that book?  I have read two or three since.  And that header?  Aspen leaves are looo-oon-ng gone around here.

I am approaching my blog-iversary come the first of the year.  I began January 1, 2008, so 3 years later, I can say I am mostly still doing this reasonably and regularly, and I am still mostly pleased with the effort.  And I shall celebrate the occasion with a give-away, so consider yourself forewarned.

Still Kicking

I feel like I need an obligatory post this week.

Which brings the question, 'why do I blog?' Because I don't want to be obligated to blog.

I want to blog.

I have a bunch of hooey going on right now and not feeling particularly cheerful. That would spill over in a post. Which brings another question, 'what do I blog about?' I don't necessarily want to harsh and rant and rave and spill all over with my personal crap. Unnecessarily so, that is.

I strive to be an honest blogger, though.

Iron Needles is read by some close relative and family members, some friends, and some internet acquaintances, who have become friends, and some I know only by their general locations as they show up on my tracking software. And I know that isn't even an exact science, as when I happen to check on something from work? It will show up as a NY location as opposed to Colorado! And that begs yet another question of appropriateness of content, which my daughters may believe I crossed in the post about their grandmother's man-friend.

There needs to be balance in my blog.

And while I like to think I can take some snazzy photos of the particularly beautiful part of the world I live in, and while I like to think I can turn an interesting, and sometimes humorous phrase, I understand I can rely on neither writing nor photography to totally carry this undertaking. Moderation is the name of this blog. (Well, not really. It's Needles of Iron....)

"What I see, What I've been taught, What I've learned, What amazes me..."

I came up with that 'sub-title' two years and 8 months ago, and in reviewing it, I think I will leave it alone. It still works as a guide. This blog is mine, for me (to do with as I want), with respect to my audience (as it is, and as I understand it to be), for me to stretch my writing muscles (for what they are worth), discussing , observations, life, and accomplishments.

And for those still around, thanks for sticking with me through my August dry spell.

So PO’d

Why does the stupidest spam get through, trying to sell me insurance, tell me about jobs at home that will earn my $15k a month, even a Nigerian money scam, and other…more perplexing vendings…

And NONE of my comments for 3 days can make it through???

Probably something I tweaked and have NO idea what I did.

That is all. Nothing more to see here…move along….

(If your comment hasn't been posted lately…Sorry! It’s hasn’t been an intentional rejection on my part!)

Things I Like...

...about blogging (besides new words in my vocabulary like 'blogging').

• Connecting with people I would never have met otherwise, in other states and other countries, and sometimes in towns just south of me.


• An opportunity to share my life with others through writing.


• And the chance to share in other's amazing creativity and talent. And it is amazing.


• Figuring out another way to get out of my shell/hibernation ways.


• Finding I can say what I need, and every once in a while, someone else needs to hear exactly that.


• Challenges like Blogtoberfest that keep me honest. (I am one third through!)


• Booty!

Look what Kate sent me. She say there is more hollyhock seeds than any sane woman would need. Kate doesn't know how close to the brink I teeter! These are the old-fashioned kind, big and tall, the kind I remember from my grandma's gardens (or was it Aunt Ruth's?).

I am spreading them as soon as the veggie patch is cleared, which will be after this weekend. The weather guy says this is the weekend for the first freeze. I picked the green tomatoes last night, to ripen inside. We will still have warm days, but the season is over. Six and a half months 'til May...

I leave you with a parting shot of my pumpkin guard dog.

Sunday Afternoon

(The photo is of Horsetooth Rock, which one can see from the street where I live. It was taken a couple years ago in May. It does not look this green now...but hope springs eternal!)

Time to wrap up another weekend. There are some things undone that I intended to do since getting off work on Friday, but rather than dwell on the negative, I will remain positive in my thinking.

I already shared about Friday evening's happenings. Laughing bebe! What I didn't mention is the added possibility of helping Youngest Daughter start sewing this week. Another of my mother's legacies I have the chance to pass on.

Saturday morning, I got all brave on myself, and emailed the blog link to my Wonderful Guy. Wonderful Guy's computer is across the big desk from mine in the office, where he works from home. When the email arrived, he was curious, and as he read, he was encouraging. All in all, very supportive, and after the fact, I am wondering why I thought he would be anything but. He is, after all, a Wonderful Guy! He said he might even start his own, but keep it all private- like. He is very computerish, and spent much of the rest of the morning tinkering, while I cleaned house. I even did some of his chores this week! Not all of them though.

I had a jade plant that had been doing a bit too much thriving, much to my delight. It had become top heavy, and having tipped over a couple times this past week, I determine it required transplanting. I accomplished that, and while watering the rest of my house plants, I discovered an african violet whose stem had begun to get mushy. I believe that is the correct botanical term. I removed it from the pot it shared with it's roommate, trimmed off the mushiness, and stuck it in fresh potting medium (my own secret recipe). I have little knowledge of african violets beyond sunlight, water, and occasional food. Mine grow as they will, and bloom when they want. I hope this treatment works for this guy. I would hate to see him croak (another technical term, I believe).

I then attended a bra party. Hmmm. I did not choose to make a purchase, even if they are Oprah's favorite.
I backed up my hard drive. (How pro-active of me.)

After dinner, while watching 'Antiques Roadshow' (love that show!), I practiced with my drop spindle. Surprise! I was sort of able to draft while spinning, and the yarn was actually...yarn-like! Thin, and consistently thin. I can't wait to practice more this evening, even if there won't be Antiques Roadshow on tonight.

Today was our meeting and fellowship, and time for a drive in the foothills. The sun is shining and it is a bit warmer than it has been. Nothing like a sunny Colorado day in January! While driving, I finished up (to the grafting) a four-corners dishcloth (Abigail - 1870 Pearl) for a late x-mas gift for a friend who I will have lunch with on Wednesday.

Not a bad weekend, upon review, and maybe, when tomorrow morning rolls around, I can roll out of bed, ready for the week.