Some days, words escape me – especially words to write on this blog. Today is one of those days. There’s nothing I can say and I hope saying nothing doesn’t mean I sound callous.
Not long after I started blogging, I happened on a blog where the lady was a chronic complainer. She hated her house (No! It wasn’t me! <G>). She detested her husband and his low income and his sloppiness and grumpiness. Her car was always breaking down . . seriously, all she did was complain. I said right then . . I will not be a complainer. There are days I do feel like I’m complaining but I try to keep it real around here and I hope the happy posts far outweigh the complaining posts.
A long time ago, I made a decision that my blog would be a happy place. not a place where I air my problems. Yes, when I can share a problem or a little battle around here, but I can write something funny, without putting Vince down, or without making him look like he’s wrong and I’m right (I never have to tell you that, right?) . . then I’ll mention it but I never want someone to read this blog and feel worse than they did when they got here. It isn’t like I have my head buried in the sand . . life is not always a bowl of cherries. Vince swears I should take off my rose colored glasses.
Sometimes, you turn on the news and just have to stop, say a prayer, maybe cry a tear or two, make a donation if there’s a request for donations and if you’re able, and not dwell on the current events.
I have a very strong opinion on so many issues. The purpose of my blog is not to convince you that my position is the correct position. My position on pretty much every issue is based on my upbringing, my circumstances, what I’ve been taught, what I believe and all of my life experiences. Every one of you reading this has been taught in a different way from how I was taught, at least to some degree; every one of you has had different life circumstances and experiences. That doesn’t make either of us right and either of us wrong. My hope is that whenever you hear someone, especially someone you care about, state an opinion different from yours, you can either ignore it or kindly and lovingly say “I disagree . . and here’s why”. No need to be ugly. No need to write ugly things. My very good friend and I have totally different opinions on abortion. We’ve talked about why I feel the way I feel and why she feels the way she feels .. and we have no hard feelings towards each other. I don’t resent her and she doesn’t resent me. We don’t bring it up. We know our opinions are different and it doesn’t matter to our friendship.
All I really want to say is that you don’t need to hear my opinion on anything – not political, not religious, not on most current events. The things that pull on my heartstrings the most . . like the shooting in Vegas last night . . you don’t need or want to come hear and read my opinion. It’s probably all you’ve heard on the news today. I want my blog to be a happy place but again, I feel like it’s a bit wrong to talk about knitting and where I ate, and the yarn that arrived, and the beads that arrived but folks, but please . . don’t think I’m callous and uncaring because I don’t mention it. It just isn’t what I want my blog to be about.
Valerie. Zagami says
I totally agree with you and your outlook. Everyone could find something to complain about. Sometimes it is nice to read a blog about things that take your mind off of other things. Plus we all love Vince and enjoy the animals and sewing and knitting and cooking. Thanks for all you do!
Dot says
I find myself turning off the news after a few minutes these days. We can read elsewhere more than we can tolerate about world events. You’re not callous; you’re giving us a place to seek refuge.
Karen says
totally get it – I try to not mention any of those things either – I’m thinking about them but I don’t want to talk about it – I don’t have my head buried in the sand – I just don’t want to talk about it all it really is too upsetting to me.
Mary says
So thankful that you keep things real and don’t feel like you have to comment on everything. I appreciate a safe place.
princess says
Thank you. I agree with you all the way.–Robin
Rebecca in SoCal says
As you said, these things are not what your blog is about. I appreciate a rest from bad news, (we can certainly find enough of that other places) and politics, and other negativity. Your blog is a refuge from things “out there.” Please don’t change.
Sue in Desert Hills (Phoenix), AZ (formerly in Scottsdale, AZ) says
Judy, you don’t need to apologize to us. I enjoy reading your blog to find out what you are knitting, what is happening with the animals, to hear the stories and conversations you have with Vince, what Addie (Chad and Nicole also) is doing, what you are cooking, how you are prepping, etc. I don’t come here to hear about current events. There is plenty of bad and depressing news everywhere else. Please keep up what you’re presently doing as I feel you are doing a great job. Even though we have never met, I feel like I know you and we are friends.
Diana Edwards says
Your blog is one of three I read every morning. I enjoy reading yours about the chickens, snakes, knitting, etc. Life is here to be enjoyed. Your make my day. Have a great day.
Diana Edwards says
Sorry about the typing errors.
Melody Wathor says
Judy, I really enjoy your blog and I think it is perfect. There are plenty of other places to read about the challenges, struggles and tragedies in the world…. just turn on the TV or log on to Face Book if you want to hear the ugly or argue with someone about their point of view. Thank you for sharing your life and interests with us. Your blog is always so well written and entertaining. I read it every day that I can and I think it adds to my day. Plus you continually inspire me to try things like knitting. Thank you.
Sandy says
Sue in Desert Hills said it all. We all have instant access to local, national, and world news. Your blog takes us back to “normal” life of home and and a family we enjoy reading about. Thanks for that, Judy!
Laura says
I’m a 4.5 hour drive from Las Vegas, so our newspaper this morning contained many pages of reporting on the horrible tragedy. We have at least two people from my community who were killed, and others who were injured. So I’m happy to come here and read about beads, or food, or life in general in Texas. I’m pretty sure you and I have different political views, but that’s not what matters here. Thank you for that!
Wanda says
Write on girlfriend. You do great in the blog department. And really your Views are more like mine than many others. We both grew up in the South and we have different ways of teaching and learning about life.
Kathleen says
We need more happy places. When I read your blog, I smile or chuckle. Especially now, I need that. Wish there were more places like your blog.
Sharon Downey says
Hi Judy. I was clearing all my old email and came across this one that I had saved but not yet read. Sometimes my email just overwhelms me. I do understand what you mean about not being a complainer and like you try not to do it too often. Yet I also believe we should be able to stand up for what we believe in now and then without trying to force others to believe the same way. Just perhaps give them an alternate way of looking at things.
Today I started reading a book by Debbie Macomber. It’s just now available in paperback and it is called Twelve Days of Christmas. She is writing about a young woman who had a very cranky neighbor and she decided to “Kill him with kindness” for the next 12 days. I loved though that as the days are progressing she is changing as much as the neighbor is.
I love reading your stories of Vince. Especially the one of how he decided to go to town just as you were defrosting the freezer in the shop. He was a very brave man. Also about the new animals that show up. I hope you’ll continue to write when you have the time.