Having to have the blog migrated to the new location made me realize how badly I need to clean up the blog data.
I had already deleted about 4,000 comments but there are still over 120,000 comments! They go all the way back to 2004, as do the blog posts.
As I was deleting comments, I came across so many memories – it’s amazing how many readers from 16 years ago have passed away and probably even more than I know about. There were a lot of readers who were avid quilters and who now either don’t follow my blog because it no longer interests them without the quilting or maybe they’ve given up quilting and don’t even know that I’ve given up quilting (for now). I had to smile at how many people still comment, all these years later and it’s surprising how many people I’ve met in person. If someone were to ask me if I ever meet readers, I’d say no but looking at the comments, there are probably several hundred I’ve met and many I’ve become close friends with. The beauty and joy of blogging so far surpasses the headaches I’ve gone through this week with the blog.
Then I started going through the old posts and deleting some of those and some of them – some are amazingly sad. I haven’t had a lot of sadness in my life but there’s been the death of my young nephew and shortly thereafter, the death of my cousin’s young son.
Most of the posts that I saved were really funny, even though some of them weren’t so funny when I wrote them.
I had been out of town and came home to this one evening. That’s not all . . the entire kitchen was a disaster.
So, what I’m going to do is over the next few weeks, as I go through those old posts, I’m going to share some of my favorites. Some I know I’ve shared before but I want to keep those in the current (or semi-current when we’re talking about 16 years of posts).
The first one will post later this evening and it’s my very first sock (which I actually still wear).
Cilla says
I love a good mystery……..I see sock was singular……lol
Judy Laquidara says
Oh, I made the second one but I wrote that post as soon as I finished the first one.
Judy says
Do you get your blog printed into a book so that you have a record before you delete them? I have a book of each year, going back to 2011 when I started writing my blog.
katie z. says
I haven’t been around since quite 2004 but I’ve been lurking and reading since 2008. Thanks for all your labors and kindness to your readers!
Judy Laquidara says
Thanks. That’s very kind of you to say! I did see your name on some of the old comments.
Chris B says
I don’t comment often, lazy I guess. But I do love your blog and I blame you for many purchases! First was the Instant Pot then the cast iron cleaning chain mail, I’ve even changed flours because of you! I almost started fermenting but realized I couldn’t commit to it. But I did make my own kombucha for a while. If I start knitting it will also be your fault ! Hahaha.
Susan Nixon says
Sometimes when I’m looking for something, I will go back through old posts, and I’ll start reading, get nostalgic. The person who put the most comments on my blog died a little over a year ago, and I miss her comments and her wholesome outlook on life – in her 80s.
Elaine Magee says
I very rarely comment, but I’ve followed you since the Alex Anderson board. I attended a quilting retreat in Kentucky where at the time you were bidding on a quilt against your friend who you trying to buy it for. In fact you even quilted a quilt for me, black with primary colors which a few on Alex’s board made. Can’t even begin to guess how many years it has been. Sill here, still enjoying your adventures.
Peg Turner says
I’ve been reading your blog since the early days, today I commented for the first time on the challenges, lol. I came for the quilting originally but stayed for everything else.
When I was growing up we had a small hobby farm with lots of animals and grew our own food, reading your blog inspired me to try all those things again.
I’ve had chickens and goats and grew a few gardens. I learned how to can (I was always on the picking,shelling,shucking end of the garden as a kid) and got my mother, who is in her 80’s, canning again.
I’ve learned so much from you over the years!
Peg Turner says
I forgot to add, I even bought yarn and knitting needles once!