Saturday, February 12, 2011

Why do I blog?

I find it interesting to read blogs when the writer is questioning their purpose for blogging, what it means to them, whether they should continue, etc.  I just read GYPSY G-MAS' post about this subject.  It was very thoughtful, and I enjoyed reading all the comments.  I started to comment, too, but then thought this might be a good post for me to document why I'm doing this.

I started blogging because I plan to RV full-time and when I first found RV blogs, I really enjoyed reading about the people who were just starting out and making all the decisions that are necessary to become a full-timer.  I was learning not only about the mechanics of getting into full-time RVing, but also the emotional part of getting rid of everything, selling or leasing a current home, buying the RV, and taking off, and all that really helps, too.

I also enjoyed reading about those of you who were on the road, where you went, how you managed things, the camaraderie on the road, meeting up with people in person after reading and getting to know them through their blog.  I live vicariously through these blogs.  I used to say when I'd close my laptop after going through the day's posts, felt like I had been on vacation.  Not so much anymore, because I pretty much follow you all every day, and I'm used to it now.

So, I decided I would start a blog, too, and document the steps I'm taking to join the full-time RVers on the road.  I wanted to be able to go back and remember what I did, how I was feeling, etc., and once on the road, it would be a good way for my kids to keep track of where I was, and to know I was safe and happy.  I wasn't going to make it public, but I told a few people, and like a box of See's Candies, you can't stop at one or two.  Once I opened the box, I decided to share with everyone.  I started commenting on other blogs, and followers signed on to mine.

I wanted to blog every day and at first I did, but right now my life doesn't have that much going on to blog about every day. I just live, work, etc., I'm not a very social person, but I DO bring my camera with me and snap photos when I find something interesting.   I also keep finding more and more blogs I want to follow, and reading them regularly takes a lot of time, and usually I'd rather read those than post something here that doesn't really matter to me. 

I hope to be on the road this time next year, so I'll have lots more to write about in the coming months and will post more as that happens.  I am also going to have an account somewhere on-line where I can organize my photos, so I will have an easy way to share them and have a pictorial history of my travels for myself.

On a different subject, the little Camellia tree in my back patio area is in full bloom.  It's actually been blooming for a while now, it seems to bloom for a long time, but right now it's covered with blossoms. 



When I took these photos I kept getting a round image right in the middle of the tree. From this angle it isn't as noticeable, but it's frustrating to not get a clear photo. I wondered it it had something to do with the angle of the sun. The camera lens was clean, and I could snap in other areas without getting this spot.

It's a gorgeous day in San Diego today:
 
I was outside in my air chair enjoying the sunshine and reading Smarter, Faster, Cheaper until the sun moved.  (I should take a photo of that chair for you, it's such a great chair - another time).  It's really a perfect day, sun shining, birds singing, slight breeze, Katie asleep by my side, mold gone.  (More about that later, too.)

From Me and My Dog, have a great Saturday, everyone!  : )

11 comments:

  1. Camellias are gorgeous!

    I have always kept a journal of my travels - not for friends and family to read necessarily, but for others who are interested in the same things I love to do. Many of us find that our families don't read our blogs, at least regularly, but other bloggers are obsessive about keeping up!

    I'm happy to hear the mold is gone. Are you ok, and how is the repair work coming along?

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  2. Glad you are rid of the mold and enjoying the beautiful weather.

    I know what you mean about blogging. Sometimes I think I should have waited to start a travel blog till I'm actually traveling. Right now I, too, am just working and dreaming. (And reading other blogs!). Doris and I enjoy yours and Katie's blog very much.

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  3. My reasons are pretty much the same.

    Is it a very small drop of condensation inside the lens?

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  4. I wish I was somewhere warm and where plants are blooming. I started the blog for myself, as therapy and found out that I enjoy "talking" to others through our blogs.

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  5. I think blogging gives you such a voice in the world community. It is living outloud.

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  6. Thanks for your reflections on why you blog. I am seeing that it is a theme today in some of the blogs we follow. San Diego sounds wonderful. I'm up in Central Coast California and it made it to 70 today. Plenty hot enough for a couple of hours. Take care and give a pat to Katie for me and Gingee.

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  7. Traveling solo, you will be taking a virtual family along with you once you hit the road. I think it makes traveling alone a little easier. :)

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  8. Thank you for the recognition. And thank you for chiming in on why you blog. I think ultimately we're all doing it for the same reasons but there are so many paths to get to the same place, everyone's journey is different. I enjoy reading those who are working through the transition, just as much as those that are already fulltiming. We all share a lot in common, which I guess is why we've become such a community. I envy your weather!

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  9. Glad the mold is gone and I hope you are ok. That stuff can be so damaging to your lungs.

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  10. Glad to hear the mold is gone and that everything is back to normal. I too wonder why I blog - I'm not planning on anything as full-timing (maybe snow-birding next winter) but I wanted to record the thoughts, etc leading up to and after retirement, and to practice writing. I find now that I enjoy the writing.

    I love reading other people's blogs as its a way to see how other people live and somehow feel connected to them. Connecting with others makes a life more meaningful.

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  11. Great post! I often wonder why it is that I blog, but have never really gotten to the heart of the matter. I guess it's a sharing feeling.

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