The unexamined life is not worth living - Socrates
I have said that Poetry is the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings: it takes its origin from emotion recollected in tranquility - William Wordsworth, preface to Lyrical Ballads
I am definitely not these fellows, but I do understand each of them with relation to blogging and me. I need to write down things that are swirling around in my head. Writing is very different from talking. Talking involves other people's thoughts and opinions, and mine can be lost or changed in conversation. This introvert needs the quiet of writing to sort out exactly what I think or feel about something. Even if I write only a few lines, or quote someone, or share a poem, it does me good.
I haven't written nearly as much in later years. Well, duh! Three grandchildren came along in quick succession. And my emotions have been coming fast and furious without much time to "recollect" them in any sort of peaceful moments. But now the children are older, and though we still see Hazel many days, we don't see the boys as often because of distance, the busyness of the family, the virus.
So I would like my compensation for their getting older and starting school to be writing my "letters from a hill farm". A part of this is also spending more of my time at your blogs. I have visited as often as I could but not nearly as often as I wanted to. Reading another person's words and taking the time to respond is another kind of recollecting. I can take my time thinking over what they have said and then write back if I feel I have anything to contribute.
I am quite happy about my resolve to do this. I have really missed the connections, and have missed taking the time to write about even the small things. It is good for me. It clears my head and helps me to notice things I might not have in the bustle of the day.
Looking forward to reading more of your observations in the days ahead.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
DeleteI suspect that many bloggers were also great letter-writers at one time in their lives. I corresponded with several Europeans for decades, starting out as children trading stamps between our various countries, growing into teens, young adults, and old married folk. Sadly, e-mail tempted every single one of them to put away the paper and pen.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy commenting on blogs that are run by people who enjoy a conversation that is not always on the original topic. That's what makes life interesting. I appreciate you, Nan.
I am so impressed about the pen pals! What a long, faithful endeavor.
DeleteIn terms of writing, I've found that I can barely hand-write now. I never did cursive, but the printing is even difficult. I thought of using some first grade program to re-learn!
Thanks for what you said.
I understand perfectly and look forward to reading more of your thoughts. I’ve appreciated all you’ve written during these busy grandma years! I didn’t start blogging until our three older grands were well into their school years , so by then life was not (in a way) quite as full! I would not have missed those earlier years for the world and I’m glad you didn’t. But the following stages are great in a different way and you will be happy.
ReplyDeleteThank you for those kind and wise words!
DeleteYou have sure been through it lately. I think of you so often.
Sometimes I miss the art of letter writing. Around the ages of 10-13 I had loads of Penpals (mostly from the US, but one from Japan as well). I would always buy pretty stationary, stickers for the envelopes and eagerly check the mailbox for the next installment in their lives. One penpal lived in SD and although we no longer write letters, we continue holiday cards and an update on the year... 55 years later.
ReplyDeleteHave fun Nan
I'm not sure I ever had a pen pal, though I had a friend a few hours away and she and I wrote a lot. I love that you are still in touch with one!!
DeleteI'm looking forward to your return to "letters from a hill farm." I love hearing about life on your land, seeing photos of your home, and reading about the books you're enjoying. xoxo
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteSometimes I read a book report I wrote years ago, and I can hardly recognize that I wrote it!
Dear Nan, when I saw the headline of this post cropping up in my notifications about blogs I follow, my first thought was - oh no, Nan is giving up blogging! What a relief to learn it is quite the opposite!
ReplyDeleteLike you, I need to write in order to keep the balance. I am no introvert but I am very happy with just myself for company for days, provided I know I can reach out to others any time.
Your blog has taught me lots, given me great reading tips, made me smile and wonder and all sorts. Now I can look forward to many more posts from you!
What a wonderful comment! Thank you so much.
DeleteWordsworth must have had a lot of tranquillity on his hands, to judge by the sheer amount of poetry that he wrote. I look forward to reading more of your "letters".
ReplyDeleteVery funny! I suppose just living there would have given him such peace.
DeleteAren't we glad that we have blogging friends? And also that we're able to share our thoughts as they come. I'm glad to know that you'll continue to share with us. My impulses to share are sometimes more than at other times, but I'm always delighted to know that I can read what my friends have chosen to talk about. Sending much love your way! :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks, dear one.
DeleteI always find your thoughts, as you share them here, to be of real interest and I am glad to hear you may now be blogging more....Aren't our grandchildren wonderful, though! My oldest grandson just got his temporary driver's license. My youngest just began third grade...And I have two in between them. They joy of my life.
ReplyDeleteAre yours all from one of your children? I should know this from postings you have done, but I've forgotten.
DeleteThey are just the best.
It is no wonder that at each stage of our life great changes happen and each of us has to find the way that works best for us. I hope you can share more of your thoughts here, Nan. I always enjoy reading about your life there in New Hampshire! I recently realized that too much was happening in my own mind, mostly because of too much time spent online, and not enough happening in my house as I slow down in my 70s--not enough cleaning, cooking, puttering. And so my time online took a different turn in the road, cutting FB time to a bare minimum needed to check on family--that cut my screen time in half--but also deciding to turn comments off on my blogs. This first week of trying it out has let me have the pleasure of writing and posting more. And I now take time to leisurely visit only two or three blog friends a day and read their posts without rushing and being able to hopefully leave a thoughtful comment. It has worked for me. Like you, I am one who only processes life through writing about it. Then too, my house is happier, not to mention my husband!
ReplyDeleteI don't think I know if you see any of your family in person these days (months). I hope so.I think everything you wrote makes a lot of sense.
DeleteI'm so glad, Nan, that I'll be hearing more of your thoughts about this great adventure we call life. I have been thinking about doing the same on my blog - but this is not about me today. So looking forward to your posts!
ReplyDeleteSo good to hear from you!
DeleteIt is such a coincidence that you wrote this at this time. I had given up on my blog but I miss it. I didn't ever stop visiting other blogs but I think with summer winding down I need that outlet. I miss writing there. I am not as prolific as you are but I miss it still.
ReplyDeleteI also love your header photo. I always so enjoy your posts Nan. Cheers.
I wish you could figure out a way to do the photos. Or maybe just write "word pictures." Whatever you write, your readers will be happy, happy!
DeleteBecoming a grandma is utterly divine but it does interfere with your hobbies, especially if you're involved with childcare as we were. But those lovely years soon pass, our grand-daughter is at uni now and our grandson is almost 14 (!) and back at school after 5 months at home. It's wonderful to see them into delightful adults but I do mourn the baby/toddler years.
ReplyDeleteLike Sam I had penpals from when I was a young teen until in my 50s when email took over. After that blogging comes easily (unless they change the interface on you). Look forward to seeing you around more, Nan. Your thoughts and ideas are aways a pleasure to read.
I've never known such pure joy before. I've also never known such love - going both ways. They are my life's miracle, and making these years a blessing every day.
DeleteThanks, Cath.
There are busy seasons! I like blogging too 💖
ReplyDeleteYes!
DeleteI've always enjoyed your thoughtful posts and look forward to reading them. I think it's been a time of introspection for many. Writing them down is cathartic.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely right!
DeleteOne thing about the pandemic is that my volunteer and work commitments in the evening or on weekends have practically disappeared, leaving me more time to read and blog. I do think that many bloggers are more eloquent but I try not to let that bother me. Before the pandemic, I had added a sentence or two to each post to mention something topical so I could look back and recapture that moment. However, when the pandemic began all the days ran together so that seemed pointless. Which is sad!
ReplyDeleteNo such thing as "more eloquent." Every single person's words are worthwhile.
DeleteI agree with you on writing vs. talking. Plus I enjoy writing so much. Going through this pandemic would have been more difficult without blogging and blogging friends.
ReplyDeleteI look forward to hearing more from you when you have time for that.
Thank you!
DeleteAnd yes, talking can exhaust me where writing invigorates me!
I love my trips around the world reading the blogs I subscribe to - and I love visitors, too. Looking forward to more posts and lovely pics from you.
ReplyDeleteI think of you so often when I read the English news. Hope you are doing okay.
DeleteThank you!
Keeping well, keeping healthy, reading and running - all we can do really! I'm in Birmingham so we have extra lockdown at the moment but we hadn't really come out to the level of going to restaurants so only affected a bit.
DeleteThat's really good. Everytime I read about B I think of you. Thanks so much for coming back to tell me.
DeleteWow! Oh my goodness I am in awe of your header. What wonderful color. This is stunning.
ReplyDeleteThank you! It is a gorgeous time of year here.
DeleteI’m sad to say that unless I can find a way of uploading photos from my iPhone to my antiquated computer again I will not be able to blog again. I need the photos as leaping off points. I have defected to Instagram under the same name simply to keep some sort of record going. The grandchildren are a wonderful newish diversion, but I don’t put them up there. I’d have to make my account private to feel completely happy about that. But I am so glad you will be writing more. I see how the children are growing up and away already.Connections are so important at this time of life and in these disconsonant times.
ReplyDeleteI wish I could help somehow. Would it help if you emailed me, and maybe Tom could give you advice.
DeleteThey are growing up, and growing more wonderful with each day. I can't believe the immensity of our love for them. To paraphrase Queen, "ooh they make me live"!!