Who Are You People? Allow Me To Tell You, Then Ask One Question

/ Ally Bean

~ ~ • ~ ~

I said I’d be back in August, and true to my word, I’m here again, ready to tell you a little bit about you, the cool kids.

Intrigued, aren’t ‘ya?

For no particular reason, on a whim really, I decided to analyze who follows this blog & comments regularly.  WP tells me I have thousands of followers, but most of those followers don’t bother to engage with me, and other bloggers, via the comment section of this blog.

[This is fine by me. Speak up when you feel so moved. I’ve always had many kind lurkers who eventually join in.]

Welp, it turns out there are about 110 cool kids who make a habit of consistently checking in here, chit-chatting in the comments, AND who also write personal blogs of their own. The whole megillah, as they used to say.

[There are many other delightful commenters who say something once in a while and I love you for it. Spammers, on the other hand, make me say, “I hate those meeses to pieces.”]

Granted my methodology here is more subjective than objective: I’m telling you how I categorize/perceive your blogs. But, be that as it may, here are four things I’ve figured out about you, the cool kids.

~ ~ • ~ ~

I.  How often do you post to your blog?

  • 34% post Multiple Times Per Week (more than twice, less than daily)
  • 25% post Monthly (or less)
  • 20% post Once A Week
  • 14% post Twice A Week
  • 7% post Once A Day (or more)

II.  Where do you usually find your muse?

  • 76% are Independent Thinkers
  • 24% are Joiners who use prompts or challenges, always or most of the time

III.  What do you primarily write about regardless of the source of your muse?

  • 37% write about Family
  • 22% write about Ideas or Questions
  • 22% write about Hobbies or Special Interests
  • 12% write about Books or Writing
  • 7% share Photos

IV.  Where do you live?

  • 79% are Within the US
  • 21% are Outside the US

~ ~ • ~ ~

When I started my analysis I had a fifth question in mind, but quickly realized I couldn’t answer it on my own, so I’ll ask you. I’d like to know:

HOW DID YOU FIND THE SPECTACLED BEAN? 

  • did we do a challenge together?
  • did you see a comment I left somewhere?
  • did a friend point you this way?
  • did you find me on Twitter or Instagram?
  • did you surf by one day and stay?
  • did you get here some other way?

I await your comments below. 

307 thoughts on “Who Are You People? Allow Me To Tell You, Then Ask One Question”

  2. Because I’m reluctant to leave the coolth for the heat of work, I’m still here, and have an answer for your question: I don’t know. Honestly, I have no idea how I landed here. I must have seen you commenting on another blog, but I can’t pinpoint it. That said, I’m glad I found you. Happy August!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Linda, I got thinking about how I *met* everyone who follows & comments on The Spectacled Bean and for the life of me I don’t know how it happened either. I’m rather fascinated by this.

      Liked by 1 person

  3. Well, I declare. Have I ever been an early commenters here? The answer is NO. May I be the first (or second) to yell, “Welcome back!”

    I like how you analyze interesting stuff creatively and with humor. I smiled when you talked about the “lurkers” who kindly tune in once in a while.

    I wish I knew how I found you. Maybe you remember, OR maybe another commenter will spot me and connect the dots. Finally, I’m so thankful you don’t blog every day. I couldn’t keep up, and then you’d not be a Cool Kid any more. Write on, Ally Bean! 😀

    Liked by 1 person

    • Marian, congrats on commenting early. I always enjoy your comments regardless of when you write them.

      I got thinking about who follows along here when I was putting together my last post in which I figured out what flavor of ice cream is the favorite one among my commenters. Which got me thinking: who are you people? Not because of the flavors you picked, but more in a social scientist curiosity way.

      I’ll never be a daily blogger. I can occasionally swing two posts in one week, but prefer to show up here once a week… and even that goal is beyond me some weeks.

      Liked by 1 person

  4. I sincerely doubt anyone is going to remember how they tripped over your blog…I certainly don’t. But if I had to guess, they saw a comment by you on someone else’s blog and it interested them (?). I think that was how I found you.

    Liked by 2 people

    • Grace, I agree, trying to pinpoint how anyone finds anyone else in blogland is difficult for any of us who’ve been around forever. I usually find people via comments left on other blogs, but there are a few of you I met through challenges.

      Liked by 1 person

  5. Interesting stats. Well done. “I hate those meeses to pieces” – forgot all about that though I can’t cite the cartoon off the top of my mind. A Hanna-Barbera cartoon I think (which were OK though I fancy myself more of a Warner Bros. fan).

    Liked by 1 person

    • Ellen D., I like your comments. I appreciate you taking the time to read The Spectacled Bean, but I don’t remember exactly when you joined in here either. One wonderful day you were here– and that is that!

      Like

  8. No clue but it was a long time ago. Maybe you commented and I thought it was worthy of a drive-by of your blog. Maybe another blogger referred. Last week I commented on another blog that we had been blogging friends for a long time. She was able to pinpoint the time by a cat she had lost. We have different marks in the sand for events. Before I retired or after. Before covid or after. Before my gym closed or after. I can’t remember much without a milestone in time. It used to be before or after 9/11 but now there are so many milestones.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Kate, I agree that without a specific event in time I don’t remember when I found other bloggers. I think I found you via a now long gone blogger who also worked in HR and you’d commented there, but I couldn’t tell you who that blogger was. The answers I am getting to my question confirm my suspicion that we all just stumble along out here in blogland. There’s not a lot of rhyme or reason to it!

      Liked by 1 person

  9. Gosh Ally, you’re back, and just as I take a break! 😉 Really interesting analysis of your regular readers. Let me be the first (I think) to let you know how I found you. Back when I was a baby blogger, my friend, writing partner, and co-host at the fiction blog told me about you during a discussion about what blogs we liked and might aspire to. I came to visit and rapidly retreated thinking “there’s no way I could do that” before sneaking back for my own reading pleasure sometime later. And here I’ve stayed. Fortunately I’m less baby blogger now and understand that you cannot be any type of blogger other than who you authentically are. Good to see you back!

    Liked by 2 people

    • Deb, I love this story of how you found The Spectacled Bean. It’s interesting how you didn’t think you could keep a personal blog, yet you’ve come to do so. I agree wholeheartedly with your statement: you cannot be any type of blogger other than who you authentically are. Would that more people understood this idea– and were true to themselves.

      Liked by 1 person

  10. Can’t do it- no memory of how I found you, or how you found me. I sometimes can’t remember 5 minutes ago so your question is unanswerable for me Ally Bean. I do know, however, know that in a high percentage of my comments I include the words “Ally Bean” somewhere because I find it fun to do, much like I find great fun in reading/commenting on your blog!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Deb, I think I found you via LA but that’s a vague idea floating around in my addled brain. I’m tickled that you like my blogging nom de plume. Ally Bean does have a certain ring to it.

      Liked by 1 person

  11. I don’t remember how, or precisely when I started following your blog. If I had to guess, I’d say it was during the Great Blog Expansion – I like giving my own activity an era-like name. If so, then I followed you after you left a comment on a blog I already was following. In any case, it doesn’t matter. I’m glad I found you.

    Liked by 1 person

    • AutumnAshbough, I imagine we found each other via a comment section somewhere. You are an astute observer of life so whatever you’d have said, I’d have noticed.

      As for a better memory, if only we all had them. These last few Covid years have done a number on my sense of time– and what happened when.

      Liked by 1 person

  13. Very interesting stats for sure. I often wonder why a certain follower dropped by. Me I arrived because you would sometimes visit and comment on my blog. So I checked you out and liked what I saw. Welcome back.

    Liked by 1 person

  14. As I mentioned already, I’m not sure how I came upon your blog, but I’m so glad I did. When I see a new blog post from you, I get very excited. It’s similar to a childhood friend returning after summer vacation. Welcome back! 😘

    Liked by 1 person

  15. 🙂 I like searching the WordPress Reader to discover new blogs and also to find new blog posts to read; I found your blog via the “Blogging” tag in the WordPress Reader.

    My educated guess is that the majority of WordPress blogs are discovered via the WordPress Reader.

    Liked by 1 person

  17. Hmm, how did I find your site? A good question. I really don’t know, but my guess would be that I followed some link or other pointing me to you site and I’ve been a faithful reader ever since. I’m not one to comment on most of the blogs I follow, a bad habit that I’ll work to change. I’ve got my my own little slice of the web. I started writing to share my travels down the road of living with Alzheimer’s disease. It affected my father with the end coming after some years. I also posted rants and other trivial stuff as seemed annoying to me. I haven’t written much lately, or should I say that I haven’t posted lately. I’m a prolific writer, daily as a rule, and perhaps I should post more frequently.

    In any event Ally, welcome back. The internet is always a little brighter when your thoughts are here.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Johnny2Toes, I suspect that you speak for many people when you say “I really don’t know” how you found this blog, or any blog. I distinctly remember a few examples of meeting other bloggers, but most bloggers just sort of drifted into my life. At the right time. In the right way. And maybe that’s what makes personal blogging fun?

      Thanks for your kind words. I try to be truthful here and spin it bright when I can. Maybe you’ll get back to posting on a regular basis sometime soon.

      Like

  19. Oh wow, interesting analysis. Amazed you took the time to look into it.

    Although I think this’d be my first comment here, I do remember finding you through the discover category of wordpress. Whenever I find a post that genuinely interests me, I usually skim through some of their most recent posts. If like three of them sound like stuff I’d love to read, I’ll follow, so I guess your site fit that.

    Like

    • Strangely Irid, thanks for taking the time to explain how you found this blog. I guess I must have been featured in the WP Discover category, but I have no memory of it. No surprise, my brain be addled.

      Happy that you decided to join in and that my little study of followers caught you eye. It was interesting to figure who the heck reads The Spectacled Bean.

      Like

  21. I think that Jen had you listed on her blogger of the month segment and I discovered you through her. I’m so glad you’re back! You’ve been deeply missed 🥰💓 I love the way you write and that’s what made me stick around. Plus you’re an all-around unique person. The way you analyze the world makes me think differently and I enjoy looking at life through another person’s perspective. 🤗

    Liked by 2 people

  22. Wait. Only 7% share pictures??? Well, that’s OK I guess. I share enough for all of them. I think I saw you comment on someone else’s blog and thought your comment was interesting and went to see what you were writing. Or maybe you found my blog that way. Or maybe not. Maybe I can’t remember. Thank you for the analysis…how did you do it….did you manually go into all 100+ blogs and count? Did you explain your methodology above and I missed it? I’m hurrying because I have a zoom meeting in 4 (3 now) minutes!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Dawn, of the people who show up here consistently 7% primarily post photos to their blogs. They may write some, but the focus is on pics.

      About my methodology, I have a Feedly account wherein I follow blogs. I only actively follow bloggers who show up here and comment somewhat regularly. Feedly provides insights about how often someone posts to their blog so figuring that stat was easy. As for the other stats, I based them on what I knew of a blogger from their blog posts. Granted this was a subjective analysis, but one that I’ve found insightful.

      Liked by 1 person

      • So….because I think this is interesting….how did you categorize my blog? Is it mostly images or some combination? Curious…I started out in 2008 being totally writing, wouldn’t have known how to insert a photo anyway. Sometimes I miss those days…but most people come (I think) for the images. On the other hand the posts that get (got) the most comments were generally those written by Katie. She was one funny little girl.

        Liked by 1 person

  23. I cannot remember how we “met”. I’ve met some bloggers through the A-Z Challenge that I used to do. I’ve met some through reading their comments on other blogs that I follow. And the rest through their commenting on my blog, and don’t ask me how they found me!

    Deb

    Liked by 1 person

    • Deb, I bet we met through the A-Z Challenge. I did that one year and lots of people showed up here– a few sticking around. It doesn’t matter to me how people find me, or how I find them, it’s just fascinating to me that we do connect– albeit randomly.

      Liked by 1 person

  24. Welcome back, Ally. I can’t believe it’s almost mid-August. I’m still catching myself writing ‘June’ whenever I date something … oh, who am I kidding? I date EVERYTHING. It comes from audit training.

    I barely remember what I did yesterday so it’s no surprise that how I met someone online wouldn’t ring any bells. All I know is that your wit and snark are what keep me coming back for more 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

    • Joanne, I’m betting we *met* through Norm when he was doing the doors. That’s kind of my first memory of you. Of course at this point my brain is a colander, very little stays in it, most just drains out.

      As for it being August, I KNOW! I am shocked that I’m talking about doing things in the fall– and that’s like next month. And thanks for the compliment. I do try to do what I can with the snark I’m given. 😏

      Liked by 1 person

    • Erica/Erika, I have to believe that most of us found each other via the comment section in a blog somewhere, but I can’t confirm it, of course. And right back at you about kindness and thoughtfulness, I appreciate that about you, too.

      Liked by 1 person

  27. I don’t know how I found you.
    I was just thinking about blog commenters this morning because it is time to do my annual ‘Blogs I’ve followed’ clean out. One of my criteria is whether the blogger has ever indicated (by a like or a comment) that they have ever read my blog. If they haven’t (and I have liked or commented on their blog), then I weigh whether their content is still worth reading regularly. Another criteria is whether they reply to comments on their blog!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Margy, I LOVE your criteria. Yes, yes, I’m with you on those points. Content can be great but I tend to follow bloggers who want to connect– as demonstrated by how they handle comments. 🤨

      Liked by 1 person

  28. Did you ever do the A to Z? I’m pretty sure that’s how I found a lot of folks I follow/who follow me. For the longest time I was afraid to comment on someone else’s comment or try to interact because we weren’t properly introduced but as time went on I got more comfortable with it. Welcome back dear Ally!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Janet, I did the A to Z Challenge one year and I’m pretty sure that’s where we found each other. I know how you felt about extending yourself with comments, I was reluctant at first, but once you get the hang of it you realize that sincere bloggers like sincere comments. N’est-ce pas?

      Liked by 1 person

    • Colleen, I forgot about blogrolls being a way to find other bloggers and isn’t that sad that I did? I have a doozy of one. That being said, I’m glad we connected, too. Ernie is like no one else– and I love her for it.

      Like

  32. I have found all of the blogs I follow by clicking on comments they’ve left on other blogs or in some cases if they’ve left a comment on mine. Way back almost twenty years ago when I first started blogging I did try finding blogs to read/follow on blog catalogs but I’m not even sure if here are any of those round anymore.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Jean, you make a good point about how it used to be when you wanted find bloggers. I remember those catalogs too, but now connecting in blogland seems to revolve around comments. Or doing shared challenges. Or fate, I suppose.

      Like

  33. Interesting! It was so long ago and several blogs ago that I found you; I’m thinking it must have been through one of your comments elsewhere. But where, I have no clue!

    Liked by 2 people

    • Margaret, I found you through a blogger, Sue, who happened to know Mike who led to Allan who led to Alison who led to you! I remember it specifically because it seemed so fantastical when it happened in the early 2000s.

      Like

      • Ah, the Courtney and Kerr clan! None of them still blog but I’ve been friends with them on FB and Instagram for a long time. Weirdly, I don’t remember Sue.

        Liked by 1 person

  35. We started following each other on IG and I eventually ended up seeing your URL and started following your blog. I had a site on WP for 8 years until one of my WP apps got hacked. That forced me to close OneOldSage.com. I used to write and post regularly but I haven’t done so in a couple of years. I do have a new site linnels.ca that I hope to start filling again.

    Liked by 3 people

  36. What a fun break down, I’m pretty sure I followed you from a comment on a fellow blogger friends blog, but I don’t remember who or when. I’m so glad I did!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Katie, I have no specific memory of how we connected, but often that means it was through comments. How people find each other in blogland fascinates me. It seems random which I find oddly encouraging.

      Like

  37. This question may expose an incident of mass memory loss because I don’t remember how I found you. I enjoy your posts, and welcome back! I tried to blog weekly but got derailed in July. Interesting stats!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Martha, I have no idea how we found each other. Through comments, maybe? It doesn’t matter, of course. I just got curious while I was thinking about & analyzing regular commenters here. We all find each other eventually, it would seem.

      Like

  38. This was fun to read! I am not sure if I have known you long enough to count as a consistent commenter, but I was really interested in the categories you made for other people’s blogs. I suppose my own blog would fall under the topic of “family” although I mostly yammer on about myself! Maybe there should be another category called “egomania” or “me, myself, and I.” Ha! I would definitely fit there. 🙂

    I believe I found your blog through a comment you made on another blogger’s post. But… I can’t remember. Glad you are back!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Suzanne, you’re a cool kid and a consistent commenter. I figure that anyone who comments on more than half of what I write is consistent. My blog, my definition of ‘consistent’ 🤷‍♀️

      You’re in the Family category, but I very much like your idea of having a Egomania category. Somehow I didn’t think of that, but you might be onto something fun.

      Happy to be back, glad we connected along the way.

      Liked by 1 person

  39. I did the Thursday Doors challenge a few times so I think perhaps I saw your blog name and thought it interesting. Then I read a few and thought that we all can use more funny in our lives. Love your humor and welcome back to the “sphere”

    Liked by 1 person

    • Bernie, I agree. I think we *met* through Thursday Doors. I used to do those and realize that many of my current bloggy friends did the challenge, too. Thanks for the compliment about my sense of humor. It is kind of wacky, but never intended to be mean– which seems to make me a novelty in today’s world. 🙄

      Like

    • Susan, I’m sure you’re right that we found each other through the A to Z Challenge. I loved doing that challenge [once] BUT too much work to do it again. Happy Woman’s Day to you, too. Sounds like a WONDERFUL holiday.

      Liked by 1 person

  41. Welcome back! I believe I found you through either Betsy or Mark? Your blogger name attracted me because my middle child wears spectacles (since age 15 months!) and we’ve always called her something related to Bean……Beaner, Bean Jeans, Green Bean.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Bijoux, I know I saw your comments on Mark’s blog, so maybe it was there? But could be Betsy…

      I didn’t know about your child who has worn glasses since 15 months. I got my first pair at age 5 and they’ve been a defining aspect of my life. As for calling your kid something related to Bean– I LOVE IT.

      Like

  43. I used to be able to remember how I crossed paths with someone, but at some point, all of the webs get intertwined into a hard-to-see-through forest. I suspect another blogger recommended you, or I saw your comments on another blog I follow. I’m attracted to blogs that are thought-provoking and not big into self-promotion. I haven’t followed you for a long time, but I look forward to your posts.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Pete, I get what you’re saying about intertwined. After almost 20 years of writing a personal blog I couldn’t tell you how most of the bloggers who comment here got here. And that’s okay. Occasionally I remember the deets but usually it is a who knows?

      I like your criteria for which blogs you follow. I feel the same way, make me think but don’t try to sell me things all. the. time.

      Liked by 1 person

  44. I feel like I’m late, but I read this while waiting for Curly’s physical and didn’t get to comment, now I’m back. I believe that I saw your comments on Suz’s blog and then I started reading your blog. Hooked ever since. Not sure how long ago that was . . . maybe about a year? I always enjoy reading your posts. Welcome back. Hope it was a good summer.

    Liked by 1 person

  45. Actually WordPress thought I might like your blog and for once, they were right, I do like it! I am not a rabid commentor, preferring to read and chuckle to myself when there is something to chuckle about or contemplate silently as I read your posts!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Eva, I’m glad that WP brought us together, actually rather pleased to read something positive about WP. I like my kind lurkers, such as you. I don’t live for comments so I get your point. Thanks for taking the time to read The Spectacled Bean and stopping by to comment.

      Like

  46. Welcome back! I found you on the WP reader. Now and then I just browse blogs. I’m not a cool kid – don’t think I’ve ever been one of those – but I like your blog. Interesting post and worth doing some digging to find out who’s following. Cheers.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Lynette, I never think of WP Reader as a way to find blogs, but obviously it is. I’m glad you found me here. My study is a result of curiosity. I admit my methodology is somewhat subjective but I learned a bit about who is out there, who I appeal to. It was worth the effort.

      Liked by 1 person

  47. Funny thing… I was deleting a bunch of old emails yesterday when I came across your last blog link email and wondered, “Is Ally coming back?” AND HERE YOU ARE! Welcome back! Interesting breakdown of followers. To answer your question, I’m not 100% sure, but I imagine I saw your comments on several blogs I already followed and was intrigued enough to check yours out. Just goes to show you how important leaving interesting comments on other blogs is.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Janis, well that is trippy that you thought of me yesterday and I am here today. Clearly you have magical psychic powers that call to me, tell me to get my butt in gear. 😉

      I have no specific memory of how we found each other. That’s the case with most of the bloggers I follow. One day I read a comment, see what the person is about, then if’n they look like my cuppa tea we start connecting. Hence is the power of blogland.

      Liked by 1 person

  49. Do I remember how I found you? Not at all. Do I remember how I found any of the bloggers I still follow? Not at all. My blogging has kind of fallen by the wayside – and I can’t blame it on the weather or being absorbed by time-consuming chores or activities. More like it filled a need for a time in my life, which apparently has now passed or has almost passed. I am one of those who comments when I have something to say, but gotta confess, sometimes I run out of patience to scroll through all of your commenters – which probably means what I had to say was boring anyway.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Carol, I think that the desire to write a blog comes from within so if you feel you’re finished with it, you are. No harm in going on to do something different. I suppose the one overarching lesson I’ve learned about blogging is, it’s always here. Write when you want to, not when you feel you have to. I don’t know when or how we met in blogland either. Funny how deets like that fade from memory…

      Like

  50. I noticed that you and I liked and often commented on the same blogs, and I found your comments both funny and insightful, so I checked you out. Liked what I saw and have been reading you ever since. If only dating were this easy (not that I’m in the market; I like the husband I have). Hope you enjoyed your break from blogging and didn’t engage in too much analysis. Good to have you back, Ally.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Donna, thanks for joining in here. The process you describe about how we *met* seems spot on for many commenters. I know that’s how I find bloggers, usually via comments. I didn’t do much of anything during my time off. Which was great. I needed a pause.

      Like

  51. I have enough trouble remembering what I did yesterday, much less remembering when I started following your wonderful blog. TBH, I suspect you left a comment on my blog which prompted me to check you out and the rest is history. OR since we hang with the same cool kids, I might have seen your comments elsewhere and thought, “Wow, she is really a cool kid. I must read and follow her blog!” Those two options are generally how I’ve “grown” my community, though I don’t always pay attention to whether people I follow, follow me in return. I used to feel that I had to follow someone who was following me, but WP allows a lot of weirdness (i.e., fake blogs) so I stopped doing that. Is this too much information?

    I enjoyed your analysis. So I guess your summer vacation is over?

    Liked by 1 person

  52. I don’t have a clue where I found you, but it’s been a good time that was had by all. 🙂 It is funny how the stats show followers when in reality we could all almost name our followers because we engage with them which is always a good thing. Hope the renovations are all done by now, and you’re enjoying the spending of those $$. Happy August and welcome back!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Judy, you’re one of the bloggers who I remember finding. I found you via Norm back when he did the Thursday Doors. I saw your photos, loved them, so I commented. Like I am wont to do. My analysis of the cool kids was prompted when I was putting together the favorite flavor ice cream tally– and I thought who are these people? So I decided to find out. A nice group all in all, I think.

      Liked by 1 person

    • Danny, I also don’t remember how or when we connected here in blogland. A few bloggers I do remember specifically, but for most bloggers it seems like we just found each other like it was meant to be. I rather like that idea. Thanks for following along here.

      Liked by 1 person

  55. When I jumped back onto WordPress a couple of months ago (just before you took a break), I saw your avatar/name pop up in the comments section of another blog I was reading…and the light bulb went on that back in the day I was reading your posts fairly often. I don’t recall if we followed each other at that time, but I had two blogs (several years ago), sportsattitudes and lifeattitudes. Great detective work here regarding your readers, and welcome back!

    Liked by 1 person

    • walkingoffthechessboard, isn’t it interesting how bloggers meet, drift apart, then stumble over each other again? I’ve had that happen a few times. I don’t remember either of the blog names you mention, but I also don’t remember many things so don’t take it personally. From commenters here I’m learning that many bloggers find others via the comments. I know I do. Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment.

      Liked by 1 person

  58. So lovely to have you back! I think I found you through a mutual blogger friend, may Joanne or Norm or Sue? Regardless, so happy to have found you & connected here on WordPress!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Jan, over the years I’ve found that the comment section of any personal blog is a great way to find bloggy friends. I’d guess that any one of those three [former] bloggers would’ve been our connecting point. Loved them all, miss them.

      Like

  60. Hi Ally and welcome back after your summer sojourn. I surfed by one day and was hooked on the Bean musings from then! Interesting that a huge percentage is within the US but I guess language and time zones restrict those of us in the boondocks of the world.

    Liked by 1 person

  62. When I was moonlighting as a private investigator, an anonymous person hired me to tail you. I followed you around for weeks, getting to know everything about you: the house were you reside, the car you drive, the grocery store you frequent. One evening, while peering in through the blinds, I saw you hunched over a laptop, typing away. Curious, I whipped out my binoculars for a closer look. Lo and behold, I discovered you were a blogger! Those high-powered lenses made it easy to see your URL, so I subscribed the next day.

    The rest, as they say, is history.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Mark, this is GREAT! Would that it were true, I think. I can believe you were a private investigator but considering we have roller shades, and not blinds, on the home study window I know this is a fib. But a gloriously creative one. Kudos

      Liked by 1 person

  64. Hiiiiiii Ally, welcome back! You know, I have no idea how I found you. No idea! But I remember the first time I commented, because it was a question about coffee or tea and I cannot be silent about hot beverages. I cannot and I will not! Seriously, I don’t know, but you’re a gift to the blog world and I am glad you’re back (hope the renos are going well).

    Also, I loved seeing those categories. I have no idea how I fit into any of them, except for being outside the US, but I sure enjoy me some statistics! xoxo

    Liked by 1 person

    • Nicole, like you I don’t remember how we *met* but I’m glad we did. I love your enthusiasm for hot beverages and for statistics. It’s funny, I got thinking about who comments here, so I decided to do my own little study. My way, of course. Why not? To me, it was fun.

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  65. Welcome back! I have a feeling I kind of messed up your results because I am so random – both with how often (or not) I post and the all over the place content. What can I say? That’s my brand! 😉

    At any rate, I have no earthly idea how I landed here – but I’m glad I did! I do know that it had to be through a blog post or comment because I remember clearly looking for you on Twitter/Instagram after I’d been here for a bit.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Gigi, I like your random style. It is authentic and makes me smile. Your brand is solid.

      I have no idea what brought us together either. It’s fascinating to me how people in blogland seem to find each other. Random, yet meant to be. Makes it fun, if’n you ask me.

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  66. Welcome back from break, Ally! Your analysis is interesting. I think I found you because of an “Ally Bean sent me” comment on a blog or blogs that I regularly read.

    Hope you are enjoying your August!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Laurie, I’m charmed and pleased that you felt comfortable to comment on The Spectacled Bean when you were a newbie blogger. That does my heart good. I try to be relevant [?] and inviting here.

      Liked by 1 person

  68. This is such an interesting post. It seems like it must have taken some effort to analyze your followers. I enjoyed reading what you came up with. I think I saw your comments on some other blogs and decided you would be an interesting person to follow.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Nicki, I got curious about who was commenting here so I did this little study. I am a social scientist at heart, I guess. Also doing this while the bathrooms were being remodeled around me gave me a focus away from the dust and noise. Like many commenters you found me through the comments. That seems to be the most popular answer.

      Like

    • Barbara, I bet you’re right about how we found each other in blogland. That’s how I’ve connected with the majority of the bloggers who comment here. As for the research… remember I was stuck at home while the remodeling was going on, so it was something productive to do amid the chaos.

      Liked by 1 person

  71. I found you on Instagram but I don’t recall if that was in my searching or if Instagram suggested you. I’ve checked out many a blog in the last two years but yours is one of the few I stuck with (for the fun!).

    Liked by 1 person

    • Annie, I like knowing Instagram sent you this way, however it happened. I sometimes wonder if there’s any value being on IG– and you’ve demonstrated that there is. Thanks for sticking around.

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  72. Well, it’s August, so the kids are headed back to school, and specktacledbean is back on the scene. YEA! Hope your break/summer was as cool as your blog and commenters. Always a great time here.
    I probably stumbled across you on WP Reader (back when I had more time to sit and read being stuck at home for various reasons). Titles of blogs/blogger names grab my interest – but stayed because you are always making thoughtful – and funny – observations and are analytical (and share with “hey guys look at this…”) Laughed at the social scientist ’cause that is what you is. (better than many of the paid and degreed). Sense of humor combined with that makes an interesting writer.
    Blog readers are a bit like those at a the mall: there are the boomers busily rushing by on a mission, the window shoppers who momentarily are attracted to something and pause before moving on, and those who actually go in (and those can be subdivided into the browsers and those who walk in, look around and decide to buy – becoming a repeat customer). People are the funniest creatures. (hmmm…guess it’s typical I’m doing some sort of comparison…habit)
    Cheered you are back! A bit in a time crunch around here, but attempting to wander established paths and keep up with the cool kids!

    Liked by 1 person

    • philmouse, the public school here starts next Monday. The school buses have been doing their test runs and it would seem that our front yard under the streetlight is NOT going to be a stop this year. Mixed feelings about that, kids are cute, kids are [unintentionally?] destructive to anything planted near the street.

      I understand how you found me and am pleased that the title of this blog, a title I fussed around deciding about months, called to you. You, too, have a wonderful blog title. MOST memorable… and that’d be before a person reads your wonderfully unique posts.

      I like thinking about blogland in the way you described it. This definitely is a mall with many shoppers, a few of whom actually buy something. Most just walk on by, which suits me. I’ve never tried to own a niche or be everything to everyone. I’m just me, a social scientist wannabe with a sense of humor and the desire to write.

      Great to see you here. Comment when you can. You’ll always be one of the cool kids, don’t ‘ya know!

      Like

    • Julia, I asked this question because I realized I didn’t know how I’d come to *meet* most of the commenters on this blog. I wondered if I was the only one with no recollections of how we connected OR if that was normal. I’ve learned it is most certainly normal! Thanks for stopping by to comment.

      Liked by 1 person

  74. That’s some serious number crunching! Way, way, WAY beyond my own powers (“I’m not worthy! I’m not worthy!”). I remember precisely how I discovered your blog: you commented with a very witty remark on Kate’s Mews and Views blog, and I duly began following you. Welcome back! – Marty

    Liked by 1 person

    • Marty, once upon a time I worked in marketing research wherein I learned the value of statistical analysis. That’s my excuse for doing this study– plus I was stuck at home during the bathroom renovations so the number crunching occupied my time, distracting me from the chaos around me.

      I love that you found The Spectacled Bean via Kate. I know I’ve found a few people through her comment section, too. And isn’t that cool beans!

      Liked by 1 person

  75. Welcome back! I honestly cannot remember how I found you. Just this morning the husband told he what he had planned for the day. A few moments later I asked, “So what are you getting up to today?” So you can see it’s nothing personal – my problem is deep, pervasive, and widespread.

    Liked by 1 person

    • The Travel Architect, more commenters than not have no idea how they ended up here. I can’t tell you how I found most of the blogs I follow either. It’s a rarity if someone, myself included, remembers the specifics. And thus is the random charm of the blogosphere, me thinketh.

      Liked by 1 person

  76. I found you through an insightful comment you left on another blog. Now which blog that was, I have no idea…
    And also: what fun statistics. I live in Canada, so am one of those smallish percentage from outside the US.

    Liked by 2 people

    • Elizabeth, most commenters seem to have found me, and I them, via the comment section on a blog. That’s where the action is. I did the stats out of curiosity and will admit that I like what I discovered. I knew you were in Canada, many of my commenters are. I like Canada so I’m jazzed about that.

      [Also, I have no idea why your comments get held in moderation. It’s nothing personal, just a glitch in the system.]

      Liked by 1 person

  78. Ally,
    I’m not sure how I found you. Did you find me first? I’m just glad we found each other. Welcome back, by the way! Also, interesting stats. If I had any sense of math, I’d ask you how you came up with that. Okay, I have enough math sense to at least ask and reach for that understanding. How’d you come up with your stats? Mona

    Liked by 1 person

    • Mona, I think I found you first, but I don’t know how I did. Don’t take that personally, I don’t remember the deets about meeting most bloggers.

      As for the stats, I have a Feedly account wherein I follow bloggers who consistently comment here. Feedly keeps track of how often a blogger posts something to their blog so that’s where I got the info for the first point.

      As for knowing who writes from prompts, that is from my memory. What people primarily write about is how I think of them when I think of their blog. A bit subjective? Yes, but there you go. As for the country you live in, that info is on my WP insights page.

      Pretty much this analysis was making lists, adding up numbers, then figuring what percentage of the whole [110 blogs] each of those numbers represented.

      Liked by 1 person

  79. “The Universe.” That’s how we bloggers who comment on each other’s blogs, who become friends even if we never meet in person, who read each other’s stories and laugh/cry/alloftheabove. The Universe set us up, leading us to start a blog (why?why?why? no answer – the Universe just pushed us to a place we didn’t know we’d LOVE); to light a match on Word Press and see the writing flames erupt as we began to visit each other; to learn SO MUCH about different subjects, yes, but mostly about the amazing wonderful like-minded (even if totally different from us) souls out here in the …. UNIVERSE.

    Liked by 1 person

    • nance, I like your take on this question. I’ve no idea how we connected, but it might be through J? I asked this question because I felt kind of bad that I couldn’t determine how I knew who I knew, but now I feel like that’s the norm.

      Like

  82. Great blog here. Well I won’t answer all the questions but let me tackle the first one: Who are people? Well I like appreciative and confident people even in real world besides here on WordPress where we follow, like and comment on other blogger’s posts👏😊

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  83. Welcome back Ally – hope you accomplished everything you wanted while you took a time out. That was an interesting analysis you have done here. I think I learned about your blog from Anne Mehrling. I told her I had a few blogs I was following that I found a little dark, or sometimes political, or posting too often … I’m behind as it is without daily postings. Anne gave me some blogs to follow, one was yours and here we are.

    Like

    • Linda, I love knowing that it was Anne who brought us together. She is the epitome of upbeat so she was/is a good source for finding bloggers inclined to be positive, at least most of the time. Hope July was a good one for you. I did nothing related to blogging and it was the break I needed to feel centered again and ready to write.

      Liked by 1 person

      • Yes, Anne pointed me in the direction of Laurie (Meditations in Motion); Kate (Views & Mews by Coffee Kat) and Ron (a retired motorcycle cop – not sure of his blog name) plus you. I found a couple of new bloggers to follow, Jen (Bosssy Babe) and Zazzy (Zazamataz) after you listed all our blog sites by length of blogging on WP and invited us to try a few … so I did. I did a lot of walking in July, despite the heat, as I wanted to bulk up the miles. I am definitely ready for Fall. You are refreshed in a different way despite the heat.

        Liked by 1 person

  84. First of all, good to have you back! Secondly, I’m very impressed that you’ve figured out how to analyze your regular followers and those who comment. (Like you, I have thousands of supposed followers, but a much smaller number of those how “like” and “comment” regularly.) I have no idea how I found your blog, I only know that I love it!

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    • Ann, it’s good to be back, but I needed a break from blogland. I did this analysis when I got curious. I had to be at home while the bathroom remodeling was going on so I took the opportunity to indulge the social scientist in me. Somehow knowing these stats makes me feel like I can go on here. And yes like you, I don’t know how we *met* either but am delighted that we did.

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  85. Welcome Back Ally McBean! Hope you had a good break! Linda Schaub above of Walking, Writing, Wit and Whimsy, pointed me towards your blog, as one I might enjoy reading, and I’m glad she did. You have an analytical mind – excellent summary of the “cool kids”

    Like

    • Joni, I had a good time not being here, but I am happy to be back, too. Balance is important I guess. Interesting how you found me via Linda. That makes sense and makes me happy. She has it going on over there. As for my analytical mind, yes I do have one. I like stats and pie charts and anything with horizontal & vertical axes! Such a nerd, I am.

      Liked by 1 person

  86. Welcome back! I hope your blogging break was all that you hoped it would be. I’m torn, I think you commented on my blog first, but it could’ve been that I saw your comment on someone else’s blog and commented here and you reciprocated. Regardless, I’m glad our paths crossed here in the blogosphere. Happy blogging to you!

    Like

    • Hi Michelle! It’s kismet that you found this post, I’d say. Blogging takes us in some wonderfully different directions. Thanks for jumping in with a comment.

      Like

  88. That’s a lot of analysis that I didn’t know was possible! Fun post though 🙂 As to how I found your blog – I think it was just randomly via the Android WP app in the reader section. I was looking for new things to read, and I followed a bunch (including yours, which I hope is the obvious conclusion). I still browse around and follow more here and there.

    Liked by 1 person

      • I find it is better at discovery on the mobile apps than it is in a desktop web browser, FYI. I think they’ve made some changes to it recently, but mostly you’re limited to searching one topic; whereas on the app, you can plug in multiple topics / tags and you can get a host of different posts.

        Liked by 1 person

  89. Gah! When I am late to the party, I have to go for MILES to find the comment box…
    That said! Hope you enjoyed your down time and welcome back!
    Love your analysis – most interesting, for shizzle.
    How did I find you? Good question. I have no answer. Probably from someone we both follow. Or many a challenge we both participated in? I know it’s been years and then, for a reason I cannot fathom (probably WP Gremlins) you were no longer in my inbox! The NERVE.
    Glad you’re back though 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

    • Dale, I am forever amazed and grateful for all the comments, but I know it takes some effort to get to the comment box. Thanks for hanging in there.

      I, too, have no idea how we found each other in blogland. I can’t answer that question for most of the bloggers I follow. I know that WP sometimes unfollows people for reasons unknown to me. Gremlins indeed.

      Liked by 1 person

      • Absolutely. As am I (for mine, of course!) Of cousre I hang in there, what’s a little finger cramp as you scroll 😉

        It’s a wonderful world, this Blogosphere! I did have to change my email address at one point and that did bugger up things so I’ll be generous and not wholly blame the gremlins!

        Liked by 1 person

  90. That’s so interesting you analyzed your audience, I always wonder how many of my followers (the numbers) are actually readers, too! I have a few automatic “likers” on my blog (they’re always first and they never miss one) but they never say anything… and I don’t fault them for it, I actually appreciate their consistency lol I just wish I had the chance to get to know them by how they relate to my posts…

    I honestly don’t remember how we came to know each other but it must have been through mutual blogger friends and also you do have quite the footprint on the sphere so it wouldn’t be too crazy that I had crossed paths with you in the comments section of someone else’s post 🙂

    Welcome back, Ally! 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    • Jen, I have a few “likers”, too. I wonder the same things as you: how can they be so consistent? what draws them here to begin with? Doubt I’ll ever know, which is okay. I like the mystery of it.

      I’ve no idea how we *met* either, but it well could be via a comment section somewhere. I asked this question because I felt kind of bad that I couldn’t remember how I knew other bloggers, but it turns out almost all of us have no idea how we found each other. Feeling less bad now! 😁

      Liked by 1 person

  91. It has been far too long, so I don’t remember how we ‘met’. I used to be a ‘post every day’ person, but I have turned into a ‘uh, it’s been a month, I’d better do this’ kind of person. As I was laying in bed this morning, I realized that when I started my blog, I was in my 30s…albeit 39 a few weeks before my 40th birthday. Anyway, nice to see you here, I’m trying to be better about posting and also reading at least a few blogs regularly. I hope your construction woes are over and you are enjoying your new bathroom!

    Liked by 1 person

    • J., I think I *met* you via your mother’s blog. At least that’s what my addled brain tells me. Blogging has changed so much since we started in the days before FB or Twitter or IG. I couldn’t post daily anymore either. Now I can manage once a week [most weeks] so I go with that because my blog, my rules.

      The bathrooms are finished and we love them. It was a long haul, but worth it to have all the plumbing working again. And it looks pretty too!

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  93. If my memory still worked I would answer your questions, but that train left the station a long time ago. When we first started blogging we did it daily. Then it became two or three times a week. Now it’s once or twice a week. My goal is to always post more than our lowest post year of 2012 when there were only 67. Yikes! We are inspired by beauty and gardening, love and family, and sometimes the news. I don’t remember how we found each other, Ally Bean, but I am grateful that we did. You always post the most interesting and thought-provoking things. Thank you for that. Take care there.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Robin, I’m laughing with you. My memory is a dodgy at this point, too. I get it. I used to be a daily blogger, but, like you, over the years my goal has changed to hoping for one post per week. If I do two posts, I’m giddy.

      Thanks for taking the time to stop by and read + comment here. I enjoy your blog so am happy that we *met* here in the blogosphere.

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  94. Welcome back! I hope the time off was refreshing and productive!

    Very cool stats of your readers! And I enjoyed getting a little peek into the blogging world. I’ve never blogged so this was all very interesting.

    I came to your site not too long ago — and like most of your readers, I followed you through here from the comments section of another blog. Suz (at busybeesuz) or Nicole (at girlinaboyhouse), I can’t remember which. Maybe I saw you at both and liked what you wrote — so I followed you here. I’ve loved every post you’ve written since so I’m happy I did!

    Liked by 1 person

    • M, thanks for your kind words. Compiling the stats was a whim but one that has given me some insight into who is here. Fun to know.

      It’s fascinating to learn about how any of us connected in blogland. Many commenters have mentioned that they found this blog from comments I wrote somewhere else. I know I’ve found many bloggers that way, too.

      Thanks for joining in here. The more the merrier, eh?

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  95. I believe you were featured as a site by WP. Back when they used to do that sort of thing. Or maybe it was some other blogging award. At any rate, I fell in love with your twaddle and whatever it is you do, and haven’t looked back!

    Liked by 1 person

  96. I first noticed your icon, which reminds me of a tennis ball – I love tennis. That little yellow ball seemed to pop up on all my favorite blogs, so I read a few of your comments, which I thought were thoughtful, funny, appropriate to the post, etc., and that lead me to your blog. Honestly, that is how I find most of the blogs that remain on my reading list. People who take time to comment, beyond ‘nice post,’ usually get my attention.

    Liked by 3 people

    • Suzanne, this is so sweet of you to say. I try to leave thoughtful comments so I feel seen. I know that many of the bloggers who I follow I found in the same way– they commented somewhere and I was intrigued. Blogging is fun and always a weird kind of adventure. Thanks for joining in here.

      Liked by 1 person

  97. Hi and welcome back
    I am not sure how we met but I don think I saw your blog handle when you left a comment on another blog
    And side note – lately I have set me blogging to twice a week and this binding has been quite nice!

    Liked by 1 person

  99. Geez, Ally, I have no idea how I found you. It may have been through another blogger or by scrolling through social media. Don’t know I can only say that I’m glad I did, even though I don’t catch your every post. I love your writing and the fact that you are the coolest kid in class.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Mary, I don’t know how I connected with you either. Some bloggers just float into my life at the right time in the right way, like you. I don’t read everything that everyone writes, I read what I can when I can, and figure that’s how other people do things, too. Seeing how we’re all cool kids here I’m sure that’s good enough.

      Liked by 1 person

  100. Hi. Welcome back. You did a good analysis. I think that a hefty percent of people on WP have little or no interest in engaging with other WP people. I wonder why they are on WP at all. But those folks, such as you, who take the time to engage develop a nice community of virtual friends. A bunch of pen pals, if you will. That’s a real nice thing.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Neil, I often wonder why some people write blogs if they have no interest in talking with other people. What’s the point? Yours is an interesting observation that some people don’t want to engage with other people. Their loss. I’m curious about how other people live their lives so I have to read and comment. HAVE TO, I tell you.

      Liked by 1 person

    • jgarrison75, thanks for stopping by and commenting. Shining the light on who follows me here seemed like a good way to see who I am! We are known, as they say, by the company we keep.

      Like

  102. When I saw your comment this weekend, I was all, OH, ALLY IS BACK! Yay.
    I hope you had a nice break.
    How in the world did you get those stats? Are you an analyst on the side?

    It’s been so long that I could not tell you how we ran into each other, but I’m glad we did.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Suz, once upon a time I worked in marketing research and I learned a bit about how to analyze situations so that’s how I know how to compile stats.

      I, too, have no idea how we *met* but am glad we did. Meant to be, eh?

      Liked by 1 person

  103. Welcome back Ally. I didn’t think I remembered then it all came back to me, I’m pretty sure I commented on one of your
    posts about people not replying to comments you’d left on blogs.

    I was just starting out blogging and trying to make connections and I was finding it thorny and disheartening so your post really resonated.

    You make me laugh and think in equal measure so I keep coming back for more!

    I’m also more than a little in awe of your dedication to your blog. You get so many comments yet you reply to them all and consistently make thoughtful comments on other blogs, this kind of attainment seems mythical to me given that I struggle to even find the time to write a blog some weeks, you’re like a blog fairy!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Rae Cod, oh you have me laughing out loud. I’m a blog fairy? That’s a compliment like none other. Thank you.

      I know I occasionally go down the rabbit hole about comments and how to do them THE RIGHT WAY. People who don’t reply to them [at least eventually] baffle me. It’d be like getting a birthday present and never saying “thank you.” But I’ve come to learn that some bloggers don’t think my way. Oh well.

      And I admit that I occasionally miss someone’s comment on The Spectacled Bean, so I do give everyone the benefit of the doubt… at least the first few times it happens.

      I’m glad we *met* along the way. It’s always fun to learn about how someone else lives her life, writes her blog. I’m curious, that way.

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  104. Interesting analysis! I’m relatively new to your blog and I’m confident it was via someone’s link-up…. but no idea whose. I read your blog a few times (via that link-up) and finally succumbed to a follow as I like your tone of voice. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    • Pat, thanks for the compliment and for following The Spectacled Bean. Most of the blogger I follow I found from their comments on other blogs. I’m fascinated by how we *met* in blogland. It seems unlikely, yet…

      Liked by 1 person

  105. Okay, I was a cool kid for a moment, especially during your survey of when people started blogging then took a break and came back with a new name The Art of M but the same address (a prolific potpourri). I’m going to guess that I found you in the comments of another person’s blog, I liked what you had to say and I decided to check your blog out and found myself here. So, going forward I am hoping to be an even cooler kid 😁

    Liked by 1 person

  106. When I started blogging I liked to try to analyze things, but now I like the element of surprise as it’s less stressful haha. I think I found you when you commented on someone else’s blog and I thought you sounded interesting . . . .

    Liked by 1 person

  108. Welcome back, Ally! I love this analysis and it feels good to be recognized as one of the cool kids. I don’t recall precisely when I found your blog, but I would say it was either in a link-up or a comment you left on another blog I was following. I’m sure glad I did!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Christie, it’s fascinating how many of us have NO idea how we found each other in blogland, yet it seems like we were meant to do so. I’m glad we connected, too.

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  110. Late to this party, but I found you through Kate at Oh Katie Joy She has you on her blog roll, and hers is a short list. She is a wonderful curator of all kinds of things. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

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