Because I Please, I’m Answering Maggie’s Blogging Survey Questions

/ Ally Bean

Yesterday Maggie asked the following 11 questions on her blog, FROM CAVE WALLS. With her permission I’m answering them below. You may go HERE to read her post in which she explains her reason for asking these simple questions. If you so choose, you may answer them there or on your own blog. 

Image added because this makes my weird little heart happy. See my answer to Question #10 below.

1. How many times per week do you post? Do you post multiple times a day? If so, how many?

• I post about once a week, occasionally twice a week, sometimes not at all.

2. How many blogs do you follow? 

• I actively follow about 80 blogs but I’m aware of maybe 40 more.

3. Do you read all the blogs you follow every day? If not, how often do you read other blogs?

• I don’t read blogs every day. I don’t read everything that everyone writes on their blogs. I try to read at least one post per week by any one blogger who I actively follow, sometimes two posts per week if I have the time.

4. Do you seek out new blogs to follow?  If so, how do you find them?

• I seek out new blogs to follow. I do this by reading the comment sections on other people’s blogs, often finding new-to-me bloggers that way. I also check out most new-to-me commenters on who leave comments on my blog posts.

5. Do you comment on the blogs you read? If not, why? Do you respond to all the comments left on your blog?

• I comment on the blogs I read because that’s what personal blogging is about, a chance to connect with people. I respond to all comments left on my blog, never cherry-picking a few comments, ignoring the rest.

6. Do you ever close comments on a blog you post? If so, why?

• I always close the comment section on each blog post after 21 days, sometimes before. I do this because spammers swoop in if I keep things open any longer.

7. Do you ever unfollow someone? If so, why?

• I unfollow people who start out friendly + interesting but over time become pedantic, or whiny, or snobby. People change, not always in ways that I find appealing.

8. What content inspires you to follow a blogger?

• I don’t focus on any specific content per se, I follow a blogger because they’re articulate, sincere, and clever. It’s all about their vibe. What they write about is of less interest to me than how they write about it.

9. What content turns you off from following someone?

• I won’t follow someone who has a sloppy writing style regardless of my interest in their content or someone who comes off as condescending or someone who has a snarly point of view about everything. Or as I think of it: no slobs, no snobs, no blobs.

10. How important is it to you that you add a photo to every post?

• It is important to me that I add a photo or image to each post BUT if I don’t have one that works with my topic that doesn’t stop me from posting.

11. Leave me a link for one blogger (other than yourself) that you think I should check out.

• A group of bloggers, many of whom regularly comment here, have just this month started a new blog called The Heart of the Matter. Check it out!

THINKING ABOUT YOUR ANSWERS TO THESE QUESTIONS WOULD YOU, MY LITTLE BLOGGING SCRIBES, ANSWER THEM THE SAME, IN A SIMILAR WAY, OR DIFFERENTLY THAN HOW I DID?

186 thoughts on “Because I Please, I’m Answering Maggie’s Blogging Survey Questions”

  1. Am I the first cool kid to comment today? Woooooot! I think you and I are pretty much on the same page when it comes to blogging, following, commenting. I will, however, answers these questions on my blog because, yanno… I’ve NOT posted in 2023 yet. My mojo is — Yo! Mojo! Where you at?

    I shall check out the link to the blog you have gifted us with 🙂

    Happy Friday Ally Bean!

    Liked by 3 people

  2. Dale, you are the FIRST COOL KID to comment and I thank you for that. Maggie’s questions are good ones that will make for a great first blog post of the year for you. I’m not surprised that we think alike about blogging, we’ve both been at it for years and have a similar inclination to make blogging fun. Dagnabbit.

    Liked by 4 people

    • So, funny thing. I was thinking, man, Ally always responds to comments. How could she have dissed me? The first cool kid, to boot. I came back here to find your response (it was just not in line with my comment so it was just hanging out there unattached). I hate when I do that.
      So, yes. I think we are definitely in cahoots. And now, as soon as I find a cool pic 😉 I shall press Publish!

      Liked by 3 people

      • Now that you mention it I’m not always getting notifications from WP that someone has replied to a comment I left on their blog. I don’t know what’s up with that, but don’t have the time or inclination to find out why that lovely feature has gone wonky. Maybe this platform should be renamed WonkyPress?

        Liked by 4 people

        • WonkyPress it is. And I don’t know how we manage to answer out of synch but there ya go. Sometimes we just do a backspace and that takes us out of the direct response to a comment and into a “new” comment – and that makes it impossible to get the notification unless you want to get ALL the notifications from all the commentors – which I used to do because I didn’t know better. And let’s face it, I don’t want to get the notifications of the 158 comments you get 😉 I have trouble enough keeping up with my own!

          Liked by 2 people

      • Paula, I used to leave my comments open for months, but I got tired of the spam PLUS I got tired of talking about things I’d written way back when. Keep it current here, that’s my goal.

        I wondered what word you were using, so thanks for the clarification. I agree, we can always complain about spellcheck, the little weasel.

        Liked by 2 people

  4. I agree with what you have said except I don’t fault someone if they don’t have fantastic ‘writer skills’ but have good points to make. I learned something when reading about the 21 days for comments. Is that something you do manually for each post or in settings? I do not follow anyone who is totally focused on politics nor anyone who posts every day. I choose to not have to time for that much blog post reading. I enjoy checking out new blogs, but this week I looked into one because of a comment and the words used got old even in one post. I’ve been know to let swear words rip, but repeated time and again in one post became offensive and the writing was in third person which gets old. Have a good Friday!

    Liked by 4 people

    • Judy, you’re a kinder person than I about sloppy writing. It’s not a hill I’ll die on, but I do judge and choose to walk away. I’ve only got so much time to read blog posts and I want them to make sense to me.

      As for closing comments, I do that behind the scenes in WP. Look for something called “Discussion Settings” and there you’ll find a way to “Automatically close comments on posts older than ___ days”. It’s ezpz once you find that page hidden in the bowels of WP.

      Liked by 3 people

  5. This is great and gives me a lot to think about! I’ve been working harder on being a cool kid leaving comments, and blogging more consistently. It’s nice to know that closing comments after 21 days is perfectly acceptable.

    Liked by 4 people

    • Michelle, thanks for joining in here in the comments. I like Maggie’s questions– and Maggie for that matter. I used to leave my comments open for months, but so. much. spam. What I’ve found is that if someone reads something I wrote way back when, they’ll comment about it on a current post knowing I’ll get it. And usually I do.

      Liked by 1 person

  6. I’m absolutely with you on number five. If I read a blog post, I comment on it. Only once in a great while can I find nothing to say. It takes more time, but I think it’s more respectful of the blogger as well as a good way to build a relationship which is part of the fun of blogging. I never really thought about closing comments to prevent spam, but that’s a good idea. I just have so many years of posts now that it would be quite a production.

    Good questions and I enjoyed reading your answers.

    Liked by 4 people

    • Janet, I almost always can find something to say after I read a blog post, even if it’s just saying “hi!” I don’t read everything anyone writes. If I did all I’d do is blog every hour of every day.

      I don’t know when I started closing comments, but once I did wham, bam, much less spam. I know that in WP you can tell the system to close the comments everywhere on your blog after so many days. That’s how I did/do it.

      Liked by 1 person

  7. Okay – this is not fair! You’ve given me too much to respond to — and I have thoughts about ALL of it…most especially this – about who you follow or don’t (#9): “no slobs, no snobs, no blobs”. You’ve got me howling over here! LOL! And then #10 about images…I loved what you shared but loved your captioned thought more…about your ‘weird little heart’. I get you, friend! I believe we’ve shared a bit about design conundrums and visuals…home design, inspiration. We can’t help ourselves. Thank you for the Friday smiles — plus the generous shout out of our new little blog in #11. Hugs and smiles to you, Ally Bean! 🥰

    Liked by 4 people

    • Victoria, Maggie’s questions got me thinking about how I do things here and wondering if anyone else did things the same/similar/different way. I’m forever curious about people.

      My #9 saying is one that came to me years ago when I was muttering to myself about someone long forgotten. I said it, then realized the idea had merit + was easy to remember. So I stand by it.

      Yes, yes, about design. I know we’ve talked about it before. I’m of the MAKE IT PRETTY school of blogging, must keep my weird little heart happy so I do.

      Liked by 2 people

      • Thanks, Ally Bean! I just “met” Maggie — thank you so much for making the introduction…also one of your superpowers, I’d say.
        Your post this morning made me smile…especially your thought about #9 — easy to remember AND has merit? Yeppers…stick with it…but don’t forget to keep sharing these yummy tidbits when you can. Good stuff! 🥰

        Liked by 3 people

  8. Ha! I love your blog title! Thank you for taking the time to read and comment. Blogging is a personal journey and the connections made are the cherry on top. (John Holton recommended your blog and I concur!)

    I, too, close my comments after a period and it has stopped spam almost completely.

    Thank you for the recommendation. I will definitely check out their new blog. Have a great weekend, Ally.

    Liked by 4 people

    • Maggie, thanks! I wanted to use your words/idea in my title + I tend toward wackiness, you know. John knows everyone who blogs. I’m glad he sent you this way. I’ll make sure to thank him.

      Yep, once I started closing my comments the spammers lost interest in me. Well, most spammers. The new blog is destined to be a good one. All the people involved are interesting.

      Liked by 2 people

  9. I would answer the questions the same way as you did for almost all of the questions except I don’t close my comments. I just don’t have a problem with spammers hitting them. I moderate all my comments so that might explain the difference. I also haven’t unfollowed very many bloggers….just the ones who haven’t been active in a very long time.

    Liked by 3 people

    • Jean, I imagine you’re right that because you moderate all your comments you get fewer [no?] spammers. I fear that if I tried to moderate all the comments I get I’d go bonkers so I let them show up without my approval. I’ve unfollowed a few bloggers along the way, but most people who’ve captured my attention seem to be of sound mind. Which is good.

      Liked by 1 person

  10. #10 is important to me because that’s my hobby and sharing the images I make is why I blog.

    I love that quote you added at the top of your post. I’m going to write it down.

    Thanks for the new blog recommendation, I’ll check it out! Happy Friday, Ally!

    Liked by 4 people

    • Deborah, good point about you and #10. If you were only into words, it wouldn’t matter but because your focus is elsewhere you have to take care to make your images take center stage.

      I like the quote, too. Happy Weekend, eh?

      Liked by 2 people

      • We’ve got another storm on the way starting today and going through most the week-end so, I guess it’s a good time to get my 2022 files sorted and ready for the tax guy and get 2023 into the file box instead of continuing the stack on the floor. I’ve been procrastinating. Drudgery! 😂

        Then again, I have a photo idea involving a pear…maybe that instead of paper sorting? 😉

        Liked by 3 people

  11. I am not a blogger but I read blogs every day and often comment. It is one of my retirement hobbies. I find blogs through blog lists on the blogs I like to visit. I forget how I found your blog but I am glad I did. Thanks, Ally.

    Liked by 4 people

    • Ellen, I know that you are one of my regular commenters and I appreciate that. Not a bad retirement hobby, reading personal blogs for fun. I’m glad you found me here, too. The more the merrier when it comes to bloggy friends.

      Liked by 1 person

  12. I think my answers are similar to yours. I blog when I have time and something to say (hopefully that makes people chuckle a little). Some of the blogs I follow are written by folks who did not have English as their first language, though, and I try not to be snobby about grammar or diction.

    Liked by 4 people

  13. I concur with most of your answers, Ally.

    I don’t close comments on posts because the SPAM filter catches most of the inanity (and insanity) without any effort on my part to curate their “concerns.”

    I don’t care for multi-person blogs because the “connection” and “rapport” doesn’t arise as it does when a single blogger (who is not a snob, blob, or slob) posts about matters of interest to them ~ the ups, downs, ins, outs, the inanities and the insanities. In short, with multiple “story lines” to follow, I quickly lose the ephemeral thread which causes me to lose interest.

    Liked by 4 people

    • Nancy, my spam filter catches a lot of spam but not all of it, especially spam that attaches to images. Once I decided to have a definite comment closing policy I got less spam overall. Plus I don’t want to be talking about something I wrote years ago, even if I can remember what I said. 🙄

      Interesting take on group blogs. I get your meaning about multiple story lines. I’ve only followed one group blog before this and it was fun BUT it fell apart after a year or so. However if anyone can pull it off & make it longterm it’s going to be this group of bloggers.

      Liked by 1 person

  15. My answers would mostly be similar to yours. I post daily, but mine is a photoblog (mostly) and I follow a lot of other photographers or travel bloggers. I like your idea of closing comments after 21 days.

    I’ll check the link you suggested. Cheers. 🙂

    Liked by 4 people

    • Lynette, if I was doing a photography blog I’d post daily too. It’d seem more fun and flowing that way. Being a wordy girl however, I’m lucky to write one post a week. I write slowly and deliberately.

      Yes closing your comments after a length of time reduces spam. I don’t like spam so I do that.

      Liked by 2 people

  17. I’m relived to not be considered a snob, slob, or blob. I enjoy that clever little rhyme.

    I’m not on wordpress, so not sure if automatically closing comments is an option for me. It’s smart though. I’m in awe of the number of blogs you follow, but not surprised. I’d like to follow more blogs, but I think I’d struggle to find the time. I repsond to comments and I enjoy discovering new blogs. I post twice a week. I’m delighted to have found your blog and I appreciate it when you visit mine.

    Liked by 4 people

    • Ernie, I don’t know how to close comments anywhere but on WP, feeling fortunate I even know how to do that here.

      I use Feedly to follow a lot of blogs BUT you have to realize that some people post 3 times per year, so it’s not quite as much work as it sounds. Plus I’ve lumped together in one folder people who post daily or more often so I can easily glance in it, comment on one of their posts per week as is my policy, and move along. I have my ways of keeping up with people.

      I’m glad we connected in the blogosphere too. I like your vibe and sense of humor. You do make me smile. Thank you.

      Liked by 1 person

  18. Well, first, I think Maggie is brilliant for asking these questions. She asks things I’ve wondered about, such as how to keep up with reading everyone’s content, (and things that had never crossed my mind, such as closing comments later) – but it never crossed my mind to just ASK. 😀 So, mostly I was reading your responses with rapt interest. But I will chime in on the reason for following people. I find a variety of bloggers interesting, but don’t have a lot of patience for sloppiness either. I could go on and on about that. With all of that said, a huge thank you to Maggie for asking the questions and to you for answering them.

    Liked by 3 people

    • Kendra, I agree that Maggie’s questions are good ones that help you think about how you’re doing things. I read the questions yesterday but wanted to sleep on my answers before I hit publish.

      I understand where you’re coming from about sloppy writing. I would never blurt out to someone that their writing style was off-putting but I will not follow them because of it. With all the blogs in the world I only have time for ones that resonate with me– and writing style influences what resonates.

      Liked by 2 people

  20. I follow bloggers whose vibe feels authentic. And I aim to be respectful of my readers.

    So true: “I respond to all comments left on my blog, never cherry-picking a few comments, ignoring the rest.” (Amen to that!)

    No time to seek out new bloggers right now. Gotta get that book published! 😀

    Liked by 3 people

    • Marian, I agree that if there’s an authentic vibe to a blog then I’m drawn to it. I am curious by nature so I can be interested in many topics, at least for a while.

      Yes, get that book published. That’s the thing about blogland it’s always here for you when you’re are ready for it.

      Liked by 2 people

  21. Thanks for the link to the new group blog–good reads, there. As for closing comments after 21 days, I’m going to offer this: I also dislike spam, but I don’t get much. (I have the Akismet Anti-Spam plug-in, and that does the trick for most spam. I also require approval for comments from any new commenter, which means I trash the spam before it shows on the blog.) Just last month, I received a comment on a post I’d written over a year ago. The post was about a person who’d died, and the comment was from someone who’d also known that person, lost touch, tried to find him, and found only his one-line obituary. His comment was about how much he appreciated the post, which gave him some closure. Every once in a while, I get such a comment on something I wrote a long while back. I guess I’m willing to put up with a little spam to get a comment like that. It really made my day, and reminded me of why I blog.

    Liked by 3 people

    • Rita, I handle my comments the same was as you: I have Akismet and I initially moderate all comments when a person shows up here. For me putting a time limit on commenting is a way to keep my sanity by making sure this blog stays in the moment and I don’t get dragged back to something I barely remember writing.

      Speaking to your heartwarming experience with a commenter and your point, I’ve found that even with the comment section closed on old posts people will still leave me a comment about the topic on a current post. They’ll just mention what they want to talk about, then say their piece. 🤷‍♀️

      Liked by 1 person

  22. My answers would be very similar to yours. “no slobs, no snobs, no blobs.”

    I’d add that anyone who includes politics in their writing, I have zero interest in what they have to say. I love blogging for its ‘lightness’ and its ‘depth’ about subjects, but never about politics.

    I’m going to check out the new Heart blog link you shared. Have a great day!

    Liked by 4 people

    • Suz, I don’t follow any blatantly political [or deeply religious] blogs either. I’m sure they must be out there, but in our corner of the blogosphere people are as you say “light.” And that works for me.

      Liked by 2 people

  23. I learned something new here, Ally – to close comments after several weeks. I go into my spam folder and delete them regularly, but it never occurred to me they may show up in older posts. Thanks for the advice!

    Liked by 4 people

    • Dave, yep, I figure any way I can find to reduce spam is a good thing to do. Spam can also attach to your photos. I don’t know how but I know that certain images used to draw in hundreds of pieces of spam. I deleted the image and the spam went away. Later I put a copy of the image back onto the post and never had any trouble again.

      Liked by 1 person

  24. My answers to those questions would be very similar to yours. A few exceptions: I don’t follow anywhere near the number of blogs that you follow, and I don’t actively look for new blogs to follow. I’m indulging the reclusive side of my introverted self. Perhaps not entirely healthy, but it’s what I need to do right now.

    Liked by 4 people

    • Gigi, I don’t know how I came to realize that by closing my comments I’d make my life easier. Beyond the spam angle, it keeps the blog conversations current instead of dragging on for months… years…

      Liked by 1 person

  26. I blog daily..or at least try to.. except Sundays. I don’t close my comment section. I Follow about 1blogs so I can keep updated and I do read every day but I don’t always comment. I find new blogs mainly by writing topics I am interested in, in the Discover Bar. I have stopped Following Bloggers..mainly those who are crude or refuse to stop talking about & bashing our Ex-President. We need to let it go, already!

    Liked by 4 people

  27. Why is it so fun to read about other bloggers’ blogging habits?! Probably that doesn’t matter as much that it IS fun, and I enjoyed reading this.

    Probably the biggest difference between your style and mine lies in the comments. Sometimes I cannot think of a good response to a post or it feels insincere, so I don’t leave a comment. And sometimes I am so embarrassed by what I posted I have a hard time going back to read the comments. There have been a few times when I’ve responded to only a few comments on a post, but usually that’s because — as with the above — I feel like I have a real response rather than something that feels forced.

    I really admire you and a lot of other bloggers who are able to respond, with sincerity, to every post and/or comment. I am striving to be better about that in my own commenting life.

    Liked by 4 people

    • Suzanne, I know what you mean about reading about how other people blog. It is endlessly fascinating.

      I understand your reluctance to comment more. I was like that early on. I was bad at writing comments, they always felt dippy to me. BUT somewhere along the way, during the lockdown days of the pandemic, I found my commenting groove. I hope what I write doesn’t sound forced, but if it does I just figure whoever reads it will have to believe my intentions were pure.

      Also people like to be noticed, and in some ways it doesn’t matter what you say in a comment, only that you noticed someone.

      Liked by 2 people

  28. Oooh I love all this and Ally, I wanted to tell you that YOU are the person who inspired me to reply to all of my comments. Before I met you, I didn’t really do this unless someone asked a specific question in the comments. At that time, I thought it was enough that I “answer” by commenting on the questioner’s blog. But I realized that it builds so much more community by answering comments ON MY OWN BLOG. So, thank you. You inspire!

    I don’t follow eighty blogs but I often feel the pressure to read every post each blogger I follow writes, and to comment on them. Honestly, at this point it’s getting to be too much to do that, and so I am trying to check in only a couple times a week, for the people who post basically every day. Personally, I write once a week – sometimes twice – and I often feel it’s hard to keep up with daily posters. I think I will take a page from your book and just do a looky-loo every few days.

    I also really dislike constant negativity (key word is constant!) or whining, and sloppy writing styles. I don’t often unfollow but when I do I feel like it’s for a good reason.

    I like blogs in which the writer feels like someone I could be friends with. I know that in reality, this wouldn’t always be the case, but I like to THINK that we could all be friends!

    Going to go check out the blog you recommend! Thanks, Ally, you’re fabulous.

    Liked by 4 people

    • Nicole, I’m flattered that I inspired you to attend to the comments on your own blog. You said it: “…it builds so much more community by answering comments” left for you on your blog. I’m pleased that you decided to do this because blogging community is everything.

      I know I cannot read everything everyone writes, so I’ve come to feel that it’s okay to read less from everyone and to do so in my own time. I want to be supportive, but I also have [shockingly] a life beyond the blogosphere. Live first, blog later.

      Yep, yep, about the negativity and whining. I’m not a Pollyanna but on the other hand enough already. I get that some people love their problems, and hold on tightly to them, but that doesn’t mean I have to go along for the ride, now does it?

      So pleased that we met in blogland. I know what you mean about feeling like we all could be friends in real life, but in lieu of that bloggy friends we shall be.

      Liked by 1 person

  29. Oh my goodness – I just learned many things. But I’d never thought about turning off comments after a period of time. Thank you, Ally. And thanks for the shoutout to our baby blog!

    And I love that your focus is often on whether something is written well. I’m laughing about “no slobs, no snobs, no blobs.” Another great Ally Bean way of putting something. Love it and the quote from Elizabeth Gilbert!!

    Liked by 3 people

    • Wynne, I have less spam now that I close comments after 21 days and this blog is one about life in the moment, so going back to talk about posts from the past, while okay, is confusing to me. I mean really, do you think I remember what I wrote about years ago? I barely remember what I wrote about last week!

      The Gilbert quote called to me when I read it. Happy to suggest your new blog to everyone.

      Liked by 2 people

  32. I’d answer the questions just about the same as you. I once stopped following an Australian blogger because he wanted to tell me how horrible Hillary Clinton was. I couldn’t figure out what Hillary could have possibly done to him. I could give a fig about Aussie politicians!

    Liked by 4 people

    • Jan, no kidding, huh? An Australian guy wanted to tell you how much he hated Hillary who had nothing to do with him? I’d walk away from that person, too. For exactly the logical reason you mention…

      Liked by 1 person

  34. Seems I’m not the only blogger to not know about turning off comments after a certain time frame. I’ll be looking into changing my settings during one of my 5% screen time allotments! HA!
    Have a great weekend, Ms Bean.

    Liked by 4 people

    • Laura, I don’t know how I figured this out, but it is helpful in that it reduces spam and keeps your blog current. I like chit-chatting in the comments but preferably talking about what I just wrote, not things from years ago!

      Liked by 2 people

  35. Your crowd sourcing blogroll was an eye-opener for me since I had assumed that not many people still blogged without trying to monetize or be influencers. I was happy to be wrong! I found some new blog friends that way and will continue to explore interesting commenters on other blogs. I don’t follow as many sites as you do nor do most of them post as often as I do. 🙂 If that person never comments on my blog, I read but only sometimes comment because I’m not sure that blogger wants to connect or add another blog to his/her life. Others respond to my comments but don’t visit my blog. That’s OK though–we’re all in it for different reasons and I love the blog friends I already have! You are absolutely right that we blog to communicate. If it’s a one-way street, it’s not worth the time.

    Liked by 4 people

    • Margaret, I’m glad the crowd-sourced blogroll, soon to be updated, helped you find personal bloggers without an agenda. I knew/know they’re out there, but you’re right that they are often more hidden than INFLUENCERS, a term I dislike. 🙄

      I know what you mean by mixed messages when it comes to blogging. There are some blogs where I’ve left comments, never to be acknowledged, YET the blogger comments here. Then like you said some bloggers reply to my comment on their blogs but never stop by here. Go figure.

      I don’t take anything personally, but I do take note of how people communicate— and focus on the ones who are friendly. That’s what I’m here for.

      Liked by 1 person

  36. My answers would be similar to yours, except I follow far fewer blogs. My list grew a lot at first, then I culled it. Now it is growing slowly. I added one of your followers last week after first being intrigued by the name of the blog, then reading a few posts. Fun to see your answers!

    Liked by 4 people

    • Annie, I sometimes wonder if I should cull my list of blogs I follow, too. I enjoy what I read so it’s not like these people are a burden, but there are only so many hours in the day + I have a real life outside of blogland, so I dunno… 🤷‍♀️

      Liked by 1 person

  37. I’m impressed you can keep track of who’s who with 80 blogs. I just counted and I only follow 18 people who blog on a mostly regular basis. I don’t have the heart to unfollow some people, even though they haven’t blogged in up to 10 years. I hold out hope if their blog is still up. I only delete people once they take down their blog.

    Can you tell I hold loyalty to a high value?

    Liked by 4 people

    • Bijoux, you’re a good person who values loyalty. You’re better about that than I, although I try to keep up with people. The thing about the 80 people who I actively follow, some post 3 times per year, while others are monthly bloggers so it’s not quite as overwhelming as it sounds. Still it takes some planning and follow-thru to keep the connections going in blogland. But you understand that.

      Liked by 1 person

    • Rebecca, thanks for stopping by to read and comment. I enjoy learning about how people blog. Everyone has their way, but we don’t all have the same way. And therein is the interesting part.

      Liked by 2 people

  39. Ally, I agree with all your points here. In the past, I posted three or four times a week, but that was when I just walked around the ‘hood and took a few photos. My earlier posts were never lengthy nor picture-laden. I began taking more photos in 2015, thus longer posts. I have been doing one long post every week and I like doing the Wordless Wednesday which I’ve been doing weekly since 2020, but even when I retire I don’t plan to post more than twice a week.

    I have had to step away from a few bloggers who posted daily as it got to be too much. I didn’t count how many blogs I follow, but it is not as many as you follow. About ten of those bloggers post very sporadically, even going a month between posts. (At least I can keep up with them!). I’ve kept current reading and commenting on posts since the holidays as many bloggers were on blogging breaks, but I often struggle to keep up as I do read each post. I’ve stopped trying to keep up nightly as I was living on 4-5 hours of sleep to keep current and that’s not healthy.

    In the beginning I followed back everyone who followed me, regardless of whether their content appealed to me and that was a mistake in some cases. I don’t do that anymore.

    I should close comments as I have read it will eliminate some SPAM – some days I have zero SPAM; other days I have 25 and it’s all on old posts.

    I am not looking to follow any more blogs right now and you and I follow several of the same blogs. I started following Barbara, Zazzy , Jenn and LaShelle after you posted your blogroll and suggested we take a test drive of some of your fellow bloggers.

    I have blocked one blogger who acted creepy and unfollowed several who got exceptionally political when it was not a blog about current events or politics.

    I have a nice mixture of blogs I follow. As to my recommendation, this blogger is fairly new to me. I have told her I am envious of her lifestyle. Susan and her husband Clint are retired and spend their Summers/Fall traveling to parks in their native Ontario. They also travel in the U.S. as well as abroad. They both are hobby photographers and love the outdoors, hiking and canoeing. I enjoy walking/hiking, but canoeing does not appeal to me as I don’t swim, but the RV portion of the trip sounds fun (until I would see a spider, then all bets are off). Susan’s blog is Trums Travels and the title originates from a toy monkey they take along and sometimes pose at various venues.

    Here is a link to her blog: https://trumstravels.com/

    P.S. – I especially liked Susan’s recap of her favorite shots of 2022:
    https://trumstravels.com/2022/12/31/happy-new-year-and-all-the-very-best-to-you-and-yours-for-2023/

    Liked by 3 people

    • Linda, I enjoyed reading about your blogging evolution into the blogger who I know today. You’ve gotten into a workable schedule with your two posts a week, so I understand how when you retire you’ll stick with it. If something works…

      Like you when I first started blogging I followed back everyone who commented on my blog posts, thinking that was what I was supposed to do. BUT that turned out to be a bad idea when the topics on their blogs went, shall we say, sideways.

      You’re a good person for reading everything someone writes, I just can’t do that anymore. I like how you’ve come to decide who to follow and am pleased to know you found some bloggers using the Delightful Blogroll which will be revised soon. Stay tuned, as they used to say.

      Thanks for the link to a new blogger. I’ll check it out. This couple sound like they’re adventurous and articulate. That’s a good combo.

      Liked by 2 people

      • It’s been a long ride to get here Ally and it’s difficult to remember the lean years from 2013-2017 with no one to interact with here in the WP blogosphere.

        I read the whole post as many are “ongoing saga-type posts” and I won’t know what they are writing about if I skip it. With my blog, each one is a separate story and if I tie in to a prior post, I provide the link, though I doubt most people use it.

        I liked all my choices from your blogroll. Barbara Rodgers’ walking adventures are very similar to mine.

        I reached out to LaShelle a week or so ago in a comment on her last post, as she is MIA since her last Halloween post – hopefully she is well and just busy. She said her phone died and I know she needs to go to town for internet to write posts, but I know she also had some health issues as well.

        I enjoy Susan’t blog – lots of adventures and she recently had a gallery showing and gave a presentation on her photos.

        Liked by 1 person

        • I like your phrase “ongoing saga-type posts” because that’s exactly how many bloggers write their blogs. You have to get into their groove if you want to understand them. I post more like you do, things in the moment with links back to a previous post if necessary. I also agree that few people bother to follow the links, but they’re there.

          Thanks for the update about LaShelle. I’ve been wondering what became of her. She is a delightful writer but living where she does without immediate internet access must slow her down.

          Liked by 2 people

          • Yes, Kate Crimmons for example – it was a whole saga with her move, renovation/redecorating, etc. – a few missed posts and you’d be lost.

            In the early Fall, LaShelle said they were expecting a hard freeze, so she had to get her garden put to bed and I believe a lot of bulbs planted for her cutting garden, then the family got Covid and they were quite ill – so not sure what’s up now but her phone had issues too. I once followed a blogger who did ALL her posts on her phone. I can’t imagine that. I liked her writing and the pictures, especially on her home page – the ducks and her little boy.

            Liked by 1 person

  40. Wow—I’m exhausted just reading through your 92 comments and responses, and seriously impressed that you are able to keep up with so many. It all adds to my blog education and I love it. But I’m confused about spam. Are we talking about the spam that shows up in my emails? Or is there blog spam that I don’t know about? I love comments and community building, but if comments are minimal, that’s okay, because if just one person finds benefit or value in something I blogged about, that’s good enough for me—even if I don’t know about it! Thanks for your terrific blog, and I’ll add a shout-out to Heart of the Matter. There are friends to be found there!

    Liked by 3 people

    • Julia, in truth I don’t know how I keep up with the comments either, I just do. I’m a conscientious person so I do my best, hoping that if I miss someone they’ll give me the benefit of the doubt. Or if not, I suppose they’ll wander off in a tiff.

      The spam I’m talking about is unwanted comments on a post. Often the spam will be one word with link to who knows where OR a long list of the same link to drugs or personal services. Just. plain. junk. Do not want.

      I get what you’re saying about one comment is enough. When I started blogging my goal was to have two people comment and that was a success. From there it has grown.

      I like your take on The Heart of the Matter. It’s new and fun.

      Liked by 1 person

      • Thank you for your response, oh conscientious person. I hesitate to follow more blogs because I’m not anxious to add “Answer blog responses” to my growing to-do list. It can be really time consuming to be conscientious about responding, so bless you, Ally Bean, for the massive effort that you put forth in doing so. My hat’s off to you. So, PS—Yep—you definitely get a pass for not responding to my response. 😉 Happy weekend!

        Liked by 3 people

  41. I could have given many of these same answers. It’s about finding bloggers that write interesting and thought-provoking topics in an entertaining style. Because there are so many choices and only so many minutes in the day, I’ve gotten a lot more choosy about adding new blogs when I often can’t get through all of the ones I follow now.

    Your blog is one that I try not to miss. I hope 2023 treats you and your family well, Ally.

    Liked by 4 people

    • Pete, you’ve nailed the same conundrum that I face. There are many great blogs out there, and I’d love to have the time to read them all, BUT I have to narrow down who I actively follow. I don’t mean to be ungrateful to people who follow me religiously, but I can’t get to everyone all the time, sometimes ever.

      Thanks for reading and commenting here. I’m glad we met along the way. How’s the book going?

      Liked by 2 people

      • Thanks for asking. I’ve been working on it more seriously, but I find it best to concentrate on the daily incremental progress I’m making rather than trying to be done by a specific date. I’ve quit talking about it to most of my closest non-author friends who don’t get the work that goes into it. I don’t want to have to explain or apologize when they ask, “Whatever happened to that book you were working on?”

        “Well, you know, still working on it.” 😊

        Liked by 2 people

  43. Some great answers to these questions…Spam is also driving me crazy and I housekeep but I haven’t closed comments and the happiness engineers are about as much use as a chocolate teapot…It seems closing comments after a time period may be the way to go 🙂

    Liked by 4 people

  44. Pingback: Survey Says! Because I Please… | A Dalectable Life

  45. Hi, Ally – Thank you to Maggie for asking these questions, and thank YOU for answering them. You are such an insightful commenter I have often wondered how you do this all (esp. as you have a zillion readers and commenters). Here are my quick and dirty answers to Maggie’s first ten questions. Many of them are ditto yours.

    I post 3x/month, I follow 40 blogs faithfully+20 more casually, I read blogs daily, I don’t seek out new blogs but I do check out blogs of commenters that are new to me, BIG ditto, I don’t close comments but should do this for old posts, ditto, Big ditto, ditto.
    I’m off to check out The Heart of the Matter.

    Thank you for another very fun post!

    Liked by 4 people

    • Donna, I’m smiling here. You said “esp. as you have a zillion readers and commenters” and I reply “I know, this blog has blown up beyond my wildest dream.” I don’t know how I keep up with comments, but I TRY + my gentle readers are pleasant people who know I do my best… which is far from perfect.

      As for your answers, I love knowing this about you and your blogging process. We all make personal blogging into something that works for us, but we do so slightly differently. Which I find fascinating.

      Liked by 2 people

  46. You’re a genius, Ally!

    As an experiment, I went into my SPAM folder yesterday and saw 390 spam comments sequestered there. Most from the past 2 weeks. After emptying that trash,I closed comments on posts older than 21 days to see what would happen.

    This morning, my SPAM folder was still EMPTY! Thanks!

    Liked by 3 people

  49. I post randomly and it’s usually about random stuff! I read every post that those I follow write and 95% of the time I comment because I want to connect and not just “like” stuff with that button which actually feels like a disconnect. I randomly check out new blogs but am select about hitting the like button as I want to engage. I went down the rabbit hole checking out the new one you suggested and didn’t come up for a while! As usual your post is entertaining and obviously engaging! I spent way more time reading how you engage with comments than your actual post took! Bernie

    Liked by 4 people

    • Bernie, ain’t it the truth: ” …and not just ‘like’ stuff with that button which actually feels like a disconnect.” Well said.

      I’m similar in my random approach to blogging. I show up weekly [usually] but after that my topic is random. I’m pleased that you went to read the new blog and that you found some good people there. As always, thanks for stopping by to read and comment. Love hearing from you.

      Liked by 2 people

    • I’m with you both on both points: first, I love how Ally said that blogging is about “a chance to connect with people”, I feel the exact same way, which is why I rarely pass up a good (or not so good :P) opportunity to comment. And I like the idea of generating discussions, so every once in a while I try to respond to another person’s comment, hoping it’ll create a “group discussion” 🙂

      The second point I also agree with. I don’t much care for the “like” button, for several reasons. I once saw a skit about a guy who tried to mirror our online behavior in real life. He took a bunch of post-it notes and wrote “like!” on all of them and then walked around town and put them on “things.” He put one on a tree, another on a bicycle, another on a window to a store, another on a person’s sweater, etc… That gave me a “like”-pause 😀 And there are other reasons. Say a person wrote about a sad event, am I saying “I like that you suffered”? :O

      But I did like the questions and the answers, so there 🙂

      Liked by 2 people

      • EW, yep you and are alike. I’m trying to be the catalyst for discussions, but also attempting to share my own truth. Years ago a blogger said that when you get bloggers to talk among themselves in your comments your blog is a success. I like that idea.

        About the *like* button I’ve never been a fan, but added the option a few years ago because I’m playing nice here. Your post-it note guy is exactly how I feel about them… although I know it’s the done thing so I do it. For better or worse, eh?

        Liked by 2 people

        • First, thank you. That’s one of the highest compliments you could pay me. I’m honored and grateful. Thank you!

          I LIKE (real like, not just like button!) that criterion for success! My measure was that if I suddenly stopped blogging, without previously saying something, would people notice/care enough to inquire what’s going on?

          Liked by 1 person

            • I’m, sadly, inclined to agree with you. And I’m greatly saddened by that. And about what it says about us even more so.

              A blogger I used to follow disappeared last summer. After a few weeks, I tried to send her an email through WP, but I got an error. I’m not quite sure what to make of it, probably that I should try again?

              (And I appreciate cynicism, so I’m not trying to eat at anyone’s, but I would notice …)

              Liked by 2 people

      • Isn’t reading all the comments on Ally’s post so interesting. You’ve picked a good person to start a random conversation with – I’m someone who mails cards to unknown people or will talk hockey at a retail store line up. Let’s chat on, and I am sure Ally will be “Look at my cool beanlets chatting😉”.
        Totally think that skit was 100% game on. I do use the like button, but only after I leave a message. It helps me keep track of which posts I’ve read and commented.

        Liked by 2 people

        • Bernie, that’s a good way to utilize the like button, as a way of keeping track of where you’ve been. As for all you “cool beanlets chatting” I am all for it. Carry on!

          Like

        • It really is interesting, and often enlightening! And just to show you that you’re not alone, somewhere in my past I spent an entire transatlantic flight talking to the person I met on the plane. Fascinating discussions can happen in the strangest places 🙂

          Btw, the skit went on to show how a lot of what we do online may make a sane person cross the street irl 🙂 I looked for it, but couldn’t find it, otherwise I’d link it!

          Liked by 2 people

  50. Hi Ally and nice to meet you, Maggie, Ah, good one, Ally…”it’s all about their vibe.” I believe you zeroed in on many common denominators on why I enjoy reading specific blogs and how bloggers have become my friends. I am now heading over to Maggie’s blog and “The Heart of the Matter.” A great post, Ally!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Erica/Erika, I enjoyed answering Maggie’s questions. I’m not good with doing one-word prompts, but give me a list of questions and I’m golden. Go figure.

      After years of blogging I finally realized that what actually drew me to someone was their vibe, not their topics. Self-awareness, I got it! Hope you enjoy the new blog. It’s a great group of bloggers with a wonderful goal.

      Liked by 2 people

  51. I like Maggie’s questions and my answers would be similar to yours.

    I have learned recently that the Blog Police won’t arrest me if I don’t comment on every single blog post I read. If I can’t think of something worthwhile to say, I don’t. I also turned off comments after 21 days sometime last year and was amazed at how much that little change reduced my spam folder. Yay!

    I don’t follow many blogs that post more than a couple of days a week (I’d actually prefer fewer… post when you have something interesting to say) because it’s just too much. I get blog notices via email and my inbox is already crazy full. I don’t know why someone would want to post every day… there’s a whole big world out there… and books to read.

    Liked by 3 people

    • Janis, excellent point about the Blog Police. If I don’t have anything to say to someone about what they wrote, I won’t– but I usually do have something to say… which may not be the best reflection on me, but there you go.

      Yes, yes, to having a time limit on comments. I don’t know how I stumbled over that idea, probably read it somewhere. Once I did it, my life was better.

      I use Feedly to follow blogs so I don’t get emails. I couldn’t cope with a gazillion emails from bloggers. I, too, wonder about *why* anyone feels the need to post daily or multiple times a day even. I enjoy personal blogging, but my rule is: Live first, Blog later. But that’s just me, I suppose. 🤷‍♀️

      Liked by 1 person

  52. In my last post, I answered the prompt, why do you write? I was going to follow that up with, why do you blog? So, this is timely and interesting. I agree with you on most points. Especially the photos. I tend to go overboard with those, but I’m almost as passionate about photography as writing, so to me the two go hand in hand.

    Liked by 2 people

    • Mark, Maggie’s simple questions got me thinking about my expectations and process when it comes to writing this blog. I like to think so I found these questions fun to answer. I agree about adding something pretty like a photo to each post. Your photography skills are amazing, I enjoy your pics.

      Liked by 2 people

  53. Hi ally bean
    I enjoyed your replies here today
    And this is how I would have answered the questions – you were succinct
    —
    Oh and I also close comments on posts because it prevents spam- and I was just at one of your December posts (the one with the links) and just wrote Down the movie suggestion
    “The People We Hate At The Wedding”
    I’ll keep you posted if I get to it
    ☀️😊🙏

    Liked by 2 people

  54. I agree, I like to have pictures on my posts. I think it looks more engaging. But I read some blogs without pictures, and it doesn’t bother me for them. To each their own, I guess. 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

  55. 1. How many times per week do you post? Do you post multiple times a day? If so, how many?

    • I post about once a week, on Sundays (I used to post daily and still can’t believe I did that!)

    2. How many blogs do you follow?

    • I honestly don’t know, I made the mistake early on to click follow on every blog I ever read. I don’t have the heart to go uncheck the follow button (or the time to do so). I do have favorites that I visit often. I have no reminders set to trigger my visits, it’s usually a very random act on my part.

    3. Do you read all the blogs you follow every day? If not, how often do you read other blogs?

    • I don’t read blogs every day. I don’t read everything that everyone writes on their blogs. I try to read at least one post per week by any one blogger who I actively follow, sometimes two posts per week if I have the time. (Ditto)

    4. Do you seek out new blogs to follow? If so, how do you find them?

    • I seek out new blogs to follow. I do this by reading the comment sections on other people’s blogs, often finding new-to-me bloggers that way. I also check out most new-to-me commenters who leave comments on my blog posts. (I like your answer, I wish I was that disciplined to find new blogs, with my limited time available for blogging efforts, I have to be careful to balance my time without feeling guilty. I definitely check out new commenters’ blogs and share a comment there to encourage their efforts.)

    5. Do you comment on the blogs you read? If not, why? Do you respond to all the comments left on your blog?

    • I comment on the blogs I read because that’s what personal blogging is about, a chance to connect with people. I respond to all comments left on my blog, never cherry-picking a few comments, ignoring the rest. (Ditto)

    6. Do you ever close comments on a blog you post? If so, why?

    • I always close the comment section on each blog post after 21 days, sometimes before. I do this because spammers swoop in if I keep things open any longer. (Ditto – I think mine is set to shut off at 30 days).

    7. Do you ever unfollow someone? If so, why?

    • I unfollow people who start out friendly + interesting but over time become pedantic, or whiny, or snobby. People change, not always in ways that I find appealing. (Ditto)

    8. What content inspires you to follow a blogger?

    • I don’t focus on any specific content per se, I follow a blogger because they’re articulate, sincere, and clever. It’s all about their vibe. What they write about is of less interest to me than how they write about it. (That’s a great way to determine which blogs to follow. With my limited time, I find that I end up following those blogs that comment on mine first. I love being able to click on their blog from the comment they left on mine. I’ve yet to find the time to go searching for blogs on WP, I did that a lot early on, thus the long list of blogs I ‘follow’ but really don’t follow regularly. That was a winded reply 🙄)

    9. What content turns you off from following someone?

    • I won’t follow someone who has a sloppy writing style regardless of my interest in their content or someone who comes off as condescending or someone who has a snarly point of view about everything. Or as I think of it: no slobs, no snobs, no blobs. (I like that answer!)

    10. How important is it to you that you add a photo to every post?

    • It is important to me that I add a photo or image to each post BUT if I don’t have one that works with my topic that doesn’t stop me from posting. (My photos help me find the words on my posts, so they’re very important to my posts.)

    11. Leave me a link for one blogger (other than yourself) that you think I should check out. Have you visited Frank’s site? https://beachwalkreflections.wordpress.com/2023/01/14/169-layers/

    Liked by 2 people

    • Shelley, how fun that you answered the questions here. Thanks for joining in. I knew we’d have many of the same answers to lots of the questions.

      I’ve become more organized about blogging thanks to the pandemic lockdown months, it was [and still is] something to do. I don’t follow any blogs in WP Reader so I follow and unfollow people without any guilt; I use Feedly instead because it allows me to put everyone into folders.

      I sometimes find that a photo prompts me to find the words, too. That’s another great reason for adding them to posts. Thanks for the suggestion, I know Frank’s blog. He occasionally stops by here to comment even.

      Liked by 2 people

      • Oh…now I have more questions for you. About your second paragraph in the reply to my comments. I should look into Feedly (is that a widget or an app?) Your comments come through to me on my WP navigation menu, so somehow you’re on WP. I like the idea of folders…have you done a post on how you organize your blogging routine. Where do you host your website? I’m on Bluehost and they seem to dig the fostered relationship with WP.

        I had a hunch you knew of Frank…I’ll keep searching for some blog you might not know yet!

        Liked by 2 people

        • FEEDLY is a really simple syndication (RSS) feed that has two versions. One is free, the other that I use is $65/year. I have it on my desktop computer and also on my iPad. I don’t use my cell phone to blog but it might be available there too. The free version allows you to create 3 folders in your account, the paid version gives you unlimited folders. I organize the blogs I follow into 10 folders because I control what I see when– and for me it’s more efficient and tidy than messing around with Reader.

          I am on WordPress.com [not .org] and have a “business” account because it allows me to use more templates and get help on demand. Plus no unwanted advertisements.

          Any more questions? 🤓

          Liked by 2 people

          • Yay – thank you so much for the detailed answer! I shall begin my research, I snipped a screenshot of your answer so I could remember what you said. I agree with you, Reader is such a mess, so I end up only using my Little Bell icon on my Admin page to see what comments have come and respond from there.

            I’m on both the .com and .org, that makes things messy for me too. Oh, dear, the more I write, the more I confirm that I’ve created a messy blog 🤣🤔😂😉

            I’m sure I’ll have more questions…but first, more coffee and a rabbit hole chase over at Feedly! Thank YOU!!

            Liked by 2 people

  56. What INTERESTING questions. I have had a blog since 2004 and it has really never occurred to me until a year or so ago that I should really have some sort blogging philosophy. Answering these questions could help frame the way you think about what you’re posting and why you’re posting! I leave my comments open and don’t get very many spam comments at all – maybe one or two a month? I wonder what makes the difference in the amount of spam different bloggers are getting.

    Liked by 2 people

    • NGS, I agree, these are interesting questions, simple ones but lead to insights. After I read them and started thinking about my answers I knew I’d post them here.

      Great question about what influences how much spam you get. We’re all personal bloggers, but some people get lots more spam than others. I’ve no answer as to why.

      Liked by 1 person

  57. I love this little survey… blogging has changed so much over the years, but it’s interesting to read how people approach blogging – and reading blogs – and what sticks with them. I am definitely here for the connection and I love interacting with readers… but as you pointed out, it’s a two-way street. I appreciate that you take the time to always respond to comments.

    Liked by 2 people

    • San, you’re right about how blogging has changed. It was delightfully informal when I started. I posted/talked with a few people every day. Then it morphed into this more sophisticated form we do now: longer posts, more challenges and prompts to inspire, threaded comments. I like it all, but will admit it’s more work than it used to be. Still, I enjoy the connection so I keep on blogging. You too, obviously.

      Liked by 1 person

  58. This was an interesting idea for a post. Props to that person you mentioned at the beginning. (It’s just too late for scrolling. I’m feeling lazy.) Fortunately, I copied this when I read it: no slobs, no snobs, no blobs. Haha. Love that. Finding new blog buds thru other people’s comments is a great idea. Nice of you to shout-out to that new blog. I know Wynne writes there. I’ll have to see if I recognize anyone else.

    Liked by 2 people

  59. I missed this post for some reason. Thank you for sharing Maggie’s blog. I just clicked over and I can tell her content will be enjoyable.

    I agree with you in terms of connection, and the connection that occurs in your comment section is quite impressive. I also learn so much from the comments section. (My own and others’)

    I’d never considered closing my comments, but I’ll look into it. The majority of spam I get is automatically filtered out by WordPress, although a few slip through on occasion.

    Liked by 2 people

    • Kari, Maggie has been blogging a long time and is always interesting, in a smart calm way that resonates with me.

      I know that the comment section on this blog is over the top. I enjoy reading what people have to say and like you mentioned, I learn so much. I feel like my posts are the catalyst, then I let people take it away, often in many directions I never would have thought of.

      I don’t know who told me to close my comments after a set length of time, but it has been a good idea for me. WP filters spam, but closing the topic entirely is a relief.

      Liked by 2 people

  61. Hmm . . . I never close comments, and I’ve not had a problem with spammers. Sure, the occasional attempt to link stuff, but it’s fewer than once per year. WordPress does a good job of screening the others.

    I have a few posts where — for various reasons — I don’t allow comments to begin with, but if comments were allowed, they are still allowed, even going back to the first.

    . . . except for one post where I closed comments because readers weren’t heeding my request about the types of comments allowed for that particular post.

    Per my FAQ and About pages, if I follow a blog, I read every post. If I start to skip posts, it’s likely I’ve lost interest and will unfollow.

    Because of the unfocused nature of my blog, I don’t expect the same from others. Meaning, I don’t expect others to follow if I follow them (and vice-versa).

    Some of my followers come for the photos, others for the writing. Also, because I post *alot* and most people don’t have that kind of time, I don’t worry much about who reads or doesn’t.

    So . . . a link for one blogger . . . hmm . . . without knowing much about you, I’ll assume photos interest you since you mention them in that context:

    https://lightscatter.wordpress.com/

    Liked by 1 person

    • Disperser, thanks for answering Maggie’s questions. I’m chuckling about “readers weren’t heeding my request about the types of comments allowed for that particular post.” You just never know with comments where the story is going. I’ve never tried to tell readers how to comment so I’m intrigued that you did– and what happened.

      I rarely read everything that anyone writes. I’ve never been one for reciprocity when it comes to blogging. I read who interests me, comment, then move along. Although there is a lot more reciprocity now than in the early days, and I’m flattered by it– but don’t expect it.

      Thanks for the link to a new-to-me blog. I’ll check it out. So many bloggers, so little time…

      Like

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