To write or not to write…

Does anyone read blogs these days? Does anyone write blogs or have all the dedicated writers moved over to Substack? I’ve spent much of the past five years researching and writing for clients and my own writing has been totally neglected. But life, being what it is, happened as well and my personal creative spark just seemed to wither and die. Another bout of cancer just before the craziness of Covid, lockdowns, and government by fear didn’t help. But I’m now four and a bit years on from that second bout and I’m still here. Even better, I’m fit and well; I remind myself of this daily. I even managed to avoid Covid-19 until Christmas 2023 but an enforced period of rest got me thinking about priorities and things - and people - that I miss and that included writing.

I thought about Substack and even joined and then I thought, wait a minute, I already have an outlet for my writing. Why reinvent the writing wheel?  I have kept my Instagram account going and I love looking at other people’s pictures but it’s not designed for writing of any length, nor for setting out on a writing journey and seeing where it takes you. Instagram is for and about the moment but sometimes we need more than a moment and we certainly need more than mindless scrolling. So…I’m just dipping my toes in the vast sea of words to find out what happens. Are there any formerly faithful readers still out there? Maybe even some new readers - or would that be pushing my luck?
I think that’s enough to begin with. Apart from mentioning that it feels strange and empty to be starting a new year without a beloved canine companion by my side. My best girl (above) went to the Big Dog Kennel in the Sky three months ago. It was very sudden and totally unexpected and her loss left me utterly bereft. She was my Miss Motivator, who ensured that I spent a couple of hours each day out in the natural world, whatever the weather, and whose body clock dictated the structure of my day. She was responsible for the forging of some wonderful and enduring friendships, both canine and human, and she put a smile on my face, every single day. I know that, when the time is right, she will make sure that another rescue dog finds me, just as she once did, all those years ago. And, when that new companion arrives I will tell them all about the many beloved dogs who came before.

Comments

[Liz]

Hello, D. I'm so happy to have come across this post and hope you decide to buck the trend and continue blogging (I'm not on Instagram). My blog is still live though I update it infrequently and the most recent post is probably more pictures than words. So sorry to hear about your girl. Mr Boo is still here but held together with sellotape! Wishing you the very best for 2024.

[writing, not drowning]

Hello Liz - so good to hear from you. I don’t think the subscribe option works any longer…FeedBlitz tells me that it has no record of me whatsoever. I wasn’t sure if subscribers would receive an email to let them know that there was a new post after such a long gap. If not, I wasn’t sure if there was any point in continuing - because who would know? Unless someone deliberately searched for writing not drowning! I hope the Sellotape will help Mr Boo stay in one piece…I have a new rescue foster dog arriving on Saturday so he might be putting in an appearance here. Meanwhile, I hope that 2024 brings good things for you.

[Vivian]

I still read blogs and have rediscovered yours after a few years away.