Wednesday, September 09, 2009

Why Do We Blog?

I have been doing some wandering round the blogs, trying to see what everyone is thinking about and this question seems to be cropping up. Why do we blog? I know i've wondered if it "means" anything to blog or post to Facebook, etc. What does it gain us? Fame, fortune, attention, friends? giggles It certainly requires a dedicated amount of time and energy which is taken away from stitching! HORRORS! LOL!!! I focus both my blog and my facebook content just on crazy quilting and embroidery...well, beading and brazilian/dimensional embroidery and the occassional "furkid" post sneak in too. That is "who" I am. I stitch, I garden, I play with my furkids and enjoy the mountains with my dh. That IS what makes me whole. My style of piecing and embroidery is evolving and I feel as the years pass by that I am finally coming into my own. A rather peaceful feeling really! VBG!

All that said, I have hesitated to express personal views or controversial thoughts other than cq (prolly won't ramble again after this post) and wonder if I am just being overly cautious or if maybe I just live in an insulated bubble! LOL!! I don't know. I decided to share my thoughts here today as I hear stories about others getting attacked and personally feel its pretty sad if we can't just voice an opinion without fear of reprisal. This is America after all. It seems to get overlooked that we are a varied population with multidinous talents and interests and opinions. Opinions are just that. Opinions. I personally like to listen to others view points as it helps me learn more about them and the world. It broadens my perspective and "who" I am as a person. It may or may not change my thoughts...which is fine. It doesn't affect how I feel about myself, although it may help nudge me further down the path that i'm meant to travel. I wish for the same for others.

I don't know the why's and where fors that everyone else blogs. I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts. I DO NOT intend this to be a "war of words". If you would like to share, please do! In the meantime....i'm off to stitch! (Smiles)

9 comments:

qwerty said...

A very nice post Leslie :)

I too steer clear of posting my opinions on anything other than my creative and textile work. And I tend to follow blogs that do the same, although there are a few exceptions.

I get such joy and inspiration from reading others' blogs, so I decided to start blogging. I blog because I want to share my work, get feedback, hopefully inspire someone the way I've been inspired and share information and resources.

It's also another 'journaling' outlet for me. It keeps me on track and accountable to myself. If something I post is helpful to someone else, then all the better!

Phyllis said...

I blog mostly just for the fun of it. It's a way for my friends to keep up with me and what I'm up to, even though I'm pretty good about talking with them on the phone, if not in person.

I discovered blog land last year and it appeared that everybody was in on a party that I wasn't aware of. Now I'm sort of a part of the fun. I especially enjoy seeing what other folks have made, or painted, or grown, etc. Once in a while I'll voice an opinion but mostly want to keep it light.

That's why I blog - it's just fun.

barbcrabz said...

I don't blog much but sure enjoy your work it is beautiful. have a wonderful day

Cathy said...

Interesting thoughts.... and ya know, I'm not sure why I blog. Certainly it started as a way to "keep up with the Jonses"; everyone was doing it and it appeared to be a good forum for showing my work. Or is it showing off one's work? I rather don't think so, though, because for me it's more about the getting it done and getting it posted (accomplishment) than the feedback (where most people say nice things or else they just don't comment)...

Like yours, my blog is about my hobby of CQ primarily, but I do sneak in family, garden, pets & other events and hobbies, too. Let's face it, it's a sort of chronicle of our lives, albeit not a really in-depth one. There's lots held back, as it should be (IMHO).

And because I want to keep it light, I don't get political in my blog. I have made comments on Facebook, but have taken care not to rant or attack. Recently on FB, some guy and I had a strong disagreement over some recent political issue. We aired our views back and forth without sarcasm, shouting, name-calling or rancor. In the end, we agreed on more than we disagreed on. And we both were amazed, when we summed it all up, at how respectful it had been, and how good it felt!

Until some life event dictates otherwise, I think I'll just keep on bloggin' ....

Anonymous said...

well Miss Leslie, I don"t blog, ya know why, cause I don"t know how to set one up BUT I would love to have a blog! If I had one I would share my love of crazy-quilting, and I"d love to share some of the wisdom I have learned on this journey we call "life"..Debbie (Maine)

Charlene ♥ NC said...

Such an interesting topic! Why do I blog? Well, that will take some thought - so perhaps, if it's ok with you, I'll snitch your idea and post on mine as well...

Glad YOU do!

tattrldy said...

Just chanced by and saw this post. I don't CQ (I would love to try, though!) I tat. There aren't many in my area that tat so the online blogging community is great for sharing ideas and just the fun of the craft. I like feedback, let's me know others are out there somewhere that share my hobby, but I don't have to have it. I pretty much stay with tatting, with a little bit of family and odds and ends thrown in. Not much in the way of controversy.

I do like your blog. You do wonderful work! Someday, when I have time (hahahaha!) I want to give CQ a try. Until then I just check out blogs like yours and drool and dream a little.

kerrykatiecakes2 said...

Hmmmm... good question! I block because it is enjoyable for me to do. I like to share my stitching progress with other like-minded folks - other people who "get" this passion of ours. I also love reading blogs and learning from them.

Your work is gorgeous Leslie and always a joy to see on your blog. It was a special thrill to see it up close and personal in Colorado. Pictures simply don't do it justice!
Hugs,
Kerry

Rose Anne B said...

Well my blog (or those who read it) is like the family I don't have. It's the medium I use to express myself but do try to limit any "debatable" or "controversial" stuff as I hate to argue. So mostly it is a vehicle to show off my various creative projects along with the story line!

AND blogging also lets me catch up on friends' lives/creativity when I have the time. Keep blogging!