Thursday 20 January 2011

Drat! Missed!


When I first began this blog (almost 3 years ago - how time flies when you're droning on....) I went through a long period of having no readers or commenters, let alone Followers. Then slowly slowly, it began to happen, and how thrilling that was to a novice blogger who could quite happily have carried on burbling away to herself for years. It was a sort of validation - I'm not sure of what - and a hint that perhaps not everything I blogged was mindless drivel - after all, those commenters and Followers wouldn't have stayed if it had been, would they (you)?

I can remember being thrilled to discover that some people actually came back, posting comments quite regularly, and how exciting it was to reach the grand total of 10 Followers. Your numbers have increased in the past year.

And then I stuck at 99 Followers, and I began to watch that immobile total with interest. When would it change to 100? Should I mark the occasion, perhaps with a giveaway to the lucky 100th? What on earth would I give away, though? I'm so hopeless at making things to the superb standard I have come to expect, awe-struck, from fellow bloggers; I have no bright ideas for an interesting package of assorted treats. But I felt I should do something. However, 99 it stayed, for ages.

And then paint tins and scrawny old cats intervened, and when I returned to my self-obsessed Followers watching, the total had jumped to 103! What a shame; missed No. 100 - and there will be no giveaway for you, friend Shelagh, aka No. 103, you who have taken three years to learn how to do that Following thing! (Although I would know what to send you - a large box of Bassett's Jelly Babies.... Fancy Canada not having those gruesome little delights!)


But I'm not complaining; having 103 Followers feels like a privilege to me. I want to say thank you to all who have clicked on that Follow button, and to those people who take the time to come back, to post comments, send emails, read the mindless drivel erratic scribblings snippets of my life. I would probably still blog without you, but it wouldn't be half so much fun.

And I haven't finished, so don't go away, will you.

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

I've never quite got into the 'following' thing (another example of my technophobia!) .... I don't even know if I can set it up on my blog. I know what you mean about the long journey building a readership, when it's no longer just family and friends who feel obliged to read it!!

Congratulations on your approaching third anniversary!!

jabblog said...

I remember those stages, too. For a very long time I had no-one, then a Chinese follower (goodness knows why) and no others. I recently passed 100 - followers, that is - so I'm rather pleased.
As Sue above says, there are probably many who visit but don't yet follow.

SmitoniusAndSonata said...

I don't think any of us would allow you to stop blogging on a regular basis ! It's not just what you say .... always fascinating and often thought-provoking ..... but how you say it . Always worth tuning in to .

Alicia said...

I am so happy to be a loyal follower! I check your blogs to see what's new every day - Kisses from California, Alicia

Lyn said...

congrats!
I love reading your ramblings!
love
Lyn
xxx

Karen said...

I think I was your 40th-something follower from early in 2010. And of course, you influenced me to start my own blog which now has 15 whole followers. So here's to both your anniversary and going over 100 followers (which I may reach in, oh say, thirty years).

Jinksy said...

I quite agree- once a blogger, always a blogger!

Mary ,East Coventry USA said...

I love your blog- the kindness,good sense,and humor are what make us check in with you daily. If I,a non-blogger and technophobe,can someday figure out how to be a follower, I will. Until then,I'll remain a faithful,informal follower. Hugs to all in your household.

Mary

SoulDragon said...

I, too, am becoming a mindless driveller - but what the heck-it keeps us sane! Yoo Hoo from goldrush area, Victoria, Australia...keep 'em coming!
By the way, if you chance past my blogs, you will discover that my Harriet is very like the feline person on the patchwork on your page!

Catherine said...

Congratulations on your followers ~ and look ~ someone has become follower #104 ~ you will just keep going higher friend!
xo Catherine
a loyal follower.... :)

flwrjane said...

Well I've been a devoted follower since the day we met, whenever that was.

You got me with Flossie, than the rest of your zoo, and the LS and the bathroom.....

Keep talking.

xo jane

Marianne said...

and thank you for being my second ever follower! I was astounded to have one, but 2 is fantastic. 104? a tribute to your writing.

the veg artist said...

Not a Follower, but addicted!

judy in ky said...

I look forward to reading your blog every morning, along with my coffee. To me it's more than just reading a blog; it's visiting with a friend. You and your animals have become dear to me.

Marcheline said...

Love to read you! Will keep coming back as long as you keep writing!

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