Another Year: 5th Blog Anniversary

Current events have had many of us, if not all, musing on how no one five years ago could have guessed what the present circumstances would be. We simply had no clue, not even a recent as a year ago. And I have proof for myself on this. Today we (and I hope that’s a collective “we”) are celebrating the 5th anniversary of the first post published on this blog, I Don’t Understand The Question. A year later, I reflected on how much I’d learned in that first year of blogging (you can read that post here). By the following year, my mother had passed on, I’d been diagnosed with DCIS, and had a mastectomy. At the 3rd year celebration, I was looking back on another year of personal challenges including gall bladder surgery, the death of my mother-in-law, and trip-n-fall that landed my on my butt (literally and figuritively). Somehow I didn’t publish a blogaversary post last August and waited until my October birthday post to mention it.

A year ago, I knew that I’d be living near the beach because The Husband and I had already made the “big move”. In that October Reflections post, I shared that “…in the next year I’ll be retiring after over 35 years with my employer. I anticipate that travel will begin to be a recurring post topic as will crafting projects and perhaps experimentations in the kitchen.” I did retire but in the midst of a pandemic so there’s been no traveling. As for crafting pursuits, I have completed a few crocheting projects and I’ve got one in progress as well as one on-deck. I’ve dabbled a bit in the kitchen, too. There was my full week of dinners in Last Week, This Week: Hey Good Lookin’, April 19-25 and a post on my efforts with sourdough starter is in the works. I’m on my third try so wish me luck.

Five years ago, I’d anticipated that both of my children would be college graduates and that we might be empty nesters by now. Both have indeed graduated but one only has left the nest. The one that’s flown is only about a 30-minute drive away so close enough to easily visit (social distancing guidelines observed). The one still at home is a great kid and so far, things are fairly harmonious. I’m content.

In the last few months, I’ve been giving some thought to the direction of this blog as well as my original intentions. What’s my angle? What do I want to say? What’s the value of what I write? There have been times that I’ve fallen into the trap of comparing myself to other bloggers which is not very productive. A few random discussions with non-bloggers have given me some great ideas and inspirations.

I’ve also been looking for more women in the midlife community to connect with and follow. If you have some recommendations, please share them with me in the comments. It certainly will be nice to be able to meet up with others in person again in the future.

Did you see my recent Motif Madness: Beachcomber post? In the photos of today’s post, you see another variation on my beachcomber attire. Again I’ve opted for an oversized top but instead of cargo capris, I’ve got on a pair of well-worn jeans along with my tankini. Nothing fancy, just comfortable favorites.

For now, my mantra is “Slow Down. It’s the Beach. Relax and Enjoy.” (side note: that’s not my truck, just one I see in my neighborhood) Are you where you thought you’d be five years ago? Where do you think you’ll be five years from now. Hopefully, you’ll still find me here.

Be well and let’s connect! Subscribe, tweet, follow, friend, love, pin … all options are available and waiting for you. I look forward to hearing from you.

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