A Short Hiatus

Dear Readers,

I’ve concluded a year of blogging with “52 Ancestors” and a total of 160 posts (including this one). I have many ideas for future posts, so I do plan to continue the blog. However, I need to focus my attention for the next 6 to 8 weeks on other writing projects. There’s a book draft to complete and queries to write and send, etc.

Probably the best part of blogging has been meeting all of you. I’ve followed many wonderful blogs – some seem to have vanished, unfortunately. I can’t acknowledge everyone here, but I wanted to share some of my favorites. Maybe you’ll find a new blogger buddy!

Naturally, I read a number of fellow family historians. Luanne at The Family Kalamazoo was one of my earliest followers and a great mentor. Other favorites include Joy Neal Kidney, Jamie at Applegate Genealogy, Paula Pederson, Christine at Christine’s Genealogy Musings, and Scott at Wrenacres. They all know how to share family stories in a compelling way – not just a bunch of facts thrown together. There are many, many others, but I don’t want to overwhelm you!

There are many great travel blogs out there. Two I enjoy are Anabel at the Glasgow Gallivanter, who travels around the British Isles and northern Europe, and Jessica at Diverting Journeys who shares unique, interesting museums in Europe and the U. S.

My philosophical friends (and maybe that’s not the best category, but I’m at a loss how to classify some blogs), include Jim at the Common Atheist who offers cures for the common religion; Tom at his Nature-Up-Close Photography and Mindfulness blog; and a genius with words, Marc at Sorryless, who sometimes adds great music videos to illustrate his work.

Naturally, I gravitate to history and I love the variety shown in these blogs. Irene at My Slice of Mexico shares beautifully illustrated step-by-step recipes from her native land, and also the history behind the recipes and/or the events that the foods are used to celebrate. Allen Rizzi has led a fascinating life and shares history of music in many of his blog posts. Ruth at Historian Ruby enlightens me about British history and the royals. Military history is MBHenry’s forte, and she’s also a fine poet with her “Let Me Tell You How I Died” epic.

Speaking of poets, a couple I especially enjoy are Heather at Sgeoil, who amazes me with her pithy poems created from daily prompts, and Jim at Stop Dragging the Panda, who experiments with a variety of verse forms (he explains what they are) and occasionally waxes political (mostly I avoid politics, but his are amusing).

Fine storytelling is a real talent that these bloggers share: Greg at Almost Iowa gives us a slice of real-life humor from what may seem like just an ordinary day. Ally at The Spectacled Bean has a way expressing her experiences with a unique voice. Meg Sorick shares some of her historical research about WWI, but is also in the midst of writing a piece of suspenseful serial fiction called “Inhuman.” C.J. at Feeding on Folly is an excellent humorist, sometimes writing fiction, sometimes true-life stories, accompanied by her clever illustrations.

Lastly, I want to give two-thumbs up to these two storytelling masters, who not only make me smile and sometimes laugh out loud, but who have proven over and over what incredibly sensitive and generous individuals they are. They have inspired me to be kinder and more giving in my daily life. Thank you to Susannah at athingirldotcom and the incomparable Britchy One at Bitchin’ in the Kitchen.

Thank you all for sharing your writing with the world.

Wishing you all a fabulous New Year!! See you in February!

What I’ll really be doing if it snows!