Greetings!
Is it something in the air? The change of seasons? A change in pursuit or passion or priority?
All of the above?
I notice I’m not the only blogger whose posting frequency has dwindled or come to a screeching halt. I didn’t expect my ‘break’ to last this long, but whether it’s because of family time, more physical activities, signing up for (too many) classes, a change in my writing priorities or simply grasping every last moment enjoying multi-colored trees while October sun warms my face, I cannot summon the will to blog.
Right now, anyway.
My ‘Annie Project’ has led me down an unexpectedly enjoyable reading, research and mapping path. I have chosen to forego my blogging time in order to immerse myself without distractions. At least until I figure out where I’m headed. Once I know, you’ll know, too!
Withdrawing during difficult times is my lifelong pattern. Withdrawing during the best of times is not my norm. It feels right for this endeavor.
Please, don’t all of you do likewise! Reading your blogs remains a highlight every day.
bemuzin 
Comments on: "Blogging Update" (74)
We are on “staycation” and so have time to write!
Ahh Perhaps that will quiet my inner non-posting guilt to think of you doing same!
You have to follow the muse wherever she leads. Enjoy!
Uncharted paths with map in hand; only question is whether I selected the right map! No worries, another crossroad will be ’round the bend. Thanks for being here, Greg.
Glad to get an update from you. Keep on carrying on with what you’ve got going on. That’s what life’s about!
Thanks, Carrie. September and October have been filled with so much; NowI’m eager to dive into my piles of books and ‘possibilities’. I always look forward to your posts and coming book.
Thank you. 🙂
Hope your find your direction soon. Stay well.
Thank you, Peggy. Keep writing! I enjoy your thoughts!
You must always handle what you feel are the priorities. We’ll be here when/if you get back. Take care.
Thank you, GP. You are certainly one of my mainstay reads because you give me daily reminders of what matters.
Thank you, Sammy, and ALL the best to you!
If you’re enjoying yourself Sammy then by all means continue. Don’t let the fact that I’m seriously Jonesing for a Sammy post worry you (I’m sorry, I was trying to be funny, not add stress). I really do enjoy your writing, but I can wait until the pendulum swings back to you writing.
😊 thanks, Dan! You know I’d feel the same jonesing if you took a sabbatical. It’s a matter of wanting to participate in too many writing practices/opportunities and feeling too scattered to master any of them well. I’m happiest when learning through research or practicing specific writing techniques without thinking about whether my efforts are blog-worthy. But I have no doubt the desire to blog will return 👍 Retirement doesn’t give me nearly enough time for all my ‘intentions’!
Maybe you should go back to work 🙂
LOL Yeah …. no 😊
Sometimes it’s all about re-grouping….! Enjoy your moments, wherever they take you, we’ll still be here ❤
Thank you, Lainey, my dear earliest and faithful blog buddy. I do miss your Wed studios but trust you are moving in directions that work fir you. How’s house project ??
The house is taking up a lot of mental energy! But wed studios will be back fairly soon 😉 ❤
I, too, have been on “break,” as you may have noticed, but for different reasons. Reevaluation, mainly. And some reading as well…your earlier mention of Edward Abbey’s “Desert Solitaire” sent me back to that favorite, which only added fuel to the “priority” fire.
If nothing else, it sounds like you’re enjoying the ride.
I’ve missed you a lot, hoping the reasons are positive ones. Honestly it was reading Desert Solitaire that started this whole hiatus and re-direction. Abbey’s experience touched me in a way no book has. I read it in August and still haven’t been able to write about it. And from there I went to a couple other America-West gobsmackers – historic and current. I decided until I devote time to truly research & absorb – by writing only for myself – what I’ve gleaned and where I’m headed, my blogging would feel like a diversion when what I want is immersion.
Let’s stay in touch though …
I understand completely.
It’s true. I have been missing my blogging pals and not at ALL envious that they may have found other things in their lives to do
Have fun Sammy, enjoy the leaves, the books, the writing, the grandkiddies – I’ll still be here lurking in the bushes… ❤
I do need your flowers, benches, walks and humor. Please keep them coming, Jude 💖
Still plenty of those in the pot 🙂
Well, actually not many walks 😦
Weather not good for walking??
No, it has been fine, just that I haven’t been anywhere different recently. And rain forecast for the weekend 😦
Hi there Sammy, I reckon blogging should be fun. A break can help keep it like that. But sometimes, life and/or the muse takes us in other directions and that’s okay, too. Having said that I have missed your posts. I for one will be here when/if you come back. Thanks for the update, it’s nice to know where you’re at with it all.
Thank you, Jill, for your support and kind words. In the short time I’ve been following your blog, I’ve enjoyed your wide travels, your ability to find humor in your foibles and, most importantly, your accepting worldview as we continue to search for ways to live harmoniously in an often over-crowded and harsh world. I learn from you.
Wow, very humbled right now. Go well!
You need to know the (positive) ways you affect people.
Well good for you! Happy to read you again 🙂 I am also having too good a time to blog almost daily — and like you, I generally withdrawal during bad times. So yes, I do think something’s in the air! (Notably orange and yellow leaves floating on the breeze!)
It’s been a spectacular autumn, Joey, – all acoss the midwest when we drove to/from Michigan, and our Colorado maples are fiery red as I sit here ‘musing’ on them. I know how much you like the crispy chill. Glad to hear you’re in a good frame of mind, too.
Thanks for checking in with your loyal fans! Many of us seem to be taking a step back from blogging – either completely or just reducing the number of posts. I discovered that I was experiencing stress between posts which was definitely not the reason I started the whole thing in the first place. Although I want to continue (in my own time and on a non-schedule), there is so much else that I want to do in retirement. I’m currently taking a few classes, exploring a few artistic avenues, and going on a few adventures. But, that’s what retirement is about, right? I’m so glad to hear that you are “withdrawing” for positive reasons and I look forward to getting updates about how you are doing now and then.
I know, Janis. I miss all of you so much but the number of beckoning pursuits is rich and rewarding, and not always conducive to a blogging schedule. I think of you often; wish the miles weren’t so many!
Sammy D, I read your Annie Project! Enjoyed it, really good writing! Let’s add poet Anne Sexton to your list. 😳 Oh no, not another one! Well, a break from blogging for a positive reason is always good. Priorities put in place! You already know I post infrequently, and lately only a new header sunset or sunrise every few weeks from one of my fellow bloggers. With a mini-bio and portrait photo of the photographer. Since I started back writing everyday (book & script) that has taken priority. I read and comment on my dedicated followers, but that’s all. I’ve gotten over feeling bad about not reading all the e-mails. And I’m feeling good about writing again! Look at it that way. Keep doing what drives your passion. Whenever you post, I’ll be there to read! ❤️Chryssa
Chryssa – thank you so much for your enthusiasm and encouragement. It is true that I follow many whose frequency has dropped but I continue to smile whenever you or others toss out a joyful, thoughtful or humorous post. I have no doubt mine will be received likewise even if less often. Stay well 💞
Sammy, it was so nice to see a post from you pop up in my mailbox. I’m missing so many people right now – including you. Nice to know you are happily engaged in activities that are making you happy. I’ll be here when you’re ready to pop back in again 🙂
Thank you, Joanne. So many great personaIities and writers have passed through ‘our sights’, haven’t they? I definitely want to stay engaged; I am realizing that consistency might not fit my ‘wax and wane’ energy and interest levels. I hope to compensate with quality 😊 On another note, my biking has been great this summer/fall; I ride with extra caution, but the joy of riding has replaced my fear and bad memories. I hope you are still on track for your planned bike trip.
Glad to cycling has reached a joy place! I’m hoping to get there too 🙂
It’s probably too early to say whether or not I’m on track since this cycling tour is still a year away. I’m spinning indoors now and still at a get-on-the-bike-and-feel-comfortable stage. I’ll be starting serious training in January.
Unfortunately I haven’t lost any weight and that is a HUGE part of my plan. Need to be more focused on this!!
I don’t know if I lose because I refuse to torture myself by weighing, but my clothes begin to fit differently and that’s a plus 😊
Woohoo! That’s ultimately the goal, right?!
I KNEW it! I was getting messages to write you… and there you were, in my inbox.
I am one of the MIA. Just this morning I toyed with the idea of putting my blog on the shelf. I realize as I write this that I’m not ready to do that just yet. Things are good here, just going in a different direction than before.
Glad to hear you are doing well, and thanks for the update!
Thanks, Maggie. I send thoughts your way often and miss your participation terribly. But this is the most ‘elastic’ community I’ve ever been part of – nothing but support and welcomes whenever we’re here and however we choose to join in. I feel very blessed. No need to shelve; once a blog buddy, always a blog buddy.
Life is short and we should follow our passions ~ whatever they are at the moment. If you decide you’re ready again, we’ll be here.
Thank you, Carol. The best part of blogging is having understanding friends like you. I certainly am not disappearing. Just removing my own expectations and self-imposed scheduling.
We all go through seasons of busy-ness, when blogging takes a back seat. I believe it’ s a good thing, gives the writing mojo a rest now and then so it can fire up again later.
Thanks, Mary. I haven’t been blogging long enough to have weathered the highs and lows of distractions, so it helps to hear reassurance from you. The back burner will keep my site on a low simmer for now!
RIGHT! That’s it then! I’m off to pursue other goals, this minute, if not sooner. Definitely there’s a feeling that I’m missing out, Sammy. Seems other people have lives 😦 Enjoy yours! 🙂
No I think YOU manage to have a very full life (as your walks and travels demonstrate) and STILL find time to stay active with your blog. I think my time management skills aren’t up to snuff (and I get frustrated with my computer). As long as each of us does what fits us, we’re maximizing our living 😊
It’s great that you still take the trouble to visit, Sammy, and I really appreciate that. I re-read the Annie post and got confused all over again 🙂 🙂 Have fun!
Gosh, Jo – you and Jude are two if my favs! I’m not shelving my reading, just a little blogging hiatus on my blog😊
I have noticed that, too. I’ve been gone so much that it’s been difficult to blog, but there are much fewer posts in my “inbox.” So strange. By the way, we were in Michigan, Canada, NY, Penn, Ohio, and Indiana just in time for the trees :).
Your Annie project is kind of hilarious. You and me both. I used to teach out of “readers” for freshman comp, and they always had a selection from Dillard’s Pilgrim. I was always so hohum about it (AND I DON’T KNOW WHY) and would generally not assign it. But then all these other Annie’s started showing up. I DO know Ann Patchett because I LOVED her book about Lucy Grealy and less liked her novel State of Wonder. How does Alice fit in with those Annies, by the way?
LOL I just threw Alice in because I loved her name – Alice Munro – and hadn’t read any of her short stories! Thanks for the chuckles. This Alice project has led me in so many directions, I haven’t quite sorted it out but I am reading other very meaningful works.
I figured you had a steady stream of WOW moments during your travels. We get quite a bit of red and orange in landscaped settings here – hard and soft maples – plus the aspen golds. This was the first year I felt closed in by Michigan trees and wanted to push them back for ‘more sky’!
Do whatcha gotta do, Sammy. I’m spending every possible minute outside before winter sends me running for the fireplace, thick socks, whatever goes on indoors for eleventy-hundred months. Cheers!
😊. Don’t I know it! Got my thick sox out yesterday. Today half the gorgeous red leaves blew off the trees in a big gust. Thanks for stopping by !
Enjoy your reading chère Sammy ! ❤
I’m going to email you.
I think it is important that you follow what feels right for you. Thanks so much for taking the time to visit my blog today!
Happy mid-autumn to you.
Enjoy your time and your fall projects! I hope you’re doing well.
Thanks, Lori. Right now I’m nursing Hub through knee replacement surgery. He’s recovering in record time, but blogging is way down on my activity list even now that he’s back to self-sufficiency. I’m writing; just not blogging!
Hope you’ve enjoyed this great autumn!
Yes, it’s been wonderfully sunny and warm. I’m glad Hub is doing so well with his knee replacement. It’s great that you’re writing! Have fun with it, and enjoy the season! Winter will be here soon enough.
Thanks, Lori. I am still reading all your posts 😀
Thank you!
Waiting for your return. Let me know the moment you’re back. In the meanwhile–hoping your hiatus is productive and happy-making!
Thank you, Damyanti!
I can relate SO deeply to this post!! Autumn is the time for immersing in activities other than writing, I think. I took my break and have returned with a refreshed sense of how I want to approach blogging: less anal; more spontaneous.
I wish you well in your quiet time. And thanks for visiting/following MochaMuse. I appreciate it!
Now I’ll explore a bit more of your site . . . jayni
Thank you, Jayni. It’s the computer time I begin to resent, and have turned to cursive in notebooks fir awhile as a nice change. I look forward to reading some of your posts – past & future!
Don’t forget to come back!
Such a lyrical post, Sammy. And so true, goals change, move in different directions, stagnate for a while. I once took on a writing-prompt project — writing daily based on a prompt for more than a month. I loved it but was creatively and emotionally drained by the end, and needed to go away from writing and move to reading, reading, and more reading. Spending time reading and exploring is the best way to recharge your writing self. It will come back to you, I’m sure, both the desire and inspiration.
Happy to see this post, albeit a bit late. Come back when you’re ready. We’ll be here. Hugs.
Thank you, Silvia. I cherish all of you and the space we gift each other. 💖