Tuesday, March 1, 2011

A blog that isn't all sunshine and roses.

My gal pal Jennifer  sent an email to day with a link to this blog with this post.
(And for the record, I don't think she is happy at all.  Momentary happiness, possibly.)


The following is my comment to the post:

A friend emailed this post to me and the subject line said "I don't know what to make of this post."



I had never seen your blog, before. I read and read and read and hit links and hit back and hit more links. Like a train wreck, I couldn't take my eyes off of it.


I can't decide if you are psycho or just the most honest person I've ever read. I make jokes about my own blog that it is the life I wish I had. Part of that is because every ounce of creativity and expression dries up when I am in angst. Perhaps I should push through. I try to write my blog for myself, but as Steve Martin says, anyone who says they are writing for themself is a liar because anyone who writes is writing to be read. I feel as if my own blog is sunshine and roses most of the time and we all know that isn't real life. I was almost offended when someone said it was a sweet, happy blog.


Because I have been an enabler in the past and still have enabling tendencies and because I try to see the best in people...I'm going with you are the most honest blogger I've ever read and even if you are psycho, you aren't afraid to tell the world, which takes a lot of balls.


I will keep reading and get back to you on this.


Cheryl

I would urge you to read her blog and get back to me on this.  What do people really want?  Do they want to read it all- the good, the bad and the ugly?  Is it poor manners to reveal all?  Is nothing sacred?  Do we want to air our dirty laundry in public? 
 
The first blog I ever read was Stephanie Klein's Greek Tragedy.  Doug sent her blog to me in an email saying "I ran across this and thought you might enjoy it."  I don't know how he ran across her blog.  I started reading her blog years ago when her twins were born prematurely. 
 
You know how you happen upon a blog and you read and read and read and keep going back and back and back and gobbling up their life?  That is how I was with Stephanie Klein.  That is how I was just now with Penelope. 
 
I love a lot of things about the blog community.  I think it is hard to explain to someone who isn't a part of the blog community what it is like.  First of all, it takes a certain type of person.  Writers are usually open and spew and put themselves and their lives and everyone in their lives into their blog.  Someone who is related to me has said "don't put this in your blog and don't put photos of this in your blog."  I understand that and respect her wishes. 
 
When I write something positive about Doug, his chest puffs up and he struts like a rooster in a hen yard.  And when I write something negative about him, he either doesn't mention at all or he will say "did you have to say that about me?"  This is when I say "if you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen.You are with a writer." 
 
Personally, I would rather write about something on my blog than on facebook.  I grew up singing in a church before about six hundred people.  Then later in life I found myself singing in a little country church before about fifty or sixty people.  When I sang in front of six hundred people it was easy.  I was singing for the masses.  They were a blur.  When I sang before fifty or sixty people in a small country church, they were literally up close and personally and eye-balling me.  I could see their faces!  It was a lot harder to do that.  For me, that is how I compare my blog and facebook.  My blog is for the masses.  Facebook is for the country church. 
 
I've gotten to know some of the people whose blogs I read and some of the people who read my blog.  One person I've become closest to says she  aspires to be more with her readers.  I know she and I are very real in the emails we exchange.  Another woman that I email with behind the scenes says that one thing she likes about the blog community is that we share things with one another that we wouldn't share with family. 
 
I know that I write because I need to write.  I know there are nights I cannot go to bed until I write about something that is on my heart and mind.  And I know there have been nights that I've got out of bed to write. They say that sixty thousand people read Penelope Trunk's blog. 
People must want it all.  The good, the bad, the ugly.

13 comments:

MamaMonki said...

Blogging is what helps me make it through some days. I've been scolded by my inlaws for blogging about personal things - I never use names - and few people who read my blog know me, they even said to my hubby, "I can't believe you let her do this" As if! I started blogging four years ago when we were just realizing that we weren't going to be able to have babies the normal way. Blogging and the girls I met through that blog helped me know that I wasn't alone in the journey I was on - that others were in the same place or had been there. They shared my tears and my joy and we lived states apart.

Patty said...

I've debated between personal stuff and not. The older I get, the more I don't care what people think and I write what I want to. I used to do all food, now I have much more to share than just food. I think once people get to know you, you become a friend and friends share everything, the good, the bad and the ugly.

Princess of Everything (and then some) said...

I read her post. It is painful and I am not sure what to think about it.

Well....yes I know at first read but I do not know if that is fair to her.

Anyway, you know me...I have chosen to be honest and open in my blog. The only think I protect is the grands and I will continue to do that for behind the scene circumstances. I think there are lots of people out there like you and me. I think that they think they are alone and have no options. I think being real shows people that there are options.

Is crazy as a march hare an option?? ~laffin~

I pink puffy heart you girl For reals. And I wish that we were neighbors.

Chatty Crone said...

I looked over her blog and have to admit - it is painfully honest. I thought it was interesting, but not one I'd really follow. sandie

Whosyergurl said...

Mama M: "To thine own self be true!" You just keep writing! There are some people in my life who "get on me" for things I write. My response for them is if you don't like it, don't read it!
Patty: I like your blog better since you do more than food!
Minders! I pink puffy heart you, too!
Sandie, a comment her husband said was "this is more than interesting..." I gotta think that 60,000 followers says something. Maybe some of them are curiosity seekers?
xoxoxoxo, Cheryl

^..^Corgidogmama said...

The closer I get to sixty, the more I feel that being a tad psycho can be refreshing.
It brightens things up.
Sometimes, it just damnit all, makes the day tolerable!
You well know, that I am not a perky, cheerful blogger. I'm always feeling evil about something. I can be sweet, but mostly, the dark side wins.
Hrmph!

Sandy, Sisters of Season said...

Hi Cheryl,

I totally agree with Patty's comment . . I don't care what people think as I get older. What's to hide anymore . . sometimes your experiences, your thoughts, your life helps somebody else. I've made the best friends from blogland . . . Sandy:O)

Pam said...

Her post was definitely honest and if that's the way she wants to express herself, so be it. Maybe a post like that is just what someone else is looking for.

Privet and Holly said...

Hey Girlie,
you've peaked
my interest and
now I will be the
one million and
one person who
looks in on Penelope!!
I was just thinking
about you the other
day, and then you came
to my virtual coffee : )
It was so nice to see
you! Did I ever tell
you that we used to live
in Fishers, Indiana, and
that our eldest was born
in Fishers?? A Hoosier
by birth : ) Off now to
check out P's blog. I'll
get back to you...
xx Suzanne

Privet and Holly said...

I could be wrong,
but I sensed a bit
of drama for drama's
sake over there....
Having not followed
the blog, not sure why
the farmer would change
his will and cut out
his wife when they have
little children together.
That's really odd, if true.
I'm just sayin'.....Even
if it's honest, I'm not
sure that I could read this
very often. It's unsettling.
And I like to find the positive
in life and this would drag
me down as much as the news
on TV does!!! But, I DO
appreciate you starting the
conversation. Your blog feels
true to me...
xx Suzanne

Heidrun Khokhar, KleinsteMotte said...

Speed dial issue isfunny because if you've ever lived in a rural setting you'd realize it takes a long time before anyone arrives. changing a will is wierd. Is she not a co-owner of the property? She is not smart. A wise woman makes sure the place she raises her sons in is co owned just for the reason of, "what if he leaves me?"

ain't for city gals said...

I'm going to go over and check her out..will be back later to let you know. The one question that I have been thinking about lately is..If you moved somewhere that absolutely no one knew who you were and how you were before would you be a different person or the same? I can't decide what I would do or be..

ain't for city gals said...

ok I read just the one post...saving the rest until I have more time because I feel like I will read it from beginning to end...I like this kind of writing..I believe her and I kind of think most people think that way...they just don't put it into words...myself included. Maybe if I was by myself..I would not do or say anything to hurt my husband's feelings..I just couldn't...he is too good and doesn't deserve it. If i have feelings like the bloger it is because of me ..they do have a strange relationship though...maybe that is what is fascinating about it...lol..we need to have a glass of wine over this one..

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