Blog Spotlight #2

I thought I would start giving a regular plug to the blogs I enjoy reading. Some of them maybe new to me, like this week, or it might be a longterm fave who has also become an online friend.

Today I would like to introduce The Inconsequential Opinion a new blog written by a fellow expat' Robert, who is living in Florida. He also met his wife online and has been living in the USA for about the same time I have, so we share a few similarities. But he is about 20 years younger and living in Florida, a whole other world to Oklahoma, so I enjoy his differing viewpoints.

Why did you start a blog?
"I suppose it was just something to do, when I started I was a typical 19/20 year old angry at the world. We're probably the first generation that has had access and the ability to reach this many people around the world so easily and that excited me. I was hoping some publisher would read the ramblings of a young political firebrand and pick me out of the squalor of a mundane office job. Clearly this has not as yet happened."

What do you enjoy most about blogging?
"Freedom. There's no deadlines, no one telling you what to write or what slant to put on it. In addition hearing from people in all corners of the world is, I think, pretty special."

How would you best describe the content of your blog?
"Mixed. I have had previous blogs where I've tried to stick to a topic and they've always become bogged down trying to free themselves from those restraints. I've cut myself loose, whatever I feel like writing about goes."

Any tips for fellow bloggers?
"Make notes. I don't know about anyone else but my memory is pretty bad. I can be sat there and I'll think of something good to write about, then I'll look out the window and completely forget about it. Those ideas never seem to return, they're out there in the ether."

Are you hoping to achieve anything specific with your blog?
"Just to take an accurate snapshot of my life as it is and the world I see right now."

How has your blog impacted on your life?
"I met my wife through a blog comment on my first blog. True story (read here). A blog flipped my life around and moved me 5000 miles from home. I guess any other impact will pale in comparison."

Which of your blog posts is your favourite to date and why?
"There's not a lot to chose from at present but I like A Homage to Furry Friends just because it made me examine the recesses of my memory and lots of happy recollections. Dogs are just awesome."

What makes a great blog post in your opinion?
"Good question. It has to be something that the writer wants to write about. You can always tell when someone's written something that they weren't into, it's almost like a faded version of the real thing. If you don't want to write about something, don't write about it."

Anything else you'd like to share about yourself, your life, or your blog?
"Um...Hi Mum!

I want to apologize for my appalling UK/USA spelling, I'm not too consistent on that, even though I know color has a 'u' in it, I often can't abide the wiggly line underneath it telling me I can't spell. Damn colonies..."

Please drop by and give Robert at The Inconsequential Opinion a friendly welcome to his new blogging endeavour, I think you'll enjoy his writing and humour.

Blog Spotlight #1

I thought it would be fun to start a somewhat regular new blog feature, Blog Spotlight. Each time I will introduce a blogger who could be new on the scene, or an old friend like this weeks choice. So without further ado, let me introduce the delightful Kay of Musings.

Kay lives in Hawaii, having returned to her birthplace to enjoy her retirement after living many years in Illinois. She lives with her superfit husband Art and her intrepid mom, they live a very active life and love to travel every year to new places. In 2008 she came within 50 miles of me, only we didn't realise it until the next day, but one day I hope we can meet.

I have enjoyed her blog for almost 3 years as she shares life's joys, travels, tribulations and trials. Kay is definitely one of those people in life who invariably looks on the bright side and will leave you feeling better off for visiting her.

Why did you start a blog?
"It all started with Dina of Jerusalem Hills Daily Photoblog. We were good friends in Illinois before she moved to Jerusalem. She thought a blog would be a wonderful way for us to stay connected and walked me through the steps of putting one together. So I guess I started it as a way to stay connected with her, but it also enabled my children to know what we were up to."

What do you enjoy most about blogging?
"I've especially enjoyed meeting other bloggers and learning things from them. You, especially! I feel like I'm never alone. I'm always connected to the rest of the country and the world. How amazing is that?"

How would you best describe the content of your blog?
"I had the worst time deciding what my blog should be about. I couldn't settle on a theme, much less a title for it. That was why I eventually decided to just call it Musings because it's pretty much whatever thought crosses my mind for the day. I guess there's a lot about my family because they do keep crossing my mind all the time."

Any tips for fellow bloggers?
"I think a way to have others discover you is to visit and leave comments in blogs you enjoy reading. I always like seeing photos on posts; it doesn't have to be a lot. (By the way, don't forget to reduce the size of your photos before you post.) I try not to make my posts too too too long. OK, I know I've broken that rule countless times. However, if a post is too long, I tend to shy away because I love to visit a lot of friends in the cybersphere."

Are you hoping to achieve anything specific with your blog?
"Nope. Wait, maybe. I am a retired teacher so I suppose I can't get away from still wanting to foster understanding and relaying any useful information I might have stored in my rapidly declining memory banks."

How has your blog impacted on your life?
"It keeps me thinking and gives me a schedule. It's also amazing how many of my friends and relatives have started checking in (without leaving comments, alas!). They've just told me that they feel connected to me which is lovely. I've also met some fabulous people through my blog. (I'm waving at you, Sarah.) It's also wonderful to get helpful advice and recommendations from around the world."

Which of your blog posts is your favourite to date and why?
"I do enjoy going back to the posts I've done while I've been away on trips. It brings back all the excitement and feelings of wonder that travel gives you. As for my favorite post... remember what I said about my rapidly declining memory banks?"

What makes a great blog post in your opinion?
"Wow! This is a hard one. As I've mentioned before, a picture or two, not too long a post, interesting topics are helpful, but good writing is essential. And humor! I love humor! I also find it easier to comment if people would stick to one subject area in a post (not that I always do)."

Anything else you'd like to share about yourself, your life, or your blog?
"I'd just like to thank you and everyone for spending time with me occasionally. I love the idea of shaking hands and giving a hug through my computer screen."

Do take the time to go and visit Kay at Musings and say "hello", I think you'll be glad you did.

Guest Blogger - Life at Willow Manor

Today we have a treat in store. My great bloggy friend and wonderful writer Willow has agreed to be my first ever 'Guest Blogger'!

Her blog Life at Willow Manor, was recently featured as one of Bloggers prestigious 'Blogs of Note' and so please take the time to pay her a visit, I can guarantee great writing and usually some learning too. So without anymore ado, I hand you over to Willow...

"An-glo-phile, n. a person who is friendy to, or admires England or English customs, institutions, etc.

I guess you could say I officially became an angophile at the tender age of six when I fell deeply in love with Paul McCartney. Then there was Mary Poppins. I wanted to be Jane Banks, live in London, sleep under a down comforter and run around with chimney sweeps.

In 1969, when I was 13, I was totally besotted with Prince Charles after watching his investiture on TV. My favorite cut out magazine photo of him was still the center attraction of my dorm room bulletin board. Yes, I was one of the millions who was up at four a.m. glued to the TV watching with adoring interest his marriage to Diana and promptly subscribed to the British magazine, Royalty.

My dreams came true in 1989 when I spent three days in London visiting all the spots of my dreams. Sadly, I didn't happen to bump into Paul, Mary, Charles, Diana or even Laura Ashley, for that matter. But I did have a glorious time.

Now, since joining the blog world last year, I am amazed at the number of Brits living in the UK and in the US who are now my bloggy friends. One of the first was indeed, Brit' Gal Sarah, who has ended up smack dab in the middle of Tornado Alley, USA.

One of the very first posts I read of Sarah's was a "purse post" in which she featured one of her many handbags of the day, complete with historical background, fashion ensemble and name. If my memory serves me right, the purse of the day was her "Pocahontas" bag. Yep. It actually did look like Pocahontas, in a similar way that a dog looks like his owner! It had me in stitches and I've been a regular reader ever since. I love her fun sense of humor and her amusing, and sometimes earthy accounts of adjusting to her new life in Oklahoma with her beloved Hubster."

Willow