Memory lanes arrived at their future destination

Until the calendar flipped over to January 1, 2012, it didn't register how much I missed my favourite bloggers. With a few of them, we kept in touch via Facebook (LB1 talked me into trying FB.) Now I've given up on FB, mostly because I missed having substance in my life. Substance outside of illness too. That's all too much substance, which I'll write about briefly someday probably. Don't worry, it will likely and hopefully be the ONLY post about illness on this blog.

Anyhow, some of my favourite bloggers STILL link to me here. And they have apparently not forgotten me entirely. That's really something. It's meaningful. So I've been reading my fav bloggers here and there when I can and I have to say, it's a fabulous feeling. Like connecting with old friends, even though most of us really don't know each other at all. I mean, a blog is one thing, but real life knowing is something else. Oh forget it, you know what I mean I hope.

When I think about cork flooring (still debating that) for a part of my house, I immediately recall Secret Agent Woman's installation of cork flooring and why she chose it. When I think about installing a tile backsplash, painting, draperies, yard work...she's the first person who comes to mind actually for any and all of that. But the cork flooring...I can't tell you how many times I've reflected on that and her kitchen. And the black sink, which I loved.

Reading Mr. Write On is wonderful because (a) he knows how to write, and (b) there's a fun/strange/happy/weird synchronicity between his posts and his life, and my life, or what's in my head sometimes, or even the timing of when he writes about a subject.

One favourite blogger has managed (no surprise to those of us who read him) to build a career strictly from the popularity of his blog. He STILL links to me and he's all high profile now and probably doesn't remember me. But still, he didn't drop the link. On his part it's likely nothing, but to me, it's meaningful.

There is one favourite....i'm waiting on him to give me hell. He takes photos of sheep for me. He lives in an area I refer to as "Jane Austen Land" (because that's what works for me in my head). Anyway, sheep casually wander past his backyard, or down his street. Can you imagine?? I would KILL for sheep to be wandering my neighbourhood. Hell, I would KILL to live in a neighbourhood like that whether it had sheep or I had to import them and train them to wander. We kept up on FB somewhat, and he has still been blogging all this time. But I have not been reading his blog. Or any blogs really, until 2012 again. I cannot wait to catch up with him there. FB just doesn't cut it and it just wasn't the same. And when I show up on his blog, I am prepared for him to ignore me if only to teach me a lesson in the value of friendship. You walk away, you pay. I know. I hope not in this case though.

Anyhow, I'm pushing against my illness wrapping up stuff for my volunteer position. Today should have been grocery shopping and resting. Yesterday was full on resting. Anyway, it's hell using a computer to relax while knowing you have work to do on that computer. So I gave in and did more work today. Stuff that could have waited until tomorrow but what the hell. Get it done today and then tomorrow I can go grocery shopping. Then I thought - hang on, I could always go get groceries tonight at 2 a.m. During insomnia weeks, I've done that before. But now i'm tired and symptomatic so grocery shopping is impossible. And I'm out of coffee. Tomorrow morning is going to be horrid.

A week ago, I couldn't sleep and spent a day and a half reading a favourite blogger, to catch up. It was wonderful. It also felt like a privilege. Having a personal blog is an online record of your life. I don't know how personal I'll be getting this time, but when I read blogs like that, it feels like a privilege. As if a dear old friend came over for coffee and filled me in on everything that's been happening in their life. God, I miss this, and how I've missed all of my favs and didn't.even.know.it. How is that possible?

What's most interesting is how many of my fav bloggers and I have either the same goals right now or the same things happening in life. For some, it's happening with them now and i've gone through it in the time I've been away. For others, what I'm feeling like and trying to do now, they're doing or have just recently done. Or they're writing about someone else in the same boat I'm in or similar enough at least. It's kind of freaky I must say.

Maybe it means I know how to pick the bloggers (people) who are good to have in my life, versus people who are not. The fact that I picked such good people to follow and read, and then walked away from them, makes me want to slap myself upside the head. But then, I was in no shape to circulate. Now I am again. And look, my favourites are all still here! I'm catching up, slowly, but I am catching up. It's wonderful.

And for the friends I met via blogging, who have kept up with me via FB and G+ and even Twitter, I wish you were blogging again. I'm having a hell of a time reading more than one social media thingy. But I'm glad you've stuck with me through all the laneways. I'm still linking you whether you blog or not. And if YOU need to disappear for a while, you know where and how to find me when you feel like catching up. I look forward to that.