Saved by the cat...

Lately I've gone through, yet again, another period of blogging 'doldrums,' If you blog, you know exactly of that which I speak. It is a time of intense self-doubt about the whole meaning and reasoning of blogging. At it's worst, the blog is in a hormonal mid-life crisis. Urges to hit the delete button and selfishly take the ball home so no one else can play, aren't uncommon. It ain't the right thing to do, but it is a thought every honest blogger admits to having, on occasion. Sometimes blogging is easy. At other times, it feels like work or being stuck in quicksand. Quitting seems less painful.
But then, all the sudden, something as simple as a cat watching Valle Crucis life pass by from the second floor of tobacco barn makes the whole blog ticker tock again and we bloggers resume as if nothing was amiss in the first place .
I'm not sure I can explain it any better than that.

Comments

[Wireless]

Marie: Please don't ever again think of stopping your blog!! Your photos and written material are always better than most of the other blogs out there. And besides, even though we've never met, I feel like I know you as a friend. Thanks!

[jane]

I think I understand. Love the photo (as usual).

[Becky Wiseman]

Well done, well said, Marie. Your pictures are wonderful, by the way. And I understand what you mean regarding the blogging doldrums...

[June]

I so enjoy seeing Boone/Valle Crucis through your eyes. As for blogging...I certainly relate to what you're saying.

[R. Sherman]

Good points, well made. Perhaps the trick is realizing that, as much as people may wish to read your thoughts, one blogs for oneself. There's no law that says one can't take a blogging vacation every so often.

Cheers.

[Daniel]

Listen: I just got you queued up on my Google Reader this week. If you quit, I'm going to be mondo pissed.

Got it? As we say to the kids: "DON'T MAKE ME COME UP THERE!"

Your fan,

[lambchop]

Marie, if you never write another word in your blog again, your photos are so eloquent you don't need to! I'm going to enjoy your kitty/barn photo on my desktop today. Thanks.

[Allison]

Bravo. Well said. :) We have all felt that way.

[Marie]

I'm not going to quit! I was just trying to explain why I can't quit blogging...because of all those Valle Crucis kitties that need to be blogged about;)
Obviously, I am addicted to y'all.

[gump]

Glad to hear that you aren't going to stop. I fell in love with that area while at App. It's continually in my thoughts even though I now live in Wilmington. I check this blog DAILY to get a glimpse of what I hope to retire to one day. If you don't feel like writing some days, we'll igve you a 'pass'. :) Don't stop the photos though. Too many people are counting on them!

[M Light]

Your blog is one of the first I read every day. It's a vicarious taste of the mountains (I live in the Triangle), and I love your photos!

[Amy]

Yes, I know the feeling. :)

Thanks for blog-sharing the pic. I love the way the barn doors frame the cat, who looks so poised and self-possessed, as cats do.

[Joanna Wilcox]

the Kitty/Barn photo is awesome, thanks.

[Janet]

Please don't stop! The bright spot(s) of my day is/are reading you & Gnu!

[Lori Thornton]

I've been fortunate enough to be "saved by the cat" on a number of occasions. Of course, my cat sometimes keeps me from blogging because he demands my undivided attention. Great photo!

[brant]

You don't always have to wax eloquent. Like lambchop said, if you have an interesting photo just post it, and if you must write something about it just say, "Hey y'all, look at this one." You have made a lot of friends out here. We will understand.

[Stephanie]

Marie,

I just want to say how much I look forward reading to your blog every week. You take wonderful pictures. Thank you. I know it's full load with a busy life. I really appreciate the time you take to post photos and prose. If you need to stop for awhile, it's understandable, just know much we've appreciated all your creative hard work. Hope you keep going though!

[Rose]

I for one would definitely miss your blog--I so enjoy the photos. I love this one as is usual. But I do know what you mean about it being a chore sometimes...and I have not even been blogging that long. I do skip days now and then, but have been trying to not skip more than one or two in a row. When I first started I would go for days without posting so I have improved.

[tom e]

Love that barn and the photo of the cat is wonderful.

Marie all of us appreciate your blog and all that you do to make our days a bit brighter with the true magic of your amazing photography. I know it must be hard at times but I for one THANK YOU!!!

[joan]

I'm going through the whole questioning blogging thing right now. I have been posting less frequently and usually just a short blurb based around a picture I took. I thought about taking the rest of the month off. I don't know.
Being a cat lover, I like this pic.

[crow]

you have every right to quit if'n that's what you want. but i personally love your blog because it brings me a little piece of beauty or fun and reminds me of the larger part of the world out there that's worth loving. plus, if not for you, i never would have experience the joy of jimmy smith park (or rivers park)!
crow

[Bobbie]

What a grat photo it was that turned you around!
I haven't come to that point yet. Too new at it. But I'm sure the day will come. I'll try to remember your words - and the great picture - when it does. I do enjoy your blog very much.

[ashvegas]

Hi Marie,
Just coming out from lurking to say hello and encourage you to keep up your incredible blog. i love reading your thoughts and seeing your amazing photos. you inspire.

also let me pass along belated congratulations on the new job. that's great! i also moved to a new job recently - no more Citizen-Times, and hello Mountain Xpress.

cheers!
j

[Feisty49]

I love the picture of the cat in the barn. It is just a perfect scene. I love the Blue Ridge Mountains. Quite a few years ago I drove down from the Albany, NY, area to visit a friend in Charlesston, NC, and of course drove through the mountains. They took my breath away. I'm a mountain/tree lover from my birth, having spent a lot of time in the Adirondacks of New York State and now living in the foothills of the Northern Catskills. Looking at your blog makes me feel good. Thanks for the effort and work! Yes, I understand about the days of it not being easy to blog. The words don't come easily, if at all, but they do return.

[Going Crunchy]

Don't pack it up! I love to stop by to visit and drool at where you live. Shannon