Ten Years, 589 Posts - A Decade of Exploration and Memories

Life is not just the passing of time.  Life is the collection of experiences and their intensity. - Jim Rohn

When I sat down to write today's post, I searched for a quote to preface it and I'm pretty sure there's no better quote than this one for the job.  This past week, April 4th to be exact, my blog, "Life As I See It" marked its 10 year anniversary.  10 years!!!  It seems like yesterday that I sat down at my computer to begin this blog, not knowing what it would be, how long it would last, who might read it or whether I'd have enough to share to even constitute a 'blog'. 

Here we are, ten years later, and it seems I have not run out of words and thankfully have not run out of interested readers.  While I didn't have a very concrete image of what this blog might become, there were things I was committed to it not becoming.  I didn't want this to be a sponsored blog - one where I made money for advertising.  I wanted my blog to be a place where I could share places I'd discovered, places undiscovered in my 60 years of life - some practically in my own backyard.  After just eight such stories, I switched gears a little and wrote my first 'philosophical' post, Changing How We See.  In that post I shared photos of old, decayed trees that still stood despite their condition, and talked about judging a book by its cover.  I encouraged people to view the elderly, tattered people in your life, not as broken or beyond their usefulness, but as treasure chests of wisdom and experience with so much to teach and share.  Since that post, I wrote 75 more 'Food for Thought' posts - those being my favorites, ones I'm most proud of. 

And then I met Reggie - a jolly guy who operated a food truck between Broadalbin and Galway.  Reggie was the first person who struck a nerve so deep that I felt compelled to write about him.  That led to 50 more posts about other special folks I met along my journey whose story I wanted to share.  That became my "Intriguing People" category and included famous folks like my third cousin, Leo Durocher,  Bailey Wind and regular folks who we met in our travels that just really made a difference in my life.  It also included stories about several of my relatives.  I discovered that I love telling people's stories.

In 2015 I began sharing local businesses on the blog.  I loved photographing shops I frequented and felt honored to be able to spotlight them on the blog.  That continued throughout my 10 years.  2015 was my most prolific year on the blog.  I wrote 102 posts - 13 in November alone.   Over the years the number of posts fluctuated, the last couple years being pretty quiet with 27-32 posts each year since 2020, but I still love to write and love the outlet I have here on the blog.  

All in all, in ten years I've written 589 posts.  They encompass stories about destinations in NY, VT, MA, CT and RI.  There are 28 about Gardens, many, many about local shops (including The Speckled Hen, everybody's favorite), a category about Animals, This & That (where a large variety of miscellaneous stories appear) and even some dining reviews in Let's Eat.  Let's just say - I have rarely been at a loss for words.  So many places and adventures I probably would not have experienced had I not had the blog as incentive, like the launch of the Adirondack Cruise & Charter, The Saratoga Automobile Museum, and so many more.  The blog took me out of my homebody mode and gave me a sense of adventure to explore and see things I wouldn't have thought to see had it not been for the sole purpose of having material to share on the blog.  And let's not forget why this all started when my youngest daughter and family moved to Indiana and I needed a distraction from the void and grief I was feeling.  The blog was the silver lining in my cloud and became the bright spot that lasted long after her return.

So where does all that bring me, here in 2024.  I'm filled with gratitude - to have had the time retired to explore so many amazing venues so close to home.  I'm grateful for the technical ability (much acquired along the way) to start a blog and grow it over the years into what it is today.  I'm grateful to have had the opportunity to discover how much I love writing and sharing stories behind the photos I take.  But mostly I'm grateful for all of the folks, like you, who have been along for this journey reading my stories and emailing me your own thoughts and experiences over the years.  Without you, the readers, this blog would just be a journal and while that isn't a bad thing, it's been so much more fun having you all along for the ride.  I've met so many wonderful, special folks - people who touched my heart in such a profound way.  Many of those folks I met as a result of chasing down a photo or being in the right place at the right time, often for the sake of this blog.  Had I not explored this journey of blogging, I would have missed so much.  It has truly been a blessing.

Where do I go from here?   Well, as I write this, I am taking a break from social media.  When that break began on Jan 2nd, I wasn't sure how long it would last but I'm still 'breaking' 3 months later.  I've also not been taking photos.  I can't say for sure how long it will be before I get back at it, (if I do) perhaps when the landscape regains its beauty, who knows?  I am still writing and I can promise I will continue to. There WILL be more blogs. That I know for sure.  I hope you stick with me and will enjoy whatever is to come in 2024.  In the meantime, whether you're an OG or came to the blog later, I urge you to take time to explore my blog Directory to explore what you may have missed.  As we approach summer and look for things to do, my New York blogs spotlight so many fun attractions you may not even realize are so close to home.  Thank you sincerely for being an audience and a friend and for allowing me to share Life As I See It with you for a decade!!  It means everything to me to have had you along for the ride.