Happy Birthday, Dear Blog

This blog turns one year old tomorrow, August 1! And I'm celebrating a day early because it's the weekend and I can do that.

Seriously, I wanted to take a moment from railing against health care and politics to acknowledge my little birthday and thank my blogging buddies and internet friends for their support. I've learned a lot this year.

I started my blog initially because my adult daughter had one and I'd enjoyed reading it all last summer; she encouraged me to start one of my own. I knew less than nothing about how to do any of it. I went to the store and bought Blogging for Dummies. I swear.

Initially I wasn't sure of my blog's focus and I wrote about things like my dog, my daily life, things that Steve and I did, like going to military band concerts and eating out. Mice. Day trips. Flowers. And I still do some of that, but as you know, I eventually settled into being primarily a political blog. Like the world needed another one of those.

I've made some people mad, I lost some readers over politics, and I've gained some. I've "met" some great people and I've found some terrific blogs (see my blogroll!).

Robert Stacy McCain has been indispensable. There's been a small internet war over his "Rules" this week, which I'm staying out of, but I've learned a lot from Stacy and his encouragement has been invaluable. Some may call his "Rules" silly, but I learned a lot from his words. Stacy has helped more bloggers get established and circulated than anybody I know. He's got a heart of gold. He is hands down one of the best writers I know, and he's what I like to call a "good, old-fashioned journalist" which means he knows what real reporting is and what it's all about to work in a newsroom and to have "ink in your veins" - metaphorically speaking, of course. If you're feeling charitable, click over and hit his tip jar because he needs some new shoe leather.

Speaking of tip jars, I want to thank those folks that have hit mine lately. It's encouraging to know that people enjoy what you write and support your efforts. I like to say I blog for fun, and I do, but the rattling of coins in the tip jar is encouraging! So, thanks! I won't call you by name because I don't want you on any right-wing extremist lists.

So thanks, readers, for coming back. I appreciate each and every one of you.

Happy Birthday to me!