2:39 a.m.
Lying in bed. I Can’t Sleep. Apparently, I still haven’t Live & Learned enough.
The window is open. It’s me and the crickets, and my thoughts that fill the night. And a passing car in the distance.
I hear / another year rustle by like the night’s / one car. (Beckian Fritz Goldberg)
8 years ago today, well, not exactly today, but close enough, this blog was born.
I jump over to FB to re-read a comment on my last post: Tethered to Nothing.
This comment coming from a thoughtful (very), quiet (very), semi anonymous Follower.
“Tethered by community. Tethered by the community you have created with your posts.”
And then the soft ah-ha.
Tethered to Nothing?
No.
Tethered to you. All of you.
And grateful…
Photo: Mennyfox55
and we, on the other side of the equation, are tethered back. thanks for being here.
As always Shinto, just the right message back. Thank you.
The feeling is mutual, pal. This community and the friends I have made here are something special. One thing I especially treasure? There’s no nasty sniping or snarkiness…we laugh, we ponder, we mourn, we consider, we praise, and we give thanks for the many wonders in this beautiful crazy world of ours…and now for each other. Grateful.
Beautifully captured (as always, your words, Magic to me). Thank you Lori.
Lori, you put it so beautifully and perfectly in words; I feel like ‘I can go home now’ and let it rest. Except that, of course, I can’t – ’cause I have to read all comments, 55 presently, and then add mine too – because same as you and 7 others – I will want to thank Dave personally for the joy & thoughts he brings into our lives. It brought YOU to my attention and I’m so thankful for that! Love to you…
Awww, thank you, Kiki! The feeling is mutual…
Grateful, indeed. In the insanity that is our world today, in the relentless thrum of fear and dismay, the delight in being tethered to something good and decent is especially wonderful. You have brought people together in a way that few do – a delightful swirl of thoughts and concern, humor and aha moments – all connected by love and friendship. An anniversary of appreciation, my friend – now go to sleep.
Thank you Mimi. You’ve been an inspiration each morning for me for years from the beginning. Not sure how you found me, but I’m so grateful.
We’ve been there for each other…the blogging gods knew we would be good friends
Laughing. They did.
Oh I love our little WP family; 💚 our banter and our familiarity with each other. 8 yrs! Wow! well done 👏👏👏 and still can’t sleep huh? 😉
Me too Karen. And too, so far far way and its all still possible. (And still can’t sleep, hmmm)
Everything is possible! Even sleep my friend. 💤😀
Then, Karen, please bring it on.
Think DK, of the people you have never met, never laughed/cried with, never hugged, but with whom you share your world with, via the blog.
So so agree Ray. Amazing forum and community. Thank you for being here.
thank you
Thanks!
Yes! And what a worthy nourishing tethering it is. 💛
It is!
So rich. Thanks, DK. 🙏
Thank you Roseanne.
I’m
Thankful
You’re
Here.
(Started and deleted several other comments, decided I’d tell the truth.)
Well thank you for THAT! Appreciate you Lisa.
Thank you, thank you, thank you for inspirational thoughts and photographs. Your soul is a gift to us all.
Thank you!
Thank you and congratulations
Thank you Linda.
One of Canada’s kindest exports, you (along with your magnanimous commenters from all over!) leaven my cybermorn with realness and thus hope, and thus peace. ♥️
Awww yes, the highest possible compliment to be considered one of Canada’s kindest exports. Thank you Carol. And yes, we have an amazing community here. All the best.
As I see it…Pigpen’s blanket covers a whole lot more than the territorial paths we have chosen, and choose to take into tomorrow. You, DK, remind us often…it covers us. All. Together.
Awwwwwww, thank you Raye. I appreciate the unique light that you shine on all of us.
Happy Anniversary…thanks for all the faithful effort your posts consume. I look forward to them every time. Hope you can get some sleep.
>
Thank you! I appreciate your kind words and followership.
Grateful for you David.
Awww. So great to hear from you Lorraine. Thank you!
David,
I have followed your blog for several years, yet never commented. I have been neglectful of praise! I subscribe to half a dozen blogs, yet yours is the only one I consistently, faithfully open and read. Often re-read. And Wednesday hump day? Always brings a smile of delight! Thank you for curating the image with your thoughts or authors’ excerpts. Thank you for being consistently thoughtful, prompting me to think from another POV and bringing new authors into my experience. Warm regards.
Awww Deanna. So heartwarming to hear from you and to learn you’ve been following along so quietly. Thank you!
…you and us…and the crickets…all precious!
Laughing. Truth! Thank you Valerie.
Gosh, your faithful readers have been so eloquent in saying what I’ve been trying to say. So I’ll keep it simple. You have created the rope that tethers us together. You, sir, are a wonderful human being. You have created a haven for us all to be part of and we appreciate you to no end.
Awww. So kind Dale. Thank you. It’s one rope with everyone pulling. 😊
It’s the truth. And yes, you have given us each a section, if you will.
Sign of great manager. Less work for me. 😂
Ha ha! Yes! Well done, you!
Years of honing the skill
It’s fun to be a part of the network.
And it’s so fun to have you as part of it!
Tnx, DK. And I’m glad you understand my odd sense of humour.
I do. And awed at what you see that I don’t. Jacks up my awareness.
The benefits (for all of us) of sharing.
Words fail me!
I’ve been contemplating how to express my gratitude for what you do since last night. The right words for what Live & Learn, You, have brought into my life. Words fail me, David.
🙏
Awwwww. Thank you! For Words to fail YOU, now that is SOMETHING. Thank you Sawsan.
Yes, there’s a mini me standing right next to me now, looking at me up and down, shaking her head!!!
“Miss big mouth is speechless, ha?”
No Comment!!!!!
Sawsan, THIS YOUR comment made me burst into laughter, you speechless – you’ve got to be kidding…. but isn’t hat the best sign, when others can leave us breath- and speechless. I think that’s the biggest compliment you can pay Dave 🙂
Smiling…
And still speechless
Send me a pic of you, speechless 😉
LAUGHING!!!
Send one to Essam too. He would likely want to see the Miracle as well.
I’m a woman of extremes, nothing in the middle. And he doesn’t get one extreme without the other. This is how it works here.
Yes, he’s a Saint.
A tethering that causes a shift in the universe and lets in more light. At least that’s how I see these wonderful, virtual connections. 😊🙏
Beautiful characterization Sharon. Yes.
Tethered – one of those many beautiful, meaningful and slightly mysterious words in the English language, I so love and treasure. I’m often at the end of my tether, would like to throw a tantrum, but at whom, please?, so I let it go…. Often, I feel tethered to ‘things, decisions, people, conundrums, stuff’ – it’s one of the words I find hard to use in another language because to me it has a really special sense, and in German or French I have to hunt for an equivalent…. It’s a special word like ethereal, misty, serendipity, serene. It’s a blessing and a curse. How to use correctly, how to express very specifically what I mean.
And so I stay tethered to your lips, your writing hand, your brain, but mostly to your heart. I bless the day good old Dale brought me over to you, I still hope (in vain, I know) to find the time to go through the seven years of your writing this blog, the seven years I didn’t know about you, and I’m still looking very much forward to those many hidden treasures I should be able to consume one day. I not only have you to be thankful to and your writing I’m thankful to ‘consume’, I am thankful also to newly found friends, some of which I follow on their blogs when and if I’ve the time.
Your blog is the only one I ALWAYS read. Why? You’re short (and often sweet). You’re concise, to the point and when you meander, it’s for a good story and well worth the ‘detour’. You have introduced me to far too many excellent writers, artists and wonderful human beings. I say far too many because I haven’t got enough years in my life to read them all. But we do what we can, with a glad heart.
I have found, thanks to you and the comments to your posts, many new friends such as Dale, Sawsan, Lori, Beth, Karen, I’ve often smiled and ‘liked’ Karen, Anneli, Mimi Roseanne, and others, I’ve been gifted with friendship, laughter, smiles and tears through your writing – and I truly wish you a new dog and a long continuation of the ‘good stuff’ you treasure-hunt for us. Love and greetings to your long suffering wife Susan and many thanks to her for letting her miss so much of your time for the pleasure and joy you give to your readers. (not sure about Susan any more, if that’s not her name, insert correct name)
This is the COMMENT OF THE DAY. Thank you Kiki!
you’ve created a wonderful community, and not just because of your posts. it’s because you care about your fellow bloggers. thank you for all that you do, and I wish you continued success.
Thank you Jim. I appreciate your friendship and followership very much.
Your posts make me wonder, gasp, ponder, sing and smile. Keep ’em coming! PRETTY PLEASE. MJ
awww, thank you MJ. Appreciate you very much.
:: ditto ::
grateful… I know the work and I know the commitment. your presence and posts are gifts as inspiration is near but not yet surfaced. there is a bond… for that I am grateful.
Awww, thank you Carrie. Very kind.