Sunday, April 03, 2011

EXPLAINING THE DECISION TO PULL SATURDAY'S BLOG POST

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IT HAS BEEN A COLD, DAMP, GRAY DAY HERE COMPLETE WITH RAIN & SNOW

Well, it turned out to be a rather non productive day.  Got me the usual case of post travel blues.  Always hits me a few days after getting home from the Southwest every year.  Kind of a headachy lethargic state of dis-interest is probably the best way to describe it.  I’m needing a good dose of Spring Tonic.  Sunshine & warm weather!!

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HAVE DECIDED TO USE SATURDAY'S PHOTOS AGAIN BECAUSE SOME MAY HAVE NOT SEEN THEM......ON MY WAY TO  LAKE HURON TO CATCH A SUNSET.  WE LIVE ABOUT 3 MINUTES FROM THE LAKE:))

We are under gray sky’s, a few degrees above freezing & very damp.  Right now just after supper it is snowing & by the looks of the weather map we may have some thunderstorms inbound across the lake.  I am anxious to get at all the yard work but the piles of snow are taking their sweet time melting.

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DEER PARK LODGE WHERE KELLY WORKS FOR THE SUMMER

A preliminary walk around our small piece of property tells me it was a very tough winter.  Broken tree limbs, shrubs bent double to the ground, one small cedar tree snapped in half & another young pine with it’s top broke off.  The freezing temps have damaged some new cedar trees I had planted last year as well.  Going to be a very big clean up this Spring but I don’t mind that part.  Just good to have something physically productive to do.
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OLD SOL

Figure I owe folks an explanation as to why I pulled Saturday’s blog.  It had to do with a subject that was touched upon in another blog regarding decisions many people face when deciding to chose a full or part time RV lifestyle.  It had to deal with whether to be away from family for varying periods of time.  Children & Grandchildren seemed to be of prime concern.  I wrote a post on my opinions on that subject being careful to emphasize it was only my point of view.  I went to some length with background history to explain where I was coming from with my thoughts.  I knew while writing it I was on thin ice because it was a sensitive topic that I really knew very little about, except for how I felt about it.  Just as I stay away from topics like Politics, Religion & Sports I should have stayed away from the topic of Parents & Grand Parenting as well.

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CAN YOU SEE THE OLD SCHNAUZER DOG BEGINNING HIS JOURNEY ACROSS THE SUN 

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First few ‘anonymous’ comments I saw this morning regarding my Saturday post were very scathing & because I had doubted my own post in the first place I felt right away that I had made a mistake in posting it.  I felt my post had missed it’s intended understanding by a country mile.   So, before upsetting any more people I made a quick decision & took the post down, comments & all.   Wrote a second post with a short explanation & then turned off the computer to ponder why I had written the Saturday post in the first place.

What happened next surprised me to say the least.  Kelly came into the living room where I was crumpled into my recliner early this afternoon & asked, “have you read the comments on the last post you wrote?”  About that point my heart sank into my shoes because I figured some more personally negative comments had poured in & I was already feeling bad enough without needing to feel any worse.  Took me awhile but I finally did get up enough courage to venture over to the computer & delicately clicked on the first comment, then another & another.

Can’t tell you enough how all those incoming comments picked up my spirits as I began to realize that my Saturday post was indeed understood after all by the majority of readers & not as misunderstood as the first 'anonymous' comments coming in this morning suggested.  Had I over reacted again.  Judging from the latest comments I would now have to say that I did.

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Some folks are able to let things slide on by or roll off their backs.  Great if you are able to do that but I have never been one of those people.  I always take everything to heart.  Always have, it's just the way I am.  Not the easiest road to go down but it is the road my personality walks. 

 
I sincerely thank everyone for their support, reassurance & understanding. 


GROANER’S CORNER:((   The Indians asked their Chief in autumn if the winter was going to be cold or not. Not really knowing an answer, the chief replies that the winter was going to be cold and that the members of the village were to collect wood & be prepared.

Being a good leader, he then went to the next phone booth and called the National Weather Service and asked, "Is this winter to be cold?"

The man on the phone responded, "This winter is going to be quite cold indeed."

So the Chief went back to speed up his people to collect even more wood to be prepared. A week later he called the National Weather Service again, "Is it going to be a very cold winter?"

"Yes", the man replied, "it's going to be a very cold winter."

So the Chief goes back to his people and orders them to go and find every scrap of wood they can find. Two weeks later he calls the National Weather Service again: "Are you absolutely sure that the
winter is going to be very cold?"

"Absolutely," the man replies, "the Indians are collecting wood like crazy!"

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The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails -William Arthur Ward

The only thing better than right now will someday be the memories of right now...... AL.

26 comments:

  1. Al...you have way tooooo soft a heart...and that's why we love you...Dont' change...dont' second think your blogs...and dont' "change it up" to satisfy others...Just be Al...being Al....If someone doesn't like it...Hey...we cannot please everyone...just sayin'.

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  2. Al, I'm glad you are back in fair spirits. I hope my comment wasn't one you were irked with. I view blogs and commenting to them as if, "Oh, I see where you are coming from - here is my take on it". We're both good with our points of view, and that is because of our tremendous variations in background. The thing that ties the RVers blogs together is our love of the rambling lifestyle, whether it is staying at high-end resorts, low end dives, Wal Mart parking lots, or boondocking wherever. We all have families and friends someplace, most of whom don't have a clue why we do what we do. So please keep on being yourself, posting your magnificent pictures, and giving us a chuckle in the end - I laughed heartily at today's groaner!

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  3. Al, it must get tough being a curmudgeon with such a soft center. No wonder Kelly loves you so much. I have a tough thick skin and there's not much anyone can say that can bother me. BUT - if they attack my friends or family (be it ones I've met or ones I know from blogging) that really gets my hackles up. Please know that the majority of us appreciate every word you write - even the ones that make us think.

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  4. Glad to see your blogging like the Al from the Bayfield Bunch I've been reading for so long. Never lose the feeling of Honesty you put in your blogs.
    Rick R.
    Windsor, Ontario

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  5. If your blog post bothered some people, it might have made others do a bit of thinking.

    Blogs are really quite personal opinions. Even I KNOW THAT!

    Please don't avoid a topic because you don't want to ruffle someone's feathers. If you do you will be something other than yourself.

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  6. Glad to see you're back. I totally understand about taking things to heart - mea culpa! But I'm glad you could see from the comments on your post how much you mean to the blogging community. Don't let the occasional negative comment get you down.

    Here's to sunshine, blue skies, and yard work!

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  7. Well I certainly didn't see anything wrong with the post and I understand completely where you were coming from. I do like the winter (now more so that I'm retired) but didn't like the south so what. What really is important is I enjoy your posts and look for them every morning before checking the obits. Keep up the good work from the east coast and thank you for making my day

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  8. Al, read that pulled blog - didn't see a thing wrong with it - loved hearing your perspective on the subject. Don't change a thing about the way you blog - that's you - that's why you have so many followers (even lurkers) - you're the MAN! Also, thanks for the nice welcome on Thursday's blog. Now, let's hear some more about what it's like to live where you live.

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  9. Since I was not able to read that post, there's not much I can say about it. 10-4!

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  10. God Bless you guys!!!! Please don't stop blogging...we need ou on here. As I thought the would...your words speak to my heart....

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  11. Al, I think you should write a book about the southwest and include your beautiful photography. You have the passion and the talent -- so why not?

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  12. The thing I love the most of you...is your honesty. Please dont stop being yourself.

    Andrée

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  13. I enjoyed reading that post. Your insight was quite good.

    If we all agreed on everything that everyone wrote, how boring life would be!

    But I still think it was a good post. You write from the heart, how you feel. Don't change that.

    Cheers!

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  14. Al, I'm certainly happy to hear you're in better spirits today. Don't let the snow and ice and winter damage get you down! Reading your posts and looking at your wonderful photos brings sunshine into so many lives, you're an amazing guy.

    Don't ever be overly concerned with trying to think how others will take whatever you write. You're expressing your own personal opinions based on your own personal experiences. That's all anyone can do. We'll never bat 100 (if I may use a sports reference, here), but the best pro baseball players would be more than pleased to have your average, I'm sure! Keep tossing those thoughts out there, Al, and if some people want to try to blast them out of the park, just remember that sometimes that's going to happen, but it's all part of what makes life interesting. It's certainly nothing to be overly concerned with. Next time they're up to bat, you'll be able to slide a few by them, and all your fans will be on their feet cheering for you!!

    Thanks again for sharing. We appreciate you very much.

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  15. Al you gotta be true to yourself, if folks get offended... so be it

    Red

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  16. Yeeterday we were sorry we had missed the post you had pulled. Now we're double sorry! And if someone rants at what you say -- to heck with 'em. I've even been known to respond a little less than favorably, and then I regret it, but after it's sent, it's hard to get it back, Once spoken (or posted) words can never be completely retrieved.

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  17. I am another one who must have missed a good post, if it got everyone's attention. I need to be more attentive. Keep them coming!

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  18. I happen to believe you made the right choice in removing the post. Why? Because I think you trusted your own instincts and feelings and, to me, that’s the only true indicator of what was right for you.

    Just suppose you hadn’t deleted the post. Do you think the negative ‘anonymous’ comments you said you received would have stopped? If not, how would you be feeling today? The question I always ask myself after making a difficult decision is “do I feel better now than I did before?” You are the only one able to answer that now and if the answer is ‘yes’, then you made the right decision for sure. I’m betting that your honest answer to this question is a definite ‘Yes’!

    Trusting one’s own instincts and feelings is usually best in the long run.

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  19. Glad to see all the comments show how much you are loved and appreciated in the blogging world. Still kicking myself for missing your post. So before you question yourself again make sure to read these comments and remind yourself that being honest is one of the great qualities in a great blog.

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  20. The one thing a controversial post is bound to attract is folks that are on the other side of the subject! And they are really quick to tell you how wrong you are for your feelings on the matter. Even with personal insults, if they are so inclined.

    So if you choose to write on a subject that is touchy, feely, like grandkids, politics, marriage and the like, be aware that the response will be quick and scathing from the opposition.

    Now me, I kind of like stirring up the pot, and seeing the waters boil! But that's just me. If I can't get you about half pi$$ed off at me, I won't get your true thoughts on the matter. A mad guy always tell you, just like it is!

    But grow a thicker skin, if you are going to fish in these troubled waters. Take care Al.

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  21. Al, I found nothing wrong with Saturday's blog. We too are getting ready to hit the open road in the near future and have a new grandchild in the family (our only one). Once we hit the open road we most likely will see him more than we do now. Don't let others dissuade you. You are your own person. If someone doesn't like your post then that's too bad for them. I love to read your blog and look forward to it each day.

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  22. Al, you just keep on being who you are.... we love you and read your blog no matter what you write about!~

    ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
    Karen and Steve
    (Our Blog) RVing: Small House... BIG Backyard
    http://kareninthewoods-kareninthewoods.blogspot.com/

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  23. Al, you just keep on being who you are.... we love you and read your blog no matter what you write about!~

    ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
    Karen and Steve
    (Our Blog) RVing: Small House... BIG Backyard
    http://kareninthewoods-kareninthewoods.blogspot.com/

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  24. Life is all about choices, dilemmas, and decisions. Bravo to you for putting it out there for all to read. Try thinking of the comments in a new way....as an invitation to an open discussion. If a comment turns into a personal attack, don't tolerate it. Delete it immediately. Your blog. You're in charge. Otherwise invite and encourage a discussion. We can all benefit from the views of others facing the same issues and challenges.

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  25. Al,
    Nothing wrong with the post you pulled....I read it and think 99% of full-timers has had to deal with those issues....some more than others...Keep up the good work!

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  26. Darn it!!!!.. The one weekend I am away from my computer, and like the soaps, you always miss the climax of the show!! (That'll teach me to leave my laptop at home).

    Al, for over a year I have been following your blog in the shadows. I look forward to your blog everynight with joy as it is a delight to read. I love your pictures, the pups, the groaner's corner and the truth of your life in the rving world.

    That said.... your blog, your works, your opinions. I am sad I missed Saturday's entry as I am sure it was thought provoking and may have helped some of us in our full or half time rv planning. I have learned so much from blogs like yours as I am sure others have as well.

    So stop clubbing yourself over the head for your truths. If someone does not like it, they do not have to read it!

    Hope to meet you folks (pups as well) one day when we get on the road. Lessie (TARDIS)

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