Monday 11 June 2012

It's Monday..

..and I'm back. I'm Thinking Out Loud again, because  there hasn't been much scrapbooking round here in the last week and because you seem to enjoy a thought or two. This makes me smile - "I've been thinking.." is a famous phrase in our family. When used by Granny especially. She usually follows it with something like "it would only take you an hour or so to clear out the garage." Or, when we were younger, "I've been thinking - I could make you some beach shorts out of the old bathroom curtains..". Nothing quite so alarming here today! Here we go..

- My 365+1 photos are taking an enforced break while my phone sorts itself out. I hope they'll be back next week.

- Last Monday I spent quite a bit of the day at a funeral. But before I set out I had time to catch up on the Storytelling Sunday stories which had been posted on Sunday night. I loved them all and they helped me through a difficult day. Ginger's story of a Grandpa's love (and a hamster) really reached out to me that day. So, never believe your stories aren't worth the telling. They'll touch someone. Believe me.

- My newest book is The Memoir Project by Marion Roach Smith, which I read in a couple of evenings and heartily recommend. Some of it I'd already worked out for myself, but maybe that's why I liked it.

- My blogging thought for today: how do you follow your favourite blogs? Do you read through a Reader? Do you like to sign up and actually become a follower? How many blogs can you follow and still remain sane?  I'll admit to being intrigued by bloggers who display a followers gadget but don't follow many blogs themselves, how about you?

- and a blogging bit-of-fun. Jennifer's Scrapbooking Soiree -what a great name for a link party! I love this idea

- The first Friday in June is National Doughnut Day. I missed it. Gutted. Is there anything more cheering than a big plate of doughnuts?

- and finally, the laundry related thought for today (because there always seems to be one) - if you pull the clothes out of the machine and your first thought is - where's the Febreze?, there's something wrong, isn't there?




46 comments:

dogmatix said...

What ?! There is a National Doughnut Day?!! How did I miss that?!!1 :(
I didn't miss World Gin Day though (it was on Saturday according to twitter), and the boss promptly phoned his mum who replied..."everyday is Gin day!" lol

As for following, I started through Reader as I picked a lot of my current reading through Blogging for Scrapbookers. I have since followed others through some form of follow button or other. Either way, if I like you, I put you in my Reader as its the easiest way for me to remember to keep up lol

Barbara Eads said...

I use a blog reader and follow over 200. Of course I don't have to read every one----just if something catches my fancy.

About listing the blogs I follow on my blog, it's just a matter of not thinking about it. Currently I just have family listed. I'm going to pay more attention and add a few of my most favorites to it. Thanks for a good reminder.

helena said...

might have to have an unofficial doghnut day in lieu

I have the 180ish blogs I read on google reader, so I only show up on stats when I leave a comment.

Ruth said...

I do like these non-specific posts of yours ~ always lots to ponder.
I read blogs through my reader, and use the follow me button if it's easily visible. I think it's nice for people to know that you are there, even if you blurk more than you comment.
I'll be looking out for The Memoir Project.

Karen said...

I've already checked out the book; likely will order it for my Kindle once I get through the ones I already have started!

I read most of my blogs through Google Reader. There are about 75 blogs listed, but I'm way behind in reading some of them. Some I skim, some I just glance at the project, and there are a few where I read carefully and comment regularly. I have them divided into folders: Daily, Cards, Challenges, Scrapbook, Photography. If I get too behind I try to weed some of the least read out of the Reader.

Estelle Grace Tudor said...

Glad you are better! Mmm doughnut day is every day in my opinion!

I do follow a lot of blogs, mostly craft but some fashion and home ones too - I add them to my blog list as my reader sometimes doesn't show them all up!

Have a good day xx

Sue Althouse said...

Note to self: don't read your blog before breakfast! Now all I want is a plate of donuts. I use Google Reader and have lots of folders and an organizing system I change regularly as my time and interests dictate. I will add myself as a follower on a blog if that option is provided, just to help out the blogger's numbers. My blog in Google reader shows about 100 more followers than my sidebar!

joy said...

I only follow blogs that have a "follow" button, but I follow a good 150 or so, and only have 120 followers. Every now and then I do a bit of "weeding", some bloggers blog very rarely so its not worth following them, and others I dont necessarily enjoy after reading a few posts. All new posts on blogs I follow show up on my Dashboard page so I usually scroll down and read most of them once or twice a day (sad but true).
As for National Doughnut day, that was also my Mum's birthday, so shall have to have a retrospective birthday doughnut (or two) in her honour.

Becky said...

I did not know there was a national doughnut day - dash it all! Missed it!I have a list of my favourite blogs on my own blog and I just open up the links two or three times a week to follow them. I may read other blogs as well if I stumble upon them or via the Story Telling Sunday links and then I read back over the month since I read their last post!

debs14 said...

I can't believe I missed Doughnut day ...
I used to use Reader for checking blogs but it got a bit of of control and I had to find another way of doing things. So now I have my blog roll of favourites down the side of my blog and I check those daily, and then if they put a link into someone else's I will often click on that to discover new places to visit too.

Fiona@staring at the sea said...

By a happy coincidence we had doughnuts on Friday, but they didn't look as good as yours. I'm a visible 'follower' on most blogs that I read regularly. It's not always an option though. I have them all in Google reader too, divided in to categories such as: blog friends, woyww, quilting etc. I'm feeling guilty now that I have my followers on display, but no blog roll for the ones I follow myself.

Alison said...

Like Fiona, I'm now feeling a bit guilty for not sharing the blogs I follow! I use Google Reader to keep up and I follow those which allow you to do so.
Alison xx

scrappyjacky said...

I'm similar to Karen with how I read blogs.....and have far too many in Reader!!
I must admit I don't have a blog roll of blogs that I follow.....but do add myself to their followers button.
And I can't believe I missed Doughnut Day either!

Wanda said...

It seems like following on some blogs results in e-mail notices that so-and-so has a new blog post. The last thing I need or want is more e-mails. I use Google Reader and find that quite convenient though I wouldn't mind trying another one if someone has a hearty recommendation (I'm not crazy about the changes Google made to their Reader a few months ago).

Jennifer Shaw said...

Oh those doughnuts look good! Ha ha to the laundry dilemma. My machine is a front load HE and I have to leave the door opened always and then use cleaning pucks every month to keep it fresh. I miss my old water guzzling machine in this regard. Blog following is a tough one. Sometimes it does feel like it is a bit of a chore. :( I keep my favourites on my blog list and then check in daily. I tend to leave comments for people who enjoy leaving comments back or for people who really inspire me and I will be using their sketches or ideas giving credit when I do this with a link. My pet peeve is having a giveaway that requires one to follow the blog. I only have giveaways for fun and only want someone to follow me if they truly want to. Followers don't mean that much to me. I don't see it as a popularity contest. It is all just for fun! :)

Jennifer Grace said...

I love these 'thinking' posts! Although I'm now very upset that I missed doughnut day! I'll have to have a belated one. Thanks for the link to my Soiree!

On following blogs... I follow lots! Too many. I don't get enough time to visit them all. I have a core list of about 20 that I visit as much as possible, and comment on almost every visit. The others I tend to just visit once in a while, when a post title catches my eye, or when they've commented on my blog a lot. I like to support new blogs by following, but I can't follow every single one I pop to or it would get silly! It still gives me a thrill each time I see I have a new follower though, so I try to follow someone if they have a few posts at least that interest me. I think some people are thrown by the fact that blogger now says 'join this site' rather than 'follow'.

I now read a lot of blogs via bloglovin, it works for me. x

Jennifer Grace said...

I've just noticed I'm now at 96 followers, and it makes me really want to reach 100 followers. Does that make me shallow? More pondering...

Susanne said...

I enjoy your random thinking - and Monday is always one of those days, isn't it. I read blogs only through Google reader. I will add anyone who follows my blog to my blog reader, and will try to keep up with them if they are indeed following me. Since I don't add myself to their blog until I know I truly want to follow them, I assume they have done the same, so I give their blog a try for a good amount of time. My folder of ZFriends and Followers is the first place I start when reading. Of course, I know who my regular commenters are, and those are my first stops. The things that will get someone deleted from my reader are photos or the whole post not showing through, a lack of interesting posts, or frankly too much advertising in the post. I don't mind a little - but there is a limit. Since the followers that show up on my blog are only about half of those that subscribe to my read through Google (let alone any other alternatives) - I don't get too hung up on that. But those who don't in some way make themselves known, won't be read by me either. Also, I usually start of new folder of blogs to follow whenever I'm in a class - eventually those are either moved to another folder or fall by the wayside. I like truly reciprocal blog reader relationships so I recently stopped following a lot of "big name" bloggers - and truthfully I haven't missed them.

Unknown said...

Mmmmm ... Doughnuts!!!!
I follow blogs via google reader and never use the 'follow me' button as I end up with lots of emails if I do. As I currently don't have a computer I use the Feedler app on my iPhone as it is free and connects with google reader. I find this very convenient as I have access to blogs I like at any time :-) I also have all the blogs I follow grouped to make it easy to 'mark as read' my least fav ones when I get behind.
However, because I don't currently have regular access to a computer I very rarely comment and am not really blogging at the moment. One finger phone typing makes for difficult blogging LOL. I do however, follow your blog and enjoy it very much.
I have never really thought about listing blogs I follow on my blog as I don't really have many followers and blog just for myself. Interesting food for thought for when I do get my computer ...
I will prob continue to use Feedler for quick perusals even when I get a computer. But I do miss commenting more often. It usually takes me days to go through the Storytelling Sunday links and post comments. My poor finger gets a workout! :-D

Sian said...

Lots of interesting comments here! I've never heard of anyone getting emails when you sign up to follow a blog before. I wonder why this would happen? Chipper, for example, I'm one of your followers, but I've never had any emails. I like to sign up to follow a blog publicly because it shows support for that blog I think and I have all the blogs I follow automatically appear in my Reader. If I follow you, you can be sure I'm reading!

Jimjams said...

I use Google Reader more than my dashboard these days (thanks to Blogging For Scrapbookers). I'll subscribe to all sorts of blogs ... friends, commenters, sketch sites, shop blogs, class-mates ... all in separate categories within Reader. If I really really like a blog I will follow it publicly, but I'm don't have them all listed on my blog - just a few. I might change that!
I don't generally follow blogs just to enter competitions ... and if I do you can bet I'll un-follow as soon as the competition is over!!!

furrypig said...

I have over 100 blogs in Google Reader. I go through them every now and again and remove some that are either no longer written on or if my interests have changed so it is no longer relevant. I divide them into different folders intermittently too though currently I just have must read and follow folders only! Some I follow via blogger others just via reader and a few I follow via email only.

Linda said...

I found google reader too complex and too tempting to have too many blogs to follow! So now I only 'follow' the blogs I link on my side bar, adn I do change them around from time to time.

Cheri said...

Love your random thoughts and may need to borrow the approach, as I have a lot of random stuff clunking around in my head that I want to share... about "following" - I used to follow publicly on a lot of blogs but ran into problems with Google Reader that it would end up in my blog list twice. The blogs I follow regularly know I'm there because I comment fairly regularly. I have my Reader divided into folders for scrapbooking, photography, etc. but the important folder is "Blog Tribe" and if I don't have time for anything else, those are the ones I want to read!

Lou said...

wow it took me just as long to read all the comments as your post Sian - some interesting reading here.

I use my reading list in blogger and follow lots of blogs. Some weeks i read more than other weeks but usually scroll down my list until i reach the last blog I know i've read. I do try and comment on all the blogs i read.

I notice some of your comments include bloggin for scrapbookers - not sure what that is and as for bloglovin it seems to me that it would duplicate my reader!!

when did national doughnut day start? - must remember that one for next year.

sounds to me like your machine might need a check up!

Hope you are feeling better too xx

Ginger said...

Sian - I'm happy my story helped you through a difficult day. I will say, since writing it, the story has taken on a new meaning for me given what has transpired here the last week. As well, my sister read all the comments and said they made her cry :) She said it made her miss Grandpa. My family has really taken a liking to STS.

As for blog reading - I do have things set up in Google Reader, but I have an app on my BB called Be Reader and when I wake up in the morning I will read them then, also I will read them through out the day. I love it, and it does keep me up to date, but it's not great in the sense that I cannot leave comments. So I have to go back to the individual blog. Typically I will do that in the evening. I find it very difficult though most days to comment on everyone's posts, mostly because I have so many to read. The Be Reader allows me to "star" them or "like" them, so when I want to keep track of a post it's there for me in Google Reader. One thing it's great for, are the STS posts, when I have read all those stories on my BB, then it is very quick to comment when I go back to your linksy page. I'm afraid I am probably guilty of subscribing and not following, but someone mentioned it is nice to have them know you have joined even if it is just for lurking. So I will make a mental note to "follow".

As for your laundry concern...yes I would say so, I seem to have that problem with socks!!

Gem's Crafts said...

I'm glad that you're feeling better :)

I found my favourite blogs through Blogging for Scrapbookers too, then found others through reading the first set of blogs. I'm always adding new blogs as I find them. I keep a list on my blog that Blogger puts in date order with the most recently updated ones at the top. So I just work my way down reading the new posts until I get to the ones I've already read. I like to open the posts in separate windows so I can see the whole blog, rather than using blog Reader where just the post is squished into a box. I tend to look every couple of days, although if Alissia and I are having a quiet day I maight check more than once in a day!

Amy said...

I love talking about how I manage blogs - hehehehee, far too funny!
Well, I suscribe to more than I follow in a public sense I suppose, I have about 40 blogs in my reader and 25 of them are the ones where I make every effort to comment - my friends.

For each class I take I set up a separate folder, dated and named and I save favourites for that year. A couple of months later I sort through the ones I want to keep and threfore I have sets of blogs listed under class names and regional names and also from blog hops etc. These ones only get read every other week or so.

I am making a concious effort this year to get the things done, ie scrap, photo edit and write BEFORE I read the 'extra' blogs.

My recent STS post was greatly appreciated by my friend and her children and their extended family - they are all so touched by the kind thoughts and loving sentiments from strangers - to them.

Melissa said...

You certainly have been thinking a lot this Monday! I keep up with blogs using Google Reader so I don't follow them. I have them separated into categories so I always make the rounds of my blog friends & favorites, but others occassionally get "marked as read" and I start fresh.

Abi said...

Doughnut day!? No kidding! How did i miss that. I put my favourite blogs on a blog list and read through there. I dont see my dashboard enough to use it. I do put he follow button up though cos i kbow that is how most people read blogs. A list on my own blog just is quicker for me!

Maria Ontiveros said...

I use google reader and have them divided into different folders. Some folders (my art friends) I readcwhen I have time to absorb and comment on them. Others (like professional artists and commentary) are "read only" (no comments from me), and I can flip through these on my phone.
Rinda

Carmen said...

I've never gotten on with the readers. I do publicly follow blogs and then I add them to my sidebar widget thing. My blog is my homepage so I can see straight away when any of them has updated (their link colour changes and they move to the top of the list.) I do periodically go through the list and if someone hasn't updated in a while or maybe I've noticed they are just all about self promotion and don't comment on ANY other blogs or maybe they've just stopped doing stuff that interests me or they've said something I don't agree with etc, etc, etc then I stop following and they come off my sidebar. As for emails - I've only received them when I specifically click to email subscribe to them - say for example it's a non blogger blog and my widget doesn't like them.

Can't believe I missed doughnut day :(

laurie said...

oh, i do love donuts! i become a follower on the blogs i can and those that don't have that option, i just bookmark. i'm not very tech-saavy but hope to learn more in the future.

WendyB said...

As always, you get me thinking.

I didn't get on with Google reader for blogs so much like Gemma I work through the most recent posts in the list on my blog itself. I've recently started using Google Current (on a tab) which lets you subscribe to blogs you read and 'presents' them in a magazine format. The format is quite pleasing but for some reason not all blogs are updating with new posts so I think I need to experiment a little more. The downside is the same as Ginger describes because you can't comment from that point.

Kelli said...

I use bloglovin' to follow the blogs, its great, it lists everyone out for me, I can organize it how I want, etc. And there is an app for the phone too, however I just limit blog reading and following to at home time :)

Beverly said...

I use Google Reader. The only thing I don't like is having to then click on the post to go to the actual blog to comment. I comment often, probably 90% of the time. If it's a blog I like I always "follow". I think comments and seeing that people "like" us by following helps us know we are touching someone out there.

Irene said...

Good to catch up with all your comments as well as your post. Everyone has their own way of reading blogs. Mine is just the 'old-fashioned' way; I bookmark the one's I always read. Sorry to hear about your difficult day but glad storytelling sunday helped. You reach out through that column more than you know. I think people often open up on that special sunday when they might not ordinarily do so. And that is important. Sharing is important.

Alana said...

So many questions....so little time. I have a group of blogs that I have on google reader and on the Bloglovin app and usually leave a comment 9 times out of ten. The I have a group i visit occastionaly and catch up with a comment then. Glad your feeling better....and lucky for you the germs didn't get here either:)

Lynn said...

your post has generated alot of thought and it also seems that many of us are doughtnut fans too!

I use reader, however I am mulling over a few changes on the ole blog and may consider a listing my faves down the side.

Lisa said...

Wow, so many comments! Looks like you've touched a nerve! I follow quite a lot of blogs and have some more on subscription though I'm way behind in reading. I don't have a blog roll on my site but Im always a public follower. I don't follow that many "celebrities" anymore as I, too, find the one way conversation a little disheartening! I do follow some manufactuers just to keep up with their inspiration. I go through my blog reader list very often and delete those I find myself skipping too often. it can be hard to keep up though and to be a good reciprocal reader. Time always seems to be short. I always read your posts with interest as I really like your 'voice' even if I'm behind :-) sorry ;-).

ComfyMom~Stacey said...

mmmm doughnuts! I read blogs in Google reader but I follow a lot more in Google friend connect or G+. The way it seems to work out for me is the blogs I comment on or read regularly most often end up in Reader & the ones I just read when I have some spare time stay in GFC

Unknown said...

Popped back to see how everyone else manages this and there are lots of comments!!! About the emails - all i know is that when I started looking for blogs (not that long ago really) I subscribed to some and started getting emails each time they posted. So I did Shimelle's class BFS to try and work it all out and changed everything around and switched to google reader. It works for me, but I have thought lots about this post and it would be good to have a list of blogs I follow on my own blog. It kinda reflects a bit about me as I only follow blogs I like and people I admire. Will have to search out a widget thingy ... Because I get my new computer on Thursday!!!!

Missus Wookie said...

I use google reader plus some grease monkey scripts to let me comment from within GR, use Flipboard to read/comment on the ipad. There are ummm lots of blogs in my GR - all in folders and I only read all of specific blogs, many are there to give inspiration, for reference, political skimming etc.

I don't follow blogs very often and definitely not for a competition. Hadn't thought about the people I read wanting to know - figure I comment most of the time and that is the recipricol bits. I'm with S I read for the interaction and therefore don't read many 'big name' bloggers. Putting some on the sidebar - hmm I read such a wide range I'm not sure which to choose and would worry about who I'd offended by leaving them off!

Get cross when you do a blog hop and people only reply on their blog and don't comment on other peoples. Otherwise I figure it is a conversation - just like in a forum, the fact you've posted doesn't mean I'm going to want to read it, and/or respond but I might want to skim through the posts and see what others are thinking about.

Sorry you had a funeral to go to but glad the STS story helped. Hope you get some time alone to think and create soon.

Lisa-Jane said...

I use Reader but I have loads in my list that I keep trying to delete and they just keep showing up again, not sure what to do about this. I like reciprocity but I do like to enjoy a blog too. I use the follow button if I can (I think!) but I don't have a list, lots of reasons really, it would be a big list, I don't read many of them in truth due to time and I, um, I dunno really, something to think about there... Glad you are feeling better and I hope it was short lived by all xx

Unknown said...

Gosh Sian you opened the can of worms! Good for you. I think!
I am quite tired now as it has taken me a while to get through them all after a long day of work. I will mull during my snooze time before sleep and come back to comment properly after a full nights sleep xx
I was really sorry to hear that you have been bereaved and I am thinking of you.

Sandie said...

I love the randomness of your post Sian, and it has cause a bit of a stir! Loved reading the comments too..
I have Google Reader (also thanks to BFS)but find it a bit overwhelming as I have added lots of blogs and don't have time to keep up. I need to do some pruning I think. My regular reads are on my Blog List... a new post shows up and I can simply click on and read. The colour changes once its read so I can keep track. Like you I will become a follower if it is a blog I like - just to show support.

Related Posts with Thumbnails