As the Saloon Doors Swing

As the Saloon Doors Swing

I find it captivating that common themes materialize at the different blog sites I visit.  When Judy posted her “Confession” piece (now doesn’t that sound provocative?), she did so on the same day that I re-posted a piece on my friend Mahlon.  I never hesitated to post something written previously, even though it had only been last October when I originally posted it.  My logic is that, if you had already read it, you would go on to the next post; if not, then it’s all good.

The beauty about blogging, and the aspect that originally attracted me, is the “No Rules” agenda.  Even better, it’s the make-up-the-rules-as-you-go-along approach, and there’s not really anyone to tell you that you can’t.  Not inspired?  “Take the morning off, my Dear; you owe it to yourself.  Kick off your shoes and relax.  Don't thank me-that’s OK; I’m just that sort of guy.”  I’m thinking of sporting a tee-shirt that says, “No Rules?  Make up your own...”

Oops.  You wrote the second coming of Crime and Punishment this morning, and you seriously think anyone has time to read it?  She might, or she might make a mental note to drop in later, when there is a break in the action, and a few minutes to immerse oneself in someone else’s opus.  There is no timetable, and there is no framework, into which you have to shape your reading or your response, if any.  I have seen instances when a one-word response was perfect, or even a symbol, such as a smiley-face.

On the other hand, I have also waxed on eloquently in the comments section, and realized afterwards, that I probably should have just done a post.  You are all so very patient with this long-winded word-nick.  Or if there is a topic presented, for which I do not have a frame of reference, the last thing I want to do, is add some inane claptrap, and have it appear as such.  I mean, it’s OK to share claptrap, so long as it has “substance” and “depth.”  It’s like Bette Midler’s statement, in the middle of one of her variety specials, “I don’t do shows in bed no more, Honey.  I’m an artiste.”

When I first started branching out and visiting other sites, I visited one in which a reference was made to “it just being us girls here,” while a chick-topic was being bandied about, and I got real nervous.  What would “they” do if “they” found out I was lurking around at “their” sites, being of the male persuasion.  What to do?  (See how effectively-or impertinently-I can piggy-back on S. Stauss's "Them" theme?)

I checked with Sebtown (What are sisters for?) about the propriety of emailing Masked Mom, to ask for advice.  Jt’s response was, that if Masked Mom's email address were posted on her site, then she was amenable to that approach.  So I did just that, and Masked Mom was not only nice enough to set my fears to rest, she gave me some excellent advice.  It boiled down to simply using common sense.  

Just because I happened to venture to one of the Versatile Bloggers Award sites recommended to me, and it happened to be dealing with feminine issues, did not mean that I should choose that moment to spring onto the site with a pithy comment.  Maybe, I should just revisit and wait to see if there weren’t other topics discussed at later times.  It proved to be most valuable advice, because the connection I established is priceless to me.

I meet people from different parts of the country, and get the opportunity to view for myself, if what I have always believed to be true about a particular region is accurate.  Melanie intrigues me, because she is dispelling beliefs each time she posts, that I have held about the South, my entire adult life.  I am ashamed to say I let the film Easy Rider influence me far too much.

And how’s this for instant action?  Ever since I posted “To Gingst or Not to Gingst,” I have not had one single misfiring on the verification word (VW) “firing range.”  Not one.  I do not know if my brain has taken to regrouping the letters, or if my post makes me more aware, or whether it’s just blind luck.  Of course, I haven’t encountered any of those plaid, graph-paper models, either, so I may be speaking prematurely.  In any case, I have no logical explanation, except that I do keep a running list of the letter-groupings I encounter, for when I write my next installment of “VW’s available-cheap.”  And why do I not have to do VW's at Lynda's site?

 Finally, as so many of you have noted, our community, ever diverse and expanding, has such infinite capacity for unconditional support.  I maintain that this past week has been a rough one, but not so much for me, as for the members of my global community.  I have an avenue I pursue each morning, that allows me to insert various thought into the spinning dryer of my brain, and see what emerges.  I am never certain that what I write is noteworthy, but I do feel an easement in my soul.  

 Yes, the saloon doors swing both ways, as do the emotions encountered on any given morning. One day she is light and breezy, the next dark and somber.  Those peaks and valleys emulate life, and all we can do is hang on and keep our seat belts fastened, until the vehicle comes to a complete halt.  And then, maybe, add a comment.