I feel as if my blog is an abandoned home with dust covers on all the furniture and all the windows have been shut tight. I’m walking into it now, flinging off the musty, dusty covers and opening up the windows to let some air in.
It’s a little dusty up in here.
I sincerely hope the air that comes in will clear the air, so to speak.
How’s It Going?
I wonder if it’s possible to revive an old blog once it’s been left abandoned for so long. I hear from a few of you from time to time. When the stars aligned and there was a large group of us being active bloggers, we put our opinions out there, respected each other’s viewpoints, and more often than not—simply traded a lovely, respectful back and forth dialogue.
It was fun.
We were like this.
Most of us, at least the bloggers’ “homes” I visited, visited mine back. We may not have always agreed, but that didn’t matter. We were virtual friends and we acted as if we could remain so, despite the fact that we didn’t always agree.
After all, it’d be a pretty boring place if we all agreed on everything, wouldn’t it? Then many of us stopped.
I wonder why that is. Is it because our attention spans have shortened? Did life get in the way? Have we really and finally relegated our thoughts into a whopping 240 words of top-of-mind diatribes?
Happy frustration and how’s it going?
It’s snowing at my blog house.
Santa, Sanity and Sugar
So, it’s the time of year when we begin to try and feel better about life. Hopefully, we can stop getting upset over everything and remember that we’re all in this together. Since we’re sharing this planet, it’s imperative that we really put forth the effort of being kind instead of being intolerant, angry, frustrated and anxious about well, LIFE. Because life is life—full of ups, downs, this, that, you, me, them, us and everything in between. We can stomp and scream and not budge, but life will go on its merry way despite all of it. Life ticks by, the same for all of us.
Trust me, I tell myself this often, so I’m stating this not just for you, but for me as well. My metaphorical blog house is an inspiring place for me and I hope, for you.
We’re offered, each and every day, an opportunity to empathize and to stop for a moment to truly try and put ourselves in another’s shoes. Try not to judge too quickly or too harshly. Look at life through another’s eyes and maybe, just maybe, gain a sliver of understanding and exhale. Just for a little while, let’s turn on the sappy music and believe in Santa and all the magical stuff that we did when we were innocent.
I believe in the magic of the season and I believe we can embrace the goodness of the holiday spirit. I firmly, sincerely, always have and always will believe there’s more good than bad and that we are more alike than we are different.
Now, I’m baking some chocolate chip cookies in my blog house. Can you smell them? There’s some Christmas music playing, the fire’s going and there’s popcorn, ice cream and a great selection of movies and books. I have white wine, red wine, hot chocolate, coffee and other drinks. I’m having a glass of perfect white Sancerre (it’s after 5 at my blog house) and I’m raising my glass to you and saying: This is me. Here I am. Welcome to my home.
Popcorn and hot chocolate by the fire in my blog house.
Cookies, coffee and good books in my blog house.
There’s gelato in my blog house.
Santa is stopping by in a couple of hours and he’s ready to listen to what you want for Christmas. If you’d like to bring a dish, feel free to do so and let me know what it would be. Heck, share the recipe if you’d like. Describe your blog house.
Go ahead. Tell this guy what you want.
It’s safe, warm and happy—only good, positive stuff here.
Frustration-free.
Brigitte's Banter 
Hooray … Brigitte has returned home to spruce up the place. 🙂 Red wine for me … and a bit of everything on my snacks plate. Hold the ice cream as I’ll get it later. Cheers.
Great points after various levels of frustration, anger, and sharing the planet. Tensions are rising with many getting knots in their shorts for the damnedest thing. Yep we are all in it together, but too many are focusing on having their way as the key.
To me, Santa is the Spirit of Goodness that crosses cultures, religions, genders, age, race, and so on. He’s got his work cut out for him this year, but I feel for him because many simply won’t listen.
When I started this comment, I was going to be the first – but it’s time to submit to see if I get that honor of distinction. Welcome back!
Posted by aFrankAngle | November 30, 2017, 2:50 pmHello Frank!! So wonderful to see you and welcome. I’ll pour you a glass of the finest red wine I have in my blog house and save you some gelato for later. I guess I’m a sucker for Santa because I agree with you and you’ve put it perfectly regarding what Santa represents. I wholeheartedly agree and let’s keep our fingers cross for a Christmas miracle. I think they can still happen. Thank you for the welcome my friend and joy to you, yours and the world. :). I do think you are the first and I’m the one who is honored. Let’s hope some other kind souls stop by. ;). Be well!
>
Posted by Brigitte | November 30, 2017, 3:00 pmGlad to know my response still was the first. 🙂 … My pleasure. Gelato? …. OMG … that’s awesome. Can I have the container and a spoon? Good to see your wit back on WP.
Posted by aFrankAngle | November 30, 2017, 4:41 pmThanks Frank. I recommend the pistachio gelato. 😊
Sent from my iPhone
>
Posted by Brigitte | November 30, 2017, 6:52 pmGreat choice! … On my way.
Posted by aFrankAngle | November 30, 2017, 7:39 pmI think bloggers tend to cluster in groups, and over time, they naturally move on because life does indeed get in the way, and we realize our time is probably better spent elsewhere, at least for a little while. For me, blogging stole my novel-writing time, so it had to take a back seat. I still post occasionally, and I visit other blogs when I can, but I’m more focused on my fiction writing now. But it’s still fun to visit those bloggers we haven’t seen for a while … like you!
Sounds like you’re doing well and getting ready for the holidays. I can indeed smell those cookies! Love your pretty pictures.
Posted by Carrie Rubin | November 30, 2017, 3:06 pmI see your point Carrie and it sounds like a rational explanation. Life does happen and blogging can certainly get in the way of other things. Everything in moderation, right? I’m so happy you’re working on your novels! They are great!
I figured my dusty place needed a few pretty pictures so I’m glad you liked them. 😊 Great to see you here and I hope you and your family have a beautiful holiday season.
>
Posted by Brigitte | November 30, 2017, 3:13 pmRemember those days!? I was so happy to see Brigitte’s Banter in my email! I hope all is well with you Miss B. I miss blogging. I’m thinking I might pull off the dust covers in the New Year. We are moving and I will have a new fresh world to write about! Merry Christmas B! xoxox maggie
Posted by Maggie O'C | November 30, 2017, 5:29 pmHelllooooo Mags!! So nice to see you. How are you and your lovely family? I hope wonderful and I hope your move and your new digs are exactly what you want. I look forward to reading your New Years Post. Merry Christmas and warm holiday wishes to you and yours. 💕🍾
Sent from my iPhone
>
Posted by Brigitte | November 30, 2017, 6:55 pmI miss your blog, Maggie. Get writing….
Posted by UpChuckingwords | November 30, 2017, 8:28 pmYes ma’am 🙂
Posted by Maggie O'C | December 1, 2017, 2:08 pmYou better do what she says, Maggie. 😂
>
Posted by Brigitte | December 1, 2017, 2:31 pmYour writing made me smile with all your goodness, Brigitte. So happy to see you dusting off the blog and shining us with your kindness and warmth. Keep it going. I miss those fun moments with all the blogging buddies.
Posted by UpChuckingwords | November 30, 2017, 8:29 pmAnd your comment made me do the same with yours. I do have to dust it off every once in awhile. Like anything else, the more time you devote to it, the better it gets. Hopefully, I can apply that same determination to other projects. ;).
I miss it too, but life does get in the way I suppose. I guess it’s just the time of year to be nostalgic. Hope you enjoyed the writing as much as the pretty pictures. I made actual chocolate chip cookies and they were delicious. Thanks Audra.
>
Posted by Brigitte | December 1, 2017, 7:57 amYour writing is of course the best part
Posted by UpChuckingwords | December 1, 2017, 8:00 amWell, I fished that compliment out very nicely. ;).
Hook, line and sinker—isn’t that a fishing term? I know nothing about fishing. Or football. I should try to write about those two subjects to stretch my imagination. I’m rambling. Good morning!! xoxo
>
Posted by Brigitte | December 1, 2017, 8:08 amHaaa. You are wonderful
Posted by UpChuckingwords | December 1, 2017, 8:42 amHi Brigitte,
I can taste those chocolate chip cookies. Our world of blogging can be quite involved so It’s natural to take breaks. Or, as Carrie says, other priorities come along, like writing a book. 🙂 Welcome back! –Curt
Posted by Curt Mekemson | November 30, 2017, 11:43 pmCurt—! How are you? Why thanks, I made some and they were quite yummy. :). You’re right about that and posts take time to get them just so, don’t they? And, thank you for the welcome—always wonderful to see you here at my blog home.
>
Posted by Brigitte | December 1, 2017, 7:59 amI always enjoy your thoughtful posts, Brigitte, and your sense of humor. –Curt
Posted by Curt Mekemson | December 4, 2017, 2:05 pmThe blog house is similar with those we have in Finland. 🙂
Posted by Sartenada | December 1, 2017, 6:19 amWell the homes in Finland must be beautiful! Welcome and thank you for stopping by.
Posted by Brigitte | December 1, 2017, 8:01 amIt’s nice to see that you are back, Brigitte. The hot chocolate and cookies are enticing.
Ω
Posted by Allan G. Smorra | December 1, 2017, 6:59 amHi Allan! I hope you and your lovely wife are doing wonderful. Thank you for the welcome. I hope I can get back into a bit anyway. Hot chocolate and cookies are just good for the soul—anytime of year, right? Thanks Allan—great to see you!
>
Posted by Brigitte | December 1, 2017, 8:02 amLeave a light on…
Ω
Posted by Allan G. Smorra | December 1, 2017, 8:16 amYes, I’ve also missed your wit and words, Brigitte! Lovely, lovely post. I’ve now got a hankering for popcorn and sappy music. Say, what’s on the record player? Keep posting, please.
Thanks for the snappy-happy holiday inspiration!
Theadora
Posted by Theadora Brack | December 1, 2017, 11:36 amHello Theadora! How are you and I’ve missed you as well. I “see” your beautiful photos on Instagram and I hope that life is treating you wonderfully. I have some Edith Pilaf on right now. Sound good? :).
Thank YOU for stopping by. >
Posted by Brigitte | December 1, 2017, 1:30 pmI’ll bring the wine my dad got me for my birthday. Good things are better when they’re shared, after all. 😉
The great thing of having built up our network and spent time getting to virtually know each other is that when one of us pops in from time to time, you’re always going to be welcomed with open arms. There may not be as many arms as before, but there are still people out here. I definitely did a mental happy dance (I opted not to do a physical one as not to alarm my fellow commuters) when I saw you in my inbox. These days, I’m working on focusing my energy towards the positive. There are so many negative things, people, circumstances, etc. out there and we may not always be able to control them all, but at the very least, I can do my part by not adding to the negativity and choosing to spread the good instead. Thank you as always for your positive, beautiful thoughts. And it’s time I go back to my blog house and spruce it up the holidays. 🙂
Posted by lillianccc | December 2, 2017, 12:35 pmLillian! The light and positivity that you spread is infectious, as always. I’d love to share that wine with you–please do bring it. :). I will always welcome you with open arms and yes, it’s nice to see bloggers that we’ve not heard from pop in–I feel the same about your lovely posts. I’m glad I made you do a mind-full happy dance! I’m with you about spreading the positive–only good can come from that and you do that beautifully. Thank you. I can’t wait to see how you spruce up your blog house. :). Be well, my friend and thank you.
>
Posted by Brigitte | December 3, 2017, 1:34 pmHello, cheerful one! Nice to see you again. As with all good friends, time has no meaning . . . we simply pick up where we left off. Re: blogging, priorities change, focus of writing changes, the times change. Life IS change. But it’s nice to reminisce about the earlier blogging days where we were all such chatty Kathy’s, bouncing from blog to blog like butterflies on a warm summer day. Winter cold is equally as nice. It’s all good. Looking forward to your upbeat posts. 🙂
Posted by Sue J | December 4, 2017, 1:41 pmHI Sue, I so hope you are well! It sounds as if you are, what with your being published frequently now. You most certainly deserve it. That’s a lovely sentiment about time having no meaning when it comes to friends and you’re right about that. The only certainty is change, isn’t it? I so hope things are wonderful in your world and I look forward to your distinct style as well, my friend. Thank you.
>
Posted by Brigitte | December 4, 2017, 2:11 pmThanks for the kudos, Brigitte. 🙂 I had it in my mind to achieve that particular goal, and now I have. Thinking now about what might be next. I’m sure it’ll come to me. Change is in the air. It always is, but sometimes (like now) it’s siren song is stronger than usual. All the best to you!
Posted by Sue J | December 4, 2017, 3:12 pm