Eight Years Ago Today …

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WP Anniversary

This morning, I found the above amidst my comments ‘n likes.  My jaw dropped.  Eight years?  I’ve been writing this blog for eight years, since 2010?  Who knew?  Of course, in the beginning it was only used as another venue for my book reviews, as I was hoping at the time to work my way into being a paid reviewer.  What could be better than getting paid for doing what you love to do anyway, right?  But, things happened, times changed, and I somehow … I’m still scratching my head here … gave up doing book reviews, stopped working on my Ph.D., and became a political blogger!  In truth, as I went back through my archives, I wrote only one post in 2010, and did not write another until 2012, when I wrote four, three of which were book reviews, including one of my favourites, Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand.

The anniversary notice and the subsequent realization that it had been eight years already gave me some food for pondering about this blog, my blogging family, and what it all means to me.

Today, I have over 2,100 followers, but I well remember the day somewhere around 2013-2014 when I did a fist-pump because I had progressed to 30 followers!!!  I thought I was in the big leagues with my 30 followers.  Until I ran into Jason of HarsH ReaLiTy, aka aopinionatedman.  Jason had 56,000 followers and counting.  He and I have since parted ways, for he didn’t much care for my political views, but he helped me a lot in those early days, explaining the ins-and-outs of blogging, giving me pointers, and re-blogging some of my work, for which I remain eternally grateful.  I still don’t know how he does it, for he answers every comment, writes several posts each day, works a full-time job as a computer guru, and has a wife and two small children!  I struggle to write two posts a day and answer most comments, usually at 3:00 a.m.!  I hope I never get to 56,000, or I shall have to hire a staff.

The name?  This blog started as jilldennison blog.  Creative, huh?  My friend Herb — both of us speak fluent Spanish — suggested I rename it Filosofa’s Word, ‘Filosofa’ being Spanish for ‘philosopher’, and ‘word’ being English for … well, ‘word’! I liked it and so, that is what I named it!

In April 2015, my blog took a turn that was to change its face entirely and it turned into a socio-political blog with the shooting of Freddie Gray in Baltimore.  I remember that I couldn’t stop the tears, and I wrote about it as a catharsis, I needed to speak about it.  Since then I have written only three book reviews.  There goes my dream of becoming a paid reviewer, huh?  And then, of course, in June 2015 came the tsunami that would turn this into a political blog – Donald J. Trump announced his intention to run for president.  And nothing would ever be the same.  Other events in June 2015 also played a role:  The Supreme Court upheld subsidies for ACA (Obamacare) and most important of all, they ruled on Obergefell v Hodges, making same-sex marriage legal nationwide.  Also in June 2015, a young man named Dylan Roof walked into an African-American church in Charleston, South Carolina, and started shooting, killing nine people, and we came to realize that the face of our nation was changing.

And so, this blog changed its direction and is what I consider socio-political commentary, though obviously under the regime of Trump, it is more political than socio!  A few times, I fleetingly thought of giving it up, but in the back of my mind, I knew better.  It was just a debate me, myself and I needed to have to get my head back on straight, for sometimes the topics I write about take a very dark turn and send me down the rabbit hole.  So, what does this blog mean to me?

This blog takes up at least half, usually more, of my waking hours, and I would spend even more time on it if there weren’t such petty things as laundry, cooking and household chores to be done!  What I do … well, I’m pretty sure I’m not convincing any republicans that Donald Trump is a bloomin’ fool, and as my friend Hugh sometimes reminds me, I am mostly spitting in the wind, or preaching to the choir.  But, it gives me an outlet to share my thoughts, occasionally vent my angst.  But the best thing to come from writing this blog?  YOU!!!  Yes you … if you are reading this post, then you are a friend, a member of my blogging family, and you are a very real part of my life.  When I started this blog eight years ago, I never dreamed that I would meet such a wonderful and diverse bunch of people and that you guys would become friends.  Yes, friends, just as much as any that I see on a semi-regular basis.  Sometimes I tell you guys things that I don’t even tell my own family!  (No, they rarely read my blog, and then only if I threaten to withhold supper!)  

The future?  Who knows? Obviously, the best laid plans, etc., etc.  I suspect the U.S. political scene will continue to keep me busy for a few years yet, but time will tell.  A relatively new reader, Ellen, has suggested that I add an archive section to my blog, which I think is an excellent idea, and I plan to do so within the next couple of weeks.  Another reader, rawgod, has asked me twice now to feature myself in a ‘good people’ post, for he thinks I am a good people.  I don’t necessarily agree with him, but I love him for thinking so, and he is rather insistent, so who knows?

I love you guys and want to tell you all how very much it means when I see that you liked a post or left a comment.  And … well … 🥂 … here’s to another eight years together!  Thanks to you all for sticking with me and for being such great friends!

A few links to the aforementioned posts:

 

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61 thoughts on “Eight Years Ago Today …”

  3. Jill, happy anniversary dear friend. Eight years is s long time. Your efforts to research and write ate noticed and appreciated. I wish some pseudo news outlets were as thorough. It might make America better democracy if their news was like yours. Well done, Keith

    Liked by 1 person

    • Thank you so much, Keith! It is a long time, but it doesn’t seem like it at all … in some ways it seems like maybe a year or two ago. And thank you for your kind words. I try, but sometimes I feel that it’s never quite good enough. But you know … I love what I do and just wish I had found my niche a little earlier, for I might have liked being a journalist! Maybe in my next life!

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  4. Congratulations, Jill! I enjoy your post as you know. I don’t doubt many of our blogs will change if there’s someone new in the White House in future. I’d really like to find out though, the sooner the better. 🙂 — Suzanne

    Liked by 1 person

  6. “There’s not a word yet, for old friends who’ve just met.” – Jim Henson. We are fairly new friends, but at times I feel as though I’ve known you forever. I talk about you and your posts all the time…so much so, that one of my children thought that we actually talk in real time! While dining out with family & friends tonight, I brought up your earlier post and we had a wonderful discussion about censorship and 1st. Amendment rights. I am so looking forward to your archive and am pleased that I could have a wee part in its creation. Congratulations on 8 years of blogging! In the words of my Father : “We are well met!” Thank-you too! P.S. “Unbroken” by Laura Hillenbrand was a great book and now I want to read your review. P.P.S. A bit late, but, Happy National Book Lovers Day!

    Liked by 1 person

    • I love that Jim Henson quote … that is indeed what we are, “old friends who’ve just met”. I’m the same … I sometimes forget that I haven’t known you for years, for I feel that I have. I think we are soul sisters, for we have so much in common! I blush and am deeply honoured to know that you talk about me and my posts to your family! And happy that I give you food for meaningful discussion! I am doing something right after all!!! Thank you for being such a wonderful friend and for all your support! Here’s to a long and happy friendship!

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  8. Dear Jill,

    I’m so glad you have hung in here for 8 years. You are so right about our blogging family. It is a great group of peoples, and from around the world.

    You do an outstanding job and I’m a big fan and admirer. This is a time where you voice is needed more than ever.

    You sure you don’t want to write a book? If you get my email address from Keith and email me, I’ll tell you more about it.

    You mentioned that it was the Freddie Gray story that got you started. For me, it was the Trayvon Martin story.

    My book is in the same vein. It is a response to a social issue. The question was how to weave and address that concern into a novel. You might get the itch yet.

    Hugs, Gronda

    Liked by 1 person

    • Thank you so much for both your kind words here, and your unwavering support throughout the years!!! I feel as you are my soul sister, for we are so often on the same channel without even discussing it!

      Oh I want very much to write a book … I just don’t think I have it in me! I have your email address and will send you an email shortly, for I am eager to hear about your book! Thanks!

      Here’s to the next eight years … hopefully happier ones that the past 2! Hugs!!!

      Liked by 1 person

      • Dear Jill,

        I promise you that you will get a lot of laughs. I do not consider my writing to be on a par with what you do.

        Once I got started, it’s been fun to create the characters, etc. I’ll share with you that this is my very first try and the only thing I can promise you that it is God awful. I’m not being humble. I’ve always been one who tries to be honest with oneself.

        But that could have been said when I first starting blogging. Overtime, there is improvement.

        You have to do it, to where one can improve. I’d love to know how some of my favorite authors’ work, first looked like when they started with their first efforts.

        Hugs, Gronda

        Liked by 1 person

        • I agree … I look back on some of my older posts and cringe at them, but hopefully I have, like a fine wine, improved with age!

          I did just send you an email! Can’t wait to hear about it!

          Hugs!!!

          Liked by 1 person

  10. I’m new to your blog and I thoroughly enjoy it. You do an excellent job and have a real way with words and style. I’m glad that you do a political blog, as it’s so important now to the future of our country and yes, you are speaking to the choir, but it does my heart good to know there are fine people out there who feel as I do about the danger of trump. I’m in a fairly red state and definitely red area of that state, so I often long for like minds. Thank you for all you do.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Thank you very much, Mary! I, am in a swing state that went foolishly for Trump in 2016 and is seeming to come around to their senses, albeit slowly. I’m glad you find my posts encouraging … it is comments like yours that lift me up from the rabbit hole when I wonder if I am making a difference at all! Thanks again!!!

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  13. A really personal and thoughtful piece Jill. Me and my blogging pal are where you were a few years back. We’re just starting out and I’m learning so much every day. I love doing this and if I owe only one thing to Mr. Trump it’s the fact that he motivated me to get more involved in the political process. Yes, he was that horrific and he keeps proving it every day. But, it’s been brewing inside me for several years. I’ve always thought about doing this. Trump finally pushed me over the edge. Anyway, congrats on 8 years. You do an awesome job. It’s a pleasure to follow you!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Thank you so much, Jeff!!! Yes indeed … Trump has certainly give us the incentive to use our voices and given us plenty of fodder for the grist mill! Not to mention, stress, ulcers, sleepless nights, loss of appetite, etc. 😀 Thank you again for being part of my blogging family, and for your kind words! Here’s to the next eight!

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  16. Happy 8th Anniversary Jill. You were one of the first people I followed when I had only one follower of my own (and he was coerced). I do love your socio-political commentaries on life so keep doing what you are doing… Far better than dry book reviews (I never read them, preferring to make my own mind up about what I’m reading. 🍾🥂🎈🥇

    Liked by 2 people

  19. Happy Anniversary. I started blogging on Goodreads and I wish I had gone straight onto WordPress, where everybody else is! I am supposed to be getting on with my novel and I will, but blogging IS writing and if people read, enjoy and comment that is just as valid. My biggest regret is that I did not write more on Facebook and was not so active blogging in the run up to our referendum on the European Union. I don’t belong to a political party, but I knew instinctively that Remaining was vital and we have been let down by most of our politicians.

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    • Thank you!!! Yes indeed, blogging IS writing! And sometimes more difficult, for one needs to be prudent about such things as word counts, aesthetics, and all those things that we don’t worry about when writing a novel. Most, with two exceptions, of my UK friends were in favour of Bremaining, and it seemed to make sense to me, although I obviously am not informed enough to make a statement.

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  20. Kudos on 8 years. I look forward to your posts every day. Recently, I have realized that I know some of my blogger friends more intimately than personal friends. At one time I was the guy who said, “Ah, those friends on social media aren’t real friends.” NOT TRUE!

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  22. Happy 8th Anniversary!!… ( I started with AOL in 2001)… you are doing a wonderful job sharing your thoughts with everyone and I am sure that as rapidly as this world is changing, you will not run out of subject matter!… 🙂 just keep on typing and you GO girl!… 🙂

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