As I wrote on Sunday, I came home from BlogHer17 on fire for blogging. I decided to spend at least an hour every day attending to my sometimes neglected blog. I'd post regularly, respond to comments and begin my long-time planned blog makeover. I'd gone to a fabulous session about making a better blog by Stephan and Chloe Spencer, and had a list of a dozen things I wanted to do to improve the look and visibility of Buttercupland.
Very quickly I remembered why Buttercupland had entered its semi-permanent state of being several years ago. Changing elements of a blog is harder than it looks. For some people what I was attempting to do -- add pages -- would be quick and simple, but it's not for me. After more than an hour of tinkering and saving and tinkering and saving some more, I left it in the state you see with the title and header on the top of the page and on the right of the page. It's not what I had in mind, but it's what I got on my first five attempts. I will return later today and my hope is by tomorrow links for coffee posts, book posts and "about me" will be part of my blog.
I've read a lot about keeping my memory working and vibrant and smile at the suggestions for doing crosswords and learning a new language. Despite my frustration in BlogLand my prescription for memory work is learning new skills to apply to Buttercupland. I know I'm forging new neural pathways when I make blog attempts. Fail today? No problem! I'm hopeful I'll figure it out tomorrow (or the next day or the next week). Please bear with me in my blog revision project, Buttercupland is Under Construction.
As ever, thanks for visiting! A blog is a lot less fun without readers.
17 comments
IT will be good to see you blogging again,, I stopped a long time ago. But still get pleasure from.keeping up with old faithful friends, by following their blogs..i stopped as I felt that I was more or less repeating every week in the same old pattern and folks would get fed up !!! At least you are leading an exciting life with lots of places to go and lots of things on your horizeon..goodnight. God bless.
Dear Carol, I'm technologically inept so re-designing my blog page would try be a way for me to "branch my dendrites." Do you know that expression? It's from a study done in Minnesota about 20 years ago. When we branch the dendrites (from the Greek for "trees") in our brains we create crossovers for our synapses. And learning new things is one way to do that--like learning chess or square dancing or a musical instrument (if one has never played music before) or a new language. And the language of blogging is new for many of us. Good luck. As you say, you have days and weeks to do it! Peace.
Carol, I admire your resolve to learn new things. Designing my blog challenges me so I know you're not doing anything easy. You will get it and Buttercupland will look cuter than ever. My mom always worked crosswords and at 96, when she passed, her brain worked beautifully. So I agree with you, we have to find ways to use our brain. Have a nice day.
You are a braver woman than I when it comes to changing a blog. I am pleased to be able to post and add photos. I am sure your blog changes will be fabulous. Learning new things will keep our dendrites fluffy for sure. The gal I visit at a retirement home is 86 and today she told me she attributes her sharp brain to keeping busy, reading, and she and I volunteer to run their library which is a nice workout for her, physical and mental.
Hi Carol! Sounds like you had a great time at the conference.
Blogging is definitely in a world of its own and a huge mystery at times.
I have changed my blog so many times it's embarrassing, and I'm sure people wonder what is going on. But, to me it's like moving furniture around in the house, I always want a change, it never ends!
I love colors and the pattern in your blog, in fact the green is my fave color, love it.
Hope you have a fabulous rest of the week!
Oh, I would love to change around my blog, but I am nervous about trying and fear everything will disappear. I look forward to seeing the how your's comes out.
I totally relate about making blog changes. I've been working many hours each day since January attempting to improve my blog. Planning to switch platforms in the near future and I fear the learning curves and problems that are apt to happen. So much to learn and it's all so technical. Best wishes to you!
i've learned to leave well enough alone on my blog. i wish you well with the revisions on yours.
I LOVE MY BLOG:) I am SO thankful that my Niece encouraged me to create it in 2009! It is my daily journal and again... THANKFUL to have it! I have met SO many great friends through blogging! Keep trying to change you display, you'll get it:) HUGS!
Have fun and enjoy the process. Rome wasn't built over night for sure !
I have neglected challenging myself for awhile now. I must get back to that. Good to visit you again!!
Best of luck with your endeavors! It will feel so great when you get finished! I was redoing mine every year right before the challenge. But myself, and so many visitors, seemed to like what I did last year so much, that I kept it. So, we'll see how long my colorful, childlike theme lasts.
I have two general tidbits: pages only work well on certain templates. And sometimes you can find better tips in a google search for how to so a certain thing on Blogger than you can on Blogger itself.
Visit me @ Life & Faith in Caneyhead. 😉
It's a challenge...that's for sure! I don't make big changes but I like to tidy up my sidebars sometimes. Hope you have a good evening! I'm still reading too! Hugs, Diane
Carol, The older I get the more I love simplicity....and I find changing things to make me want to tear my hair out at time...maybe I am so old I just want to coast. LOL. What we all need is a college kid next door....Wish my grandkids lived closer. Blessings to you, xoxo,, Susie
I was so happy to see you had visited/commented on my little ole blog. I've missed you. How fun to have attended BlogHer17. Wishing you a very nice holiday weekend.
Carol, As many lovely photos as you have taken over the years, you could make a really nice banner. If you make one, please be sure to share on your blog. I may even try the project myself!
I went to a conference about 4 years ago and was both excited and overwhelmed because I knew I struggled with the technology needed to make the changes I wanted to make. I made a few changes but couldn't step up to the plate for a total overhaul and apps.. still working on it.. Good luck . I have found many articles on Pinterest to help with Blogger with step by step tutorials. They were a real help.
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