Thank You Readers

“It is not happy people who are thankful. It is thankful people who are happy.”
Author Unknown

June 29, 2014 | | Blogs | Community | Leisure | Two Blue Boots

One year ago, I wrote my first blog post for In the Hills magazine.  My prior writing experience had consisted of long emails, rants on our school conference site, and the odd note in a greeting card.  Friends and co-workers often told me that they enjoyed reading what I’d written.  “You should blog!” folks told me.  “Your writing is so funny”, they gushed.

When the opportunity presented itself to blog for In the Hills, I was thrilled to be hired – and very nervous.  I knew very little about blogging.  I researched blogging rules and guidelines.  I contacted fellow bloggers for advice.  I bought books about blogging.  Nothing helped.

The most difficult part was the fact that I had to discover a “voice” that was interesting and easy to read – a voice that readers could relate to.   It’s a daunting task to talk to people that you don’t know and writing for an audience of anonymous readers is a similar feeling.   I wasn’t sure if my tone should be opinionated and sassy.  Perhaps it would be better to write in a nurturing, grandmotherly way?  Maybe a younger, hipper attitude would attract more readers?  After much agonizing, I came to the realization that the voice that I was searching for was in fact my very own.  My favourite humour writer, Gina Barreca, claims “Your most personal post will be the most universal.  You can’t write and have shame.”

Two Blue Boots Blog

Two Blue Boots would not exist without YOU. Thank you!

And so – for the past year, I have laid my soul bare. I have introduced you to my family.  I have shared my joys and sorrows and my trials and tribulations.  I have laughed with you and I have learned from you.  Blogging is not about writing and reading.  Blogging is about making connections and experiencing that click of mutual understanding. The Blogger does not exist without the Reader.  It has been your participation that has brought many of my blog posts to life.  I appreciate your comments.  I enjoy meeting you on the street.  I appreciate the fact that you forward and share my blog posts with your friends and family members.  Two Blue Boots would not exist without YOU.  Thank you!

I’m going to sign off by leaving you with a journal entry (and blog post review) written by one of my Grade Three students.  I love to view life through the eyes of a child.  This was written in the fall. Spelling and punctuation remain unedited:

I am going to tell you aBout the website two Blue Boots.  It is named by Mrs. May’s Blue Boots.  She wrote a story called no time for Banana BreaD.  She moved into a farm.  She had a ReD Squril living in her Basement.  You ProBaBly herd this story thou so I’am not going to say It.  Next story. There was two tentecauls living under the friDg.  Mrs. May thought it was an octuPus. She called somone to get riD of it. But it was realy just snakes   that was the end of the story.

Read the full No Time for Banana Bread story.

About the Author More by Laurie May

Laurie teaches Grade 4 at Island Lake Public School in Orangeville and writes in her spare time. She lives in Mono and looks for the humour in everyday country life. Check out her blog “Two Blue Boots”.

Comments

12 Comments

  1. Hi LLLL, Happy 1st Anniversay, I hope you keep your blue boots in good shape for the years to come!!! Remember I knew you when you were a baby, well almost!!! I hope you write about me sometime?

    Love YA,
    Moe

    Maureen on Jul 2, 2014 at 4:09 pm | Reply

    • Thanks Moe! I should do a post about “Friendship in the Country”. Considering the fact that we were high-school friends and then re-discovered each other 20 years later, living in the same rural township. Friendship certainly works in mysterious ways!!!
      Love Ya too,
      Laurie

      Laurie May on Jul 2, 2014 at 5:51 pm | Reply

  2. Laurie, after I read you blogs I feel extra connected to the Mays. Have a lovely summer and I look forward to lots of great blogging in the future.

    Kassie on Jun 29, 2014 at 7:36 pm | Reply

    • Thanks Kassie. Yes – I’ll have to start thinking about some new blog post ideas. The time goes by quickly. I hope you have a wonderful summer too!

      Laurie May on Jun 29, 2014 at 10:38 pm | Reply

  3. We like Avalon’s bravo “Blobbiversary”…..here’s ours:

    Norma & Larry Gee from Collingwood on Jun 29, 2014 at 6:31 pm | Reply

    • Hi Mom and Dad: I believe that Avalon wished me a Happy Bloggiversary (not Blobbiversary) though I must admit that during the writing process, I often think of my blogs as blobs. Thanks for the good wishes.

      Laurie May on Jun 30, 2014 at 5:47 pm | Reply

  4. Happy bloggiversary Laurie! Have enjoyed all your stories over the past year and look forward to many more to come!

    Avalon on Jun 29, 2014 at 2:49 pm | Reply

    • Thanks Avalon. I think you just invented a new term – “bloggiversary”. I love it!

      Laurie May on Jun 29, 2014 at 10:34 pm | Reply

  5. Happy Anniversary to you and Two Blue Boots!! what a year it has been for you and your writing. I look forward to each new blog and share it with my circle of friends too. You have a talent that most wish they could have and reading each new month’s post brings laughter, tears of joy and a very visual insight into your life as you have experienced it first hand. You were meant to write and it is great to see your work reflect your voice! Hugs to you and many more years of blogging for more of us to enjoy and partake in this journey in your life!

    Chrysty from Ayr, Ontario on Jun 29, 2014 at 11:57 am | Reply

    • Wow, Chrysty, Thanks so much for that beautiful comment. That brought tears to my eyes. Thank-you for being my Number One Fan!

      Laurie May on Jun 29, 2014 at 10:32 pm | Reply

  6. Hi Laurie
    Very happy to help you share your voice on http://www.inthehills.ca.
    Your stories make me laugh out loud. 🙂 Which is a real treat instead of fighting with computer programs and interfaces.
    Thank you!

    Valerie Jones from In The Hills on Jun 29, 2014 at 10:52 am | Reply

    • Thanks, Valerie. Thank YOU for making the Two Blue Boots blog-site look so amazing!

      Laurie May on Jun 29, 2014 at 10:29 pm | Reply

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