Happy Fifth Anniversary, Friend for the Ride (and a Gift Card Giveaway)

Friend for the Ride started when my daughter Laura, low on cash in grad school, asked, “Is there something I can do for you to earn some money?”

I replied, “I’ll pay you to set up a blog site for me.” And she did! She’s a techno whiz, and she blogs herself at Taking Back my Twenties.

Is Laura still broke?

Happily, no. And it’s a good thing because she has a baby on the way VERY SOON!

It’s been five years, do I still love blogging (after 650 posts)?

I love sharing my thoughts with you, posting sometimes useful information, and writing about life from a creative angle. I’m so appreciative to all of you for reading.

I’m always in need of guest posts. What should you write about? Sky’s the limit. Shoot me an email, and we’ll figure it out. Thanks! See the blog’s very first guest post here, written by my friend Susan Bellinger.

Do I plan to stop blogging any time soon?

Nope.

Do I wish I had more readers?

I’d love more readers! The blog has not grown as I hoped it would, but my readership does increase slowly.

Does my family read my blog?

My mom did.That’s how she found out I was downsizing my Santa Claus collection. Mom was NOT happy. But she liked most of my other posts and even did a painting for this one. Cliff reads many of the posts. Not so sure about my girls…

Do I have a hard time coming up with topics for new posts?

This answer should really be “Sometimes.” But then a new idea will pop into my head, often inspired by a photograph. I took these signs on Bald Head Island. I thought they were vacancy/no vacancy signs until Cliff explained they are to signal if you have garbage to be picked up or not. Of course I could argue, most of us have some garbage…

Do I have a favorite post?

That would be like picking a favorite child, but the ones closest to my heart are those I wrote to celebrate or to face important moments:

The birth of my first grandchild.

The wedding of my daughter.

My cancer.

My mom’s death.

I appreciate the grittier and quirkier posts too, like this one about periods and cramps and romance and Smokey the Bear. I never would have guessed at age thirty that I’d one day write about personal body stuff. But once I start, it just sort of flows. (Yucky period reference somewhat intended).

Do I have a  favorite part of blogging?

I love uploading the photos and seeing how they look on the page. I love tweaking and editing. I love the moment a new post goes live. And I love getting comments and ladies room doors sent from all over the world!

Is there anything I hate about blogging?

No, but I’ve accidentally had posts go live when they weren’t finished. Talk about a panic!

 Am I going to do something special for this Fifth Blogging Anniversary?

Gift Card Giveaway: In honor of Friend for the Ride’s fifth anniversary, and because I’ve had fun shopping here for my new house, I’m giving away a fifty dollar gift card to Bed Bath & Beyond. For a chance to win, please enter a comment by October 10.

Thank you again, one and all, for your support. Thanks to Healthline for putting me on your Best Blogs List; to those of you who wrote guest posts; to agent Erzsi Deak for encouraging me to write about menopause; to Cliff for photography help and pointing out typos; to my daughter Kath of Katheats, who models blogging with class and creativity; and thanks to Laura for expert help and for needing a few bucks. Now it’s time for me to spend some money on that baby of yours!

Happy Fourth Birthday to Friend for the Ride!

Happy Fourth Birthday to Friend for the Ride! Thanks to readers old and new for your enthusiasm and your kind words!

Because he’s a lot cuter than I am, I present the celebratory photo above of my grandson Maze blowing out the candles on his third birthday cake (some candles are hidden in front of the flowers). The blog is one year older than Maze!

Here’s my very first post: The Roller Coaster Ride.

Here’s one of my happiest posts: The Baby Is Here.

And another: Final Update: The Wedding.

A bittersweet post and perhaps some of my strongest writing: Losing Mom: a Life in the Details.

And one of my quirkiest (or grittiest) posts: The Museum of Menstruation, Oh My. Menopause springs surprises on you. Never in a zillion months of periods would I have thought I’d talk about them online, much less post such a distasteful picture!

Thanks to all of you who have sent me guest posts over the years. Here’s the very first guest post, written by my good friend across the street, Susan Bellinger: Creative Procrastination: Try It. You’ll Like it.

Thanks to my literary agent, Erzsi Deak, for encouraging me to create an online menopause presence. I love her advice: “Make everyone want to go through menopause so they will buy this book” (my book–yet to find a publisher).

And thanks to my husband Cliff, Pickle Counting King, for snapping so many ladies room doors when I leave my phone at home.

To finish this birthday post, I’m pretending I’m Miss Nancy on Romper Room.

I’m peering through my magic glass at all of you and saying, “Thanks to Carol and Judy and Susan and Gail and Michele and Sue and Phyllis and Marylou and Vickie and Karoline and Cheryl and Stephanie and Shirley and Pam and Erzsi and Ann and Sirena and Miriam and Haralee and Amy and Vickie and Beth and Bernie and Ed and James and Cliff (yes, men!) and Kathy and Cathy and Suzanne and Judith and Patti and Lisa and Wanda and JoAnn and Linda and Kath and Laura and Candace and Janet and Nancy and Rebecca and Teresa and Barbara and Penny and Wendy and Adela and Carla and and Brenda and Greta and Theresa and Heartpeace and Diane and Silvia and Joan and Rena and Ruthie and Mo and Chris and Cindy and Claritza and Bonnie and Jama and Debbie and Becky and Cyn and Elaina and and Andrea and Bonnie and Meg and Sharon and Kimberly and Sandy and Ruth and Edna and Chickie and Crystal and Ellen and Paula.”

If I didn’t write your name, let me know, and I’ll add it! Love each and every one of you.

Romper Room: Here’s the history of my first favorite TV show, which originated in my hometown of Baltimore.

Three Years! Happy Anniversary Friend for the Ride!

Happy Three Year Anniversary to Friend for the Ride!

I like to write her name in the sand.

I write yours in the stars because you’re the world’s most wonderful readers.

Since the blog began, with the help of guest posters, I’ve published over four hundred posts. 

 

 

Thanks to those of you who leave sparkling and insightful comments. One reader recently wrote me: “Never thought I’d get so hooked on connecting with others this way!”

And thanks to everyone for reading!

Happy fall and on to Year Four…