Come to the garden in spring. There’s wine
and sweethearts in the pomegranate blossoms.
If you do not come, these do not matter.
If you do come, these do not matter.
– Rumi
WordPress Stats tell me I have 1,500 followers.
I am trying to be offhanded about it, but it’s actually pretty stunning news, the thought of so many people hanging around waiting for me to open my big fat mouth and say something entertaining/instructive/enlightening/inspiring/intelligent, so much so that it’s freaking me out and I want to just sit here, rocking slightly and keening, “eeeeeeeeeee!“
*slap*
Sorry.
It’s hard to believe I was able to snag the interest of so many people with my erratic blatherings-on about whatever, and the pressure is incredible (a terrific attack of self-consciousness, here) to oh, I dunno…earn or somehow maintain your continued following? Repay you? Not let you down?
Spur this blog on to greater heights of garrulousness, a thousand more followers?
On the one hand, it seems like a huge thing.
On the other hand—and I laughed with the sudden realization as I told Kris tonight—the number is meaningless. Meaningless.
Because I think I would keep this blog, anyway, regardless of whether there were 10 or 1,000 readers. That even ONE person, a total stranger, reads and enjoys it, is amazing. Dizzying. Flattering. My readership is multiples of one, not some lump total number that homogenizes everyone.
It does not make me anybody important, it is not a reliable indicator of whether or not I am a person of quality, it cannot make my life any more perfect than it was five minutes before I found out about it. There’s the warm feeling of reaching some people, yes, who would deny that? Even made a few friends through the blog, and that’s the best part, the only part that has made a real change: half a dozen friends whose blogs I now read and comment upon.
It’s not like I planned to, or believed I would, keep a blog for three years. My main concern was coming up with something to say on a regular basis…never thought about followers, or getting chosen by Freshly Pressed, or any of that. I just sit here, writing, uploading photos of stuff I’m working on at the moment, sometimes I manage something a little more useful, like a tutorial or a signpost pointing you in the direction of someone who really deserves the attention…but it happens in the moment—whoosh!—it passes, and is gone. I never know what the next post will be about, or whether you will read it, or not. Whether you will like it, or not. Signing up for this blog’s posts has been a real act of faith on your part…I’m amazed that you are with me at all.
Don’t really know what else to say, other than
Congratulations! As a somewhat new blogger, it is inspiring to read how your blog has grown, and a good to reminder to just “blog for yourself” – advice I keep reading over & over. Thanks for the insight!
Jenna
You just HAVE to keep going, months and months of what feels like mutterings to yourself in a corner of an echo-ey tiled bathroom. Then there’s a trickle of visitors…and it gets a little stronger over time, and then it hits a critical mass, and takes on a life of its own. Strangest thing, really, growing a blog like a slow-starting plant.
You’ve never ‘let me down’ or needed to earn my attention! I’ve always admired your creativity and looked up to you as a creative person. I love hearing about your life as well as your work – it’s like a little mental holiday to me
Thanks, Katie! I guess the expectations are all in my own head, funny how we project our own anxieties onto others. No, no, no, I look up to YOU…you’re the Mother Eagle, after all…arbiter of cool! ;D And your thumbs up means more to me than you know.
You have never ‘let me down’ as a reader or needed to earn my attention! i have always loved your creative output and looked up to you as a creative person. I always imagine you life as a kind of paradise when I read your blog and I love the little mental holiday it gives me.
Congratulations! Your popularity must have something to do with ‘quality’!
Reading this blog and Kris’s writings I am compelled by an overwhelming sense of coincidence! The difference is that the images, and thoughts I’ve only experienced in my mind materialize on your pages! They are familiar but as completely original as anything could be! It blows me away!
You make this stuff look so easy and fun while so many of us are reduced to ‘Crying like a fire in the sun’!
I’m glad you’re committed to keep going. This blog is inspirational!
Thank you so much, Dave, for being an early and super-enthusiastic reader of our ramblings and whatnot! You are elevating us to greater heights than we have earned…I can hear the artist crying out in your writing, as clearly as anything my own self is trying to express; just do it, Dave, it’s there, you’ve got it, let go and let it happen! Peace and joy, my friend!
Congratulations! I know how you feel. I feel exactly the same way…I just got my 1000th admirer on Etsy and I was tickled pink. And I was humbled as well. It’s such a great feeling…embrace it, roll round in it, and wrap yourself like it is one warm, soft blanket. congrats, my friend!
Wow, a thousand followers on Etsy really is an amazing achievement! Congratulations! I’m feeling very inspired and encouraged by all this…thank you for being part of it!
Wow, your number of followers shows you’re doing something right. I tag along because I simply enjoy.
You’ve been so good to me! Thank you for tagging along…and so grateful that you do enjoy some of the posts.
I enjoy reading your antics you have a wonderful sense of humour. Your art work and your stitching and how you combine the two is inspirational. So pleased that so many other people enjoy as much as I do. Pippa
Thank you, Pippa! So glad that a few readers have stepped out of the woodwork on this post…it’s delightful to know the names and ‘hear’ the voices behind the terribly intimidating number!
because I love, love your artwork, your a pretty talented couple
Karen! I have just been admiring your miniature books in the flickr group…and feeling very much the novice! Thank you so much for the HUUUGE compliment, such a headrush to feel the love from an amazing artist. Thank you, thank you!
OMG! thank you, that is lovely coming from such a talented all round artist.
….but your way ahead of me sweetie 
if I can give any tips on anything just holler
Why I continue to follow….It’s simple….what you write interest Me.
what you show us is varied and interesting, giving us opinon and showing your struggles. You live your life free from some of the things that grind me….some days I would love to be on a boat somewhere. and the most important to me is your embroidery….love to see the stitches yours and others on this blog….in a world of false identity Well done & congratulations for being You
Thank you! You always amaze, enlighten and entertain me. I wish I could hang out where you are and just learn from your enthusiastic engagement with your life. Have no idea how I came to be a reader, but so glad I am.
Oh thank you so much, it puffs me up with hubris to know that such cool individuals are out there, reading this blog! Feeling very spoiled, now, with all these affirmations. You’re an awesome reader, thank you!
You’re simply brilliant, that’s why
x