This little light of mine . . .

And sew it goes, and goes and goes . . .

Today marks one year of writing this blog. This is entry # 182. I have managed to average an entry almost exactly every other day. So, I would have to say it has become a big part of my routine.

At a recent family gathering the subject of my blog came up. I don't know how many of my relatives and in-laws actually read it regularly, but it seems they had all, at least, seen it. One of the group commented that it must take a lot of time. Then he wondered how hard it was to think of subjects to write about. Then his true feelings emerged.

"It seems like a person would have to have a pretty high opinion of herself to write about herself on the internet every day."

This was said with a smile and a chuckle to signal, I'm sure, that he was just yanking my chain, but my history with this family has taught me that having a "high opinion" of oneself is not a compliment, and I felt a little put down—and a little defensive.

Is blogging just self-indulgence? Before I started this blog I thought so. And it probably is. And, is there anything wrong with self-indulgence? Well, nobody's forcing you to read. But I have been thinking about why I continue to do this and I have some ideas about that.

• I enjoy writing. I never could keep up a journal or diary. Too solitary, too introspective. Writing here feels like a conversation. I like that.
  
• Pictures. I love seeing your pictures and I can share mine. That's why I'm really here. Visual stimulation is sustenance. It's the greatest thing about the internet in my humble opinion.
  
• I take time out of my day to think about where I have been, what I have seen, what might be worth sharing. I can't overemphasize the importance that has taken on in my everyday life. I feel more aware, more present when I take the time to do that.
  
• Community. A new kind of community. The blogs I read and the people who read and comment on mine form a loose community that is unique. It doesn't take the place of face to face friends, but sometimes the communities overlap. When Gerrie Congdon moved to Portland earlier this year we already "knew" each other from our blogs and mutual interests. And because of that, I now have a valued friend that I might never have known. The world has become smaller.

So, "Happy Blogiversary to me!" I plan to stick around for awhile. And to my critical relative—you've always known I had a "high opinion" of myself, even before I had a blog. Get over it.