Happy Birthday, Slightdetour.blogspot.com

Two years ago today this blog was born. Never in a million years would I have believed that a two-year birthday celebration of this site would occur. Thanks to a talented brother and encouragement from loyal readers, we've reached this milestone.

Thank you to everyone who has participated: my brother Jim of Grants Pass, Oregon, who designed the logo; my husband Bill who listens to many of the postings and throws in his zingers, my loyal blogging friends, especially Cis (http://wordtosser.blogspot.com/) and Toni (http://www.thecalicogirls.blogspot.com/), to commenters and to all readers. Believe it or not, the readership has mounted into the hundreds, and those folks sit at their computers all over the world.

To readers who get frustrated because a posting doesn't appear on time some mornings, I'll blame it on the blogosphere. It's a wonderful medium, but technological glitches do occur. I've actually rewritten full postings on some mornings. Believe me, when that happens, Bill stays clear of me, and, as my dad used to say, the air turns blue.

I want to thank Dave Oliveria of Huckleberries Online (http://www.spokesmanreview.com/blogs/hbo/) for the inspiration and continued support. Cis, the Retired, reminded me yesterday that "Slightdetour" inspired her and that she's been enjoying my daughter Annie's photo blog (http://www.nnlove.blogspot.com), which could have been an outgrowth of this one. I know of some others who may have started their own blogs because of this one, but, as a good journalist, I won't ASSUME.

I was telling Bill this morning that at least 650 segments of "Love Notes" have unfolded after writing every morning for the past two years. Other days have featured photographs. It's been a blast to express myself when I'm mad, when I'm happy, when I'm proud or when I just wanta have fun.

To those who've never blogged, give it a try. It is relatively simple to go through the steps and get started. Once that's done, you can post every morning or as often as you wish. Some folks I know post once a week, while others may post several times a day.

And, what you post doesn't have to be just your own writing. You can use your blog to assemble photos, art, or whatever is important to you from other Internet sites. Be sure to give them credit. Also, you might check the blog links listed above for ideas. In short, there's one rule for the blog world: To each, his or her own.

So, thanks to everyone, and may the road continue indefinitely with many more slight detours of written and artistic expression.