Twas 20 years ago today that I published the first installment of a blog called "Slight Detour.'
The blog evolved because my brother Jim had shown me a booklet of his impressive and delightfully funny cartoons. The booklet was entitled "Slight Detour."
Thinking that he ought to get some exposure for his talent, I suggested that I start one of those new social media outlets called blogs that Dave Oliveria was using to get out his tidbits of information in the Idaho edition of the Spokesman-Review newspaper.
His blog was called "Huckleberries."
Dave liked to use material gleaned from some of his loyal followers to provide a nice representation of regional voices.
My thought: if I start a blog of my own and post some of Jim's cartoons, like those you see below, Dave might notice and use some of the cartoons in "Huckleberries."
Well, that was the original intent of "Slight Detour." For a while, Jim posted cartoons while I posted primarily written thoughts or observations or even news.
Eventually, Jim quit posting his cartoons, but I found myself stuck---especially because people were actually starting to follow the blog, which was published daily.
By that time, I even had an editor who caught the glitches soon after publishing time of 8 a.m. She would immediately let me know about mistakes once the blog was published each morning. That way I could fix 'em right away.
My friend Helen Newton still serves as my editor, and for several years, another friend and former student Cherry Fitzpatrick has served as a backup blog post nitpicker.
Over the years, the blog has morphed into a combination of writing and photos.
There's pressure to produce, and some mornings I sit down wondering what the heck I'm going to feature on this day. Somehow it works out, and I'm quite sure that the quality varies from day to day.
But it's been a part of my day for 20 years, and it will remain so until a day when there's a blank screen in my mind just like my desktop computer has shown me today.
Ironic, but last night my main computer decided to die.
I don't think it's completely dead, but I'm saying some "Hail Mary's" in hopes that Joel Whittaker, the wizard, will figure out what's wrong and get me fixed up once again.
I don't know what I'd do without Joel who's often just a keyboard away.
As noted, the first purpose of this blog was to promote my talented brother's cartoons. I would still do so if he'd send me some more because we need those subtle laughs these days more than ever.
These days I tell my contemporaries when they say they can't remember what they did yesterday, that I do a blog so I can go check on what I did if a brain fart hits me.
So, what I did yesterday is represented in the photos below. I did a lot more than what you see in the photos, but I can always check back and note that on Dec. 3, 2024, Lily had her floated by Dr. Celeste Grace with her helpers Megan and Katie.
I also baked some cookies and took Foster for a nice walk in the woods where Bill and Bridie were working at Bill's forest clean-up site. Besides using the saw and stoking up the fire, Bill did a lot of ball throwing.
Bridie thinks and acts like she's going to work, but I must reveal that most of her attention while on site is to watch that ball and keep hinting to Bill to throw it.
Anyway, the pictures tell the story of how I spent parts of my day and who played a part in the activity.
While talking about yesterday, I must add that Willie's Bulldogs pulled off a victory in Moscow night, defeating the Bears 40-32.
They are now 3-0. Good job, Bulldogs!
Overall, a blog is good for old memories in more ways than one. I have 20 years of memories from almost every day of my life, posted out there in the cyber world. That means that most times when I want to refresh my mind on a piece of personal history, I can go to the search window on my blog.
It's pretty handy when ya become forgetful.
So, once more on this 20th year of sharing slices of life with friends and the world, I want to thank Helen and Cherry for hanging in there and helping me look not quite so stupid.
And, to those who faithfully follow the posts and occasionally send thoughtful notes, a huge thank you. I appreciate your support.
Many neat stories have evolved for readers, thanks to some of the "Slight Detour" posts, and that's what makes me most happy about keeping up with this daily discipline.
So, with luck, my computer (which holds the majority of my brain) will be back and running soon. Til then, I'll use the laptop and hope for the best.
Thanks again for sticking with me.
Happy Wednesday. Tell brother Jim to produce some more cartoons.
2 comments:
Loved Jim's cartoons. Let's have more, Jim!
Let's have more, Jim!!
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