Saturday, January 02, 2016

Look in my window

One of my blogger friends, Sister-Three, likes to compare reading someone's blog to "looking in their window", which I think is an apt description.  The more I thought about it this morning, the more I agree.

I've had blogs I followed faithfully for years that eventually made me feel as if I knew the author:  You start seeing patterns in her days and learn the rhythm of her life (or his, but I only read three or four male bloggers).  Sister-Three's sister Patsy was one of those I felt I knew.  I loved her for her sometimes almost brutal honesty.  I never had to wonder how she felt about a person or a topic.  She died some time ago, but a couple of her relatives still follow my drivel, and I read their blogs.  

Back to this "looking in the window" comparison.  I can learn a lot about someone by looking in her window while she lives her life:  Is she a good housekeeper?  Is she rich or poor?  Is she religious or spiritual?  Does she like to read?  Is she lazy?  What sort of music does she like?  

But if that lady knows someone is watching her, she's going to be careful what she says and does with the shades up, or the blinds open.  So we bloggers, if we're smart, take care how we behave while we're in the public eye.  

I've had regular readers of my blog more than once tell me how wise I am, and I almost laugh out loud.  Trust me, nobody I know in real life has ever accused me of being wise, because they have seen all the stupid things I've done and bad decisions I've made throughout my life!  Obviously I've kept a few things in the back room, so the window-peepers can't see them.  And please stay out of my closet.  Whatever virtues you think I may have, I will guarantee that for each one there are several vices or imperfections in my storage room and closet.

When Ree Drummond first began blogging (The Pioneer Woman) , she was so real and charming and funny.  Now, of course, she has a TV show and is famous, and can't really have the fun with her blog that she did back then.  Ree picked up a lot of haters who actually started whole blogs about how they hated her and what was wrong with her.  They have gone to great length to discredit her, going so far as to find out about indiscretions of various relatives, right down to traffic tickets (who cares, and what does it have to do with her?).  They complain that she has used her blog to make money and, since she already had plenty of money, it must be a sin to make more.  They research her recipes online and accuse her of stealing them (aren't most recipes in the public domain anyhow?)  Since Ree wasn't disclosing all this stuff, that makes her a terrible person in their eyes.

I'm not telling you anything you don't already know.  It's life.  It's a normal human trait to hold back a lot of information about yourself to others and we all do it.  

So welcome to my window, and enjoy peeking in.  Sometimes I might even invite you inside... just don't go down the hall or look in the corners too closely.

By the way, my windows aren't that clean.

6 comments:

  1. I love to be in the "presence" of brutally honest people (except those who are more brutal than honest), and that's why I always read your blog. My dad taught me from a very young age that I can cause more trouble for myself from what I don't say than from what I do say. Of course he was referring to abject honesty, but made sure to include lessons about discretion as well.

    I enjoy looking through your window when it's open, but I would never peek into it. Thanks for sharing what you do. Some days you make me want to start blogging again.

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  2. I like the idea of a blog being a look into someone's windows. It's true we only see a tiny part. But I think that the important stuff shines though. Happy New Year !

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  3. Well, if you could see how special my Patsy was, you have to be wise. Toiled and suffered and lived in poverty...still yet she could see good things in all. Once I griped about the men and women who sat by interstate 40 with a sign trying to get hand-outs. I said I thought I would call the Pope County Sheriff and have him go and "run 'em off". Most stay in a motel and go over and panhandle everyday. Sister said "oh, what if one is helped". I did not call and each time I see a poor soul there sitting with a sign I think of her and how she felt...if just one was helped! She helped lots of poor folks at Tyson who could not speak English. First, Vietnamese, Asian, and later Mexicans and those from El Salvador. She would go to the with them and help. Sometimes to get a Dr. license. She was one of a kind.

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  4. You already know that I can be brutally honest about myself, and about others on my blog. It is a great way to release emotions! Hopefully positive ones also!

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  5. This is a great post, Donna, and one which I can completely relate to. A blog is indeed an open window into our lives. I try to be as honest as possible in my blog, and everything I write is the truth. For better or worse, however, my colorful (excessively effusive??) style of writing sometimes sounds like fiction.
    I always observe the events in my life with the possibility of eventually writing them down.

    The biggest obstacle I've found with blogging is that I often walk on eggshells in fear of offending someone. Permanently documenting your thoughts for others to read is much more dangerous than mere verbal communication. I'm never entirely blunt about certain things, and I often allow people to read between the lines (as you well know).

    Most of the people who read my blog are directly opposed to my political views, so I hesitate to write about that. Many of my relatives read my blog, so I often shy away from being blunt about my sordid Hollywood past. I've DEEPLY offended personal friends with my views about global warming and the environment.

    A few days ago I got a cold comment from a new reader who informed me that it's a good thing I never had children, and that I'm "a fairly good writer once in awhile"..... hell, I never knew blogging was a writing contest.
    And, I'm a damn good writer...when I feel like it (should I insert a smile here?)

    Sorry for the loooong comment.

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  6. Great post, and so very true. I'm glad no one can really take a look into my literal windows, because at the moment my house is not very tidy! I think that through the words of my blog people know that I love God, and I adore my family. I love to read. I am both spiritual and religious, but not preachy. And I have a sense of humor. Really, what else does anyone need to know about me?

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