A blogger I’ve recently been happy to see back on the scene after a prolonged absence, Elissa of Dress with Courage, used to post a series, On Sundays I Smile, in which she regularly presented her Week in Review. I loved this idea, from the perspective of both reader and blogger. After all, from both perspectives, the week often goes by so quickly that we never get around to reading those posts whose titles enticed us. Once they’d flashed by in the whiz that is MondayTuesdayWednesdayThursday, we’d forgotten some of them.
And as bloggers, of course, we feel sad that some of our Most. Brilliant. Writing. Ever. has been bypassed in that same rush. Elissa’s series offered a Sunday post made of recycled material, tied up with a bow and garnished with a new flourish or two — another bonus which allows the weekend to be primarily used for writing posts to publish later in the week. And it might prompt readers to think again about a post they’d meant to get back and comment on, but somehow never found the time for during the work week.
Ever since a reader commented recently that she’s been reading and enjoying my posts but finding so much to think about that she never quite managed to comment (so flattering, thanks!). I’ve been pondering this idea, and I may try to formalize it into my own series.
For now, I thought I’d look back over the week and then a bit further. . . These are photos I posted on Facebook on my brother’s birthday several days ago. He and I, oh so very, very long ago, the sweet little serrated-edged black-and-whites cut out of their photo albums by my Mom and Dad when they sorted the family snapshots together during the last few years of Dad’s long illness. Stained, scratched, creased, they are immeasurably precious to me. With my parents both gone, my brother is the only one left who was with me way back when.
Looking back over the rest of the week, I note that I posted on
Skinny Jeans and Fashion Trends and Investing in Boots
Work/Family Balance, Another post inspired by Sandberg’s Lean In, with the focus on eldercare and an attempt to respond to the social demand that we choose family, not work, by suggesting that perhaps it needn’t be an either/or decision
and finally, on Friday I posted Five Things, as the first in a series of regular or occasional posts — a bit of the random, mostly domestic, perhaps not always to be so. My first attempt ranged from raccoons to Oeufs Mayonnaise. . .
So there we are, enjoying the last of the weekend,
readying ourselves to strap Monday on again. . .
Take care.
And leave me a comment, should you have a minute. . .
p.s. In case you haven’t guessed, I’m the one with the curls. . . .
Those photos are just delightful! I think the weekly recap is a great idea. I know there are weeks when I'm not able to keep up with my favorite blogs, and this gives us another bite at the apple when maybe we aren't so rushed.
Exactly! Another bite at the apple. . . a wee weekend escape. . .
Agree with the reader you mentioned I too enjoy your posts but it's often hard work to format a response and I tend to just comment on the more "superficial" WIW posts for that reason. Appreciate that you'd probably like to hear back rather than just have your thoughts off in unknown destinations in cyberspace. Love your more thought provoking articles and the comments they generate (most recently the Sandburg ones) will try harder. Very cute photos btw and even more touching when you mention the care taken to keep and display them. Iris H
I appreciate any comments, but I absolutely understand a reluctance to leave them on the bigger topics. It's hard to concentrate our thoughts into a comment, especially when it's public. . . sometimes reminds me of those many awkward occasions when one has to sign a card at the office. My sentiments always feel so very lame!
What a treat to see these photos Mater. You and your brother were adorable little ones! A weekly recap sounds great. I also find it difficult to keep up with blogs.
Thanks, Susan. I think it will be a good way for me to slow down a bit. We all need to do more of that, right?
Hey Mom,
I see so much of Harriet in your little face. So cool!
M
Hey cutie, must have just missed you! The resemblance to Harriet surprised me — the first I've seen that there's an influence other than Rob's!!
Those are such lovely photos to keep. We have also been sorting photos this year and it is my brother (14 months younger) who, I feel closest to in our 60's. Harriet does indeed look at lot like you. I just got to Boston but will take time to read Elissa.
Can't wait to see Boston through your eyes! I've never been. . .
Those lovely crinkley edges on the old photos – I have an album full of those too somewhere. I share Anon feelings on commenting on the weightier subjects; like you said too, my thoughts seem lame to me – blame menopause marshmallow brain!
Oh, I have so many, many things I blame my marshmallow brain on! 😉
Beautiful photos… oh the serrated edges … they do harken to a particular time. Our family books are full of them.
They really cast a mood, don't they, those edges, the black-and-white, the weight of the backing paper. . . .
Egad – I left a comment here and it doesn't seem to have taken?! The gist of it is that I love the pics of you with your brother. They show your love for him.
I get so frustrated with disappearing comments! Thanks for trying again — I love these photos as well — less reflective of my bossy big sister tendencies which were wont to show up. . .