Determined Blooms — Undaunted by Concrete
Thank you for the enthusiastic and encouraging comments about this beautiful new WordPress version of my Blog. And a huge thank-you to Phil at pipdig for making the move so stress-free and efficient. For other bloggers considering a move to WordPress and daunted by the idea of migrating years of posts, I recommend pipdig’s services unreservedly. Affordable, efficient, courteous, and thoughtful — and what a range of gorgeous possible Themes! Phil also helped me set up (okay, set up for me; I did scarcely anything) hosting services, domain registration, seamless transition of email subscription service, linking to my Instagram account from images you can view right on this page; Pipdig also set me up with a very helpful set of WordPress tutorials which I will be trying to work my way through over the next few weeks.
Beached (and stored) Dragon Boats, in the forefront, dwarved by urban architecture. . .
And as I work my way through these tutorials, I plan to post more often so that I accelerate my familiarity with the features of WordPress. Gradually, I will focus on fewer categories which I’ll probably sort onto “pages” for tidier organization and a clearer expression of topics or interests. But that will take a while. . . .
The surface of this building has such rich conversations with the often cloudy Vancouver skies.
I’m also learning my way around a new laptop. My old one is six years old and as stubborn as I have been about replacing it, there are too many programs that can no longer be updated because the operating system is, apparently, ancient. I’d built an almost organic relationship with it, so many words typed on its keyboard and sent into files or out into the ether. It will take me a while to do the same with this new prosthetic extension of my brain, mouth, fingers, but I’ll get there. With your patience, I hope. . .
From a distance. . .
The Strodie (Kate Davies’ pattern) sweater I knit two years ago, while travelling — a favourite!
So today’s post is just me, testing out my new home with a new tool and sharing some photos from recent city walks. We’ve had some sunshine for that recently, but also, as you can see, some grey skies. So some days, I’m still popping a (light) wool sweater over my t-shirt and linen pants when I head out for a walk. . . And since Outfit Photos always seem to interest readers, I’m throwing one in here as well. . . This one was taken in the post announcing this Blog Move, back when I was still publishing in Blogger. . . I just threw another layer over the outfit I was already wearing. . . and I guess in some ways, there’s a parallel there to what I’m doing with this move — enhancing what I’ve put together already, over so many years. . .
That’s it for this morning. My first ever post composed in WordPress and on my new laptop. How’d I do? As always, I welcome your comments — and I think you’ll find it so much easier to leave them now.
Chat soon,
xo,
f
Your new WordPress format will make it simpler to produce each post and MUCH easier on the reader. Well done, you!
Also appreciate the pipedig reco. I may create a personal blog one of these days and streamlining to debut would be heaven-sent.
Be brilliant!
Author
Thanks D!
You should go peek at the choice of Themes (templates) available in PipDig — so tempting, and any blog of yours would be very welcome. . . just saying. . . 😉
Agree with what you said to Frances, and wanted to weigh in: I’d love a personal blog from you, D.
Better late then never on congratulating you on the new blog format. And as above comment stated easier on the reader to comment. Well done!
Author
Thanks for taking the time to leave these encouraging words, Darby. Much appreciated!
As Hermann Hesse says: “A magic dwells in each beginning”.
(Although I do feel a bit nostalgic thinking of all those traffic lights and fire hydrants…)
Author
Ha! Best tongue-in-cheek comment making the most of cultural literacy — the culture of Blogger, that is! Love your range here, from Hesse to Blogger gatekeepers 😉
You did brilliantly – warmest congratulations! The updated version of your blog is gorgeous, clean, fresh and very easy to read. Commenting is also easier – yay!
I absolutely adore the photos of the copper and silver toned high-rise buildings. My career was in urban planning so innovative urban architectural forms always appeal. I too am getting used to a new desktop computer and updated operating systems. They aren’t really all that different from the previous hardware and system but just different enough to erode the ease and familiarity I enjoyed and slow things down. Of course, time and use will overcome my current hesitancy but effort is also required. You and I will both get there soon.
Author
Thanks Maria! And I’m so happy that commenting is easier from a reader’s perspective.
Isn’t that building great? I love the fluidity of the shape (which seems appropriate given its proximity to the waterfront) and the colour is so rich.
My computer set-up hasn’t changed that much either — from an old MacBook Air to a new one (but the six years between them is how many generations?!). I wish they didn’t all come loaded with so much proprietary merchandising capability these days, but I’ll admit that the new screen and speed and updat-able O/S, etc. are worthwhile changes. . . And compared to the old days, setting up is so easy now we have the clouds. . .
Brava! I will certainly consider Pipdig if I need to restart or move my blog. My interest is in writing and communicating without too much technical frustration. A light wool hand knit sweater is a very useful item of clothing.
Author
Pipdig does SUCH a great job and is surprisingly affordable. I’m like you and not at all keen on taking all the technical challenges of a transfer!
Good job, Frances. It took me a few posts to get used to the “block” editing etc. of WordPress. But now I find is so much better than Blogger. And no worries about having it closed down from under you. 🙂 And how much easier to reply to comments, eh? xo
Author
Oh my gosh, Sue, It’s SO much easier to reply to comments — just such an elegant set-up. Poor Paul, I insisted on showing him the “dashboard” and then going through an explanation of the difference from Blogger’s set-up, I was just so pleased with it!
Definitely a clean, fresh look. Amazing copper/silver building with all those various reflections.
An FYI in case it is a concern – I did not get an email about this post. I have your site saved on my computer and decided to check if you had published.
Author
Thanks Mary — I’m glad to get that feedback, as I’ve been waiting for the email to land in my mailbox. I’m watching to see if it arrives in the next while, but have also sent a query. Might take this week to get everything running smoothly — I’m glad you clicked through on your own to check!
Love it, Frances! Your new blog is *beautiful*. The layout makes it easier for me to read, see your photos, and click on related posts. I love that your sweet bio photo, courtesy of your husband, remains off to the side. A question: Will you eventually be able to link your Reading blog into your Writing blog on WordPress? I’d love to have them at one location, so I can read both in the new layout. Good on you for doing the work with Phil at pipdig to bring us this lovely new creation. I appreciate it, and I kind of love Phil.:)
Author
Thank you!
And that’s a good question re the Reading blog — I’m planning to ask Phil about doing that as a next project — maybe migrating the reading blog posts onto a Books page here. . . .I’d intended to stick with doing a monthly post on the Reading blog and then duplicating it here for this year, to see what I wanted to do moving forward, but then Blogger announcing the end of FeedBurner (at least as it has existed for bloggers until now) has changed the equation.
Do you know Phil? What I’ve seen of him through this process certainly makes him seem lovable! 😉
Migrating the Reading blog onto a Books page here would be wonderful. In the past, though I received both your Writing and Reading blog posts in my email, I wouldn’t get to one or the other. If I could read your blog post, and then click on Books to get an update, I’m certain I’d more often read both, and go back to refer to both, in particular book suggestions. As to Phil? He is a mysterious pipdig unknown, but he sounds lovable when you describe him.:)
Author
The more I think about doing this, the more I like the idea. . . but I might go easy on myself and take another month or two before I do that. Good to know it would work for some readers 😉
Your new site is very swish . As someone with very limited computer skills I’m full of admiration for the time & effort bloggers like you put in for us . I’m glad the comments facility has been changed . I didn’t like playing with those traffic lights & pedestrian crossings . Your Robert Louis Stevenson quote takes me back to my childhood . I still remember some poems from that book . It was a favourite of mine .
Author
I’m so pleased that readers are finding the comments so much easier to make now, despite Eleonore’s (tongue-in-cheek) nostalgia for the pedestrian crossings and traffic lights.
The RLS quotation is one I remember from my childhood as well. We mostly borrowed our books from the library, but we had our own copy of A Child’s Garden of Verses and I used to know several of the poems by heart, simply from regular reading. they’ve got such an addictive rhythm and rhyme!
Hooray! Hooray! Hooray!
Author
😉
Bravo! You did it and it looks amazing!
Wow! It is beautiful. Really happy for you that you moved with ease and lost nothing; rather gained much.
**Joanne Long, the new photo of you when you comment is truly lovely; very striking.**
The photos on this post, Frances, show up so well and crisply in this new format. I had a WordPress blog years ago and found in so user-friendly- I just know this change will add some ease to blogging for you.
The caption under your photo, “Determined blooms-undaunted by concrete” describes my state of being and mind perfectly at the moment. Right down to the little ragged bits as shown in the photo. Have returned for work and help with a parent in Maine. Am here for awhile, trying to rebuild what was completely lost in 2020, business-wise, while seeing my mother daily as she, the determined lady that she is, is trying to regain a foothold in her business which also failed in 2020. Despite her precarious health, she is intent on her goal and cautiously and steadily joining the world again now that she, and her family, are vaccinated.
The trials and tribs of trying to enter my own country for family health reasons and my work reasons a few weeks ago, with paperwork galore required by both the US and UK, various tests and standing on my head for good measure, are not experiences I am looking forward to repeating in reverse anytime soon. Much work to do here; help is thinner on the ground than ever before. My sweetheart remains working in London, but I am good on my own: inhaling the space that is all mine for the moment after 14 months of various lockdowns in London. Maine air, my old, little cottage that I have lived in half of my life, right next to my mother, are my welcome relief for the present and I practise “being here now”.
So happy for you that your musings, your art, your photos and this community have found a new home.♡
P.S. Also did not receive an email notification. Went on a search to see if there was a new post from you.
A. in London
Author
A. (not) in London: I’m so glad you checked in! The email subscription service worked for the first post, but something went awry with the second and I’m trying to get help with it across time zones. Hoping it will be resolved by end of the week. Crossing fingers. . . . That’s a lot you’ve been dealing with — mother’s help, damaged businesses, layers of travel bureaucracy! May life begin to get easier soon and may you find comfort in your familiar “old, little cottage.” Take care. xo
Pure joy!
Love walking with you and exploring Vancouver…..always something interesting
It may be my favourite among your sweaters,too
Those traffic lights…and buses….and ,yes,fire hydrants….Eleonore, so thoughtful of you!
Dottoressa
Author
Thanks Dottoressa! I hope there will be many more Vancouver walks here and so much more . . . but probably no fire hydrants 😉
Beautiful new look! I was amazed that I was able to get to it with the old bookmark.
Author
Thanks Maggie, Good to hear that you were re-directed here efficiently. I’m keen to keep in touch with readers and there seems to be a problem with the email subscription for the moment.
Hi Frances – I love your new blog and I know I say this often but perhaps this will be THE final nudge I need to do something about my poor old blog languishing in the long grass. ( actually writing something might be a start ; )
You write so well about your various topics of interest and it’s a lovely window into a different world.
Very nice theme and when new posts are written I love seeing the email from Frances – its like a personal letter.
Bravo xx
Author
Thanks, Margaret — I’m so pleased with this change and I’m looking forward to what it will inspire me to post. As for yours, it’s understandable that it will languish when you’re still working full-time. And this whole pandemic situation has shifted our patterns and our expectations and our perceptions in ways we’re still trying to understand. I’m glad you’re still keeping it alive, albeit with posts few and far between. When you’re ready to post more regularly, it will still be there. Be patient with yourself 😉
Your site looks swanky gorgeous- as does your sweater- and I look forward to continue following your posts in your new “home” 🙂
Author
Thanks, Debra! I’m so pleased with it and glad to have you visiting. xo