Oops

Never trust a writer. I thought long and hard about whether to quit blogging, and I finally decided to move on. Although I absolutely love retirement, my life is not particularly exciting. I figured everyone was bored.

I wrote the farewell post and pushed the button that said I’m outtie.

Your kind and generous feedback made me realize I don’t have to be anything other than what I am. I live how I live, and I write what I write. Thank you for helping me understand there’s a great group of people out there who appreciate my humble efforts. It’s not like I have to trek around the world backward and blindfolded to keep you interested. Sometimes you comment, sometimes you don’t, and that’s just fine.

It took less than 24 hours for me to realize I can’t not write, so I may as well do it among friends!

I’m not quitting. I’m sorry for the drama. I hope you’ll stick around as we return to our regular programming.

75 thoughts on “Oops”

  2. Oh happy day! Sometimes we have to do something dramatic in order to figure things out. Your retirement blog is the only one I really enjoyed once I found you. Others fell by the wayside. I was wishing that when I commented that I had said I hoped you’d keep writing at something and that I would run into you online again. Keep on keeping real and thanks for the quick return.

    1. Nanci — I think you nailed it. I had to push the button and see what it did before I came to my senses. Thanks for the encouragement.

  3. Oh, so happy to see this! I subscribed to so many retirement blogs when I first retired and yours is the only one I still read. I don’t comment often, but your writing is so spot on. Thanks for coming back!

  4. Hi Donna, I’ve never commented but thx for all your blog posts! I had a breast cancer diagnosis five years ago and chose a bilateral mastectomy at age 63 to deal with it. I continue to be very happy with that decision. I found a posting somehow on Pinterest? And the bonus was your blog with comments on your same decision and how you’ve dealt with it! It’s great to hear about life in CA. I joined a WeCanRow survivor group in Madison WI and have learned to be part of a crew on Lake Monona. Thanks again and I’m happy that you’re happy to continue writing! XO (but only as long as you want … you’re a breath of fresh air with all the political discourse in the news.)

    1. Cheryl — thanks for taking the time to comment. I’m so glad you made the right decision for you regarding mastectomy. As for me, no reconstruction and no regrets. I love the idea of the rowing team!!

  6. Yay Donna! You may not think your life is exciting, but it is a LOT more exciting than mine, and I enjoy reading about your happenings! I love your style of writing, and how you analyze reactions / activities / thoughts / ideas / decisions. Yours is the only retirement blog I enjoy and follow, and I’m so glad you’ve decided to continue! Thank you for sharing your life and thoughts with with us!

    1. Linda — I enjoy your posts very much and still use your recipes, too. Comments are great, but it’s not the metric that should guide us.

  10. YAY!! You don’t know me but I really enjoy reading your blog. A friend had recommended it when I mentioned wishing I had a group of retired, semi-retired or soon to be retired women to share stories with.
    It puts a smile on my face when I see a new post in my inbox, so I was disappointed when you said you were done. I’m delighted you’ve been convinced to continue! Count me among your appreciative supporters!
    I’ll be sure to comment now and then rather than keep my thoughts to myself going forward.!
    ❤️

    1. Please don’t feel obligated to comment. I understand now that people can enjoy a post without feeling the need to respond. Thank you!

  12. I’m so glad you’re still writing. I’ve only commented once or twice, I think, but I read your post every week and I always mentally said to myself. Hmm she sure writes well. To me that’s commendable and alone make it worth reading every week.
    I retired at 59, about the same time as you did (Sept 2017). My husband & I actually spent the last five years babysitting our 2 grand babies full time. Why? Because they needed help and we were sucked in. The boys are now in school and this is my first Labor Day weekend in retirement!
    I am currently at a loss trying to settled down to a new routine. You’re an inspiration to me . Thank you for writing. I wish you both good health & peace.

  16. I am sad to hear that you will be closing your blog. I have enjoyed your tongue-in-cheek sense of humor, your honesty and creative artwork. However, after starting my own blog this past year, I certainly understand the commitment and time it takes. Thank you for all of the wonderful posts and I wish you and Dale the best as you move forward on your retirement journey.

  17. Oops myself. I left the above comment in relation to your last post that you were “retiring” from blogging. So glad you decided to continue. I look forward to future posts!

    1. Thanks so much for your continued support. Sometimes, all it takes is one person to let you know you’ve reached them.

  18. I do enjoy your blog and was so sad that you were going to stop posting. Now I am happy you decided to keep posting. I do read other blogs and always read yours first. Thanks!!

    1. Connie — thank you for the encouragement. I don’t expect to be first every time, but I’ll take it once and while!

  19. Like Susie said, “YAY!!” You don’t have to be any one but you, doing what you do. Your blogs are refreshing & I always looked forward to reading them. I’ll read them as long as you’re writing them.

  23. Donna, I missed your previous post (and missed commenting on it before you closed it), but I – like so many others here – am delighted that you’ve decided to keep on keeping on. There’s so much that can happen to us through life and through our blogging journey, and comparisonitis is one of the negative ones. I get a lot of pleasure from writing, so when I’m not and it feels like hard work, I take a break. If I didn’t miss it while on the break, then I might consider not doing it anymore, but I always miss it. I hope that you keep on missing blogging, so that we will keep on being able to read them.

    1. Debs — I like your blog a lot, and I like your approach to writing. Thanks for the pep talk!

  24. I’m so happy to read that you’ll keep on blogging. I absolutely love reading what you write! I’m not a big commenter but I promise I’m reading and loving all that you do. Thank you.

  25. Your blog is one of the most literate that I read. I enjoy your content and topics even if you might define them as humble or mundane. And I especially appreciate that your spelling and grammar are top notch! I’ve actually had to stop reading a few interesting blogs because of their atrocious mangling of the language. I’m so happy you reconsidered!
    I’m also looking forward to seeing more of your art as well. (I actually took screenshots of your gallery so I could look at my favorites when you took your blog down.)

    1. Was so sad to hear you were stopping but just saw you changed your mind. We have much in common and I enjoy your posts and thoughts. I don’t check many blogs out but yours is one I look for. Usually do t comment as not on many platforms and don’t like jumping through hoops to comment. Yours is rather simple if this posts!!!!

      1. Thanks — I do try to keep the comment process simple. But I do understand not everyone comments, and that’s OK. I appreciate your readership.

    2. Bobi — You have no idea how much I appreciate the nod to literacy. I’m a grammar nerd, and I proofread again and again and again, and I still miss some. I also appreciate the nice comments about my art. I’ve been kind of a slacker in that department this summer, but all it took was one cool day, and I’m back in the garage! More art to come.

  26. I recently let my posts slide for about two months and then felt the pull to come back. Blogging, both writing and reading other blogs is a fun thing to participate in. Glad you decided to stick around!

    1. I’m glad you’re hanging in there. It is a hard thing to do sometimes … but so rewarding!

  27. Well it’s a red letter day! Hubs and I were just saying the other day how we would miss seeing you around, and bingo! You sure know how to make a comeback. So happy to hear your great news. No pressure Donna, just be your yourself. There will always be something to write about. 😊

  29. Donna, Thank You for deciding to continue your blog. You always keep things real and relatable. Whether it’s about golf, travel, Dale’s cooking, or anything else you experiment with in retirement keeps your blog fresh. I like seeing your pallet art too! Puts a grin on my face. Your blog connects all of us. Thanks again, Russ

  30. Somehow I missed the earlier post, so I’m very glad to hear that you have changed your mind. I enjoy reading about your diverse activities, and sometimes your posts inspire me to, oh maybe make blueberry lemon scones, for example (as soon as this heat wave fades). I appreciate the way you evaluate your life, attitudes and actions and rethink how you approach things. Take all the time away from writing that you want/need, and then drop us a line when you feel like it.

    1. Thanks, Nina. I’m motivated now — I think I just had to get out of my own head. Write, share stories and trust it’s all for the good.

  31. Oh my goodness! I was just logging on to share my sadness regarding your goodbye post and was so pleased to find you have changed your mind! I’m very infrequent poster but I have read your writings for many years — I followed you during your silver hair blog days also. You always have something interesting to say, and I enjoy your company even though it is through this computer screen. I’m a more recent retiree than you and a few years younger, but I do find much in common with you regarding your efforts to have satisfying retirement life. I also love your stories about cooking — that’s something my husband and I also enjoy greatly.

    1. Hi Susan — I am so honored you followed me from Rock the Silver to Retirement Confidential! Glad to know the cooking posts are welcome. Thank you so much for reading my stuff.

  32. Woo hoo! So glad you have reconsidered and will keep on blogging, Donna! I would have gone through serious withdrawal if I were no longer able to read your smart, witty, thought-provoking observations on this circus we call life. You scared me enough to get me out of lurkerdom to comment! So now I will try to comment more often.

    1. Hi Janis — I always appreciate comments, but if this exercise has taught me anything, it’s that lurkers are an important audience. Lurkers and commenters are all welcome!

  34. Blog on! Your words are always insightful and fun to read. I often reopen your blog at dinner and read to Rich – especially your golfing adventures! We’d surely miss you if you quit!

    Thanks for the miles of smiles.

    1. Hi Pam — I now have a great vision of you reading out loud to Rich over dinner. Thank you!

  35. Well, obviously you were missed before you even had a chance to go away. I’m so glad that you reconsidered. I really enjoy your posts and because they aren’t regular (at least I never recognized a set schedule) they are like little gifts appearing in my email inbox.

    And now that you aren’t leaving, I have the chance to tell you how wonderful the uncooked, no preservatives, tortilla shells I got at Costco are. Without your post about the ingredients in the pre-cooked shells I used to buy at the grocery store, I wouldn’t have been looking for an alternative. These new shells take my fajitas to whole other level. See what a valuable public service you provide?

    1. Thanks, Janis! We love those tortillas, too.

      I like thinking about my emails as lttle gifts. Nice image.

  37. It made me so happy to read this post, Donna. As a long-time follower and reader (since your Rock the Silver days), I’ve appreciated and enjoyed reading your honest commentary and reflections on life. I’m so grateful that you’ve decided to continue sharing our writing with us. Thank you.

    1. Thank you, Vivian. I’m always so surprised and flattered when I hear from someone who read my stuff from those days. It’s just great — thanks again.

      I remember your name. Did you get a shirt? You and some teacher friends?

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