Loose ends were tied; the message sent,
and I walked on in merriment.
With ruddy arms I build a cairn
that lies a ways past yonder barn.
.
One piece of gold I have in tow,
my back faced to the winds that blow.
This growing monumental mound
will hide my grief on sacred ground.
.
A daily prayer, a daily grind,
a rock a day to ease my mind.
“To reach the sky! To find my love!
To live the dream I’m dreaming of!”
.
The brook once reached beyond these hills,
her streams left banks for bigger thrills.
A few returned to pay their dues,
whose lovely stones I can’t refuse.
.
To my surprise, when I arrived,
this little man did sit beside
the running water, clear and sweet,
biding his time, soaking his feet.
.
His clothes were rent, his hair unkempt,
his gaze locked in the days lament.
The solitary of the fool
’twas felt on my side of the pool.
.
He raised his head, and looked my way,
and nodded at me, as if to say,
“No need to fear, no need to hide.”
I crossed on over to his side.
.
He bade me, “Come! You need a rest!”
He drew his flask, “Please, be my guest!”
My guard withdrawn, my throat gone dry,
my pity for the man ran high.
.
The sun had yet begun to set,
so down I sat with no regret.
Refreshing wine he passed to me,
I gave a toast to harmony.
.
I asked him how he knew this place,
a smile flashed across his face.
Wrinkles deepened to disguise
the teary trails of Rainbow Eyes.
.
I waited long for his reply,
the hours slowly crept on by.
I could not let him get away,
though night be setting on the day.
.
“What are you thinking?”, I decried.
He seemed to take it all in stride.
I thought him dead, but then he rose,
and brushed the cobwebs off his nose.
.
Padding pockets, feeling around,
his fingers dug until they found
a little book that looked quite old,
filled with stories never told.
.
As he began to tell his tale,
“Reflections On The Wishing Well”
the elderberries cast their spell,
into the deepest sleep I fell.
.
Though dreams do come, they always pass,
there are no curtain calls at last.
My soul must surely understand
why ends meet up in Wonderland.
.
I must have slept away the night,
my brain was throbbing in delight,
with recollections blur and dim,
and I don’t see the likes of him.
.
An Elder tree had sheltered me,
I thanked him very graciously.
Methinks he knows why men grow small,
why life grows short, whilst tales grow tall.
.
In retrospect, I do reflect,
it was a case of self neglect.
My daily prayer, my daily grind,
a rock a day, I’d had in mind.
.
Then slowly it came back to me,
I had to jog my memory.
The words he read, the things I said,
fell into place inside my head.
.
‘Twas then I thought to check and see
if I still had my piece with me,
the piece of gold I keep in tow,
that brings me luck where’er I go.
.
The pouch hung empty on my belt.
You can’t imagine how I felt!
The trickster played me, this I knew,
I had to hope that dreams come true.
.
Bewildered and a wee dismayed,
aghast at just how far I strayed,
but that’s what happens when you roam.
I scoffed it off and headed home.
.
The skies grew dark to cloud my pain,
I paused to scan the woods again.
I’d no good reason to remain
in the throes of a driving rain.
.
The winds picked up, as did my pace,
a branch swooped down to slap my face.
This forest seemed to have the gall,
I wished to hang it on a wall.
.
The leprechaun was now far-gone!
The early morning storm moved on.
My good coat drenched, I hungered still
for daily bread, fresh from the mill.
.
The sun came out to play my guest,
and drove the rain off to the west.
Gazing upon the looking-glass,
this top performer showed his class.
.
The sky put on her Sunday best,
she wore the rainbow like a vest.
I fancied over those two ends;
one could land where my porch begins!
.
I had a hunch my luck had changed.
Priorities, I rearranged.
Forget the cairn past yonder barn,
I’m going home to spin a yarn.
.
By then I had the barn in sight,
my legs obliged with all their might.
The little man came back to mind.
Had he been here? What might I find?
.
I passed the barn, rounded the bend,
this journey was about to end.
At last, I caught sight of my home,
and spied a gift left by the gnome.
.
All in all, if truth be told,
there was no promised pot of gold.
But I was in for a surprise,
the gift came from ol’ Rainbow Eyes!
.
I ran towards my door to see
this bag, and what’s in store for me.
The leather pouch, a little tote,
held just three things, one was a note.
.
There also was my lucky charm,
I knew right then he meant no harm.
That piece of gold I always tow,
sure brings me luck where’er I go!
.
Then one last look was all it took.
I gazed upon his little book,
a book that he bequeathed to me,
a gift that soon would set me free.
.
Then down I sat to read the note,
the very last words my father wrote.
*
THE END
*****
http://aaronpocock.wordpress.com/
© Keith Alan Watson
Uncle Tree's House 
thanks for sharing this wonderful poem
Now, you drink down that elderberry wine, y’hear 😉 Flu becomes the present tense. OO
I’d forgotten about ol’ Rainbow Eyes…. gotya
A softly told but well spun tale.
You’re quite welcome,
Poet of the o’s!
I ended up with viral bronchitis, Ed.
It was causing a little bit of pressure
on the left side of my chest, and the Doc
said, “Go to the ER, asap!” So I did.
An anxious moment or two ensued,
but I stayed calm, and drove myself there.
It was Monday, and I knew the stats.
Anyway, it was quite the ordeal.
Flirting with the nurses was fun, tho.
They shaved my chest, and now it itches.
Talk about tense, I was the present.
Rainbow Eyes? A great song by Rainbow.
You may not have heard it…just believe me.
Gotya back! Mail me a bottle of that stuff. Okay?
Thank you, Mark!
I’m an early bird catcher, yes,
but green will soon be fashionable.
Tree my word.
Dear UT,
I just dropped by to see what condition my Condition was in! You’re better than the Brothers Grimm.
You’re poem puts me into a non-objective state of calm contemplation, (somewhat like a warm milk bath, if that be possible). Me wonders, how is that so?
Catch you in another six months.
A Majority of One
How is that so?
Berries, gold, and Sherry, baby.
Dropping in from the sky like that made me smile.
And I’m still smiling. See! 🙂
Your condition is comparatively Grimm.
That was an awfully fine compliment, dear one.
Thank you, thank you, thank you!
If you lay under a milk cow you may be showered.
That’s probably clean enough for most of us.
6 months? I think I’m gonna cry now.
Bye, bye! UT (Every Breathe You Take) Well, I’ll be!
Sounds as if you have all been drinking honky tonk tequilla and then startin to feel all weird-like listening to bands whose first and middle names were assembly of
Am I supposed to finish that sentence?
Honky Tonk
Tequila
Hmmm…
IT IS THAT TIME OF YEAR TO REMEMBER THE LITTLE MAN AGAIN.
It’s a little early, I know,
but they’re always around, big bro.
Feeling lucky, or what?
I can’t remember the band’s name that sang honkey tonk tequila but it said something like drinking honkey tonk tequila and startin to feel like that man just might be kin to my first born son.
The Assembly of Dust had weird lyrics talking about tree limbs cradling some baby
Hot Buttered Rum
is the band I found
for that song, Dusty.
AOD is a new one on me too.
Feeling all weird-like is knot.
Being second-born comes naturally
to a tree that sees no rising son.
But Grandpa Tree might look good on me someday,
if that’s what the future happens to hold. It leaves me
hoping for the seeds of Time that are halfway formed already.
🙂 Happy Monday!
Again I read and read and you amaze me with every word you write…..
Thank you, Bettie Jo!
I’m glad you finally climbed up and into my house,
and happy I am to have amazed you, at least a wee bit. 😉
So, I admittedly have a very short attention span and tend not to like long, story-telling poems, but I absolutely adore this piece! The story itself is clever and well developed. Then the poetry and imagery are beautiful as well. And of course the rhythm and rhyme are right on point. That is something that I have always loved about your writing. I have, unfortunately, read several poets’ blogs recently who fail miserably at this. (Don’t worry, I didn’t tell them that. That would be cruel.) But seriously, I appreciate the flow.
Cheers!
Greetings Uncle Tree..
Thank you kindly for sending me your enchanting writing. This is a very lovely poem with great imagery. Many ‘longer’ poems tend to lose the natural “roll off of the tongue” feel; often they end up with a lack of fluidity, but yours did not. It all flowed so naturally. Great job, and interesting story.
Did you create the drawing as well? I like it.
I’m not really one to review or critique poetry too harshly, as poetry is such an open form of art. There really are no universal rules to it..and that is, perhaps why I like it so much. I write a lot of poetry myself, however i haven’t had the time to post any of it to my blog yet. Anyway..if I had to lend any sort of criticism, I’d say that it was a tad bit long…and a few parts seemed to..wander? Nevertheless, any issues I had with it were incredibly minor, and hardly what I would call issues in the first place. I simply enjoyed the piece, and that’s what matters. You told a wonderful story, it flowed brilliantly, and you’ve inspired me to learn more of Leprechauns.
So yes..it was lovely indeed! Would you mind if I posted this to my blog, with a link back to you? It will be..my first featured poem..or something. :).
Oh, and by the way..I rather loved this stanza:
“I asked him how he knew this place,
a smile flashed across his face.
Wrinkles deepened to disguise
the teary trails of Rainbow Eyes.”
Such lovely imagery..the teary trails of rainbow eyes.
Brightest blessings..
Tyrion Frost.
still crushing on your poetry!
Lady Socratesoul,
That was a stupendous compliment, and I am super flattered! 🙂
I’m so glad you liked my rhythmical rhyming tale. Thank you 2X!!
I should come up with a tune so I can sing it as I tell it. Huh?
Cheerz back!
Absolutely, you may, Tyrion! It wood be an honor.
I very much appreciate the gesture, and I thank you for your kindness!
That was a great review, and I couldn’t have asked for more. Oh, I know
it’s a tad bit long, but that’s what happens when you play: Show and Tell.
For me, making a long story short is more difficult than making a short
story long. Anywayz, leprechauns are allowed to have families, I believe.
I’d also like to thank you for getting into the particulars. That certainly
helps me to know what’s what, what works, and what you got out of it.
The drawing is by someone I recently met whilst playing with leprechaun
‘tags’. His name is Aaron Pocock, and his link is at the top o’ the page. 🙂
He is incredibly talented, and he does these wicked trees. I wish to have
him do a caricature of me, too. This dream of mine just may come true.
Thank you again, my friend, and bless you! (I’ll drop you an e-mail soon.)
I owe you an everlasting “THANK YOU!”, Cindy 😉
Uncle Tree… You’re the real thing. I’ve lived in ‘Celtic’ Britain for many years and you capture the feeling, the meaning, and express it truly!
Thank you, Aaron!
I’m very happy now that I know, and I’m
extremely glad that you liked me poem! 🙂
Thanks for the kudos, AND thanks for
spreading the dirt on old Uncle Tree’s roots!
*
Hey, Everybody!
I highly encourage you to visit Aaron’s website.
Feast your eyes upon his fantastically amazing gallery, and you will
walk away with a wonder-filled sense for the fabulous, guaranteed!
Miraculously enough, he’s agreed to create and produce a portrait
of me as Uncle Tree. I’ve been stupefied by the magnitude of the
moment once or twice in my life, and this event will go down in my
book as one of those far-out reaches when I’ve truly been touched.
A make-over of the most fictitious kind. Yipee!!! Stay tuned! UT
Thanks for commenting on my blog and leading me to your wonderful writings. You have a spectacular gift for wording.
Jessica
That is a fine compliment, Jessica! 🙂
I’m glad you enjoyed it, and I thank you very much!
You have a sharp-looking site yourself, and I like
the ingenious word you’ve created to use for your name.
My lips and tongue are having fun with fictionistafiles.
Nice to meet you, and thanks for stopping by! Cheerz, UT
I’ve been away from Uncle Tree’s house for far too long! Each visit pulls a smile from me!
Good to see you again, Bryan!
I was hoping you’d like this one of mine.
Or my new picture. But that’s okay.
Thanks for popping in any ol’ way.
Smiling back, UT 🙂
beautiful.
it had a rustic, folksy feel to it.
thank you for your comments in my blog. i was happy to see someone had discovered it 🙂 and thanks for the good wishes, of course.
i love what you’ve done with this blog, by the way.. the layout and the pictures. just gorgeous!
Thank you, sparrow!
You’re welcome AND you’re welcome!
You love it? That’s good! Thank you again!
I agree wholeheartedly. Believe me, I got lucky.
I met Aaron whilst chasing leprechaun ‘tags’. Like I said,
sometimes meeting strangers pays off, strange as that may sound.
That’s how I ran into Tyrion Frost, too. (Up there in comment #18.)
He’s a book reviewer, and I may be responsible for the very first piece
of poetry he’s ever critiqued on his blog. I think that’s pretty neat-oh.
I’m from a small town, therefore the folksy feel comes natural. 🙂
Nice to meet you! We’re no longer unacquainted, my friendly bird. UT
oh, that’s cool. i’ve checked out tyrion’s blog and i think it’s neat that he does reviews. i’ve never seen a blog like that before. also, it gave me the idea to read that book Precious (which was one of the movies he reviewed).
heh. indeed, i am a friendly bird. i got this name from charles bukowski’s novel Pulp, where in the end the protagonist is sucked into the mouth (or beak) of a giant red sparrow. it’s not clear, however, whether this is real or not.
i’ll be visiting for more soon. blogs are great for distracting me from essay-work 🙂
Pulp
Haven’t read it, but people know I’m full of it.
Hello, Sparrow! Isn’t Precious a word I use to describe…
moments are precious and few. Have you heard of Climax?
It’s a band really. I’m not making that up. A one-hit wonder…
Where was I? Oh, uh…yeah. I love song sparrows. Do they ever
sing about leprechauns, you think? Green Irish sparrows know a tune
or two about ’em, I bet. “it’s not clear, however, whether this is
real or not.” You are spot on with that one, girl! Same here.
You are welcome to visit all you wish. Human beings
love to be distracted. They’re a curious lot.
What are you going to teach them?
I don’t like worms.
🙂 UT
lol. well, who knows if it’s real or not. it feels real, but there are certainly arguments against reality (if you’ve ever read any descartes).
Precious is a novel about an african-american girl who comes from an abusive home and has been raped. i’m not sure about the details. it seems like a worthwhile novel.
heh. yes. wthout distraction the mind dwindles.
i’ll teach them a lot. some of my madness will be transferred into my students. the classrooms will be lots of fun. i think i’ll be fond of teaching shakespeare above all.
oh no, i’m afraid i’ve gotten things completely wrong!
the MOVIE is called Precious: based on the novel Push by Sapphire. So the novel is called Push. that’s what i want to read.
*
Reality
For and against
Oh, I love to toy with
the medium in which we live.
The English Student is now a major
in the Salvation Army, or is that Salvage?
I’ve been keeping an eye out for an editor.
Maybe, I’ll meet one, like I met Aaron and Tyrion.
Long story…The Hanging Tree Of Bedlam waits on me.
How about you? Link me up with a work you’re proud of. OK?
My latest reading consisted of a book or two by Fyodor Dostoevsky.
I was in the middle of The Brothers Karamazov when I stopped
to start a story of my own. I’m not sure what got into me,
but something stirred me to action, and now it’s gone.
One of these days, the will to go on will come back.
Short story…that’s what it was supposed to be.
Things don’t always go as planned, as you
have probably learned by this time.
Perhaps, I’ll ask you for advice,
so run now if need be.
I’m up against
Re-al-i-tree
*
In case you’re interested, here is the introduction:
https://me2watson.wordpress.com/2009/11/22/the-hanging-tree-of-bedlam/
am I in trouble again Uncle Tree?
I swear to god I asked before I took that bible. The deal was I told him I would read it. I read the first five pages, I am just taking a break from it for a little bit.
Well, Dusty,
that depends on whether or not
you started with the Old Testament.
If I were you, I’d start over, and
begin with the Good News for modern man.
That’s where you’ll find the end of the rainbow. 🙂
please don’t take this the wrong way, I know I joke around with the subject and due to that some people think I really am, however I’m attracted to women.
In high school when I had a rainbow sticker on my car (only for two weeks) I didn’t know what it symbolized, I thought it just meant “happiness”
Dusty Dustin,
I never took you for that kind of guy.
Not that there’s anything wrong with that, mind you.
I’m attracted to this. This…this…you know what I mean.
Rainbows symbolize a promise. No more floods. Remember Noah?
Well, so much for promises. That’s why I abhor making them.
Climate change is a deal we’ve made with you-know-who.
Everyone’s house will be on a big, sandy beach ball,
and all the water will be inside of that. 🙂
What gold?
For those of you who might be interested,
Tyrion Frost has posted a review of this particular piece:
http://tyrionfrost.wordpress.com/
I enjoyed it immensely! 🙂
thank you, uncle tree, for the kind words.
indeed, i am a busy girl. but i am a girl who likes to keepy busy; my brain just withers if i’ve got nothing to do. the novel is great for times then i have lee-way in school, and vice versa. and school (education, in general) helps a lot with my writing.
i would definitely send you a bit of it, but (because of what i mentioned on the blog) it is going to undergo MAJOR changes in editing.. such drastic changes that i cannot even begin to send samples.
yes, i think i’ve found a solution. i had a very long discussion with one of my good friends–who is also a writer–and she helped me sort some things out. it was a little brutally honest, but great at the end and i am happier for it.
This is a work of art… I absolutely loved reading this and the ending was both unexpected and a delight. you are talented…. And so I shall be looking for my rainbow eyes…. Thank you for sharing.. and please keep writing and sharing your talent… 😉
Dear Sparrow,
For Uncle Tree, wither is a word
I unconsciously avoid. It brings to mind
certain other not-so picturesque ideas and terms.
Like wilt, malnourished, starvation, and the ungodly thought
that comes at the-end-of-the-road. I’m hungry,
come to think of it. My coffee had now
dissipated, my uniform’s on…Monday.
Nuff said, methinks.
I wish you luck as you go through your drastically MAJOR changes
with your book, along the the many changes you’ll encounter in
the rest of your life. You’re a young lady, so Time is on your side.
I’m glad you have found a close-by helper. Honesty doesn’t have
to be brutal. Your expectations set you up to perceive it that way.
It’s not your fault, nor is it a curse. You know who you are. Yes?
You’re welcome for the encouraging words. We all need more of
those, I believe. It’s been a pleasure meeting you. They’ll be more.
Have a great day, sweet bird! 🙂
Hey, Beachgirl!
Egads! Look what time it is.
I’m really glad you like my faery tale, and the way I brought about
the end, which sort of occurred on its own, thanks to one word
that popped into my head. That word was “bequeathed”. Wah-lah!
It fit, and it worked out, the way I see it. I’ve enjoyed meeting you.
Thank you for all the compliments you’ve given to me!
Take care, be good, and stay safe on the water. 😉
Beautiful poetry. Rich in possibility. Thanks for bringing me into your wonderful page.
Beautiful, gentle and emotionally swaying… I loved your story.
Thank you, Madame!
Your leprechaun poem takes the cake. An ingenious surprise
lays in store for all of my friends who dare to seek you out.
.
Put your smiles on, people! And if you dare,
be prepared to blush and giggle. 🙂
“Then one last look was all it took.
I gazed upon his little book,
a book that he bequeathed to me,
a gift that soon would set me free.”
There’s nothing sweeter than having freedom
Free to be who you want to be
free from all comments of everyone
just free from everything around you
you can spread your wings
like a lovely butterfly
ready to set her very first flight
we find freedom in so many ways
so many ways that are so hard to find sometimes
Hello, Rhee! 🙂
Good to see you, and thanks for stopping by!
“Reflections On The Wishing Well” was the name of that little book.
I was free to leave the door open, so I did. Some day I may have to
fill in the pages with the stories and adventures of ol’ Rainbow Eyes.
A leprechaun’s diary of sorts. Tales, quandaries and magical moments
await the touch of my keys…or my pen, or whatever works w/charms.
Speaking of freedom…I chain myself to sweet ethereal things.
I am a slave to love. I also believe I am enslaved to my briefly mentioned
belief systems. If I were to act as free as I wish to be, I’d be in jail.
Cops are not free to leave you alone if you break one of their laws.
So I can’t be free alone. Everyone has to join in for this thing to work.
I like the way you said it! Those were well-chosen words. Weren’t they?
It sounds very true the first time through. What more can you ask?
Have a nice weekend? Oh, yeah! Please do.
Yes, yes. Starting now. (Good luck with that!) UT
Happy St. Patricks Day…. Rainbow eyes has a lovely lovely face… thanks for sharing… Beachgirl…
I’m glad you think so, Beachgirl!
Aaron’s a wonderful man,
full of surprises.
It has been, and still is a good day.
Hope your day’s been great, too.
(This Guinness is strong stuff.)
Cheers to harmony!!! UT
that is gorgeous uncle tree. took my breath away. and filled the air with color. just beautiful, thanks.
Thank you very, very much, Katerine!
This is Meister Tree’s masterpiece, as far as he be concerned. 😉 So…
Breathe deep, honey child, and keep to the story in your eyes.
You, with your overwhelming kindness, will always be welcome here!
HaPpY SaInT PaTrIcK’s DaY, 2011, my friends! 🙂
i love this ! :}
🙂 Thank you, Yamyah!
I love it! Did you write it?
Thanks so much for the comment! Cheers!
Absolutely, I did! I lovingly call it –
my masterpiece – the rhyming and timing
helped me to write this story. Believe it, or knot.
😉 Glad you liked it. Thank you! 🙂
Love your blog! Nice poem here, too!
Hi, Cheryl! Thank ye dearly for the visit! 🙂 Glad you liked this.
You have found the gold here, and a rainbow or three!
But it’s so long…then again, rainbows can’t be measured.
Glad you liked it, Niamh. I’m relieved. Whew.
Thank you, Lady Clune! 🙂
🙂
Reblogged this on Uncle Tree's House and commented:
Happy St. Patrick’s Day, 2013! From Uncle Tree
Your writing is very beautiful and haunting at the same time. Very nice poem, with delightful imagery.
Thank you,
Steve
Thank you for that super-fine compliment, Steve! 🙂
I consider this my Magnum Opus in rhythm and rhyme.
I’m still kinda wishing someone would add a tune and make this famous. 😉
Have a great day, my friend! Cheerz, Keith
Started my day with this poem—so the day begins under an altered glow. Thank you.
You’re welcome, George. 🙂 You found my favorite!
Thank you for being so lucky today!
Hee Haw! Uncle Tree
Magic is all around us!
When someone reads and LIKES my post,
and then tells me so in a comment, that is magical.
I love, love, love this poem Uncle Tree! Thank you for sharing it with me. I like the imagery, I like the tale – I like that this poem rhymes and that is sorely lacking in so much I read these days. A wee bit of magic you are spinning in this poem … go out and promote the h*ll out of this. It surely deserves it and Aaron Pocock, who created this picture, just like your tree character on your website, deserves special kudos as well. I am in awe.
YaY! 🙂 She likes it! Thank you very much, Linda!
If ever I decide to publish, I have an illustrator in my pocket.
Have a great Monday! Cheerz, UT
I liked it a lot and I felt badly as I did not return early enough and you were offline and didn’t see my comment. I enjoyed it immensely. You are lucky to have an illustrator in your pocket – Aaron did a great job with both pictures. I still must return to your blog at the beginning … you said one time “I have a book in there somewhere” … I think I can say the same for me Uncle Tree.
I won’t hold you to that, Linda. It’s an awful lot to read. And on my serious posts, sometimes the comments end up being the best part of the show.
I was quite ambitious in the beginning, and because of my competitive nature, stats caught my attention. I enjoyed meeting many artists, and was brave enough to ask them if I could borrow their work (I used to write poems when commenting on their piece at their site). Going out on limbs sorta seems to be my calling.
You’re a reader, so I guessed you wouldn’t mind a longer piece. No worries about delayed reactions. Bloggers are used to waiting. Still, glad you liked and thanks again for the wonderful compliments. 🙂 Much appreciated!
I still would like to go through – you’ll recall I went in reverse order to February 2016 to read all the posts you did while you were using your own photos. So, I did catch up back then. Now to start at the beginning. I had counted on doing it through the Winter … I got busy at work and there were some nights I was here until 7:00 or so. Then there was all that never-ending snow … I ended up going to bed early many times.
There are only two blogs that I’d consider returning to the “roots” (hey, clever of me) and reading ahead … that is you and Wayne. I’d like to see his other photos before I subscribed. I have looked at some of them already. I thought if I commented, you’d be obligated to respond had I waded through many of them a night.
That was an interesting concept to write poetry to match the artwork … clever of you and complimentary to that artist.
I like a story or a poem that I can sink my teeth into. It is like a short story, it captures my attention and I want to find out the twist, or the ending, and have that satisfaction. You should think about a compilation of stories someday. You can self-publish … I have a few blogger friends from when we all blogged at “Patch.com” who have published and are on Amazon. They wanted to have creative license and not have an editor looking over their shoulder.
As of today, I have 101 followers – this blows my mind because, while the people who follow me, may have hundreds or even thousands more followers than I do, at Thanksgiving, I think I had 18 followers tops, and one was Marge … I have left her in as she was the original one. A Yahoo account in her name is filled to capacity with blog posts which will never be read. Hmmmm. Anyway, it amazes me that I’ve gleaned all these people in a short amount of time … you said “be careful what you wish for!” It’s tricky as not all who follow me are there for my content, but for likes and comments … I’ve figured that out and I am leaning toward the blogs that have a story to tell or images with commentary that goes along with it. Keep going out on a limb.
I had a lot of ideas for a post for today, but decided against it – I don’t want to set a trend for everyday posts … I will run out of things to say. As it is, sometimes I think of a title and wonder if I used it before – I’ll search, and yes I did. Also, I’ve started tagging since my five-year anniversary – tagging every day and now, after what you said the other day, I’ve decided to tag “humor” as well.
I’ll compliment you again – I did enjoy it and was sorry about the delay. I shut out of everything so I could get that long blog post written yesterday. I had a great day down at the River. I’m easy to please. I got some fun seagull shots … they are not as fickle as the ducks and geese I guess. 🙂
Hands-down, Linda, you are the most prolific writer!
I feel like Uncle Turtle Tree. 🙂 LoL
Heads up: I have some 3200 followers and I’m lucky to get 100 LIKES on a post. I follow somewhere around 50 blogs at a time. It becomes increasingly difficult to keep up, and one feels as if there always “behind” in the game; not a good place to be when creativity is more to one’s liking.
I’m proud of my titles. That’s what I’m good at. 😉 Peace, Keith
I loved this! I’ll be back to read more.
Uncle Tree:
I worry I will run out of things to talk about one day – hopefully not. I am a prolific writer, and I have a Word document that is very long filled with ideas and things I’ve seen on my walks that I will use one day and will merely expound on later, but often something happens in the here-and-now and I just use that day’s idea(s) and run with it. Thank you for that compliment, but you have to remember that I am writing about walking, something that I try to do every day (or at least in good weather) so that provides much fodder for my blog posts. You are writing to fit the pictures, so you are not lazy, but you don’t have as many opportunities. And, I am mindful that you said as you have been in blogging for nine years now, that you have found people respond to shorter posts. I have tried to pepper my posts with pictures to break up the gray matter and then write the narrative around the pictures.
When I began I had one or two paragraphs at most, and no pictures, then gradually added these tiny little pictures, so that when I go back it does look quite boring on early posts.
The pictures on Sunday’s post garnered a lot of likes. Like you said, and you are a skilled photographer, the images came out better and were larger – I was in a good place to take pictures, and it is not always great at the Park as I can’t get too close, however, I feel energized by the various comments and likes on my posts with pictures, especially that one.
I think I said last night that up to Thanksgiving, I had between 15-20 people following – for the longest time, only Marge made comments, so I essentially was writing for one person. I had a few followers via e-mail, but they rarely, if ever, made comments, and they were subscribers from the first year. Ann Marie came along (friend from the Park and we walked together when we arrived there at the same time, but she moved to another city, but we e-mail all the time and get together and walk several times a year) … beginning late 2014 or early 2015 Ann Marie commented regularly. That was it!
I have to tell you that I am overwhelmed now – you have 3,200 followers and I am guessing you are not following back all of them if you follow only around 50 blogs. That was my problem – I ASSUMED it was a reciprocal thing – they followed me and I was obligated to follow back. I have to winnow down what I’m following because there are too many, and, yes – I feel in a constant state of being behind. That happened last night – I intended to write, but was behind in responding to comments (which should be done first) and then Reader, and my friend Evelyn had been on vacation on Spring Break and wrote me about 15 e-mails; I am now behind on e-mails as well. She is in grad school (age 61 and went back to school to get a masters degree in gerontology forty years after getting a masters degree in sociology) and never using it. We have corresponded for years by e-mail during the work day, but now that she doesn’t work, she waits and writes all her e-mails/responses in one fell swoop.
I sense you read comments/check likes in the a.m. and at night read Reader and/or more comments, or write your posts … that is what I tried to do. And, you never catch up if you have followers in other time zones, which you probably have, and I do – in fact my followers are about half & half.
I have to hunker down and get a better routine for myself. I’ve decided in the morning when I check in at work, I’ll not stray over here, because I end up staying here, and not getting other things done and then scrambling around to get out the door and walk and back timely for work … hopefully all your followers did not happen at once, which is what happened here and perhaps that is why I feel a little overwhelmed.
Meanwhile, I wish my friend Marge were still here as I would have passed along “A Leprechaun’s Gaze” and she would have enjoyed it. She was as Irish as they come, with a maiden name of Flanigan. I miss seeing the St. Paddy’s Day wreath on her door with the banner that said “Luck of the Irish” … I had a St. Paddy’s Day card for her as I always had an extra here at home in case the weather was crummy, and I saw it in my cards when I went to send my boss a card for his birthday last week. Made me sad, and on a whim, I sent it to her son and said “I had this for your mom – put it up, enjoy your heritage and think of her” … I wanted to say “put up the d*mn wreath” but held my tongue. He texts me sometimes and never acknowledged it, so the Irish magic and merriment stopped at that house the day Marge passed away.
I will take your advice to heart. Meanwhile, I am thinking I should have changed my blog name to the .com last year when I got the e-mail from WordPress asking if I wanted to do so. At the time, I thought it was fine as is, but now that I am perusing more blogs, I notice everyone has the name of their blog not like I have it “lindaschaubblog” and many, like you, have the name of their blog as a .com website. So perhaps I should do that … I’ve not tinkered with my blog since I set it up.
Sorry, this was so long – I have had a long day at work with my boss and his lists and I fell asleep doing boring lists twice … that is sad as I went to bed at 8:15 last night. 🙂
Glad you liked, zekesway! 🙂 Nice to meet you.
Thank you for commenting! Much appreciated, UT
You’ll never have to worry over your “fodder” supply, methinks. 😉 You make this look easy.
I do recommend paying the $30 or so for a domain name.
It looks more professional, no doubt. I started doing that some 5 years ago. I mean, I couldn’t allow anyone else to run with my name, now, could I?
Several times throughout my nine years of blogging I’ve had to stop and ask myself, “Why am I doing this? What’s the point? What’s the goal? What in the world am I trying to accomplish?” And, then, I would allow myself a bit of a transformation. Evolution works that way. When I go back and read forgotten works of my own making, I sometimes amaze myself, and, on the other hand, I sometimes forgive myself. I’ll admit, I have “edited” a few old ones for common mistakes, but I try like hell knot to step in and make it better. Doesn’t seem fair to my past self to do such a thing.
Having a name like Uncle Tree’s House allows almost anything and any topic. I wouldn’t want to pigeon-hole myself, and need 5 blogs to stay “specified”, even though that’s what search engines and algorithms and whatnot dictate as the key to success.
I don’t pay the extra to keep ads off my site. Do I have a bunch? I really don’t know. Some sites have bunches of ads all in the wrong positions. I’ve not noticed any ads on your site, btw.
Sorry for the delayed response. Working 50 hours a week is wearing on me, and somewhat dampens my spirit, whilst stealing away my precious free-time. Losing an hour to DST didn’t help. Only 2 more Saturdays to go, then we might have a break for a spell. 🙂 YaY!
Thanks for your insight Uncle Tree. When I first started the blog in 2013, I got the lindaschaubblog.net domain name free, but not a dot com. When I got the offer to transfer to a .com name a year or so ago, I didn’t see the wisdom, but now do. But then again, the name of my site is more generic than yours, so that algorithms, etc. may not detect it … all four names in the title are fairly generic.
I do have the premium plan since I signed up in February 2013 – so no ads. That is $99.00 a year. I have never really paid attention to marketing my content so others could find it (despite having my blog carried on the local newspaper blog roll plus blogging at Patch) and perhaps I should have during the past five years; it is only now that I start to think about doing more with my blog and making it more presentable. I can’t say I’ve ever noticed ads on your blog. I usually read it from Reader, but when I go back to add something to a prior blog post (like the cranes or to the post about Rudy) then I do hop on your blog. And when I was reading in reverse also.
When you changed the name would it still display the same for followers (or subscribers – I have about 15 e-mail subscribers), or do you have to alert people of the name change?
That’s okay – like you told me – take your time. That’s a rough work schedule having 50 hours per week. I’ve had a schedule like that in the past since working for Robb when we were super busy when we first went out on our own. I felt like I did nothing but work, and I used to bring work home with me. My boss revises incessantly and there was no way to keep up. I finally stopped taking work home because I felt all I did was spin my wheels. Then there was weekend work as well – I felt numb sometimes, and it does sap your energy and dampens your spirit. You have to have a break. This year, because of all the weekends I frittered away last year cleaning the house after my repeated plumbing and insulation catastrophes, I decided this year, I would take it easy on myself. I’ve probably taken too much time for myself and not dedicated time for things in the house that need attention. I still get work from Robb on the weekends and it does not sit well with me as I work extra hours during the week as I told you before. Robb has slowed down somewhat (he turned 71 on 03/11) but when we have a big matter going on, it is expected I am available. I hold my tongue, but still. I hope your Saturday work is finished the end of March and you are free to be a free spirit once again.
I am thinking ahead to when Robb retires … the longer I work from home and not in a normal office/work environment (I’ve not worked on site since April 2009), the harder it is for me to fathom returning to a “normal” job once again. I did some work on the side for a SEO doing blog posts in 2014 and 2015 when we were very slow at work. I was paid a penny a word for a 700-word post, but it required researching info, writing the posts, proofing, formatting and sending it to the SEO. I would get about 32-36 a month. It left me no time to myself and I’d be up all hours of the night to keep up. The work dried up which I was not sorry to see happen. I would not mind to do that again, when my boss retires, so I have that in the back of my mind as to this blog – I used my blog as a writing sample when I applied for the blog-writing job for the SEO. I learned more about landscaping, pool maintenance, cosmetic dentistry, and house paint, than I could have ever hoped to know. 🙂
I will contact the Happiness Engineers and see what I have to do.
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🙂 LOL! 🙂
Reblogged this on By the Mighty Mumford and commented:
LONG GAZE–LONG GRAZE–HAPPIER DAYS FOR US! MEOW!
It is a longer tale. 😉 Thank you, good sir!
Longer better to aappreciate your writing talent! 🙂