It has been said that a blog without comments is not a blog. I am not sure what a commentless blog would be then (an archive of writing perhaps), but I admit that comments are definitely nice.
Only a small fraction of readers leave comments, and thank goodness for them - comments do turn a blog into something special. They add new dimensions of sharing, encouraging and enlightening from which we all benefit.
Over the past year Linda and I have given away most of our possessions, uprooted our lives on one coast, and replanted them on another 6,000 km away. One of the most noticeable and reassuring constant in our lives throughout this tumultuous trip has been our blog and the amazing, supportive commenters.
We read every single comment together, and marvel at their contribution to our lives and our blog project. We have felt supported on our journey not only with moving, but with living simply as well, which is our larger and most important adventure.
The only problem I have with comments is the fact that I do not always give them the attention they deserve, and write responses in a timely fashion. I wouldn't want anyone to feel that we do not value what is shared with us (and everyone else that stops by here).
Comments on Not Buying Anything are encouraged and appreciated. They make this a blog, which properly is a two way open communication platform.
As NBA reader/contributor Terri said recently (in a comment) "the commenting community on this blog is truly helping me transform my life".
We feel the same way, and we thank all commenters past, present and in the future.
I haven't had time to comment much, but I most certainly read, and enjoy, every post!
ReplyDeleteI'm wraggling my way through teaching myself travis picking (ha!), and recently thought of you happily playing guitar during your big van journey. :)
Hey gk - my boyfriend and I are newbie ukulele players. He does finger picking, I just like to strum. My bugaboo chord lately has been B flat. I grew up in a household with music (Dad on the electric organ/Mom would sing), so it's been fun to learn to make our own music! - Mary
Deletegk,
DeleteWay to go on the Travis picking, which really expands your sound. Practice, practice, practice. So much fun. It was fun playing guitar while on the road. Next trip across the country we will try busking for gas money.
Mary,
I borrowed a friends green flying V style ukulele for a while and had a great amount of fun with it. I would like to own one (and a mandolin, electric guitar, banjo, and resonator). Making music provides hours and hours of cheap entertainment and challenges to keep one sharp and constantly improving a skill.
Sometimes I worry that I comment too much, or what I have to say isn't really relevant. But it doesn't stop me! ;-) I know how much I enjoy reading everyone's comments. It really is encouraging that we aren't alone in this journey to live simply.
ReplyDeleteThanks again Gregg and Linda for all the work you put into this insightful blog.
Oh Miss Marla,
DeleteWe love hearing from you. Don't stop. Your comment on "More Crap" had us groaning at the beginning when you said you wanted to buy more crap, and cheering for you by the end when you overcame the urge. Hooray! A happy ending.
Miss Marla, I agree with Gregg! I love hearing from you too! I find your comments to be honest, relevant and inspiring.
DeleteAgree with Miss Marla, this is an insightful blog! I've been reading the posts from the beginning, and learning a lot. Thanks for the work you do - it is very encouraging to me that we individually and together really can make a difference to heal our planet. - Mary
ReplyDeleteMary,
DeleteThanks for reading... and commenting. It is really nice to get to know our readers, and to hear about everyone's experiences with the beauty of the simple life, however that is manifested.
Hi! Is ukulele hard to learn?I do not comment but will start now.Keep well.Saffron-Australia
ReplyDeleteHi Saffron,
DeleteThe ukulele is pretty easy to learn...especially if you are like me and just want to strum a few songs. But as Greg mentions -- practice, practice, practice! There are lots of videos on YouTube and other websites, so learning is easy once you get a ukulele. My first was a concert size Oscar Schmidt. I own a few others now, different sizes, with unique sounds. Enjoy! -- Mary
Saffron,
DeleteI can't think of a better way to spend time than learning to make your own music. You can do it! As soon as Linda and I settled in to our newly simplified life back in 2001, I started to learn the guitar (after quitting lessons in grade four and always regretting it). Best decision ever.
Welcome to the NBA community of commenters. Happy music making.
Mary thanks for the information.I will purchase ukulele very soon,I live most of the time in a small town in Australia and if there is ukulele in our only music shop its coming home with me.Saffron (Australia)
ReplyDeleteThat is something worthy of shopping and buying. Borrowing an instrument at first is good too, if possible, to see if it is a good fit for you. Let us know how it goes.
DeleteHi, I always enjoy the blog. But I did try to comment after the "crap" column which had me laughing in sympathy! I do hope she is getting somewhere with it all now. An update would be great! But I couldn't send my comment as something had gone wrong with the system. So I am trying again. I love your thoughts on simplicity whilst knowing that I cannot achieve them myself. But we do different things (living in a newbuild apartment with very eco-friendly ground pump heating for example) and watching how we spend our money. Am now working towards giving up the car as we live in a town with good transport. Am beginning to dislike driving more and more, and resent the money it costs me to keep up the car. Have other readers given up the car and survived? I live in the UK so distances are not so great but I still don't enjoy driving on our overcrowded roads. Keep on doing what you are doing! Always a great and thought provoking read. Frances.
ReplyDeleteFrances,
DeleteThank you for persevering and posting your comment. It is great to get your UK perspective on things.
Going car-free is not something Linda and I have managed to do. We rarely drive, though. Sometimes only once or twice a month. I also dislike the expense. Even driving very little entails a certain level of expenses.
I would love to hear how others have tackled their car dependence in a car crazed culture. Sounds like a good topic for a post.
Francis, Thank you for wondering how I fared with de-crapping. If you go back to Gregg's post titled, "More Crap" on May 13th, I wrote a couple of comments that will let you know how things turned out. Thank you again.
DeleteI love your blog. I try to keep things simple. I am a widow supporting a college student. I find my needs are few. My biggest barrier to retirement is insurance. Your voice is a welcome contrast to the usual babble. Thanks for taking time to write.
ReplyDeleteMy best friend has a blog for the zero waste lifestyle and she encourages the comments because in this way she takes feedback from the people. I think that the comments in a blog are an absolute must!
ReplyDeleteThis really is a special blog. It has contributed to my life and supported so many things I value.
ReplyDeleteI am resolving some computer issues and hope to be back commenting regularly again.