broken foot yabbering

Evaluating

39 Comments on Evaluating

This ol’ broken foot has given me time for reflection, evaluation. I’ve been looking at my life, my writing, and this blog, among other things… deciding where to put my creative time and energies. After leaving the blog empty for three days, the only one who even noticed was my mother, so maybe  I should take that as a hint, a sign… Maybe I should just write to Mom every day and call it good.

One of the books I’m reading is “Empire Falls” by Richard Russo. I’ve been meaning to read this book for a couple years now – about a small town in Maine. Coincidentally, while I’m reading the book, one of my favorite bloggers (Joe in NYC), posts pictures of Russo’s hometown of Gloversville, New York.

39 Comments

  1. Ummm! Hello! I noticed you were gone. Just figured you and Dave were roadtripping again! I’d hate to think you gave this blog up because you felt no one noticed anymore. We notice! We always notice every word, we just don’t always respond. Never any new way to put down how much we love your blog, your writing , your words and pictures, your experiences. We (I) live vicariously thru your eyes and mind as you travel our beautiful state. And again! Thank you!

  2. Well, not being particularly vocal, I’ve never left a comment about any of your writings or photographs. I do, however, feel so compelled now. STAY WITH IT!!

  4. Not sure how you decided no one noticed the extended silence… HOWEVER.. I’ve subscribed to the RSS feed and on the 2nd day took a look here to be sure that there really wasn’t anything new posted. I suspect that others were doing the same.

    Don’t even think about not continuing to share your view of the state of fly-over-stat. If you did that, how would we ever find the new places to visit, not to mention eat??!!!

  5. Cheryl, only you can decide what you want to do. But, I so notice when you don’t post, but I also know you have other things in life that you do.

    I would respond more, like I used to, but I get to feeling like a pest or something when I post and post and post.

    I enjoy every single thing you write. I also notice when you don’t write, but don’t want to pressure you. Writing is an art, and pressure to produce sometimes makes it harder to do.

    I have been dealing with a depression. I get quieter at times like this. It doesn’t mean I am not thinking of my friends. I think of you and Dave and everyone else here, frequently. It simply means that I have pulled myself back a bit and am dealing with my own life at that time.

    That’s the wrong time to do it, btw. Isolation exacerbates depression. Being social lightens it some. So does sunlight, good nutrition, exercise, good sleep, and positive thinking. I’m working on all those things, and am doing a lot better.

    I care Cheryl, I really do. I may be inept and inadequate in the ways I show it, but I do care.

    Janet

  6. Lately, especially this weekend, I’ve been evaluating many of the things I’ve been doing the past 4-5 years- is there a point to this or that, does it have meaning for me, for others, is this or that particular thing worth all the effort?

    There’s no financial reward for the blog, so I have to determine if there are other rewards here. There are dozens of other Kansas bloggers who travel Kansas and post stories, there are millions of blogs with everyone yabbering at the same time. At times it all just seems kind of crazy, one of those “If everybody’s talking, who’s listening” kind of things.

    Sometimes my blog is filled with quantity (2-3 posts a day), but not quality. Sometimes I post something just to have something fresh at the top of the page. It takes time to blog: to take photos, crop and post, to write captions, and I’m just trying to determine, for myself, if it matters, if it makes a difference in the world, if I care about it, if others care.

    I’m evaluating a lot of things in my life, trying to figure out where I waste time, what things I’m doing that are a waste of time, and how to better spend my time in ways that have meaning, in ways that matter.

    So – thanks for reading, thanks for your feedback. It is always appreciated, one and all.

  7. Cheryl, when I went to go to this page today, I though, “I really really hope she has updated today!!” I figured you weren’t as active because of your foot. I *definitely* notice when you don’t post!

  8. I sincerely hope you continue your writings on the internet. I lived in Kansas (Overland Park area) for about 8 yrs. and now live, retired, in Arizona. I have very fond memories of Kansas, all of it, and look forward to reading your column and seeing the pictures.

    You are a great writer! You have the ability to capture everyday events and make them seem like everyone should try to attend the next one!

    Take care.

  9. I’ve thought of this blog as your way of sharing your view of and vision for Kansas. Do you have another way to share it so widely so often, at your own convenience?

    Janet

  10. I am originally from Chase County, and miss Kansas. I say that to let you know I stop by everyday Monday thru Friday to read the blog and see the pictures you have taken. Dont give it up!!!

  11. I think you need cookies! I’m sending some with Dave (white chocolate macadamia nut) for you.
    AND, dear Cheryl, life would not be as full and rich without FOP! I check every day and most times more than once. It’s really a learning site–we learn so much!–and love the photographs and the words, dear wordmaster! It’s also a “counseling” site, or even a family! It’s so helpful to know that there are friends “out there” to talk with or cheer us up!
    (how about advertisements–would that help bring in $$? could you charge us a fee?) what can we do to help? Maybe getting together to EAT somewhere would be a good thing?

  13. Ya know, most blogs that I have gone to I loose interest in quickly and it suddenly occurred to me why. Although the words and stories are funny or sad or meaningful, you can’t interact or at least not as easily. You never know the people involved and for some that may be the best part, but for me the interaction, the knowing, the learning, the conversing we do here is what makes this site so wonderful. I’ve met so many people and thanks, cause I know that even if you decided it was time to stop the blog I would still have all these wonderful friendships I would never have had without it. I can truly say I have grown so much being a part of this. Thanks Cheryl and Dave for all you’ve done for me, you will never know all that is.

  14. I check out your website everyday. I broke my foot a few years ago and I know what your are going through. I enjoy all the pictures and when you show the outside of a place to eat I know we will get to enjoy pictures of the food.

    Keep up the good work. You have lots of lurkers that look at what is going on but don’t comment. My sister checks out your site also. This is our lifeline to Kansas as we left there 54 years ago.

  15. Others have said what I want to say much more betterer than I can anyway.. just know in your heart of hearts that your writings, pictures, photos, musings, thoughts, jabbering, et al, are appreciated..!! This site, Dave’s photos, and your brothers writings are my first stop every morning on my tour of the vast internet. What you both communicate through this medium is my virtual connection to yesteryear as well as today, and at this chronological age and stage of life… well, let’s just say… means a whole bunch kiddo..!!

  16. It sounds like Cheryl needs dialog and, quite frankly, I’d like to hear from all the lurkers out there. I’ve exhausted all I know on the discussion boards and now am recycling. Fresh words from new participants would be wonderful.

    What was your Kansas like 54 years ago? What do you miss most?

    Don’t be passive. Be part of the community like a true Kansan. Don’t just flyover, people!!

  18. I’m one of those anonymous lurkers who has never commented before, but I feel that I must now. I recently graduated from Emporia State and have followed your blog through most of college and continue to now. It’s even more important to me now that I don’t live in Emporia anymore. It’s the only way besides the Gazette that I can keep up with the activities that are going on in the Emporia area. I miss Emporia and ESU very much and through reading your blog I can feel like I’m there again if only in spirit. So from this graduate who considers herself an Emporian at heart: Keep posting, please!

  19. Cheryl: You are an inspiration. You keep me blogging. I can’t express it any more simply than that. I know it isn’t a paying gig, and I don’t expect that my blogging will bring anything, either. It just helps on a deeper level. You work isn’t just about Kansas. It is about YOUR view of Kansas. All the difference in the world, my friend. All the difference in the world.

    EFH

  20. I lose track of days, but I have had that “seen it, seen it, seen it” dialogue running through my head when I check your RSS feed on my homepage. Sometimes we need a little space from our blogs. It’s okay to throw your creative energy elsewhere when you are moved to do so. And if the energy going into the blog feels like it’s preventing you from doing something else, something that should take priority right now, it’s okay to walk away. Sometimes I only return to mine when the voices in my head get so loud they need a little space of their own 😉

    Just don’t ever assume you are not missed.

  21. Hi Cheryl,

    Just wanted to let you know that I pop in to read your blog almost daily…it’s so nice to get a bit of the Heartland, especially when I’m on the road so much. Hope you keep up the posts and heal up soon…

  22. I’m all about knowing and following your will…but I must tell you that I’ve checked in here every day I was on the computer at all, since the day I found this.

    I would miss it if it weren’t here. But don’t feel you HAVE to post something every single day. If that is stretching you, and not in a good way, then don’t do it.

    Similarly, I don’t feel compelled to comment on every post.

    Just do whatever moves you. I respect and admire your talents, and your choices.

  23. cheryl, i don’t comment but look at the site every day. i enjoy the small town stuff please don’t give it up. i know the foot hurts and that dave is not provideing enough tender love and care. we have to blame someone, just kidding dave.

  24. Thank you Cheryl for all of the beautiful pictures and information that you give to us on your site about Kansas. I was born in McDonald, KS (haven’t seen pictures of it yet but it is way out west by the Colorado & Nebr. boarders) and I love Kansas. I raised my children in Ellsworth (wonderful city), have lived in McPherson & Lawrence and so all of your information makes me think of home. (I live in Texas now, and it is okay, but it is not Kansas). I check your web site almost every day, and if I miss a day or two, I go back & catch up. You truly would be missed if you stopped blogging, but we each have to do what is best for ourselves & our families. Please know that you are well thought of. God Bless you. Thanks again.

  26. Cheryl, I don’t comment very often, because not being from Kansas (and not ever having seen Kansas), I don’t often feel “in the loop” like so many other flyover peoples. But barely a day goes by that I don’t check in and see what’s going on your way. Yours is the most engaging, friendly blog I have ever read. I so enjoy your travels, stories, and photos. My favorites are the sunsets and the skies! I would miss you (sniff!) if you left. Not to put any pressure on you or anything. I know how burnout can be. But you are appreciated.

  27. I have definitely noticed that you haven’t updated the Daily News but I was taking into consideration that you couldn’t get around very well. I feel so bad that I didn’t express concern and let you know how much I have missed the updates. In the absence of new postings, I have gone back over the past few weeks and reread them, absorbing all the neat postings that you have had. Even on Facebook I gave some friends some links to your commentaries and different stories. We do appreciate you Cheryl and have missed you daily Daily News very much. Yes Ele – I think cookies are very appropriate at this time.

  28. Weeta, don’t you know you are an honorary Kansan? Your perspective from afar is appreciated by me and I know many others. Everyone’s comments here are what I encouraged earlier up the line because Cheryl and Dave deserve these heartfelt valentines of appreciation for the energy, dollars and talent invested in flyoverpeople.net. Kansas will always give Dave an endless inspiration for his photography to be displayed here on this site. I think what inspires Cheryl is an amalgam of everything…people, places, things, memories, senses, old friends, new friends, skies, cats, family, joy and tragedy, smells and the list goes on. When Cheryl wrote her column “Whiff of Dill,” I identified and thought, yes.

    OK, I’ll shut up. I just think more from all of us would mitigate the slave-to-the-site funk that Cheryl may feel right now. Personally, I always felt the goal was to build an online community, not to create a passive delivery feed of information at the expense in time and dollars of the creators.

  31. cheryl,
    wow has it been awhile. over the summer, i’ve been reading your blog almost daily. i thought i’d check in to tell you that i enjoy your writings. they definately are inspiring and i thought i’d let you know. sorry to hear about your broken foot.

  32. I am a Lurker…………there I said it. Whew! I enjoy your site on a daily basis. I do notice when you are away but realize you must be busy with the rest of your life. I hope you continue with Flyover.
    Take care of that foot!!!

  33. Thanks Roger, for the honor of being an honorary Kansan. Perhaps someday I can get to Kansas for real. You’re right – Cheryl’s perspective of Kansas and Dave’s photos keep me coming back. It’s kind of interesting, really, but the rest of my family has gotten interested in Flyover People as well. We talk as if Cheryl is a faraway relative: “Where did they go this weekend?” or “How did Cheryl break her foot?” – that sort of thing. So I promise I’ll put in my 2-cents worth more often.

  35. Please do, Weeta.

    I occurred to me through this discussion that for authors much of the work is front-loaded. Sometimes years of work, research and writing, goes into a book. The book is published and the author gets feedback from the public through reviews, sale stats, personal appearances and correspondence from fans. Flyoverpeople is a book that is never finished and the work is ongoing. It is only reasonable that the yeowoman and yeoman of Flyoverpeople need feedback, not only to validate their efforts but for inspiration and cues in shaping content and delivery.

  36. Very well said, Roger. Especially “It is only reasonable that the yeowoman and yeoman of Flyoverpeople need feedback, not only to validate their efforts but for inspiration and cues in shaping content and delivery.”

  37. I’ve been out of town for a week, seeing about my ailing knees. Your blog is one the list of the things I check every morning, you know, bank balance, credit card activity and Flyover People! We don’t say thanks often, but we’re out there reading away and relating well.

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