Sometimes

As a blogger, sometimes I need a bit of time away.

I focus on my home, my life, my family, my other relationships, and sometimes just me.

Other times, something is keeping me away.

It could be a family issue, a tragedy, a lack of time, or it can be as simple as my mood.

Then there is something I would like to call "Bloggers brain freeze".

That's when I simply cannot think of anything to blog.

I can have ten projects done around the house, lots of trips traveled, and 500 photos, but for some reason I can't bring myself to post.

During these times, visiting blogs also seems to take a backseat.

Well, I do visit here and there, but I rarely say anything.

I guess that would be called "visitors brain freeze".

Then there's the whole "If I post, I must comment back or repay the visit." thing, because if I don't, I feel bad.

That, my friends, is a vicious circle.

Right now, I'm so far behind with visiting and commenting back, I don't know if I'll ever catch up.

Ugh.

So, all this to say...

I'm still here.

And I promise that nothing tragic is going on. 

I've just been focusing on other things, like the ones I mentioned in the beginning of this post.

Some of it I'll be keeping private and some of it I might share in future posts, because I think it might be helpful to some of you.

For right now though, I'm just going to share these wildflowers with you and hope you can forgive me for being an imperfect human.

Please know that I truly appreciate all of you.

I really do.

xo

rue

PS

I'm praying for all those affected by the hurricanes in Texas and Florida.

My heart goes out to you.

Breakfast with the pups

Whether we're at my house or his, every Sunday we cook a big breakfast...

with a large audience.

Of course, Bubba has the best view in the house...

until it's time to sit down and eat.

At that point, he's down underneath the table begging ;)

I feel a lot like Mini looks right here.

But, I wouldn't trade it for anything.

;)

xo

rue

On judging

As bad as it is, I think it's human nature to judge other people.

Judging Bubba is judging.

By their clothes.

Their manner of speaking.

Their homes.

Their jobs.

Their friends or family.

Their posts on social media or in blogging.

The color of their skin or ethnicity.

Their politics.

With one look, one word, or even a feeling, we can hate or love someone immediately.

As much as we don't want to behave that way, we do.

We all have opinions.

Some we share, some we don't, and some that we're too ashamed to admit, even to ourselves.

Do I think it's right?

No.

But...

we all do it.

I'm certainly guilty of it.

As much as I try to listen to all opinions and viewpoints, my own tend to get in the way.

For instance,

I was Judgey McJudgerson the other day.

But later, I thought...

who am I to judge what people portray to the world on their blogs?

In the grand scheme of things, I'm just some silly broad with a little blog blabbering away about this and that.

Is it nice to know that I helped some of my friends and readers, by telling them how I feel?

Yes.

Was it fair?

Probably not.

Would I do it again?

If I'm being honest...

Yes.

I know, I shouldn't say or write some of the things I do, but well, sometimes I get a bee in my bonnet and I need to let it out.

Was I too harsh?

Maybe, but I didn't think so when I wrote it.

After all, if I'm poking fun at myself too, they can't be mad, right?

I thought by laughing at myself it would soften the blow.

Maybe it did.

Maybe it didn't.

Was I trying to hurt anyone's feelings?

NO.

Absolutely not.

I hate to see anyone upset or angry.

It causes me anxiety and a stomachache.

Although, when someone confronts me on what I've had to say and I think I'm right...

I lash out.

 Of course afterwards, I feel like a giant ass and regret every word that came spewing out of my mouth.

And believe me, I do go on.

Blah, blah, blah... until I'm sure their ears are bleeding.

And then there it is..

regret.

The kind that keeps you up at night questioning yourself.

Ugh.

Anyway, my point is...

I'm a flawed human being, but I truly mean well.

I just need to remember that unless we're in someone else's shoes, we really don't know or understand why they are the way they are.

And maybe those bloggers really do live in a perfect bubble.

I'm happy for them, if they do.

Personally though, 

I'd rather live my messy, imperfect life.

Dog hair and all ;)

xo

rue

A day in pictures

Morning.

Bubba getting sun.

Afternoon.

Coneflowers my mom sent me, waiting to be planted outside.

Miss Mini.

A bowl from my dear friend, Lidy's shop French Garden House. She has a beautiful blog too :)

Vatican's Quiche via my new friend Jas.

Evening.

xo

rue

Thoughts and a Thank you

As most of you know, aside from a few sporadic posts, I pretty much took a break from blogging, a little over a year ago.

In the last few months since I've been back, I've noticed a few things that I'd like to touch on and before some of you get pissy...

 please hear me out.

So, here they are...

1. A lot of you have decided to use Instagram and have pretty much left your blogs abandoned.

Now, I don't use IG, but from what I've heard, I kind of understand the pull.

Upload a quick photo.

Maybe, write a sentence or two.

And voila!

Done.

But, what about the story?

How can you convey everything you want to say or make people feel a certain way, in only a few words?

What about those weirdos, like me, that don't use it?

Not that it's all about me ;)

I get it though.

It's quick and easy.

But...

I miss reading your thoughts and stories.

And you in general.

2. Vlogging has apparently become a new way to blog.

In fact, one of my favorite blogs that has been around for years and years, decided to go the way of vlogging.

That blog (which shall remain nameless) was an old-fashioned respite from the world.

Now...

it's not.

She says it's easier.

I understand that, because her posts were really extensive and took hours to write.

I know this, because my posts are rarely as long as hers and they take an average of 2-4 hours.

Anyone that has written a post like that, knows what I'm talking about.

It's a lot of work and there's a lot of thought put into it.

And if she's anything like my crazy OCD self, there's at least another hour or two of proof reading the thing over and over, before clicking the publish button and then worrying for hours afterwards if it's good enough.

That could just be me though ;)

I will say that adding a video of you to your blog can be fun, because your readers get to see you in motion and/or they can hear your voice.

Not that I'm going to do it anytime soon.

But to turn the whole thing into a vlog?

Meh.

She wasn't one to leave comments on other blogs or comment back to her readers very often, and although I usually don't bother with bloggers like that, she took charming photos and there was something special about the way she wrote.

It felt like you were on a vacation from your life.

Obviously, it's her choice and she probably doesn't give a hoot about my thoughts, but...

I miss it.

3. Some of you have made your blogs private.

This I can understand, because blogging can be time consuming and sometimes rough.

Not every blogger has the time or inclination to keep it going when tragedy strikes or life gets crazy and not every commenter is nice.

I've seen major breakdowns and I've seen some incredibly nasty comments.

I also know that it can take over your life, it can be very time consuming, and discouraging when you don't get what you want out of it.

Whatever that might be.

So, I get it.

But, I hope you change your mind, because...

I miss you. 

4. And lastly, quite a few of you have gone on a blogging break.

Again, I understand.

For all the above reasons and so much more.

I've done it twice.

But, I hope you come back eventually, like I did, because...

I miss you, too.

So, with all that said...

Please understand that I know it's your blog and you can do whatever you want with it.

I'm not mad at you, or judging you, or your reasons.

Although it looks like Bubba and Mini are....

I'm just saying that I'm not a fan of all these changes.

After blogging off and on for almost a decade, you'd think I'd get used to it, because I know change is inevitable.

Bloggers come and go, and if you're lucky, sometimes they say goodbye, before disappearing into the void.

Like everyday life.

Basically...

I just really miss visiting my friends that have left for one reason or another and selfishly or not, I want you to come back.

Please :)

Well, maybe you won't, but it was worth a try, right? 

;)

Anyway, speaking of friends...

I know this is way overdue, but I owe you a big thank you.

During the time that I was gone, I received a lot of emails and comments, involving thoughts, prayers and well wishes.

It took a very long time, but I think I've read most of them now.

Some of you even contacted my dear friend, Brenda, a few times to make sure I was still alive.

And being the sweetheart she is, she picked up the phone and let me know that I was missed.

It actually took a few calls, but eventually I came back.

So... 

thank you.

To all my friends.

The ones that have blogs and the ones that don't have blogs.

All of you touched my heart in one form or another.

 You really, truly did.

And...

I missed you too.

love

rue

A day in my life

It's 6am when my alarm goes off.

I wipe the sleep out of my eyes and stretch a little.

Reaching for my phone, I see my good morning text from John and I wish him a good morning too.

Then it's time to open the gate to let Mini and Bubba downstairs to go outside and maybe snuggle a bit. 

As I head upstairs, I'm reminded that I need to finish up my hallway project.

When I get to the top, the sun is rising.

Soon, it'll rise before I even think about waking up and I'll miss it.

 I contemplate this as...

 I feed the pups, 

brush my teeth, 

and start up the percolator.

While it heats up, I watch and listen to the birds happily chirping away outside at the bird feeder.

Within minutes my first cup of coffee is ready.

I take it over to sit down in my little breakfast nook and notice the sunlight changing in my kitchen.

Afterwards, 

I hop in the shower, 

get dressed, 

and it's time to call my mom for our morning chat.

We hang up eventually and by this time the sun is shining brightly.

It's time get on with my day.

I might snap a few pictures around the house...

turn on the news, 

check my email, 

visit some blogs, 

and maybe post something myself.

Then it's time to eat my breakfast...

and wash the dishes.

After that, 

I run downstairs to put on my makeup, 

make my bed, 

and throw some laundry in the washer.

Then it's back upstairs to check my list of chores to see what else needs to be done.

As I get to work, Bubba and Mini do their jobs of barking and sleeping ;)

 Around 11:30 or so, I eat my lunch...

and then get back to my chores.

This time of year, I like to go for an evening walk in my neighborhood with Bubba.

Poor mini has to stay home these days, because she's too old now.

She doesn't seem to mind though.

I think she enjoys the peace and quiet of not having to listen to Bubba bark at everything ;)

Anyway....

Before I know it, it's time to start making dinner.

There might even be a cocktail poured ;)

And as always, my ever faithful companion is staring at directing me.

I clean up the dishes and then I settle in with Bubba to read a book or watch a movie.

Sometime around 10:30 or 11pm, it's time for bed.

I pour myself a glass of water, brush my teeth, kiss the pups goodnight, turn off all the lights, go downstairs, set my alarm, get cozy under the blankets and fall fast asleep.

It's not always the same though.

The next day might involve...

 going to the grocery or hardware store, 

visiting with one of my friends, 

or with my family down south. 

Annie, my very busy daughter, could actually be home for once ;)

Alex, my son, could be coming home for a visit.

Sadly, it might end up being a day filled with tragedy.

Although, I certainly hope not.

But perhaps, it's just a regular day, like this one.

There's one thing that never changes though.

I'm always grateful to wake up in the morning and go to bed, alive and loved.

Isn't that all that really, truly matters?

I think so :)

xo

rue