Un-unplugging

[greatbear]

Jeff and I returned today from a much needed break from the daily grind. Our shakedown cruise camping trip to delightfully mountainous Western Maryland and the always wonderful Deep Creek Lake was a success with only a few minor issues. Some forgotten supplies, inadequate propane supplies on board (and practically a circus of trying and failing on multiple counts to find a refill), and a few other little goofs did nothing to spoil our mini vacation. Rather than try to do a whole lot of stuff in the few days we had, we just enjoyed the quiet, had our meals under a canopy of trees and sky, slept in, and unplugged. We are better for it. It's been a couple years since we've been out that way, what with time constraints, health issues and such changing our plans. We go the weekend after Memorial Day, and treat it as an extension of Jeff's bday festivities. In spite of a rainy Friday along with a tornado warning (and the two of us inside a trailer surrounded by several more!) we had an awesome time. We are home safe, rested and ready for the week. Better still, at the end of this month we ramp up the fabulousness factor and head on up to Provincetown for two whole weeks. Those minor mess-ups will be all taken care of.

We still have a lot to do around the house as we catch up on stuff, I have upgrades to the truck to install, the Stratus to tear apart and straighten out, some work on other vehihicles in the stable as well. The veggie garden is starting to produce, and I have to finish installing critter countermeasures so we can have at least some of the bounty to ourselves. It's going to be a busy summer for us, but that is not a bad thing. Among the work we are going to take needed breaks, entertain and be entertained. We are worth it. ;)

I return from the four (ish) days after being off the grid and discover LJ abuzz with activity! Sadly, a lot of it is focused on various observations of "the death of LJ" as well as people stating their intents to stay or go. To those saying they are staying out, good on yas. It's youse guys n gals that keep me here, enriching my life in ways I'm pretty certain you had no idea. Those that are heading out, well, I sure hate seeing you leave. All I ask is that you stay in touch, somehow, cause I'm going to miss you.

Comments

[normalcyispasse.livejournal.com]

LJ has been in a death spiral, sure, but you know what? I'll be here a while longer. There are a few of us left. :)

[ciddyguy.livejournal.com]

There seems to be quite a few here, but not a lot of us older timers who've been here a while, that's for sure.

I don't know if it's just the FB/MS/T stuff that's gravitated them or they have found better blogging avenues or simply have grown tired of it.

Blogging in and of itself has a purpose and a need and many people don't seem to appreciate what services it offers.

In the end, it takes two to tango to get anything out of your blog and I'm just as guilty of not responding to posts, but then again, not all do require a response.

I do dislike it when you go to a blog and the comments are closed so you can't interact with the blogger.

[designerotter.livejournal.com]

One of the things I've enjoyed the most about LJ is that it offers a window on individual worlds...and the opportunity to interact in a small way. I've heard it said that we are each the 'stars' of our own lives..and yes, the real, personal series of events is usually a soap opera, but that's a good thing - because it's personal and real.
I'm grateful to be let in on the small, detailed events as well as the big momentous ones. I'm probably odd in that I hardly ever feel lonely (except in a crowd), so I can't honestly say I need LJ; still, LJ offers that extra perspective, the gift of seeing life at least temporarily through the eyes of a friend. LJ is that place outside my immediate world that offers the joys of being tuned to the lives of peers. I'm certain I'd miss it if I left.

Happy to hear that your weekend trip went as well as it did - and above all that you came back from it newly refreshed. P-Town (which i've never been to) sounds like a truly exciting prospect. Do take pictures !

[tonethbone.livejournal.com]

Exactly ONE single person wrote that he probably would not write on LJ anymore....
This triggered a few people ...including myself, to discussed why they like to blog rether than to Facebook
That was the "abuzz with activity" that you referenced

Oh wait...I forgot
One person thought it was cool to taunt everybody who has no intention of stopping blogging...with words to the effect.."Anyone still here?"
So what else is new?

[fingertrouble.livejournal.com]

Yup basically...I was saying Still here! Without the ? as a reaction to the ones that use the rude ?

[tonethbone.livejournal.com]

I wasn't referring to you..I was paraphrasing another entry I saw from someone who hardly posts...except to taunt those still blogging along

[putzmeisterbear.livejournal.com]

Sounds like you two had a great time. Even if it wasn't perfect it was still a good get away.

[champdaddy.livejournal.com]

Yay for unplugging!

[jacked01.livejournal.com]

Are we going to see you at the woods for bear II

[fingertrouble.livejournal.com]

You've come back to the ALL! NEW! ZOMBIE LJ! Land of the Living Blogging Dead!

I think it's death is greatly exaggerated, to adapt the quote...and apart from the one who sadly left, it tends to come from the same quarters anyhoos. 'Still here?'...grrr.

[teddyb.livejournal.com]

I'm glad you guys had a great camping trip, despite the lack of propane and minor mishaps.

I wish I had the prospect of a camping trip to Hillside or The Point on my radar for this summer, but I think I will be too busy with more pressing tasks for that to happen this season. However, I will keep dreaming of doing that next year.

I'm glad you are still here on LJ. I'm staying here, too. Facebook is fine for what it is, but I would surely miss you and the many great friends I have on LJ.

Big hugs to you and Jeff and Kodi!