Blogging – Retirement Reflections

It's that time of the year again -- Spring Cleaning calls! Not my favourite of endeavours, to actually GET IT DONE I need to reduce other more pleasant distractions. To acoomplish this, I will be taking a short blogging break from now until May 3. I will be back posting for 'What's On Your Plate'… Continue reading Spring Cleaning Blogging Break

Blogging

Wee Blogging Break

November 23, 2020November 23, 2020 Retirement Reflections

My books have piled up, so I will be taking a small blogging break to catch up with them. I'll be back again soon. See you then! xx Donna

Blogging

BLOGGING TIPS WRAP UP

October 9, 2020October 9, 2020 Retirement Reflections

Thank you to everyone who has contributed to this series. I've greatly appreciated the generosity and thoughtfulness of the tips shared. I've tried to include as many of the suggestions as possible (without overwhelming your inboxes). Again, some of the ideas have been paraphrased. For more blogging strategies and details, please check out the comment… Continue reading BLOGGING TIPS WRAP UP

Blogging

Under the B

October 1, 2020October 1, 2020 Retirement Reflections

Thank you to everyone who has continued to send in their favourite blogging tip(s). As promised, I have written up the next set of suggestions shared. Again this has given me an excuse to extend my own comfort zone and try some new tools. I checked with AlternativeTo for a substitute for Canva (just to… Continue reading Under the B

Blogging

Follow Up Tips

September 26, 2020September 27, 2020 Retirement Reflections

Thank you to all who shared their favourite blogging tips (see previous post). To ensure that your suggestions are not missed, I have begun to reprint them here. To list ideas in graphic form, I have (heavily) paraphrased comments while preserving the key themes. To experiment further, I tried a free infograph template from Canva… Continue reading Follow Up Tips

Blogging

Your Best Blogging Tip

September 19, 2020September 29, 2020 Retirement Reflections

Recently, I asked a group of friends for their #1 blogging tip. While some of their answers surprised me, I've already been able to use many of their responses to help with this post. Game changer! Here is what they shared. Many bloggers said they are less obsessed with stats and 'must-dos' than previously. Instead… Continue reading Your Best Blogging Tip

Blogging, Friendship, Vancouver Island

When a Blogging Buddy Comes to Call

August 26, 2020August 27, 2020 Retirement Reflections

What do you do when a blogging buddy comes to call? You gather together nearby blogging friends so that everyone can join in the fun. Cardboard cutouts of Zoom Buddies, who sadly could not make this trip, are also packed along! You go chasing waterfalls... Even when it's raining! You search for the famous Jack… Continue reading When a Blogging Buddy Comes to Call

Blogging, Camino, Hiking, Reflection

Is Anybody Out There?

March 5, 2020March 5, 2020 Retirement Reflections

Do you ever wonder why you're blogging (or any other form of public sharing)? Are your words or images truly reaching others? Are they making a difference? Yesterday, I received the following email from a man named Jerry. Greetings: If at all possible, I would like to be in contact with the author of the… Continue reading Is Anybody Out There?

Blogging, Family, Friendship, Reflection

Where Have I Been? Where Am I Going?

January 11, 2020January 11, 2020 Retirement Reflections

Over the holidays, I wanted to focus on presence. I took a month-long break from blogging and significantly reduced my time online. Although the first series of images suggests that my primary activity was dining, I revelled in quality time with family/friends and am grateful for our time together. Our youngest son flew home yesterday,… Continue reading Where Have I Been? Where Am I Going?

Blogging, Travel, Trying New Things

Write Drunk, Edit Sober: What I Learned in My Travel Writing Course

November 4, 2019November 4, 2019 Retirement Reflections

Earlier last month, I mentioned a five-week travel writing course that I had enrolled in through Vancouver Island University. A few commenters asked me to share key takeaways. Here's what resonated. 1. Sharpen Your Hook Think: Title, opening sentence and accompanying photos. A great hook captures your readers’ attention, draws them into your story and… Continue reading Write Drunk, Edit Sober: What I Learned in My Travel Writing Course