Something New

/ Ann Coleman

This is my first attempt to write a blog post using the new format that Word Press has installed on my blog,  so I have no idea what the finished product is going to look like.  It reminds me of when I began blogging over five years ago, and I spent hours trying to figure out how to create a new blog, name it, and send it out into cyberspace.  It took an act of faith to hit that “publish” button for the first time, and I suspect it’s going to take an equally strong act of faith to publish this post.  So if the end result seems a little strange, I humbly ask you to bear with me.

As my regular readers know, adapting to change is not my strong point.  I’m not against new things, it’s just that I very much prefer it when the change is a matter of my own personal choice, and not something that has been foisted upon me.  I also like my change meted out in small doses, giving me time to adjust to one new thing at a time.  Sadly, whoever is in charge of change seems to have hit the “fast forward button” and left the room, locking the door behind him.

qMzfbapTQq2tzLWNgWaX6wSo all I can do is try to adapt to this new normal which is chock-full of strange new things.  When I invited some friends over for a happy hour recently and the rain prevented us from gathering on my patio, I set up chairs and small tables in the garage instead.  I figured out how to navigate Facebook’s new format, and even discovered that they hadn’t done away with “Messenger” as I had initially feared. (Although they did make it hard to find.)  I keep a stash of face masks in my car and hand sanitizer in my purse at all times.   And now I’m blogging in a completely new format, even though I was perfectly happy with the old one. 

I’m not going to lie, I wish that I could have just a tiny little break from this constant parade of change in my life, but I also know that’s probably not going to happen.  This is a very odd year, and I’m sure lots of other changes are in store and that some of them won’t be good ones.  (I’m just waiting for the day they announce that hand sanitizer causes cancer…..) 

But no good comes from looking back on “the good old days” and wishing that I could somehow go back in time.  And when I’m being completely honest with myself, I realize that those good old days weren’t always so good.  I had problems and worries then, just the same as I do now…they were just different problems and worries.  Plus, all the adapting I’ve had to do in recent months has shown me that I’m a little bit stronger and a little bit more flexible that I thought. 

So I’ll keep plugging away, making the necessary adjustments, occasionally grieving over my losses, but also appreciating the gifts that have also come my way.  And if I’m lucky, I’ll figure out this new way to blog and will once again enjoy writing my posts and be able to hit that “publish” button with confidence……

 

138 thoughts on “Something New”

  2. Well, it looks good. I don’t know if it looks like you wanted, but it’s doable. I’ll watch you, and hopefully learn a thing or two, and lower my anxiety level about learning a new format. I’ve been blogging since 2012 (it took me about a year before I figured out how to post a picture.) I guess I’m set in my ways. Sigh. May you live in interesting times.

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    • We live in very interesting times, and not always interesting in a good way. From what I’ve seen, if you choose the “classic” editor, you can still add media in the same way. But even when choosing the classic editor, the screen you write on looks different. So I guess all we can do is hope for the best?

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        • None at all! That’s why I had wished they’d given us more of a choice. I got an email saying I could still uses the Classic editor, but when I clicked on it, the only thing in changed was I still saw the small menu choices for typing (italics, etc.) I guess the block layout might be convenient for people who are using their blogs to market products, but for those of us who are simply writing and including the occasional photo, it’s a bunch of stuff we don’t want or need, and makes posting a little harder.

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          • I tried block, and the writing part wasn’t problematic–but it would not upload my photographs. So, after writing the blog, I switched back to classic for the uploads and inserted them the old way. On the dashboard for the new system I see some very cool features, things I might consider in the future (I might consider creating an actual website and selling my books there) but not if it means being unable to post photos. Also, I needed to amend the pics once inserted (where I never had to before) because they were wildly oversized. Sigh. I’m sure I’ll figure it out over time.

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  4. It looks fine to me. I wasn’t particularly pleased with the changes, but I understand why they did it, and it seems reasonable to me. What I have discovered is that choosing the “Classic” block allows me to continue on just as I have in the past. There are a few buttons in different places, and a couple of little glitches that I had to learn how to temporarily get around using html, but otherwise I’m having no problems.

    It looks to me as though you’ve upgraded, since you have a custom URL. Given that, you can get email and chat support. They’re a little short staffed on the chats, but I had some questions and got email replies within 24 hours. It will take me a while to iron out all the wrinkles, but it’s not nearly as bad as I feared!

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    • Honestly, I don’t understand why they changed everyone’s blog, but I guess I haven’t been paying much attention. I wish they would have offered a new editor that people could choose to use or not, rather than just switch our blogs to it even if we didn’t request it. A couple of my followers who are not bloggers have already told me they can’t post comments on my blog anymore, so I hope that issue is resolved soon. I know change is a part of life, but I do admit that I follow the old saying, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!” That being said, I was able to figure out how to write my post. I just wasn’t sure how it was going to look on my actual blog. Thanks for the comment!

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  5. “(I’m just waiting for the day they announce that hand sanitizer causes cancer…..)”
    You’ve seen the growing list of toxic hand sanitizers? I know…GGGHHHAAAGHH!!
    But in a strange way, I also worry less about the small things, because of so many big things…I’m just tired of being watchful all the time. My trust is shot, so I retreat. And you know what? It’s OK…
    Go figure! 😮

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    • Oh, I know what you mean! When this first started, I carefully sanitized everything that came into my house: mail, groceries, you name it. Now I don’t. I wear my mask, I social distance, and I sanitize often. Other than that, I don’t think about it much. And it is okay! As for the toxic sanitizers, when that first came out, I carefully checked the list against the sanitizers in my house. Then the list grew to five pages, and I said, “yeah, no……”

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  7. Like you, it was not too long ago that I took the plunge and went with the new format. It has the advantage of offering more choices but in its own way, it is also more restrictive. I am missing the freedom to select the text of the entire post and change the font. Now I have to do each bloc separately. Also, I liked the option of presenting photos in various formats much better. I agree with you, there is no use looking back even though our nostalgic feelings tell us that we left a better world behind. Have a great weekend, Ann!

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    • Thanks, Peter! I didn’t actually choose to use the new editor, Word Press just switched it for me. So I figured it out as best I could, but I have to admit I don’t begin to understand most of the little symbols that are now attached to the draft feature. Happily, this post came out okay…but for the future, who knows? I’ll just do the best I can. And I hope you have a good weekend as well!

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  10. Ha. I never switch to the new editors. I am still using the same old editor I started using back in 2009 when I started blogging. They did make some changes that I had no choice but to accept, but I think they have had several “new” editors that I have just not bothered with. If I click on “edit” when I am reading one of my posts it takes me to the new editor so I skip it and never go in that way. I always go in the “old” way. I really hate having to spend time learning the new changes that are foisted on us. I have a lot of other things that I actually WANT to learn I don’t have time for things they considered “new and improved.”

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    • That’s what I was doing for a long time, too, Terre! But then Word Press just switched me over, without my permission (and I did pay the $99 for an upgrade, so that is particularly annoying.) So now I guess I’m stuck with it? I clicked on the “classic block” but that didn’t make a huge difference. With so many other changes in my life right now, I could have lived without having to learn a new way to blog as well!

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      • Right? I mean, sometimes it is as if they don’t realize how there are other things we are learning and doing and we don’t need to have to TAKE THE TIME to try to figure out the new layout. I find it very inconsiderate!

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    • You’re one of the lucky ones! But so was I, until yesterday, when Word Press changed it, suddenly and without my permission. Enjoy the regular editor as long as you can, Neil. It’s better than the new one, trust me on this. And I’m serious: I hope you can stick with the old one if that’s what you prefer. I know I would!

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  12. Looks great Ann! We are definitely creatures of habit but we are also adaptable. We have certainly had to be in 2020! Have yet to tackle the new version but I am sure it’s coming!😂

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    • That’s what’s so odd, Lynn! For the past month, some bloggers have had the new editor installed on their blogs, and some haven’t. Until last week, I was one of the lucky ones who didn’t have to make the change. But as of yesterday, there it was. It makes no sense to me. Why not just offer the new way, and let bloggers decide what they want?

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  13. Your post looks fine, Ann. So do mine done on Classic but I’d give anything for the ease and comfort of the old WP.

    I think (and hope too) that within a year, you can have Happy Hours and celebratory meals with everyone seated cozily close. And hopefully, we’d be done with hand sanitizers and masks too.

    Still, in an odd way, some of the constraints we live with now have made us even closer to our home and family. We’re doing bulk buying more carefully to avoid multiple trips to town. We’re tending our garden more carefully, planting more vegetables and flowers and it does our hearts and spirits good. I’m cooking more as the younger ones now require packed meals from home several times a week since school cafeteria charges have increased. I’ve always struggled with morning cooking but somehow with some planning and more prep the night before, I’m coping better. My husband is also handling work stress much better since he now comes home to his roses and the daily game of soccer with the kids.

    I think we’re transitioning to a new life. Maybe the masks, the sanitizers and social distancing are just some of the unpleasant ‘neccessaries’ to prod us firmly into this new realm – or we’d not budge one bit.

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    • That makes so much sense to me. I really do think that we’ll beat this virus eventually, and hopefully sooner rather than later. But it has brought some gifts. If I hadn’t had to step to the plate and provide childcare for my grandson for three months, I wouldn’t have gotten to know him so well, and we wouldn’t have the bond we have now. And if I hadn’t had to take care of my granddaughter for three weeks, I wouldn’t feel close to her either. The pandemic made those things possible. Even my husband’s cancer has brought gifts, as it has drawn us closer together and made me realize that I REALLY don’t want to lose him. So even the hardships offer us something good. So I think you are right that these difficulties force us to grow and change in needed ways. God really does know best…..

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  14. Yes, it’s been a tumultuous year of change for all of us, whether we’ve wanted it or not. But I think if nothing else we’ve proven how adaptable and resilient we are. Your first post on the new Editor is absolutely fine and no doubt you’ll keep adapting in other areas as well. Life continues to be one giant big roller coaster so we may as well just hold on and make the most of the ride! Stay happy Ann. xx

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    • Thanks so much, Miriam! I hope that things are going well in your part of Australia, and that the restrictions are lifted soon. These are challenging times for sure, but they have shown us how strong we are, and helped us to learn to think for ourselves and not just accept everything at face value. And that’s an important lesson to learn. Sending good vibes to you and your family!!!!

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      • Thanks so much Ann. I’m afraid our Premier has declared an extension of our lockdown despite numbers falling. Our democracy is quickly falling into a dictatorship with tyranny everywhere. But, I’m staying strong and praying that one day in the future justice will prevail. xx

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        • That’s what happening here, too. Governors and other political leaders (in my case, a County Executive) have more power than ever before, and they aren’t handling it very well. But they sure seem to like it, and I don’t see them giving it up anytime soon. And we’re in the middle of a very ugly election, which just makes matters worse. Even mask-wearing has become a political thing!

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  15. You are so amazing Ann! So impressed with your ability to change and adapt! I would love to be hanging out in your garage right now! Love to all…

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    • Thanks, Louise!!! We would love to have you and Bomi hang out in our garage too! I really, really hope that you are able to come visit us soon, because I miss you terribly. All we can do is pray that a vaccine or treatment is found soon.

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      • Feeling the same! We just have to hang in there, praying for our scientists and health care researchers to get a vaccine or treatment. Love to all of you…

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    • You’re so right in that “change is good, most of the time.” Some times it’s most definitely not! Other times, it is a good thing, but we just need time to adapt. As for the new editor, I just logged on yesterday and there it was. I figured it out as best I could, but I’m not comfortable with it yet. Mostly, I just wish they had asked me before they changed my blog, but I know that is wishful thinking in today’s world. Good luck when you make the change. If you click on the “classic block” it’s a little bit easier to figure out.

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  17. You are far braver than me Ann, I’m still using a back door thru WP admin! Can’t put paragraphs into my poems or colour print like I used to but not using block either … phew. Not ready to adapt to that yet 🙂

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    • So there’s a back door through WP Admin? I’m going to have to look into that. I did click on the “classic block” but it was still different from what I was used to. Why did they have to change how we blog in the middle of a world-wide pandemic, when we’re coping with more than enough change already? Timing is everything, and the timing for this is NOT good, in my opinion!

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      • open WP admin, then post, do it in ‘new post’ … not as good as classic but easier than block!

        I’ve had my rant about it on WP and to the WP engineers … but it’s run by volunteer nerds who love to change things. None of them actually blog to my knowledge …

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        • Thanks for that info, Kate! And yeah, that explains why they’re changing things to make them so difficult for actual writers. If someone loves to mess around with technology and just see what kind of changes they can make, then that’s what they’re going to do. Which is fine, just don’t make those changes mandatory for all of us!

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          • they claim they can’t keep both systems going yet they’ve managed it for sometime now!

            Was very easy to open a blogspot account and post but can’t work out how to find the community there 😦

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  18. I suppose I’m still one of the lucky ones as I haven’t been forced (yet) to switch to the new block editor! Your post looks mostly the same as it always has – the exception being the photo being very small and off to the side… I think you are wonderful. The amount of changes and challenges we have faced is monumental and you have come through with grace! Brava!

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    • Yeah, I tried to make the photo normal size, but that didn’t work. But thank you for your kind words. This has been a challenging year in far too many ways, but I try to remind myself that I’ve had it easier than many other people. Still, your words of encouragement and support are very much appreciated. That’s what I like best about word press: the community of bloggers who are kind and supportive. That’s a true gift, and one I appreciate very much!

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  19. Happy Hour in your garage looks amazing, what a great idea! I’m not enjoying many things about the new editor myself, especially the fact that it loads so slowly on my computer. But I’ve been using it and I suppose it’s worked OK. Your post looks great as usual so…good job!

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    • Thanks, Des! Happy hour in the garage did work well, but only because we finally cleaned it the week before. If we hadn’t, I would never have dared serve drinks in there, much less food. So the timing worked out perfectly!

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  21. I hate the new changes introduced by WordPress, and I am not a Luddite. For the first time in over 13 years of my association with WP, I am feeling like moving away. What the powers that be have forgotten at that power-drunk blogging service is that not everyone wants to be a coder.

    I did check your blog in the browser and it looked fine —I usually read them in the WP Reader— but it has apparently meant some sweating and apprehensions on your part for no credible reason. I am happy you have taken it in your stride, not unlike the pandemic.

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    • Thank you so much, for your encouragement and for taking the time to check my blog in the browser. My post looked different as I was writing it, and so I had no idea how it was going to come across when I was done. It looked ok on preview, so I just went ahead and published it. That being said, it was harder to concentrate on what I actually wanted to say while also learning a new system. I share you wish that the people at Word Press would figure out not everyone wants to be a coder! Some of us just want to write, and we signed up for Word Press because at that time, they were a writer-friendly platform. Time will tell how this all plays out. Selfishly, I hope you keep posting, but I do understand your frustration. It is shared by many of us!

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    • This wasn’t as bad as I had heard, but I think they made some tweaks to the system from when it was first rolled out and when they put it on my blog. That was the good news! The bad news was that I still spent a lot of time figuring it all out, and couldn’t honestly find a single improvement in the new system for someone who blogs the way I do. But, as you say, I managed to post it and maybe next time won’t be so hard. Thanks, Tracy!

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    • When you have to use the new system, try clicking the “classic block” button and see if that helps. Plus, Kate (see comments above) there is a way to still use the old editor via the Word Press Admin button, which I’m going to try out. As for my garage, we had just cleaned it the week before. Trust me, it hasn’t looked that good since it was brand new!

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    • Me, too! It’s the lack of choice that bothers me, and not only in Word Press. It’s everywhere these days, and not only because of the pandemic, it started before then. Banks are forcing us to bank online, merchants don’t want to accept cash, cars are moving relentlessly to self-driving (and just think how much fun that will be when they malfunction)….the list goes on and on. And I completely agree: if something is better, people will seek it. If you have to force it on them, then it’s not better.

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  25. LOL, until I read the comments, I didn’t realize that was a photo of your garage — I am viewing on a small screen, so I thought it was a graphic to highlight social distancing! Holy mackerel, Ann — you should win the Garage Lounge of the Year Award! If I showed a photo of our garage anywhere, I’m afraid the Yuck Police would come for us. As for the new Editor, I had the old classic on my phone — I’ve kept that page open, lol, but here on this small tablet, I had to use Classic Block, and it’s so irritating. It takes the zing out of blogging.

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    • That it does! When you’re having to figure out what button to push next, the creative juices just dry up and die, don’t they? As for the garage, we had just cleaned it the week before, even renting a dumpster to do so. Trust me, prior to that, I wouldn’t have fed my dog in my garage, and he’s not at all particular about cleanliness! The photo ended up being a handy illustration for my post, but I actually took it just as proof that our garage was actually clean, if only for a little while.

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  26. I adapt. But sometimes I wonder if the changes we face actually made anything better. Sometimes I think change is just a bandaid, a way to say “het…we are working on it” but really a diversion to actually solving the real issue. I don’t know if I explained myself properly, but I sort of feel like…if someone breaks their leg, the new idea would be to put a special bandaid on because this new method will stop the unsightly scarring. What they forget is if you don’t fix the actual break, you just have a pretty, more expensive fracture that will never heal properly

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    • You explained yourself very well, and I couldn’t agree more. So much of the change we are seeing around us doesn’t even begin to address the underlying problems…it just lets us feel good that we are “doing something about it.” When really, we haven’t even correctly identified the problems, much less worked together to come up with solutions.

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  27. Your blog looks great, Ann, so I think you’ve jumped the highest hurdle in the new WP editor. I was in tears the first morning I tried to use it, but then figured some things out and felt much better. I still can’t say I like it because I still have to think too much when I use it, but we’ll get there, right? Change is difficult, and I believe all of us are saturated with change right now. Enough! Have a blessed Lord’s Day!

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    • Thanks, Patty! Yes, it was intimidating at first for sure, which is one of the reasons I put off writing my first post in this new format. Life is tough enough as it is, I didn’t need to deliberately put myself in a frustrating position. But we figured it out, which is the good part. The bad part is that I don’t think the new system improves anything, and it’s a pain to have to try to write creatively and learn a new format all at the same time. I think we are all on change overload these days!

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  28. really sound and sensible perspectives to navigate this year’s (and, actually, life itself) changes. thank you for the insights 🙂❤️

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  32. You seem to have mastered the new format, Ann. You’re post looks seamless. I’m still on the old editor, as I’m not a fan of change either. I know it’s coming, but I always struggle and get anxious. What’s intuitive to others is not intuitive to me! It does seem that flexibility and adaptability is the order of the day. Take care and have a lovely week.

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    • I was dreading it too! When I first pulled up the screen after clicking on “write” I had no idea what I was looking at or how to start writing. But on the left there is a little “classic block” button and I clicked on that. The screen looked different, but it did give me the same editing banner I had on the old one. Tags and categories are still on the right, but you have to look for them. And it does keep asking what kind of block you want, without the choice of “None at all, thank you!” I have no doubt we’ll all figure it out eventually, but I just wish they hadn’t made the change mandatory. A choice would have been nice!

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  33. lol about hand sanitizer causing cancer…I laugh because, well, it’s so believable. We can’t win for losing, or however that saying goes. Anywho, I’m right there with you. I’m publishing something about change and control tomorrow, along the same lines of having to deal with change in a specific type of way.

    I’m hating the new WP less. I’ve decided to try out new block features in each post, like there’s a cool drop cap thing that really makes it look like you know what you’re doing 😉

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    • Oh, you know that’s coming! After all of us have been liberally squirting out hands with that stuff all day long, we are absolutely going to be told it causes cancer. But no worries, we’ll then get letters from lawyers in the mail inviting us to be a part of their class action suits, which will result in us eventually getting a check for the $5.36 that represents our share of the settlement….
      I like your idea of experimenting with the blocks, I might have to try that! Anything that makes me look a little less clueless has to be good!

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  35. Your post looks good, Ann – so you must have adapted to that change well 😉 I have been wondering what the long-term effects of disinfectent wipes is on our skin. We wipe down a lot of things at work – I’ve started wearing disposable gloves when I do. I’m okay with many changes, but not the ones we’ve had to deal with this year…

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    • Yes, the changes this pandemic has brought are mostly bad. Some silver linings here and there, but I still much preferred my life before all this craziness started. As for the wipes, honestly, it really can’t be that good for us to be using them as often as we are…if nothing else, our immune systems are going to be totally shot when this is all over!

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  36. I get angry at writing software too. I get frustrated and then it takes a while to get back to where the words can flow again. I have been composing right on wordpress lately. It doesn’t have all the functions, but it has spellcheck, and that is usually enough.

    Hey, I want to talk with you about the purpose of a blog. You have been doing this a while and I have to decide what direction I want to go. Send me an email through my contact page.

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    • I’ll try to do that, but if I can’t, I would say that everyone has different purpose for their blogs and that there is no right or wrong choice. You just have to decide what you want to do with your blog: is it a creative outlet, or a way to connect with readers all over the world, or a way to challenge yourself to get better at writing, painting, photography or whatever your blog features? I use mine as a creative outlet, but others use it as a way to advertise their business. It’s all just a matter of what you want most, I think.

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  38. Yup, Made the switch recently myself to “Block”. I had some not so nice words that emanated from my mouth as I couldn’t edit my photos once they were posted in the block. Not my best work and also not the change I wanted or needed right now! But then, when has change ever asked for our permission? Never…
    This year it seems that it has been forced upon us more than in the past. Hang in there Ann, there are a few of us in this boat with you.😊

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    • It is frustrating, isn’t it! As for the photo, I was able to make mine smaller, but only on the draft page. I wrote it using the “classic block” choice, so maybe that made the difference? Or did you mean you wanted to change the photo after you had already published your post. One way or another, there really has been too much change this year!

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      • My photos couldn’t be edited or cropped once it was posted in the block. I have no options in photo editing when doing it from my phone WP app. That is also frustrating. I have also lost an entire post that I wrote with my laptop, saved it and went to do final writing edit on my phone to then post it and found that only the title appeared, nothing else. Yup not a fan of block or maybe I am a block head?

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  39. you did it!! I am still not comfortable with the new block.editor. I do not think constant change is good for anyone and there has been a lot of change, so why must things change that are not necessary at this particular time? Facebook, especially ridiculous. Ok enough said! best wishes and we will both keep practicing!

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    • Thanks Michele! And I’m so sorry that I haven’t responded to this comment before, as I just now saw it. There are a few comments on here that I somehow missed….And yeah, the new improved Facebook may be new, but it’s certainly not improved!

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  41. Your writing content is what matters to me when I read your posts. However, with the new block editor, I think the focus is more on presentation and different settings than the writing content. I still was not able to figure out how it works and all the features there.

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    • Me either, Svet! I didn’t even try to figure out anything that I didn’t absolutely have to use. I think the new one is designed more for commercial blogs, and not for blogs that focus on writing, which is why it makes no sense we weren’t given a choice of which we wanted to use. Or even asked if we thought improvements were needed. But, it is what it is, and we’ll get used to it, I guess!

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  42. I too would love a break from the unexpected changes that continue to bombard me. But, change doesn’t ask our permission. I look forward to gaining hindsight and trying to stay thankful and hopeful. Your post looked great and I enjoyed reading as always! Thanks, Ann

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  43. Your post looks great, but mostly, it is your attitude that is so inspiring. Change can be hard, but we must forge on. The truth is, so much changes daily…it is not easy to keep up. I think, though, that a positive view makes everything go so much more smoothly. There may be some wrinkles and bumps, but overall, the end result is pretty good when we stay positive. And, there is also the learning curve…things we do not like at first, sometimes turn out to be okay. This was a great post….thank you for writing it! 🙂

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    • Thanks, Linda, for your words of encouragement. You’re right, change is all around us, and these days it’s coming especially fast. But attitude is everything, and usually I manage to maintain a good one. On my off days, I just allow myself a pity party and then when it’s over, I move on. Because there is always something to celebrate and be grateful for if we’re open to seeing it, I think.

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  44. Same here, Ann – the new editor is quite a challenge! 😂 But as you said, we’ll adapt, and one day, when we’re completely used to how it works, it’s guaranteed there will be another change. 😉 Hang in there!

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  45. Worry ye not, Ann. It looks fine.

    Personally I learned a while ago that when new things are first rolled out, often as optional, it’s worth embracing it straight away because sooner or later it becomes the only option – as was the case when Gmail introduced a new look with added features.
    I certainly agree about the whole change situation. Just for once I’d like something to be the way I’m used to.

    Take care

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    • You’re right, Mike, there’s really no point in resisting these changes, because they’re coming whether we want them or not. And like you, I wish they would leave some things the same, since we are used to them and too much change can be very stressful! All the best to you and yours….

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  46. As far as I can tell you did a great job with the new block WordPress way. I am annoyed as heck that I have to figure it out so I keep on trying to go back to the classic (old) way. I’m almost avoiding doing my Friday blog tomorrow but I’ll probably be brave because you have encouraged me here. I know change is inevitable but could it take more time before it rolls around? 🤨

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    • That’s how I feel too! I know change is a part of life, but goodness, couldn’t we have it spaced out a little bit more? And avoid the unnecessary changes that don’t improve our quality of life? A girl can dream…. Meanwhile, don’t worry if your blog tomorrow doesn’t come out just right: all of us fellow bloggers who are also struggling will understand!

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  47. I couldn’t bear a new format so stuck with the old one – your blog looks great though. Is it harder for us to adapt in middle age than if we were young? Like you, my car is stocked with masks, potentially dangerous hand sanitizer and wet wipes. I saw some disinfecting wipes in Kroger last week and nearly cried…a sign of normalcy. 😁

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    • I know! I’m trying to figure out how to go back to the old format, but right now I seem to be stuck with a mixture of the two. And sometimes I find myself almost getting angry when I can’t find what I want at the supermarket (although I never show it, as I know it’s not their fault), because it is yet another reminder of how NOT normal things are now. But then I finally see a product I’m looking for, and I so very grateful. Who would have thought we’d ever get excited about disinfecting wipes or Minute Rice? (Which I still haven’t found…..)

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  48. Don’t we all want to cling to what we know when we all know change is inevitable. This year has certainly been a year of overwhelming change. Masks, gloves, sanitizer, and six feet apart from everyone……I miss hugs. Anyway, give yourself your due. Your new format looks good. Kudos to going with the flow. I’m attempting to do the same.

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    • Thanks, Mona! At this point, I just wish we could stick to the necessary changes and avoid the unnecessary ones, but that doesn’t seem to be an option. Still, we all just do the best we can. And I miss the hugs too!!

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