Success!

/ Ann Coleman

Every once a in a while, something happens to restore my faith in human nature.  Usually, something rather simple, like an unexpected act of kindness.  Rarely does it have anything to do with the internet, which usually frustrates me, or social media, which far too many people use as an excuse to let their inner bully come out to play.  But much to my surprise, this time what gave me a much-needed burst of optimism was the combination of the internet and social media that is the WordPress community.

A couple of weeks ago, I began having trouble commenting on other blogger’s posts.  Then last weekend, I found I could no longer reply to comments on my own post without logging in again (complete with password) each time.  I exchanged tons of emails with the Word Press help staff as we tried repeatedly and unsuccessfully to fix the problem.  When I discovered I could still write a post, I wrote two short posts just to let my readers know what was going on.  I did that partly because I wasn’t at all sure I could keep blogging and didn’t want to simply disappear without letting anyone know why.  But if I’m honest, I was also hoping that maybe one of my fellow bloggers had suffered from a similar problem and was willing to share the solution.  I thought it was a long shot, but worth the try.

The response was more than I could have possibly hoped for.  The tips and suggestions were plentiful and very helpful.  For the first time, I began to believe that my blog really would be fixed, which was a huge relief.  But what really lifted my spirits was seeing how many people I know only through my blog were willing to take the time to try to help me get my blog back on track.  Some offered repeated suggestions, even providing helpful links.  One woman (thank you, Margy!) even chatted with a Word Press tech on my behalf and reported back the answer.  I was amazed at how generously people gave  their time and knowledge to help, without expecting anything in return.

Sometimes blogging seems to demand too much of my time, and every once in a while, it feels like a chore.  But I’ve always stuck with it because I valued the creative outlet writing my blog provides, and I also valued the relationships I’ve developed with other bloggers from all over the world.  And now I know for sure that blogging is worth the effort, because it shows me, repeatedly, just how most good people really are.

The last email I received from the Word Press techs (aka “Happiness Engineers,” but it’s hard to say that with a straight face) provided the answer I needed to get my blog up and running properly again.  Thank you, Paulo.  It has something to do with enabling cross tracking, which I didn’t completely understand but my son did, and he explained it to me.  I’m sure that I’ll eventually encounter other problems, but that’s okay.  Because I’m part of the Word Press community, and we have each other’s backs.

84 thoughts on “Success!”

  1. I’m so happy it all worked out for you, Ann! I totally agree that this blogging community is amazing. I feel like I have so many friends, resulting from blogging. It’s wonderful to acknowledge the support and I’m so happy your problem is fixed.

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    • The support is truly amazing! It’s what kept me going, because it gave me hope and also made me realize I didn’t want to stop being a part of the Word Press community. And thank you!

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    • According to my son, it’s how the sites you visit keep track of what other sites you visit, or something like that. Many browsers are now cracking down on them to protect our privacy, but it also meant that Word Press wasn’t recognizing that I was already logged in. If you ever have that problem, let me know, and I can tell you how to fix it (even if I can’t really explain the problem!) I think you’ll know it’s your issue if you can’t comment on your blog or anyone else’s without logging in each and every time.

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  5. I don’t think I saw your request, but I couldn’t have helped. I finally had a professional design my website, even though I’m not completely happy cause he just wouldn’t listen to me, and there’s a tech guy who handles the wordpress issues. What a relief! glad you’re back on again.

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    • It is so hard when the people who are supposed to help you don’t actually listen to you when you describe the problem or what your goals are! But I do think your website looks very nice. And thanks, I’m glad I’m back too!

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    • You’re right, Linda, it was a tough road, but when I got to the end of it, I realized that it was worth the trip. I knew there were some great people on Word Press, but I didn’t realize just how many, or how truly wonderful they were, until my blog broke down. Sometimes it takes a problem for us to realize how lucky we really are!

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  9. I am relieved for you. And grateful for the blessings you received in regards to recognizing how many of us did not wish to see you “go quietly into the night” with a fare-thee-well to our blogging “community.”

    YOU are valued. And we look forward to the words you string together which inspire our hearts and our minds. 🥰

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      • 😊 Hugs to you, Ann – for your kind words and for the smile you offered to my Spirit today through your lovely support. I am humbled & blessed to share the JOY He brings into my life with others…along with the trials He sends my way too. I am grateful for your presence in this blogging Community; surrounded by so many seeking to glorify Him, through the sharing of our lives with one another in this cyber-space. 💕

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  11. I’m smiling big after reading this update. I was just thinking of you today and shot up another prayer that you would get it fixed soon. There really are many wonderful people out there! And you’re one of them.

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  16. Wow… those blogs missed my feed. Not that I could have helped. Glad that others stepped in because we “need” you.😊 I log out of my WP when I am not on just to cut down on the cross tracking and the snooping of the one Chinese follower I have.😂

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  19. So glad you got it all sorted Ann. And I couldn’t agree more with you about the WP community and the friendship and support it provides. It’s definitely one of the best parts of blogging.

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    • It really is! I started blogging just because I wanted to write, but I soon realized what a great community I had joined. Sometimes the best benefits are the ones we didn’t even see coming!

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  20. It was quite a journey, but look how much we’ve all learned! I just learned something two sips of coffee ago. I wondered how I would disable cross-site tracking in my browser, and discovered this: Firefox disables cross-site tracking by default. I’ve always used FF as my browser on my PC, and rarely do any surfing on my phone, where Safari’s the browser. I suspect that’s why I’ve never experienced a problem like yours. I’m glad yours is resolved, and I’m glad to know that Firefox has taken care of the problem for me!

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    • Thank you so very much for all your help! You are one of those who really went “above and beyond” to offer solutions, and they helped put me on the right track. Your time and effort was VERY much appreciated! I had no idea that Firefox had disabled cross tracking, but my son said that they are cracking down in an effort to protect our privacy. So that’s a good thing. Now I blog only on Safari, (we set it to allow cross-tracking) and do everything else on Firefox, which I’m assuming is safer. Thanks again for all the advice and the links. I think I’m beginning to understand how the whole things works now, and that’s good!

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    • No worries, I didn’t expect many people to answer. I was just hoping one or two had experienced the same thing and could fix it. Turns out, lots of people have had issues with their blogs, and there are lots of different things that fix them. Now I feel as if I have a much better arsenal the next time something goes wrong, in addition to knowing that I can count on my Word Press community to help!

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  22. Soooooo happy the blog’s all healed and you’re back, Ann! I cannot imagine not having your posts to read. I often share with my husband and kids what I’ve learned from your posts – that’s how much your humour and wisdom mean to me!

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    • Thank you so much! And what a nice thing to say! It’s always good to hear that someone likes our writing, and especially nice to hear that someone likes it enough to share with their loved ones!

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  23. WordPress has changed a lot and no matter what exotic explanations its operators might forward, it’s not what it used to be recognised for: being user friendly and super efficient. Perhaps now that I am reduced to posting at annual or half-yearly intervals, I am less and less troubled by their antics that eventually get resolved by their ‘happiness engineers’ or not. I am happy that the community rose the occasion and restored your trust in the species in general and bloggers in particular. Carry on blogging!

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    • You’re right, it’s not nearly as “writer friendly” as it was when I first started blogging, and I believe it’s geared towards those who use their blogs to sell something now. At least most of the changes seem geared toward that, and mostly make things tougher for those of us who simply want to write poems or essays on our blogs. Luckily, the community of other bloggers is large and supportive, and the helps. Thanks for being a part of my blogging community. Your comments are always helpful and insightful, and although you don’t post often, when you do, the quality of your poems is amazing! You have a gift, I believe.

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  24. I am glad to know you had a positive experience with the Word Press community helping you out. I feel the same way that sometimes blogging feels like a chore but then I remember all the good things about it. Hope you have a great day!

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    • Yes, the best part of blogging is the comments, but those same comments take up a lot of time. Other times, I struggle to find the inspiration to write a post. But I think sticking with it has taught me self-discipline which is a plus. An even bigger plus is realizing that I was now a part of an amazing community!

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  25. Bravo! I’m so glad you are back and able to do all the things that make WP a fun place to connect to others! I have to agree that WP makes it difficult at times and their “happiness engineers” are misnamed. I do however agree wholeheartedly that the community here is the best at helping each other out!

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    • In all fairness, some of the Happiness Engineers were indeed helpful and very kind. A few didn’t seem to read previous emails and kept suggesting stuff I’d already tried (you get a new one answering each time) and I could have lived without the lecture on not appreciating the advancements of technology. But it was one of the HP’s who came up with the answer, so I need to give credit there. Still, the community that was so very supportive and that gave me the courage to keep trying to resolve my blogging issues was the other Word Press bloggers. They were amazing, and made me realize just how lucky I am to have stumbled upon this group.

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    • It has to do with other sites having access to the stuff we write about in Word Press, from what I can tell. It’s related to those infamous “cookies” that we are told to clear and also to enable, which is just plain confusing. But if you click on the shield at the top of your screen, you should be able to see where you can turn it off if need be. Firefox now prevents cross-tracking by default in an effort to protect our privacy, which is what started all my problems.

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  27. Ann, I’m a sucker for a happy ending, so I’m glad you got one! You know, sometimes I wonder if I’ve been blogging too long, too, but like you, I’m heartened by this wonderful community. Much more generous and kind-hearted than any other social platform, don’t you agree? If it’s true that it takes a village, I’m awfully happy to be a part of this one — and just look at all the wonderful people we’d never have met, were it not for blogging!

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    • It’s the kindest social media platform I’ve ever encountered or heard about, that’s for sure! I use Facebook, and that can be pretty nasty sometimes, and we’ve all heard about the “twitter mobs” who go after anyone who angers them. That sort of thing just doesn’t happen on WP. I’ve been blogging for seven years, and I can count on one hand the number of mean comments I’ve gotten. But I’d need a calculator to count all the supportive, kind, and/or funny comments I’ve gotten!

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  29. I am so pleased to hear your problem has been resolved. It seems like you eventually got some help from a knowledgeable ‘Happiness Engineer’, which is excellent. Also, I do agree with you about the WordPress community. They’re a great bunch. I always feel very supported by all my blogging buddies, so I am glad you feel the same. People in my outside world (if that makes sense) don’t understand the passion behind writing a blog. Not only is it a good creative practice, but also a wonderful group of people who all support each other. I wouldn’t want to blog anywhere else. I’m happy that you found a solution to your techie problems – you would have been a real loss to so many of our mutual friends here. I’m glad not to have lost you. X 🌞

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    • Thank you so much, Ellie! What a nice thing to say, and an excellent example of the kind of support that Word Press bloggers offer each other. It is a great community! And yes, the last happiness engineer who emailed me had the answer. I didn’t quite understand it, but I forwarded his email to my son, who did, and he was able to fix the problem for me. I was so very glad!!! I’m glad I haven’t lost all of you, too!

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    • I was really afraid it would come to that, but apparently I’ve been given a reprieve! And thanks for being such a good and supportive blogging friend…it is very much appreciated. I have also shared your blog with some friends of mine who are also dealing with issues between the way they were raised and the way they want to live their life. I told them that I thought your posts would be helpful….they sure are for me!

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  34. Maybe between you and your son you could write a post about what the problem was and how you fixed it! I’m sure there are others out there that will eventually experience the same issue.

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  36. ACK. I feel your pain, and I feel your relief at getting a solution to the problem. Good for you to not give up. I’ve come close to throwing my phone out the window (after I delete the Twitter and Instagram and FB apps!!). But I haven’t because I love being connected to people. And blogging is the most intelligent, insightful, satisfying way to connect with others throughout the world. I DID delete Twitter – big happy sigh. Instagram might be next. I like seeing everyone’s photos, but I dislike all the men who try to “follow’ me (and I understand this happens to sooooo many women). It’s a bit sad, isn’t it? That many single men who “happen” to be doctors or military generals (I do not lie). :-0 Anyway, SO glad you are back and able to comment. Happy mid-July to you. ❤

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    • Who knew there were so many doctors and military generals searching for true love on the internet? LOL! But yeah, social media is a mixed blessing for sure. It’s so nice to connect with old friends and faraway family, and to meet wonderful new people like you. But the trolls, the nasty comments, and the creepy follows are a whole different story! And I understand how you feel about your phone….my computer is kind of large, or I think I might have been tempted to toss it out the window too!

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    • I’d never heard of it before, but I understand the concept. It’s how the “targeted” ads keep popping up. Unfortunately, we have to allow that in order to access word press, if I understand it correctly. And thanks for the kind words!

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  39. Well, as you can see, I am way behind on catching up on blogs. It seems I run out of personal juice ever since we moved my mom in with us and began caregiving. Hoping you are well. Looking greatly forward to autumn around here. Just had our first rain since May. A good 40 or 50 days of 100 degrees and up. It gets so old.

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    • No worries about keeping up with blogs! Taking care of your mom is a huge job, and that is certainly a big priority. I’m so glad you finally got some rain and hope that more follows soon. I know that Texas is really suffering from drought, and so are many other areas. We were lucky that we only had one hot and dry month, and then got rain, and now we have cooler temps. Praying that comes your way!! Take care and hang in there….

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