Steve`s Country
For a smile as wide as a country sunrise
Be You, Not Someone Else.
Hello everyone and sorry I am late with this today. It’s been one of those days. Serious computer problems. But everything is working good once again which is nice. This is a different kind of post for me. There has been a lot going on this summer with certain people bullying others. Plus people who try to make others write a certain way. You know, “you’re not doing this right, you should be saying this instead”. Or “I don’t think you should write like that, this is what you should write like”. And, “I think you should write your blog this way, say this instead of that”. Also, “you are totally wrong writing that, I don’t like it that way, this is what you should write about”. And there is much more that could be added.
But something we all need to remember is this simple fact, who’s blog is it? Is it your blog, or is it your reader’s blog? I am very thankful for my readers and all the support they have given me. But some like to complain saying that my blog isn’t what it should be. I’m talking several people. Not offering advice exactly, but just saying, this is what should be done. I don’t mind advice, given correctly, but even there, people need to be careful what they say. But for us as bloggers the first thing we need to remember is why are we blogging? We can’t possibly write something that everyone will like all the time.
And, remember, we can’t be someone we are not. For myself, I have a different way of writing. I don’t exactly follow the rules of good grammar. Or sentence structure. I write very plainly. That’s the way I am. If I tried to write like someone else, well, it just would not work out. It would be terrible actually. I doubt it would be good to read. It certainly would not be fun to write. For me, if writing isn’t enjoyable, then why would I do it?
When I first started my blog 2 years ago, I had a goal in mind. That was to write a blog that was different. To make Steve’s Country a place to come and relax for a while. To leave the hurried pace of our daily lives behind for a few minutes. To help forget about stress for a little while. To help people focus on some good things, some beautiful things, some positive things. There is so much in this world that is negative. Steve’s Country is meant to focus on the positive side for a while. Plus, to make it a place that just might bring a smile to the faces of my readers. Maybe even a chuckle or two. Perhaps even roaring laughter. That was the objective of Steve’s Country right from the start. And still is.
And also a place to show some of God’s amazing natural world that is all around us, through photography. And it’s not just here at Steve’s Country. This whole world is full of amazing nature, with animals, plants, rocks, lakes, oceans, mountains, prairies, islands. It’s all there. And we really don’t need to look far to find it. You can even find it in a big city. It’s there. Just look.
That’s the purpose of Steve’s Country. A stress free place to relax, enjoy and smile. That’s also why I added that extra line under my name, “For a smile as wide as a country sunrise”. That’s me. That’s what I write, always have, always will. No changes in that. And from all the comments I know that’s what you like as well. Thank you all for that. All that to say, be you, not someone else, no matter what others might say.
Well, that’s my rant for today I guess. Just something I thought needed to be said. Thank you all for reading today, I hope you have a great day and God bless!
Steve and Muffin.
© 2019 Steve McLeod.
Cold Morning Conversation.
Hello everyone on this another rather cold day. The weather we have had the last couple of days is something that would be more normal for the last half of October, not the end of August. I mean, it’s just plain cold. Even my chipmunks are not coming out today, proof that it’s cold. Will it be a long cold winter again this year? I don’t know. But…the birds are leaving about 2 weeks earlier than normal. That’s a good indication of an early winter. And early winters are always long and cold. Always.
Plus the trees are all absolutely full of cones and seeds this year. That’s a good indication of a long, hard winter. Personally I like to watch the birds to see if they can forecast the weather, at least in a general sense. For example, the last 3 winters have been long and cold here. The birds were right each year. That’s not bad. Actually, they have been right for the last 10 winters. That’s good. But it doesn’t mean they will be right all the time.
They are forecasting another early, long and cold winter this year. I am really hoping they are wrong this time. I have checked through weather records back to 1970. We have never had 4 long winters in a row. Guess we will have to wait and see what happens. But I am really hoping the birds are wrong. But this recent cold has brought in a morning conversation between Muffin and I. It goes something like this.
It’s cold in here, time to turn the heater on, say I. Open the door, I want fresh air, says Muffin. It’s too cold to open the door, we need the heater on. It’s just fine in here, open the door. You’re wearing a fur coat, I’m not. Put on more clothes and open the door. I can’t just put on more clothes, I’m already wearing an extra sweater. You have more clothes, put them on and open the door. It’s too hard wearing that much clothes, I’m turning the heat on. We don’t need heat, we need the door open for fresh air, wrap yourself in a blanket and open the door.
Now look, if I say we need heat, then we need heat. We don’t need the door open, it’s just too cold for that now. You have lots of blankets, get one and wrap yourself in it, sit in your chair and play with that box thing of yours, and open the door!! Stop looking at my feet Muffin!! There, I have slippers on, HA! My feet are protected now. HEY, that’s my ankle! Let go! Wrap yourself in a blanket and open the door and I’ll let go. If I wrap myself in a blanket, then try to walk over to open the door I’ll fall down and break all my arms. Then I won’t be able to get you any food. Well, what are you waiting for, says Muffin, turn on the heat!
Sometimes I wonder if living alone with a cat affects me somehow? Amazing how a conversation can come about just with Muffin and I looking at each other. Sigh. And it’s not even winter yet. Oh well, it adds a little something different to the day. I hope you enjoyed it, have a great day and God bless!
Steve and Muffin.
© 2019 Steve McLeod.
