A Blogging is Hard Day

Today is one of those "blogging is hard" days. Every writer has those days when the words just won't come.

Usually it isn't too much of a problem for me; I often have blog entries scheduled almost a week ahead. (Photo in screenshot by Jennifer Buxton.)

But it's January, it's cold and dark, and I have been ill for over a week with COVID symptoms. (Cowpoke Lukie tested positive for COVID two days after I babysat him. Three days after his positive results, I got sick.)  

I tried to get in for a test, but every place I checked was scheduled at least a week out. Two home tests were negative, but my doctor said that those were highly unreliable, so I have been self isolating at home just in case I do have COVID. 

That means not going to the barn so I have nothing about Abby to write. I miss my girl! And I haven't met Dolly, our new herd member, yet!

As my symptoms waned and I began feeling better, I did get back to the sewing machine. I'd ordered 50 yards of premium white muslin and it arrived while I was isolating. 

I've been sewing some more 18th century period clothing and the muslin is for chemises (shifts). I've also been making Forbes short gowns (the six garments on the left) and men's shirts (two on the right.)

I am feeling better now and will hang out at home another day or two just to be sure.

And you can bet that the first place I will go is out to the barn to see my girl. I owe her a boatload of peppermints!

Blogging is Hard

Jennifer Buxton of Braymere Custom Saddlery recently put her blog on hiatus. Jennifer has several very valid reasons for her decision, one of which was the title of one of her last blog posts - blogging is hard.

She is absolutely right - blogging is hard. Especially when, like Jennifer, Anne Field, or me, your goal is to post something every day.

Coming up with topics is part of what makes blogging hard. My solution? I keep a file of ideas on my desktop

as well as several handwritten lists of things I might want to write about. Writer's block is real, and these lists have rescued me more than once when I could not think of a thing to write about for the day's post.

Another thing that makes blogging hard is finding the time to write. Family, work, and other obligations can make it so you have to squeeze in writing time. Since I'm an early riser, often my posts are written at 5:00 in the morning. Any photos I take suffer from the poor light quality at that hour, but it is what it is.

So, what are my plans are when it comes to blogging? Will I keep writing and sharing about the pony pals and cowpokes, my collection, Abby, and horsey sewing projects? (A progress picture of the jacket of one of the 18th century riding habits.)

My plan is to continue writing. I enjoy writing, and as I said, Horsiemama (and its counterpart, Teachinmama) function as my journal. Yes, it's hard, but I am retired and have fewer demands and obligations on my time than many people.

I hope Jennifer will bring her blog out of hiatus. I hope Anne continues to write about her dolls, family, and work as an educator. Both are amazing women and I love the glimpses into their lives that they have shared over the years with their readers.

But I also understand if they make a different decision.

Because blogging is hard.