About Me

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Douglas, Alaska, United States
I have lived in Alaska since 1978, having come to Juneau as a Jesuit Volunteer. I fell in love with Alaska and now live on Douglas Island with my husband and two dogs.

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Helloooo Out There! (With Random Old Photos)



I am so grateful to the three or four of my followers who regularly comment on Home In Douglas!

I have 54 (FIFTY-FOUR!) followers.

I know that folks are looking at my blog from looking at my statistics.


I am wondering if the lack of comments means that the content is not comment-worthy.

I started Home In Douglas mostly to share with folks about the goings-on here in our home and our community, and to share my thoughts, feelings and my "most appalling secrets" (h/t to "Little Women").


However, it is disheartening to get only a couple of comments (if any) on my posts.

I go to blogs that I follow (see the list to the right of the screen) and usually leave a comment, even if it is just "Nice post!",  just to let them know that I was there.

I go to the blogs that my followers follow, and sometimes will leave a comment, and also will become a follower if the blog looks interesting to me.


I'm not sure if I am doing things wrong, if my blog isn't interesting, if there is some rule that I'm not following, or what.  I don't subscribe to email updates or RSS feeds because I always go to my blog list to read new posts.

If you have advice, please share it with me.

And thanks for listening!






24 comments:

  1. I love your blog and I do try to comment often. My blogs get so few comments... I never know what to make of it. Of the three, one has pretty good readership, but so much silence. The other two, moderate readership, so few comments.

    Keep writing as you do - here. I love it!

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  2. Hi Paula, I thought I would drop in on you today and I am so glad that I did. You are completely in charge of your blog and how you blog. I have found readers love home decor, gardening, thrifting, and tablescapes over at my place. However I am still learning just like you. My camera, at present has me puzzled. Technology is a blessing and a huge challenge for me. Wishing you a splendid and happy Thanksgiving, Olive.

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  3. Paula, I am guilty of reading and not always leaving comments. You aren't doing anything wrong. I love hearing what is going on in your corner of the world. it's just that my full-time job and my family and my home take up most of my time. And then in my spare time (that is a joke, isn't it?) I try to write a blog and keep up with more than 300 wonderful bloggers, like yourself, and I admit that I am probably not doing a very good job of reaching any of you.

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  4. Paula: I have the same situation. I have 72 followers, and most posts don't get a peep. I average about 50 readers a day. I was feeling discouraged about this but then I thought that pre-Internet, noone in the whole wide world would be reading my musings. In contrast, I have many new cyber friends, such as you, a priest in the Phillipines, Heidi also of Alaska, Fran who I got to meet in real life and on and on. THAT is a blessing for sure. Hang in there!

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    1. How true is that. I often think about that day and am so grateful for it. I would love to meet you Paula!

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    2. Fran and Allison - I would love to meet you both! I think you both need to take a trip to see me!

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    3. I'm game. Seriously. Fran: Once you return from NYC, let's talk.

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  5. Paula
    I don't have any advice, I'm afraid.
    I find that I have just a few faithful friends who leave comments on my blog. A lot of gals like to read and follow, but don't want to take the time to comment. I am going to work on a system when I have time, where I can visit more friends, but not everyday.
    Thanks for posting for prayer for Sherri too!!

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  6. Thanks so much for your responses! I now realize that many of my fellow bloggers share this dilemma, which is comforting! Lots of folks reading, not too many responding or commenting. That makes sense - busy people have only so much time! So, I will soldier on and cherish the occasional comment!

    Thanks again!

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  7. Hello from Colorado. I found your blog either during my search on Alaska or being Catholic. we will be in Juneau off and on over the summer of 2013. I have visited before and find all things Alaska interesting as well as Catholic musings.

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    1. Make sure you let me know when you will be here! We will give you a personal tour!

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  8. Hello, how long have you been blogging? It sometimes takes a while to get people to notice your blog, and there will always be those who visit but don't leave a comment.

    Try asking some questions, visiting other blogs, and just making your way around the blogsphere. There are many many blogs out there, and everyone is rushed for time...it will happen.

    Jen

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  9. As I follow more and more blogs I find I'm often way behind with my blog reading and have to read and run!

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    1. I understand completely! Thanks for reading!

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  10. First of all, I like your new header photo! I am guessing that it is in the area above the tram in Juneau! I wished we could have seen it this last trip, but as you know, it was a rainy mess.

    I get discouraged as well about the lack of comments on some of my posts. It's a bit disconcerting to have people stopping by, reading, and then leaving with nary a word. I usually average between 10 and 20% on comments. On really spectacular days, I get closer to 50% comment ratio. But those days are few and far between. That means a whole lot of people are lurking!

    I recognize that I am getting some visitors via Pinterest, Flickr, Google web searches, etc. So there is a large portion of visitors who are just coming in for this, that, and the other, and could care less about my ramblings. On the other hand, I have some followers who have never, EVER left a comment! Um, why are they visiting me but not wanting to ever engage?

    I recommend that you take it in stride. It seems that most people are content to skate through blogs and merely be observers. As in life, some people are participants and some people are observers. You are doing nothing wrong. Your blog is very endearing and interesting, giving us non-Alaskan folks a little peek into a slice of life that contrasts with our own.

    Keep on blogging and entertaining us, my dear! And, as one who has actually met you and was charmed by you in person, your readers are truly missing out if they don't comment and take the opportunity to get to know you!

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    1. Thanks Donna! Actually, I took the photo on the Flume Trail up by Basin Road close to downtown Juneau. Next time you come to visit, we'll take a walk up there!

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  11. Love your new header photo! As to the blog comments - I agree with some of the above comments that a lack of time is a big factor. I myself read many blogs but unless I feel I have something significant to say, often I will not leave a comment. I don't get that many comments on my blog, either. But I blog because it is fun and creative and I get to express myself to folks that have more in common with me but live far away. I have learned so much and seen so many parts of the world that I would not normally have access to. You are the only one in Alaska, my friend. Now how would I ever know what is going on with you in your neck of the woods without your blog? Just do it because it is fun and don't worry about the comments. I can assure you I will be reading!

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  12. Here's my two cents... I have been blogging for a while and I know people visit my blog and I love when I get comments. When I first started blogging it always bummed me out that nobody commented, but then when they did comment I found I had a hard time finding the time to reply. Then I went through a phase where I made a serious effort to comment on every post I read, but then I felt obligated to go back and see it the author replied. Soon blog commenting felt like a full-time job.
    One way I found some validation was by having a give away on my blog. Then you get lots of comments!
    I don't think you are doing anything wrong at all. It is hard sometimes though. Good luck.

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  13. Hi, I found your blog via Muddy Boot Dreams. I have enjoyed browsing your posts tonight. Blogging should be fun and I try to comment on those that I truly enjoy. Blogging has been a way to link up with folks with similar backgrounds/hobbies, etc. I think as you visit/comment on blogs, you'll find great support/friends. Wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving, Mildred(Georgia)

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  14. This is just an FYI that you might want to pass on to some of your friends here... I clicked on the names on your friends who commented here, to try to see their blogs. But guess what? It did not take me to their blog. Fran, for instance, doesn't have her blog linked into her profile at all. If I click on her name, it takes me to a blank page that says how long she has been blogging and that is about it. No mention of what her blog name is, or a connection to it. How is she going to get comments if no one can get to her? I'm sure she has not done this on purpose, so if you would let her know, that might make a big difference in the number of comments she receives. And anyone else reading this, please make sure that you link your blog to your profile.

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  15. I enjoy your blog. Though, to be honest I usually don't have much to say it's really personal not too general. Since i don't know you I don't have anything to say about your personal life. And, I read your blog through google reader...not too easy to do comments there.

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    1. I understand! Thanks so much for reading - I'm glad you enjoy my blog! Do you have a blog as well - I clicked on your name but it didn't link to your blog.

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