Carol A. Hand
Yesterday, my blog turned four years old. I still wonder what led me to blogging. Initially I thought it was the stockpile of unpublished reflections and stories I wanted to share. They were stories based on a particular perspective as an outsider who wasn’t content with merely pointing out injustice and oppression. My work has always involved trying to solve puzzles and experiment with possible constructive solutions from a critical view. It seemed fitting to name my blog Voices from the Margins.
After a couple years, though, I ran out of those old reflections. So I began to experiment with different topics and ways to write. I also learned a little bit about photography using my old digital cameras. I kept blogging because of the dear friends I met here in the blogosphere. Although few of my original friends still blog, new friends have filled the void.
I have no illusions that my photos or blog posts are great works of art. But I do have fun creating them and sharing them with others.
On this anniversary, I wondered what comes next. I find myself re-engaging with the world a little more and taking on long-ignored home repair projects. The title of the blog still holds true, but perhaps the blurb about my blog needs a bit of updating. There are all kinds of issues I could write about from a critical frame, but so many others do that far better. What is less common are those who look both critically and gratefully at what is and ask how this informs practical everyday choices.
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Increasingly, my posts are deliberately a little like the bright moon on a dark night peeking through tree branches. Reflected light that flows through me, meant to provide solace and encourage creative, peaceful, constructive, thoughts and actions in a time of darkness.
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These days, though, like the moon, my presence is not always visible. I am woefully behind replying to comments and reciprocating visits to other’s blogs. I apologize. I will try to do a better job because your friendship and what you share matters. I am always touched by the work you do.
But I do become micro-focused, like yesterday, when I had intended to share this post and visit blogs. I became so intent on finishing my newest project, sanding an old window frame, that I failed to stop and see the beauty of the day. I only saw the birch tree lit by the sun in a clear blue sky after I took a photo to record my progress.
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Congratulations on your 4 year anniversary!
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Thank you so much for your kind words, Xena. ❤
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Thank you so much for your lovely comment, Superduque. ❤
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Congratulations, dear Carol! I’m so grateful for your inspiring posts! Happy 4th Blogiversary! Cher xo
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Thank you so much for your kind words, Cher. Please forgive my very belated, but nonetheless heartfelt gratitude for your thoughtfulness. ❤
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🤗❤
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Your blogs are authentic and touch the soul. I love the photo of the window, like your blog they are a window to another world, but also one of connection.
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Paul, these are such kind and lovely observations. Thank you so much. I hope you forgive my belated reply. ❤
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Never too late. Thank you too.
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Oh I love your blog posts and your photos and your art. I’m so glad you’re still here 4 years later. 🙂 ❤ xoxoxoxoxo
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Dear Natalie, please know that I value your friendship and kindness so much. Please accept my sincere apologies for being so slow to thank you. ❤
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No worries Carol! Love, N ❤️❤️❤️
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Hi, Carol, and Happy Fourth Anniversary! Buster and I have been busy trying to figure out if it is possible to get our old country back on a track to at least recognize our faults and attempt to do better. It’s always fun and educational to read your blog. Inspirational, too, so, thank you and keep up the good work.
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Dear Buster, thank you for your kindness. Although rather late, I am sending my best wishes to you and your pappy. ❤
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You’re welcome, Carol. The window’s coming along fine; that part is a lot of work in tight corners… kind of like life.
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Yes, life in tight corners is challenging. Thank you for your playful comments, Sha’Tara. 🙂
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Congrats, Carol! I am so glad you have stuck around long enough for us to “meet” here. I am often inspired by your work, deeply moved by your writing, and mesmerized by your pictures. Please know you are deeply appreciated! ❤
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Lisa, I am so grateful we met as well. Reading your work is a gift as are your lovely comments. Thank you. Please forgive my belated reply. Life has made it challenging for me to find time for blogging. ❤
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I understand. Completely. I am so far behind on answering comments, people are likely to forget my blog is my blog. Lol!
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🙂
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Congratulations, Carol! I am so glad you are here for us to meet! It is not that there will always be other people doing things “better” than we are – but we are, as humans, unique, and can not be totally replaced by others. So please stay!
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Thank you so much for your lovely, thoughtful comments, Ann Christine. I am staying for now because I value all of the gifted bloggers I’ve met, but as my belated thank you shows, It sometimes takes a long time for me to let people know how much I appreciate their work and their kindness. <3.
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Congratulations, Carol. I’m so glad we met here. 💙💚
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Dear Izzy, Thank you so much for your lovely comments. I hope all is well, and send my love. ❤
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Thank you, Carol Lovely to hear from you. Blessings of love and peace to you ♥
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Once again, Carol, I echo the comments above! And again, no need for apologies!
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Thank you, Dave. ❤
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Beautiful photos, and thoughts. I am trying to remember how I first came across your blog. I suppose it doesn’t matter how I found you. I’m just glad I did.
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Thank you for your thoughtful comments, dear friend. I am grateful we met, too. (I think it was through Jeff Nguyen’s blog. You may know that he entered law school and will be graduating in May so he can pursue social justice in another arena.)
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I am thankful, too, for your presence in my life ❤
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Dear Rosaliene, I am so grateful we met, too. I appreciate your friendship and continue to be inspired by your work. ❤
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Congrats on 4 brilliant years!
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Thank you, dear friend. ❤
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Carol, Happy 4th Anniversary for you and your blog!! A wonderful milestone. A blog, like so much in life, is organic and changes with time as we change, our goals, aims. Your posts offer new insights into our lives, how we look upon the world. Always thoughtful, reflective and full of spirit. I look forward to reading yours for many more years. Xxxx
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Thank you so much for your always thoughtful, lovely comments, Annika. I am deeply grateful for your kindness and support. ❤
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Wow, congratulations on 4 years! Thats so awesome. I am on week one of blogging and so hope to around in 4 years! I have been looking at some of ue blogs and they are awesomely well written 😊
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Thank you so much for your thoughtful comments, Mel. I hope you find blogging as rewarding as I have over the years. 🙂
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Phew so glad you did start blogging!!
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Thank you so much, Candice. I am grateful we met here. ❤
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PS I’m four years too my twin
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Wishing you a happy anniversary, dear twin, although it’s coming a bit belatedly. 🙂
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Right? Happy Anniversary to us both, long may we write!
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🙂
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