On Tributes

I have to set aside the normal weekly Satire Bits to dedicate this post (#1256) to the many of have come and gone to my little corner of the world.

To bloggers as Larry (Nutball Gazette) and Stone (Third Stone from the Sun) who are no longer with us … Larry from heart ailments in his 60s and Stone from a stroke and aneurism in his 40s. Both were genuine and far too young to leave life.

To the bloggers I list as Pioneers on my sidebar as they helped me get started; thus special thanks to David, Mo, Beeze, Lester, Chris, and others. We connect back to the days when The Sporting News hosted sports blogs, and they remain avid sports bloggers today.

To Joe, a photographer from Arkansas, who Sunday journeys through rural Arkansas, brought together nature and humanity.

To bloggers as Starla, Les, Melissa, Rachel, Rita, Mags, Izzie, Sekan, Rosie, Rantonit, and Mckenzie who frequented these pages; but (to my best knowledge), no longer blog. I occasionally wonder about McSmall k’s health status. These names represent those who vanished from blogging or here for one reason or another.

Others move on, which is common in blogging, so cheers to Paulette, Spinny, Keith, Randel, Scott, Al, Meesh, Dragonfae, Hat, Don, and others who have stopped by my little corner of the world.

To Maxi, a Filipino living in Sweden who was one of my first global visitors, which now has greatly expanded.

To Nonnie, whose cake-ball business limits her posts, as does Kellie due to work. To Tim Valentine, a man with a deep soul who still posts, but doesn’t interact as he once did. Interacting with him was outstanding!

Cheers to my current visitors!

I don’t have the humorous touches as El Guapo or Leo, nor write fiction like Rich, Jackie P, Amy, Ryan, Hudson, and Tom M. I certainly can’t weave a tale like Eleanor or Lame. I know I don’t write from deep within my soul as Val or Le Clown, or have the sassy wit as Elyse.

I don’t dive into the philosophical depths as Shimon, or rant like Weebs. I certainly don’t have a sense of style like Kay or Gull.

I have neither Archon’s clever wit or John Erickson’s crazed wit. (Has anyone encountered him?) No way do I know as much about space as Alex, or physics as Jim. I can’t garden or compose music as Lynn, and gathering puns like Fasab is against my constitution.

I don’t write creatively like Ginger Fightback, Soma, and White Lady in the Hood, or humorously like Kayjai, Vanessa, Jiggy, and Sandy, nor as editorially clean as Renee, Patti, or Red.

I don’t write with joyful spirit as Debra, Colline, Java Girl, RoSy, Sunshine, or Georgette; or in Mouse’s unique way of making a point. I don’t write poems or haikus like Audra, Kimberly, Errin, or Shrinks.

I won’t even attempt to draw like Hansi, paint like Marina or Jots, create like Mobius and Buddahkat, or cook like Viveka or Spiced. Besides, my photography skills don’t come close to Robin, Otto, Bulldog, Nia, Suzanne, Cindy, Cathy, Victoria, Dink, and Mimo.

I don’t approach bliss like LouAnn, or reach the Alisha’s intellectual depths. I don’t follow music like this Calgary John, provide daily humor like this Athens John, and certainly can’t write like this Seattle John. Besides, I’m not even close to Nancy’s understanding about Christianity.

I wish I had travel experiences as Sylvia, or spent as much time in Tuscany as Debra. The thought of writing a fictional book as Carrie, Rose, TBM, John Howell, Maddie, and H.E. Ellis is outside of my scope. I certainly won’t attempt a story of my life like Kathy, or get published as much as Christine.

I’m not an Australian living in Finland like Kanerva, I don’t write political commentary through three beagles like Kellie, I’m certainly not a political junkie like Moe, and I’m unquestionably not the master of marching band like Tim … nope, I wouldn’t call myself a hiker as Frank or a camper like Catherine.

I know I lack the passion of Snoring Dog, the surreal nature as Winsombella, the emotion of Noeleen, the hope of Tazein, and the prolific manner as Rarasaur. If ever needed, I sure hope I face health issues with Angela’s courage and positive determination.

Given all the skills that I lack, you and others continue to visit and comment – and I’m very grateful and consider myself very lucky to be in contact with so many good people.

This place is not a blog where people quickly gather after a new post, but I’ve learned to accept that. This is not a blog with big numbers, and I accept that, too. After all, I publish this blog because I enjoy writing, learning, and interacting with nice people from all over the world … and that helps me hold on to my belief that the majority of people throughout the world are good.

Yes, thanks to all of you for what you do, and in short, thanks for allowing me to be me, whoever I am here.

No – this is not my last post – just my way of celebrating my fifth year on this WordPress site and saying Thanks – and one more thing – Happy Birthday Shania!