tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7041834369094012241.post1467819799291651206..comments2023-12-27T09:28:32.621-07:00Comments on Retired English Teacher: Seeking Stillness ~ Creating CommunitySally Wesselyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06470453773515491625noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7041834369094012241.post-16534713033011348072014-04-24T22:47:47.877-06:002014-04-24T22:47:47.877-06:00Although my husband enjoys solitude, I get lonely ...Although my husband enjoys solitude, I get lonely awfully fast. I like people around me. My daughter is like me and my son is very like his father.<br /><br />I learned about blogging when I was in Egypt in 2007. There was a young Polish astrophysicist who was blogging about our tour adventures every chance he got. I thought I might like to try it, but didn't really get started until my dear friend in Israel, Dina coaxed me into it. It really is the most wonderful thing, isn't it? I love the connections it's given me, all the points of view, friendships, knowledge. And you know I've loved meeting you, Sally.Kayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07461569436322815787noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7041834369094012241.post-40407604005566509872014-04-08T11:30:24.819-06:002014-04-08T11:30:24.819-06:00I know that by now your surgery will be over, but ...I know that by now your surgery will be over, but I'm still glad you took that quiet day of rest beforehand.<br /><br />I very much enjoyed this post and the first three paragraphs would apply equally to me and my needs and nature. I love hearing how my blogging friends came to start their blogs. Each of us had our own path and yet here we are, members of a worldwide community.Perpetuahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01214396019726161983noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7041834369094012241.post-91366089806096586222014-04-07T21:26:37.459-06:002014-04-07T21:26:37.459-06:00I am pleased that you took that day of rest before...I am pleased that you took that day of rest before your surgery. The snow looked nice but I’m sure it was better for you to stay indoors and warm. I hope your surgery went smoothly and that you are now resting, writing and reading. Blogging creates a wonderful social outlet and enriches us all.Vagabondehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10774109692564954568noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7041834369094012241.post-89889417214001893612014-04-07T20:47:51.579-06:002014-04-07T20:47:51.579-06:00Oh, my goodness, Sally! I hope your surgery went s...Oh, my goodness, Sally! I hope your surgery went smoothly and that you're well on your way to a full recovery. My sister had gall bladder surgery last year, so I have some idea of the miserable lead-uo to surgery. I hope you're feeling better already!Dr. Kathy McCoyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02903015507894951725noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7041834369094012241.post-10657304355649470252014-04-07T12:50:37.287-06:002014-04-07T12:50:37.287-06:00I hope that everything went well and you're fe...I hope that everything went well and you're feeling much better. I had my gall bladder taken out in 2006 and have been very well ever since. It's a great operation. Looking forward to hearing that you're finding the same. Pam https://www.blogger.com/profile/12641269043817163165noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7041834369094012241.post-70351507152946011902014-04-07T12:48:37.020-06:002014-04-07T12:48:37.020-06:00I need solitude, too. Lots of it, in fact. I hope ...I need solitude, too. Lots of it, in fact. I hope your surgery went well and you're now good as new!Jeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09782394068144501251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7041834369094012241.post-38075330172786362402014-04-06T23:50:27.437-06:002014-04-06T23:50:27.437-06:00Praying for your surgery to be done good. Nice to ...Praying for your surgery to be done good. Nice to know about you through this blog!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7041834369094012241.post-19793411418658404622014-04-06T11:25:55.110-06:002014-04-06T11:25:55.110-06:00Indeed so much to respond to in this beautifully w...Indeed so much to respond to in this beautifully written post. Solitude and community - i relate. From what I gather while in solitude, I give more when in the community.<br /><br />" I thought I would be able to sustain the discipline of having a schedule similar to that which while I had while working when I began retirement. Knowing my personality, this was really a very preposterous idea, but I did have hope that I would do so."<br /><br />Hahahahaha! I so appreciate that!<br /><br />The sharing of life through blogging. I think my blogging followers often know more about me than my own family. Also, has served a purpose for my family of men to understand me.<br /><br />My reading of this lovely post comes a two days after your surgery. I hope you are doing well and recovering. Such a poignant and important post. Thank you for sharing.Midlife Roadtripperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06700277803842883251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7041834369094012241.post-59842804189465427542014-04-06T04:15:00.847-06:002014-04-06T04:15:00.847-06:00Good decision to take of yourself first and foremo...Good decision to take of yourself first and foremost. Thanks for the reflections on blogging. They mirror mine and I feel a similar gratitude. Good luck on your surgery. (Written from my favorite chair next to the french doors in the living room with mu iPad on my lap as the sun shines in.)Grandmother Maryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18169464484379536529noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7041834369094012241.post-40830539338303296722014-04-04T22:32:03.294-06:002014-04-04T22:32:03.294-06:00Sally, Hope the surgery went well and you're o...Sally, Hope the surgery went well and you're on your way to a rapid and complete recovery. I think for a writer having both a time and a place for solitude is essential. Peace.John Paul McKinneyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12426192694972130205noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7041834369094012241.post-75757356523434923702014-04-04T19:06:31.009-06:002014-04-04T19:06:31.009-06:00I'm reading this late and am sending healing t...I'm reading this late and am sending healing thoughts to you. I also enjoy solitude and quiet, reflective times. I'm somewhat an introvert and avoid crowds if possible. I'm most comfortable in the company of family or people I consider close friends. However, I have embraced many blog friendships - sharing with people all these years, even if I've never met them face to face, has made me care about their well being. Take care of yourself, Sally. I'm thinking of you. Barbhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04984171407726520584noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7041834369094012241.post-27967932453133842802014-04-04T17:06:18.577-06:002014-04-04T17:06:18.577-06:00I imagine that it’s all over by now and you are on...I imagine that it’s all over by now and you are on the way up again. Gall bladder ops are no big thing nowadays, if done by keyhole surgery. I had almost no pain afterwards.<br /><br />Being solitary in a special place is absolutely essential for me. A place to withdraw to and be quiet in is one of life’s necessities.<br /><br />Blogging is a strange activity, neither literature nor letter, but it gives us all so much pleasure and being a part of this community adds a whole new dimension to life.<br /><br />Good luck. Hope to see you recovered in no time.Frikohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04277167831642088694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7041834369094012241.post-16982150765487772832014-04-04T14:17:19.394-06:002014-04-04T14:17:19.394-06:00Yes, I, too, require solitude and have a contempla...Yes, I, too, require solitude and have a contemplative space here at home. Sometimes it's my office, or the patio. Sometimes it's our bedroom.<br /><br />By this time your surgery should be done. I hope your recuperation is a quick one. <br /><br />Please contact me if you need an ear or a shoulder. KKathyAhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12723937251892708482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7041834369094012241.post-15124850217856921702014-04-04T13:33:51.575-06:002014-04-04T13:33:51.575-06:00Yes solitude is very important to me. The solitude...Yes solitude is very important to me. The solitude & satisfaction I find flyfishing on a quiet stream in Bluff Country or camping in the mountains of Montana. And then in winter blogging provides a similar feeling, writing and creating stories. It gives me a quiet sense of satisfaction when people tell me I made them smile...:)troutbirderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14087811292280881959noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7041834369094012241.post-63506194806083950602014-04-04T12:47:51.058-06:002014-04-04T12:47:51.058-06:00Sally, I am reading this in the afternoon of Frida...Sally, I am reading this in the afternoon of Friday, your surgery day. While we are separated by several hours of time zones, I hope you are now in recovery, that all is well and that in this case, at least, you are on the road to recovery (and out of the recovery room!)<br /><br />I'm privileged to be part of your blogging community and to be allowed to walk with you through the life journey you have and will continue to experience -- and to allow you to walk on mine. I'm so very glad you found this venue for your thoughts. I feel all the richer for it.<br /><br />Another book you might enjoy as a meditation is by one of my favorites -- Anne Lamott -- and it's titled "Help. Thanks. Wow." It speaks of prayer in a way only this writer can.<br /><br />From one solitary soul who craves interaction to another!Jeaniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17482528482559445943noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7041834369094012241.post-54693379448094146272014-04-04T10:54:52.966-06:002014-04-04T10:54:52.966-06:00Those of us who blog regularly have seen the world...Those of us who blog regularly have seen the world change through so many perspectives; and that alone has been a great motivator. Sharing one's life, a day, a moment, with someone who lives thousands of miles away is like leaving secret messages inside tree trunks. We hope someone sees them; we hope someone will write back; we hope to maintain that secret lifeline to strengthen our resolve to share our voice. The miraculous part is hearing from people who have shared similar circumstances, people who can now give you a hand in climbing back to the land of the living.<br /><br />You have done that for me, Sally. And I'm so glad to know you. <br /><br />(The surgery is quite routine these days; the problem is all the pain you've had to go through before the medical people could settle on the causes of the pain. Same stuff happened to my husband.)Rosaria Williamshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03133147851332084180noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7041834369094012241.post-64141349781434855762014-04-04T10:43:13.834-06:002014-04-04T10:43:13.834-06:00I did appreciate your thoughtful post. I know just...I did appreciate your thoughtful post. I know just what you mean about needing a place to be still and reflective in. Mine is a corner of the living room where I can sit to read or to watch the birds in the garden outside.<br /><br />Wishing you a successful operation today and a good, quick recovery.Dartford Warblerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04352965211143836326noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7041834369094012241.post-79622431394258172502014-04-04T08:59:42.739-06:002014-04-04T08:59:42.739-06:00What a beautiful post about the power of reflectio...What a beautiful post about the power of reflection, solitude, family, and inner peace. Congratulations on all you have achieved. You, my friend, have truly lived through a nightmare and yet did not shut down and shut the world out. Instead, you reached out through blogging to help us all make sense out of this world. I send many prayers for you for your good health and a smooth surgery tomorrow.Bossy Bettyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12568355839499622409noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7041834369094012241.post-997994834186062942014-04-04T08:53:23.285-06:002014-04-04T08:53:23.285-06:00I'm sorry you missed that Bible study and time...I'm sorry you missed that Bible study and time with your dear friends, but I know of what you write. Time alone is my refuge in this hectic world. When I was teaching, my journal posts were often frantic pieces saying, "I just want to sit and think." Now that I have that time, it is precious indeed. I know you feel likewise.<br /><br />As for the surgery, I pray that God heals you quickly and gets you back on your feet. You've gotta a lotta livin' to do. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7041834369094012241.post-45989204064456200862014-04-04T08:44:26.057-06:002014-04-04T08:44:26.057-06:00Wishing you a smooth surgery and easy recovery. I ...Wishing you a smooth surgery and easy recovery. I am gallbladder-less and don't even notice it is gone except that I no longer have belly aches. You will like being on the other side. <br />Just a lovely, thoughtful post that I could relate to quite well. Arkansas Pattihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14156004753267665579noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7041834369094012241.post-36676580151616942542014-04-04T07:47:05.649-06:002014-04-04T07:47:05.649-06:00I am like you in feeling like I am a people person...I am like you in feeling like I am a people person, but one who also thrives on time to myself.<br />I enjoyed reading how you started blogging. Mine also started as a family blog and then I started really enjoying the larger blogging community.<br />I will be thinking about you today and hope the surgery goes well and that you are feeling much better soon.Jeaniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04810126999695733332noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7041834369094012241.post-35424480202107583122014-04-04T06:15:02.795-06:002014-04-04T06:15:02.795-06:00praying that your surgery goes well today. I love ...praying that your surgery goes well today. I love reading your blog post. You always share from the heart.Terri Tiffanyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07771622379178654235noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7041834369094012241.post-28905622228551161142014-04-04T06:08:28.363-06:002014-04-04T06:08:28.363-06:00I am thinking of you as you go into surgery. Your...I am thinking of you as you go into surgery. Your reflective post is lovely. I have sought moments of solitude throughout my life and I can take my mind right to such a place even in a crowd if I need to. I have to remind and prompt and sometimes even push myself to be social.Olgahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00692441479616299920noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7041834369094012241.post-22100802571482562612014-04-03T22:13:11.798-06:002014-04-03T22:13:11.798-06:00I feel the same way about our blogging community. ...I feel the same way about our blogging community. It has been a blessing to get to know you and the other Vashonistas. We never would have connected if not for our blogging. <br /><br />I'll be thinking of you tomorrow. I haven't had my gall bladder for many years and I don't miss it a bit.#1Nanahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04214011945298439939noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7041834369094012241.post-60633943357936019502014-04-03T21:03:39.316-06:002014-04-03T21:03:39.316-06:00I'll be sending positive thoughts your way tom...I'll be sending positive thoughts your way tomorrow.Linda Myershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05706455533282204519noreply@blogger.com