When Bloggers Connect

In our 7th year as blogging friends, I met up for lunch last week with Linda from Wandering Canadians.

It was our first time meeting in person – we work within the same downtown area – and it was lovely to learn more about her, what got her started on blogging, and her blogging process.

She commented on my blog first in 2020, when I blogged about our Northern Ontario roadtrip during the pandemic summer, pictured at top.

I’ve since been inspired by her travel adventures around the world over the years – most recently with a newborn!

I am thankful for Linda and the blogging community. You all have become a part of my life – and bless me with inspiration, entertainment, connection and friendship.

Thank you for being a part of life with T! 🥰

I was touched to receive a recent shoutout from a fellow blogger.

Ganga from Special Mom’s Blog nominated me for the Sunshine Blogger Award.

I enjoy and am inspired by her life as a caregiver for her son and their many adventures in nature and with cooking.

Thank you, Ganga! 🥰 I enjoyed answering your thoughtful questions.

What is the reason behind your blogging journey?

I started my blog, in December 2019, to do my part to raise awareness about FASD – which I still feel is little known and understood.

The blog has become an escape for me – and it’s a joy to connect with bloggers around the world.

I’m touched when people reach out by e-mail to say thanks for writing. It reminds me we can all do our part to shine light.

Do you share your blog with your friends and family? Are your family and friends supportive of your online presence?

My family and friends are aware of my blog – including my late Ma.

My loved ones understand my intentions and some also follow along. Even T is aware of this blog, although he couldn’t care less! 😊

In recent years, I also learned that colleagues stumbled upon my blog, as part of research related to their work. That made me smile.

Podcasts and Youtube are more popular now. Do you think you will shift platforms and abandon blogging?

I would love to create a podcast spinoff of my blog, with T when he’s older.

He is quick-witted, funny, and so creative. Such a personality, heart – and yes, mouth!

I would not abandon blogging. Writing is how I express myself.

Pictures are a great add on. Do you think without pictures blogging would be boring?

Pictures are essential to blogging and help tell a fuller story.

I’m careful to not share identifiable details of T. But enough details so that you get a sense of his spirit.

Are you a big screen or a small screen person? Given a choice of music or sports on small screen what would you watch?

My iPhone is my third limb. 🤣 I consume the news, entertainment, socials, etc. through it.

I choose music. I love how the industry has thrived in the vertical media age.

Are you a cook or a person who loves to eat?

Cooking is therapy and I look forward to Sundays when I meal prep for the week. It keeps life organized and helps me unwind.

I’m not a foodie and I eat to live, not live to eat. I enjoy simple hearty meals.

How do you find time to blog and comment on other bloggers?

The blog community is a part of my life. I look forward to time each day – on my commute to work, at the gym, or before bed – to catch up.

I find it harder now to post, with work and caregiving, but aim to post weekly.

I have a long list of blog ideas that I hope to get to. Life provides endless inspiration – but not endless time and energy! 🤣

Do you think our future generations would love to read our blogs? Since everything is digital maybe fifty or hundred years from now.

I muse about how future archaeologists will make sense of our era. With digital media, our artifacts will be at a scale larger than ancient times.

What is your best blog post?

I have a few favourites but the top one is “Sharing a Child’s Diagnosis with Them.”

It is consistently visited through Google searches and it feels good that my experience can help others seeking this info.

NOFASD Australia also shared it on their socials. I felt honored by this shoutout from a respected organization on the other side of the world.