When Bloggers Connect

Posted byAbPosted inADHD, adoption, FASD, ParentingTags:, , , ,

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 can’t believe this amazing roadtrip was 6 years ago!

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.

The first photo I posted of T on this blog. It just wonderfully captures 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.

42 thoughts on “When Bloggers Connect”

    1. If I ever do get a podcast up, you’ll have to be a guest, Gary! I would enjoy a nice long chat with you. I anticipate we’ll have lots of laughs together.

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  2. Right back at you – I’m so thankful for you and the blogging community. And it was really lovely to finally meet in person! Congrats on being nominated for the Sunshine Blogger Award. I couldn’t agree more about how pictures can help tell a fuller story. Love the idea of creating a podcast with T!

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  3. Ab, As a parent, a special ed professional, and a writer, I want to tell you how much you have taught me. Your stories of T are important for families who have a family member with FASD, and your teachings are important for all families. Everyone can see their child (or grandchild) in T. I have learned a lot about writing from reading your blogs – and I agree the photos tell so much of the story!

    I love that we have become Blogging Friends and I am looking forward to meeting you in person! We aren’t even that far from each other! Loved the interview – 😊V

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    1. Thanks for your kind words and ongoing encouragement, Vickie! 🥰 I still remember us first connecting several years ago. Your first post I read was about your award-winning veggie chili! Feels like a long time ago.

      You’ve inspired me with your advocacy for Jess and also your work as a writer and getting out there at speaking engagements and publications. All with a good humour and heart.

      And yes, I have no doubt we will meet one day. We’re practically neighbours separated by a bridge!

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    1. Thanks Belle for keeping in touch. I know you don’t blog as often but I appreciate your updates and comments. And it makes me so happy to hear the knowledge about FASD is helping your help with older students! 🥰

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  6. Meeting blog buddies is so cool. I had no idea Sunshine blog Awards were still a thing. Yes, very cool that Australia picked up that post of yours. An honor indeed, and I’m sure it was really helpful for a lot of folks. Good you, Ab!

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    1. Thanks Betsy! I haven’t seen the Sunshine Award in many years too so it was a nice surprise to see. Definitely need more sunshine in our lives and to share with the world. 😊🌞

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    1. Thanks Brian. I’m inspired by our blogging peers who can maintain a consistent podcast. It’s a lot of work but would sure be nice to do with T. Thanks for being a part of the awesome community! 😊

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  8. You’ve been blogging just a little bit longer than I, Ab. I’m 6+ years. The idea of doing a podcast appeals to me, but I suspect I will continue blogging. The one downside of podcasting is they are usually rather long which makes it impractical to listen to more than a few.

    I have also caught up with a couple of blogging friends when I traveled to the East Coast. They were as delightful as I knew they’d be. My buddy, Jim, spent the day with me as he gave me a tour of Philadelphia. I even ran the steps a la Rocky Balboa. 🤣

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    1. Thanks Pete. I’m glad we connected. 😊 I always appreciate your empathetic and wise perspective as a parent and teacher. You would do very well with a podcast, but yes, it is a lot of work!

      This was my first time meeting a WordPress blogger and it was really nice. I can imagine how your East Coast visits were delightful for you too.

      A running up the steps in Philadelphia – Rocky style – would make a very appealing clip for a podcast!

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    1. Thanks Tammy. I remember when you specifically made a comment about looking into getting a wok! Hope you have enjoyed your own cooking adventures since! 😊

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    1. Yes, Margie, we connected around the same time! And I’m so glad we did! 😊 You don’t blog as often now but I always appreciate when you poke your head into mine to say hello! Maybe one day when I visit Sudbury, I mean Sarnia, we’ll get a chance to connect!

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      2. I don’t blame you. I find the crowded urban core increasingly insufferable – and I’m typing this en route on the subway to downtown for work!

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  11. Meeting other bloggers is always fun. That way you can get to know them beyond what they write. Congratulations on seven years of blogging! While many people seem to prefer other media these days, I also still prefer blogging as it allows me to express whatever I have in mind without the limitations of social media.

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    1. Thanks Bama! 😊 There is something deeper about blogging that I enjoy over socials. One day, if you’re ever in Canada, come say hi and we’ll have lunch too!

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  12. I think you’ve summed up one of the great joys of blogging, and that is the connections we make with other people, both near and far. we share stories, and photos and art and questions and words and worries, and all that is life, messy and lovely and everything in between.

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    1. Thanks Beth! And you’ve summed it up further so nicely. Near or far, blogging breaks the geographic distance and makes sharing and connecting with others so much easier and enjoyable. 😊

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      1. Yes, Filipino bloggers unite. I seldom see them here. Do you think, most ov us are jot really into wriying blogs? I noticed even on FB that most of my friends would rather post gargantuan photos almost every day than write something worth-reading.🎊

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  15. I love your posts, Ab – and thank you for sharing Linda’s news! That is so exciting. I used to read all of her blogs and thoroughly enjoyed them. I must pop over to her blog to see how she is doing. I love blogging and the blogging community but I am struggling this year. Between having my husband home most of the time and doing a lot of reading to find permanent solutions for my health issues, it is hard to find quality blogging time. 🤷‍♀️ Have a great rest of your day, Ab!

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    1. Thanks AnneMarie. It’s amazing how we’re all connected through the blogging community. 😊 I hear ya on life getting in the way of blogging. I have the same struggle – although thankfully not health related. But it’s nice to see you making great progress and improvements with your health! 🙏

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