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December 15, 2013
by Patti Singleton 25 Comments

EDDD 15; Gift Of The Thingy In The Top Corner and Comment Courtesy

My WP notification thingy (technical term) is not working properly and so I am going back to old posts to see who I’ve missed. So sorry, if I missed your comment. Especially frustrating (and funny), considering my post (http://wp.me/p3i5jo-j4) about comments! In the top right-hand corner of your blog page is “New Post” then an icon that lights up when you have a new comment from one of your posts. That’s the “notification thingy” I’m referring to. Right? I forget how long it took me to figure that out. I used to open each blog post to look for and reply to comments. Once I realized that the icon became red when I had a new comment, I never went back to my old procedure.

Earlier today, I opened a recent post to copy something from it, and I noticed a comment that didn’t have my reply under it. Weird. Then I noticed another one. I checked to see if there was a red “2” under my site title on the top left; nope, then I opened “Comments” in the dashboard, and they were highlighted here. But the other unanswered comments that I found were NOT highlighted in the dashboard comment section. As I opened and checked my previous posts, I found one or two unanswered comments in almost every post this month and some in November. Sheesh! So, there I was writing a post about comment courtesy, when I was a culprit myself! How embarrassing.

Okay, I’m over it. I laughed at myself, cussed WordPress, and replied to my errant comments. I stopped looking by the mid-November posts, because I think I got them all. If I didn’t, I sincerely apologize for this mess. I value each and every person in this community. Looking back at all those posts was really good for boosting my I-am-loved level. You people are incredible supporters! My photos, writing, grieving and happiness have enough value and meaning that you all chime in to encourage and cheer. This was like a gift wasn’t it?

I have to consider that this “gift”/glitch that made me look back at the wonderful comments, may not have been an accident. Was it the universe telling me to wake up and smell the roses in my life? The roses being YOU and YOU and YOU. Was I being told to un-snag myself from the thorns on the lower branches and make my way to the beauty at the top of each branch? And how about the writing and photos that I shared? Basically, once I shared them with you, I was done with them. I remember the feeling of racing to get them posted and then…I never looked at them again.

The thingy in the top corner would light up and I’d reply right there, without ever returning to the post itself. Hmmm. I think I need to stop using the thingy! Duh. It took more time, but I got a lot of happiness out of looking at the old posts, photos and comments. I’m a convert! Amazing lessons and gifts show up in the funniest places. Like in a glitch, in the thingy, in the top corner.

Here’s a photo from yesterday’s beach adventure. I look forward to seeing and enjoying it many times, as I reply to your comments:>)

Bubbles on beach stones. Lots of foam on beach today, like someone added too much soap to the wash load. I suppose that is about what it is. Human pollution? A real life conundrum; enjoy the beauty that is probably a result of pollution?

Bubbles on beach stones. Lots of foam on beach yesterday, like someone added too much soap to the wash load. I suppose that is about what it is. Human pollution? A real life conundrum; enjoy the beauty that is probably a result of pollution? PHALL PHOTO 2013

Referring to yesterday’s health info post, here is a link to a very good set of forms for family medical info :http://www.miamihealth.com/downloads/FamilyMedicalHistoryForm.pdf

“See” you soon and hope you find time to look at your own previous posts,

Patti

Every Damn Day? Who’s idea was this anyway?

From writing challenge Every Damn Day December at http://treatmentofvisions.com/2013/11/26/evdadadec/

December 9, 2013
by Patti Singleton 33 Comments

EDDD 9; Do You Have Any Comments on Commenting?

Here’s my own horoscope for today, written by me. You will continue to sleep sporadically, which allows you to have active friendships online with people all over the world. You will add to some (FB & blog) conversations, dropping helpful links, opinions, ideas and names as you can. You will take away helpful links, names, ideas and be grateful for your growing circle of creative business and personal friendships. You WILL get those dishes done (yep). You will write and edit one story (1/2 yep). Don’t forget Every Damn Day December before midnight:>)

Sunset begins at Brady’s Oysters and the Elk River Bridge, outside of Westport, Wa.
PHALL PHOTO 2013

READING COMMENTS:

After reading a well written, verrrry long article in an online journal earlier today, I began to wonder if others do as I do when reading online. I read the article or post, and form my opinions and thoughts about it as I go along. Next, I read about the author, and then I start in on the comments.

Sometimes, I learn more from the comments than I did from the article/post. I learn about making assumptions and jumping to conclusions. Those comments often help me think differently. Sometimes the comments sway my initial opinion, but usually they help me make a more thoughtful comment of my own, and give me a fuller understanding of the topic. And sometimes I get an “ah ha” moment, when a point is brought up that I never even considered.

It is obvious from reading the comments, that not everyone reads the previously written comments before posting their own. When several people ask the same question, it can get irritating. I scroll past those that are written from a soap box. Unless it gets out of hand and becomes a personal attack, I usually enjoy a good back and forth discussion/argument.

My biggest pet peeve is when I see that all the comments are floating in the ether, because the author of the article/post is not responding at all. Even that can turn out okay if the readers interact with each other, but that doesn’t often happen. If the author is too busy to respond to their readers/audience, how about just turning off the comment option?

What do you think about comments? Do you have a “system” for reading and commenting? Do you think authors should reply to the comments that their writing generates? We’d love to know what you think.

Peace,

Patti

From writing challenge at Every Damn Day December http://treatmentofvisions.com/2013/11/26/evdadadec/

And sunset ends at Bonge Beach, Westport, Wa.
PHALL PHOTO 2013

July 9, 2013
by Patti Singleton 24 Comments

I Made A Mistake; 2 Mistakes, Really

Header of THE WRITE PLACE

Below Header, front page of THE WRITE PLACE

These are not Hollywood or politician mistakes. After all, no one caught me red-handed and forced a confession (or pointless denial). I haven’t ruined my reputation, let down my fans or lost constituency votes.

One mistake has to do with being a newbie at website building, the other is about actual content. Both mistakes are based on what I ASSUMED–making an ASS out of U and ME :>)

Business (Writing) vs Personal

In my last post I included information about why I would be absent for a day or two (an assumption that I have some huge readership that would even notice). Explaining the why details of my absence was another mistake.

I initiated this website to build a community of like-minded readers and writers who would exchange support and information on the path to publishing books. What they call a writer’s platform, is a #1 must-have for anyone publishing in this new computer based world; whether traditional or self-published, you must have an established following online.

I knew that I could do my part in supporting fellow writers and welcoming readers; although I am a cave girl/hermit/beach gypsy I am a great anonymous hostess. That is because I feel deeply. This is no marketing ploy, it is who I am.

Off-Line Family and Friends (F/F)

That said, I also maintain an e-mail bloggish kind of thing that is sent semi-regularly to my little circle of family and friends. My intention was to keep personal stuff on the F/F e-mails only. It’s tough to maintain that when a lot of my writing includes my personal life. All that to say: I intend to get back to my initial intention and keep details of my “real” F/F off this site. It’s not that they mind at all. And it’s not just the mention, but there are aspects of my family’s life that I do want to keep off this public venue. Nothing mysterious, just not for public consumption.

Viewpoints

Now, onto my other assumption mistake. I was blown away to see what my blog site looks like on my aunt’s pc and my daughter’s smart phone. My aunt can only see 2 columns and the smart phone only shows one. You can see in the pics above, what I thought everyone was seeing (3 columns with header). Big difference, huh? So, now I get to do some homework and see if there is a wordpress “theme” (template) that will work better for everyone who views this site. I also know that browsers make a difference, so I will explore that too. I use the Google Chrome browser, so I will check out IE, foxfire, and others. I am growling over this, since I have spent the past 3+ months building my little cyber home.

Comments and “likes”

I got to see firsthand why some can’t comment on or like my blog posts. You do have to sign up with wordpress, but you only have to give your e-mail addy and make a password. That is good, because it gives one level of security to my site. Sorry for the hassle though. I can’t remember what you click on, but you’ll know it when you see it…scroll down to the place that says “log in” “RSS” etc and it is there. When you get to the WordPress page it looks like you have to make a blog, but you don’t. On the right is part of a sentence that is colored (hyperlinked) and says something like, “I want to sign on without building a blog page”, click that, put in your e-addy and a password and you’re in! I went through this process with my aunt, but forgot to take notes.

I will add the word you click on as soon as I get it from someone who is not on wordpress :>)

If you have wordpress website or browser advice I would love to hear/read it.

Please add comments, questions or “like” if you are able to.

Patti