Hear the Music Before the Song Is Over

When you hurry through your day, 

it is like an unopened gift, thrown away.

 Life is not a race. Take it slower. 

Obviously, there are races in life, but the race isn't the most important thing.

Hear the music before the song is over.

 

My first post on Kim's County Line was January 24, 2010. In some ways, I can't believe it's been three years. In other ways, it seems like it's been forever. For awhile, I posted six days a week and then backed off to five weekly posts. The grand total? I've published 789 blog posts (breaking it down: 265 in 2010; 261 in 2011; 250 in 2012 and Lucky 13 so far in 2013).

Each quarter, I've published the blog posts and photos into hardcover books. I didn't want to lose all that work and the family history if the internet some day decided to eat Kim's County Line for lunch. The 12 books make a pile more than 8 inches high.

Since January 2010, I've never taken more than a day or two "blog-cation." Even when we were on the road to visit Mount Rushmore or to see the sights at Yellowstone or to visit Brent when he was in South Carolina or to play with Kinley in Topeka, I worked feverishly to get ahead on blog entries so that I would continue to post daily. 

And when I think about it, I've decided that the blog has controlled me more than I've controlled the blog. While my husband loves that I am sharing our story as one Kansas farm family, he's asked me on more than one occasion to take a break when we're traveling or have another obligation. 

I'm hardheaded. That will come as a great shock to those of you who truly know me. OK, quit laughing: I know that my friends and family aren't at all surprised by that self-analysis. 

The funny part is that I am certainly no Pioneer Woman in terms of blog followers or readers. Nobody's day is going to fall apart if I don't post a blog entry. I am under no illusion that anyone (besides my Mom - thanks, Mom!) is waiting to see what I have to say on any given day. But I also know that consistency builds readership. Anyone who writes publicly who says they don't want their stuff to be read is just not being honest. 

However, this time, I'm listening to Randy. I'm taking some time off to fulfill another obligation. I'm taking a blog-vacation. I'm going to take to heart that little quote I found not long ago on someone's Facebook page. I'm going to "Hear the music before the song is over."

I'll be back with lots more stories from my little piece of the world straddling the Stafford/Reno County line. So, don't forget about me. OK?