Monday, January 21, 2013

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? 

26 comments:

  1. I love that you have your blog in books. I need to do that, too. If we meet this summer, maybe we could discuss what site you use to do that, hassle, etc.

    I'm not your mother, but I will miss you! (However, my busy play season is about to begin and that means a lot less time to read and much shorter posts!) Enjoy the music--and I will look forward to catching up!

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    1. Thanks, Mrs. E. The blog books aren't fancy, but at least they gather the words and photos together in hard-copy form. I use blog2print. There aren't many options for books that do the compiling for you, which makes it easier to do. I've enjoyed getting to "know" you, too!

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  2. I'll definitely miss your posts & look forward to seeing them again. Through your posts, I maintain another connection to the place where I grew up & the people who shaped me into the person I am today.

    Have a good vacation.

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    1. Thanks, Debora! I appreciate hearing from you and sharing that connection.

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  3. I, also, really enjoy your blog!!! Gives me a little piece of home every morning :) I hope you enjoy your vacay...you will be missed!

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    1. You are so sweet, Sybil! I'm glad to hear that it's like a message from home. Blessings to you and yours!

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  4. Your blog is wonderful, your own work of art - and will be enjoyed by everyone tremendously whenever you pick it up again!! Enjoy!!

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  5. Dear Kim, This is a wonderful post and I am pleased you are taking a blog vaca, but will miss your posts and photos of Kansas. Have a wonderful time off. God bless you for blogging such lovely, insightful, inspirational words and photos. You really are a true blessing to me and so many others, I am sure. Cathy Latta

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    1. Thanks for being a faithful reader, Cathy, and for such nice comments. Blessings to you, too!

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  6. Kim,

    Congratulations on 3 years of blogging! Your Children and Grandkids will LOVE that you put your blog posts in book formation. It is something I should think about too.

    There is nothing wrong with a blogcation. You will come back refreshed and full of great stories, new ideas and pictures. I have to remind myself to LIVE and blog about it not blog to live.

    It's hard to admit, but a lot of times the Hubby is right. Enjoy your break!

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    1. I know you understand, Robyn! Randy will be glad to hear he's right!

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  7. Kim:
    I learned about your blog after our Basketball reunion in Manhattan. Now your blog is the first thing I read when on the computer each evening. I have really enjoyed the stories about your grandparents, parents, children and granddaughter. Cindy

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    1. That's so nice to hear, Cindy. Thanks for making the County Line a place you visit each day.

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  8. Kim, I don't make it to your blog everyday but I certainly enjoy each one I've read or seen. Sometimes someone will say somthing that I missed so, I go back and read and enjoy that blog. Do have a good blog-vacation, just know, your neighbor will miss you. I'm trying the cheesy potato soup soon.

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    1. Thank you, neighbor. This is definitely soup weather, so I hope you enjoy it!

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  9. Thanks, Kim, for accurately depicting the true nature of the challenges and joys of life on the farm/ranch, sharing your photography and recipes, and gracing us with your faithful witness! I look forward to following your blog again when you return--refreshed, inspired, and full of new tales of life in this wonderful flyover state. Take care!

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    1. That's definitely what I hope to accomplish, so thank you for that affirmation! I sincerely appreciate it.

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  10. I have lived through your words and especially your pictures for the past couple of years. Now that we are living near you "county line" I aften see the exact pictures that you show the world! Thank you for all that you do! Have fun during your new obligations, and know that we all are "like your mom" we await your new stories and posts! :)

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    1. Thanks, Michelle. We are so glad you and your family are back in the neighborhood. (I really enjoy your daughter in choir! You should be very proud!)

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  11. What a great idea for getting your blog put in book format! I'm proud of you for taking a break :) It's defintely a struggle to not let your blog control you and feel like you need to post regularly for people to stick around. But you should blog becasue it makes you happy and you enjoy it not with the goal of getting readership. Because that will fall into place on it's own.

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    1. I use Blog2Print, just in case you're interested. It's not a fancy book, but I do like having it in hardcopy, just in case! I agree with your assessment about blogging, but I find it hard to find that balance.

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  12. Hardheaded! I am with you there, lol. My hubby is always mad at me because that small(or overwhelming) bit of OCD I have takes over. When you return, you will be refreshed and we will all be anxious to read.

    This time is all about you! Have fun!!

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    1. I am definitely there with you on the control issues and probably a bit of OCD myself. As I said, it's more me putting pressure on myself than anything else. Just one of those personality ticks! I'm glad someone else can relate!

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