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Friday 13 October 2017

I Hear The Train A-Comin' . . .

Just two items today, since I'm pushing up against the craft sale deadline here, one of the items making up the choo-choo of frantic activity in which I am engaged each year from September to December.

***

First, a blogging problem.

I am a procrastinator, although I try to counteract that by using schedules and deadlines. Knowing this, I decided when I started this blog to have a set posting schedule here, too. Mondays and Fridays are my days to post. I'm pleased to say I've never missed one.

But last Monday's post, although written and published, didn't reach some of you who have kindly signed on to receive my drivel automatically. I noticed on a number of blogs--those with a sidebar showing the most recent post--that it had not appeared. On further checking with a friend, this sad fact was confirmed.

I'm not sure what the problem was; it might have been that I edited a couple of errors in the post immediately after it published. I don't know how these things work. Does it take some time for the post to make its way around the world? Are the internet's series of tubes clogged?

If my editing wasn't the issue, I fear there may be a problem with my Blogger account.

Has this ever happened to you?

Anyway, if it's Monday or Friday and you haven't received my post, there's a jagged fracture (or a huge clog, same result) in the internet, or in the blogging world, or at least in my Blogger account. You can always check my blog directly to find the post instead:
https://procrastinatingdonkey.blogspot.ca/

***

And I want to recommend a book I just finished. It's not a recent one, and it was much acclaimed when it was published (and also won the Pulitzer Prize for Biography/Autobiography), so perhaps you've heard of it: The Year of Magical Thinking, by Joan Didion. It tells the story of the first year after the sudden death of Didion's husband. For more, you can go HERE.

I knew this would happen. As soon as I want to talk about a book I've read, I run out of words. Seriously, my word bank just dries up. This is why I don't write reviews. But the link above will cover the material in the book nicely. And I really only wanted to add that I found it very moving, I found it very familiar (grief is grief, no matter what relationship is under discussion), and I felt relieved--as I tend to do--to find out I was not alone in my reactions to grief.

***

And why was I reading when I have a craft sale deadline? Because procrastination, that's why.



That's it, plus a picture:

This dear little deer was caught on camera looking in our basement window last week. It was one of two fawns who, with their mother, were having a snack in our back yard in broad daylight.


Happy weekend, all!

 



48 comments:

Elephant's Child said...

I have read, and was very moved by The Year of Magical Thinking. As you say, grief is grief. I don't think we ever get over it, it changes us, and we need time to come to terms with the person who remains.
I LOVE your deer photo - and wish you luck with your craft sale creations.

River said...

Such a sweet little fawn.
I'm a procrastinator too, often leaving the housework until five minutes before I expect company.

LL Cool Joe said...

Although the book looks very interesting it would just be too depressing for me read at the moment.

What a dear little deer, well they look dear until they start eating all the flowers out of the plant pots!

Chicken said...

Hi Jenny-that has happened to me and it is a blogger issue. I got your post, but maybe it's because I'm on WordPress? I switched from Blogger a few years back after my whole blog roll disappeared and I was seeing delays with my posts going live. I doubt it was your editing. I literally find mistakes and edit everything the minute it posts. It doesn't matter how many times I've read it, I still discover something right after it's live that I have to correct. Then again, maybe that is it! Hmmm. I have heard of that book. I might even have read it-I'm going to have to check it out and see. Have you ever read "What Remains" by Carole Radziwell? It is a memoir about a woman who lost her husband to cancer and her best friend (Caroline Bessette Kennedy) in a plane crash within the space of a few weeks. Sad but beautiful.

Starting Over, Accepting Changes - Maybe said...

I faintly remember reading this book.

I think most people writing on Blogger have problems publishing at times. Then something “magical” happens and it is OK again.

Getting a picture of a deer looking in your window is another “magical” moment.

Steve Reed said...

I don't think the editing would delay the appearance of your blog post in people's sidebars. I often edit my posts within an hour or so after I first post them, and it's never been a problem for me. I think Blogger, for some reason, just doesn't always make the connections required to update the sidebars of blog followers. Not sure why this happens -- or more accurately, doesn't happen.

Love the deer!

And I loved "The Year of Magical Thinking" as well. Joan Didion is a terrific writer. Her "Slouching Towards Bethlehem" book is one of my all-time favorites.

Red said...

I lost a post recently. It just says draft and I haven't found how to get it back. Sometimes blogger doesn't work very well.

Janie Junebug said...

That little deer is a dear. The photo is adorable. Sometimes blogs disappear from my blog roll and I don't know why. Occasionally, I have to sign up to follow them again. People have also told me that my blog posts don't always show up. Blogger is often a mystery. I love The Year of Magical Thinking. It's heartbreakingly beautiful. Joan Didion is a brilliant writer.

Love,
Janie

37paddington said...

that has definitely happened to me with blogger. sometimes it just stops updating for some reason. i never know why.

Jimmy said...

The internet and the blogging platform can be confusing especially when something doesn't work properly, I don't have an answer for your snag though...sorry.

That deer looking in the window is really neat, I love seeing these animals up close.

Marie Smith said...

The deer is a dear. Great capture!

I loved that book as well and recommended it to a number of friends. It captured my mother's experience for sure. Have a great weekend!

jenny_o said...

I always thought a person would get over grief and life would go back to normal. After my father died, I couldn't figure out how that was supposed to happen. Then you commented--here or perhaps elsewhere--what you've said above. It was a light bulb moment for me, and I've been so thankful for your insight.

Ah . . . the crafts. Now there's a crisis of my own making . . .

jenny_o said...

Housework is fertile ground for my procrastinating ways too, River :)

jenny_o said...

I understand, Joey. There are certain books I can't bring myself to read for the same reason. With time, sometimes that changes, sometimes it doesn't.

I agree about the deer--and they go after the rhododendrons, too!

jenny_o said...

Hmm, interesting. I'm glad it's not just me. Just to be safe, I'll probably not do any immediate edits from now on. But the errors bother me :) (whiny voice)

I will have to check into "What Remains" - thanks for the tip.

jenny_o said...

There's good magical and then there's the other kind, right? ha ha

jenny_o said...

Maybe there's a glitch when Blogger is doing updates or something similar. As long as I know it's a general thing it doesn't bother me as much!

I'll check into "Slouching Towards Bethlehem" - I'm glad you mentioned it as I looked at the list of books she's written and wasn't sure if the rest would be as good or if it was the subject matter that connected with me.

jenny_o said...

I don't feel so bad now; several readers have commented on problems with Blogger. I've never lost a post (yet) and I'm definitely not looking forward to having that happen.

jenny_o said...

This is really the first trouble I've had with Blogger in over a year and a half, but I'm relieved to find it's not uncommon. And I'll just carry on and hope for the best, I guess :)

I think I'll be looking for more of Joan Didion's books.

jenny_o said...

This is getting to be a common theme here. I think it surprised me because I haven't had problems up to this point.

jenny_o said...

I don't feel as confused now that I find so many other people have had issues. I thought it might just be something I was doing :)

That deer really has huge ears, doesn't he (or she)? I like seeing wild animals up close too, as long as I'm safe from harm, or skunk spray - which you'd know about - hah!

jenny_o said...

Thank you, Marie! And I'm keeping that book in mind as a recommendation for others as well. For a reader, a good book can be very helpful.

Jono said...

I'm thinking the Russians have been hacking again, but then it could just be that Blogger is quirky thing with rules it makes up as it goes along.
Will you be bringing the deer indoors when the weather gets bad?

Joanne Noragon said...

Everything blogger happens on the dashboard. That is the extent of my expertise. The deer is just too ampromorphicable!

Mr. Shife said...

Happy weekend, jenny_o. Best of luck with the craft deadline and thanks for the book recommendation.

only slightly confused said...

Don't you just wonder what is going through that little guys head as he gazes through your window?

jenny_o said...

Hahaha! NO.

(If it was just one, maybe; but the neighbourhood is full of them!)

jenny_o said...

Yes, but the dashboard is connected to the Series Of Tubes :)

jenny_o said...

Thankya, Mr. S :)

jenny_o said...

He couldn't see me; I had the camera going around a door frame and was watching him on the camera screen. So, yes, I WAS wondering what he was thinking - such a pensive face! On the other hand, if he had seen me, I'd have known what he was thinking because he'd be leaving in a hurry :)

Martha said...

Aw, what a sweet critter! "Got food?" S/he'll take whatever goodies you have to offer :)

I have read that book! It was a long time ago but it has stuck with me. It was very good.

baili said...

Sorry for the blogger problem dear Jenny!

hope it will be fixed soon.
sometime when laptop is occupied by my younger son i have to peek into my blogging world through my smart phone and than i remain unable to see the side bar where the list of my friends blogger exists .
in past i used to face some problem while posting and publishing but then it was gone automatically by the time or in some weeks .

This cute guy look familiar isn't it .

Once you shared his pic which was taken in snowy day if this is the same .

best wishes to your crafting!

baili said...

thank you for link the book sounds really compelling with little sad theme

kylie said...

The deer is adorable!
I don't know the book and I suppose i don't know grief either, I don't think I have ever been changed by loss, I have not yet had a huge loss.

e said...

So right about grief and how it changes a person, sometimes in ways they may not see...Good luck with your crafts project.

jenny_o said...

S/he is standing right beside the rhododendron which will become food any day now :)

jenny_o said...

You have a good memory, baili! That is the same deer (or at least the same size of deer) that I posted in the snow awhile ago! I can't really tell them apart :)

Thank you for your good wishes!

jenny_o said...

It is a good book but you're right, the subject matter is sad. I identified with so much of what she said. That's probably why I liked it so much.

jenny_o said...

Yes, he's adorable . . . until my rhododendron gets chewed up :)

You're lucky not to have experienced a huge loss. I hope you never have to.

jenny_o said...

So true, e. And thank you.

Alex (The Vegan Travel Bug) said...

That's pretty amazing with the deer. They're usually so nervous! I guess this one is used to people. Or maybe really likes you :) I haven't read that book but I should ask my mom if she has it. She practically has a library at home...haha...

dinthebeast said...

Sorry for the late comment, but the internet wasn't working right for a couple of days, and when it came back up I was glued to the fire maps of Santa Rosa and Windsor where my sister and my friend Brenda live.
As of right now they both look OK, but my sister's house is right on the edge. She's OK, though, they evacuated Wednesday, I think.
So beings that I can't even maintain a serviceable internet connection, I don't feel like I have anything useful to say about the Blogger platform...

-Doug in Oakland

Terry said...

Hi Jenny, i clicked on the link above and found it to be a fascinating story. I'll have to look for the book in our library. It's definitely something I'd like to read if I get the chance.

jenny_o said...

A library at home - why does that not surprise me?! Thanks for coming by, Alex!

jenny_o said...

The fires are frightening. I've been reading about stories of survivors and the trauma will be with them for a long time. All the best to your sister and your friend, as well as everyone else in the path of danger.

jenny_o said...

I hope you can find it, Terry. She's a well-known author so you likely can.

Janie Junebug said...

I've been blogging since December, 2009. I think it's inevitable to have problems with Blogger at some point.

jenny_o said...

Eight years! You're way ahead of me. You must have gotten in on the ground floor, as they say :)