Monday, January 25, 2016

Happy 4th Anniversary, FOL!

by Terri



We are about to mark what is a momentous occasion for us here at FOL. Four years ago on January 30 our first post went live. We were all so excited to begin! We had been in the planning stages for months and now we were finally ready.  This post is my 104th! Wow, who would have thought when we began that we would still be here? Some who started with us have gone and some new faces have appeared over the past four years but some things haven’t changed. We still are here on an almost daily basis wanting to connect with you, our readers, and talk about things of interest to all of us.  Those things have ranged from raising kids to growing older, from photography to gardening and cooking.

In going back to the beginning to see exactly how many posts I had written, I saw so many that I wanted to stop and read again. My favorite posts are usually those about my family and there are stories here that don’t exist anywhere else so they are precious to me and I am so glad I have them recorded here, to come back to and reread and to read the readers’ comments again which so many times amplified or validated what I had to say. It is one of the beautiful things about photography and writing together – the preservation of stories. And you need both. Just a photo isn’t enough. You need words too. These were a few favorites that I took the time to reread:

And in addition to rereading my posts, I read the comments and they warmed my heart all over again. Over the past four years, I feel personally that I have had many successes as far as blog posts go – ones where I felt I really reached people – and some that just kind of bombed. I guess, as my FOL sister Dotti says, we can’t hit it out of the ballpark every time. :-)

Have you noticed at the bottom of each post where it says “You might also like:"?


They usually refer to other posts by the same writer or posts with similar subject matter. When I see one pop up there that I remember and want to read again, it’s so easy to just click on that little square and it takes me right back. Give it a try sometime! You might find an old favorite or something you missed the first time around.

So happy 4th anniversary, FOL! As we begin our fifth year, I know my FOL sisters will join me in telling all of our readers how much we appreciate your visiting and commenting and we hope you will keep coming back. You are why we are here. You are why we show up each day and write from our hearts. You are who keep this blog going. Thank you for the past four years and we hope you’ll stick around for more. We love having you along for the ride!



 

13 comments:

Focusing on Life said...

HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY SISTERS! I am grateful every day that I fell into this. It has brought me art, and travel, and friendships with women who have so much to offer the world. The process of putting writing and photography together is meditation and intuitive, and expansive. It brings me peace and excitement at the same time. I'm glad I met you FOL!

Dotti said...

Happy Anniversary to us! It has been quite a ride and I'm so glad I didn't miss it. I'd like to say thank you to the other four FOL Sisters who have been with Terri and me since we began this journey together in 2012. Carol Albers, Leigh Love, Linda Owens and Deanna Swauger are charter members of this group. Kelly Ishmael and Judy Salcedo have been with us for so long, it feels like they are charter members. And to those who have come and gone - Thank you all, each and everyone. I love you all! I should mention that Claudia Wrightson was also part of the start up team with Terri and me so a thank you to Claudia as well for helping us get this show on the road!

Irina Kolosovskaya said...

Happy Anniversary and best wishes! :))

AFishGirl said...

Happy anniversary to you all. I'm so thankful to have this place to visit and take in all the goodness, the photographs, the writing, the reflecting, the inspiration, the things that give me pause and I mull them over as the day unfolds. After my oatmeal, this is where I come each morning. Thank you, so very much. Celebrate today, for sure.

kelly said...

it has been such a gift to be a part of FOL. to share in each other's joy and to also share in life's frustrations. and to be inspired - both photographically but also in life. I'm so grateful for this little corner of the interwebs and for this family.

Unknown said...

So excited to be here with you ladies and wishing you another great year :-)

Cathy H. said...

I've been reading FOL from the very first post and can't begin to tell you how much you've inspired me these last four years. Coming here is one of the first things I do each morning. Oh, and remember the gift certificate from Adorama I won through your give-a-way? I purchased my 50mm lens. Your generosity helped take my photography to another level. Thanks to each of you for sharing your lives with us! Happy Anniversary!!

Lisa said...

Congratulations! I've enjoyed reading here and contributing to the Flickr group. Looking forward to reading more of your posts.

Anonymous said...

Happy Anniversary FOL!
Im not really sure but I think Ive been following of and on ...(depending on my schedule) for about 2 yrs and I cherish every single post! All of the wonderful photos, posts about life in general means a lot to me! Though I have only met in person one former FOL member Kim Stevens and her playful personality, pink hair and love of butterflies, she has encouraged me, inspired me and lead me to this Blog that I look forward to every single day! Thanks for sharing and have a wonderful day!

Unknown said...

Wow... no way 4 years :) Well done and what a great platform you have! I love the new winter banner!!

Bravo to you all...and hugs too!

Deanna said...

I am one of the lucky ones that has been here all 4 years and what a great 4 years it has been. I can't begin to express my gratitude for this experience of being a part of this community of unbelievable women. Happy Birthday and may we have many, many more!!

Carol said...

Well 4years, and I still haven't learned! tHat first focusingonlife icon comment is me! -Carol So know those are my words of love

kybarb said...

Happy anniversary ladies of FOL! I can't believe it's been 4 years since we all met taking photography classes with Tracey Clark! I look forward to your post every day, love learning, and growing with you all! Thank you!

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