The Apples in My Orchard

8 responses to “When Blogging Gets Hard”

1. 

   Jennifer Floyd, Ed.D.

   April 27, 2020

   I agree that there are times when blogging can definitely be hard. I loved hearing about all of your hobbies and I need to check out your Etsy shop!
   Have you ever checked out the Teach Write community? I joined the weekly writing group a little over a year ago and there’s a wonderful Facebook page. I don’t know why I haven’t shared this with you before because I think you’d enjoy this group!

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   1. 

      theapplesinmyorchard

      April 27, 2020

      Thanks so much, Jennifer! I will check it out. I kind of feel like I hit a wall – although I still gain followers weekly. Some of my family still does not read my blog – claiming they do not have the time – this continues to be a source of disappointment. I also have found a return to sewing (to make masks)really enjoyable, which would mean yet another hobby! Maybe, I am just spread too thing and need to prioritize! Thanks for stopping by and again, for the group recommendation. Take Care.

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2. 

   M.B. Henry

   April 27, 2020

   It definitely feels hard sometimes, even when there isn’t a pandemic going on! I didn’t know you had so many other wonderful hobbies, especially making jewelry that is so cool!

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   1. 

      theapplesinmyorchard

      April 28, 2020

      Thanks! Yes, I am busy! Maybe, that is part of my problem! Good to hear from you! I hope you are well!

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3. 

   Tim Gels

   April 27, 2020

   Blogging (or any kind of writing) is hard to do consistently (as is evidenced by the fact that you do it so much more often than I do!), and your dedication to the written word is certainly commendable. And, I should say, I certainly appreciate your consistency since I like reading your work!

   Something you said in this post resonated with me: “Maybe, it is because there are things I would like to write about that will not be well received.” There are many times, here in my north Alabama teaching community, when I know my words–should I write them–would not be well received. I’d lose friends, or, well, at least the friendly collegiality of fellow educators in my geographical community. That’s a hard reality, driven mostly by the social and political climate we live in today.

   Thanks for doing what you do!

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   1. 

      theapplesinmyorchard

      April 28, 2020

      Tim, thanks so much for your kind words and support. What is the saying? “Anything worth doing is hard?” It’s something like that. I am not contemplating giving up my blog but sometimes wish to write more “hard” content. You picked up on my reticence about writing what would not be well received. I’ve either got to develop a very hard shell or just not address those issues. It is becoming easier as my youngest graduates next month from HS and the K-12 educational system will not have as much personal impact on me or my children. However, that said, I have always advocated for students as a whole and there are some definite issues that still need to be addressed in the world of education. But, like you said, at the very least I would loose some of the teacher friends that have always included me as one of their own. It’s a hard pill to swallow. I am going to try and focus on some other aspects of writing – first by signing up for a webinar offered by a successful local author. I think the distraction from my blog and wanting it to be something other than it is will do me some good.

      I hope you are well! Take care. And, thanks again! I am happy to know you enjoy my work!

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      1. 

         Tim Gels

         May 2, 2020

         Is four days slow for a reply? I think so–my apologies! (It seems like the last few weeks have been spent apologizing for slow replies; thank goodness I wasn’t this busy during Slice month!)
         Though I haven’t replied, I have been thinking about your response to my comment. These are difficult times–obviously–but this contentious climate isn’t a new one. It’s been brewing for quite a while now. For you (and me, I hope), it’s made even more difficult though because you think before you speak; you don’t just shoot off a sentence or two off the cuff.
         One of things that I’m hesitant to put into writing (unless it’s buried in the comments of someone else’s blog) is that I’m constantly amazed by the lack of critical thinking by so many educators. Just wow.
         I do enjoy your work and am glad to hear you’re going to keep it up. That said, I’m certainly interested to see where you’d go next!

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      2. 

         theapplesinmyorchard

         May 4, 2020

         Well, I am worse at replying lately. I know that and just responded to a few people that left comments almost a week ago. I don’t know why but I am definitely responding slower thest days. In any case, thanks for still writing a comment. Yes, I agree with you that the tensions in the educational environments have existed for a while. And, yes, we all need to think before we speak. However, when I am listening to something/someone spout things that are not student centered – let’s say in a committee meeting to which I go as a member, it gets hard to reign it in. But, I do. And, then when I finally speak, I am trying to combine so many thoughts at once in an impassioned way that I tend to not verbalize well. What bothers me the most is how many have blinders on and/or are caught up in the bureacracy of the systems – then, the students loose out. It is irritating, but unrecognized by many. Thanks, again!

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