Why Bother?

The blogosphere seems to be going through a period of reflection and introspection, which is never a bad thing.  Terry at Abbey Roads has offered some insights which I would encourage you to read.  He lead me to think about what I write and why.

There is probably a good reason why the major Catholic bloggers haven't taken to my epistles and that's because my blog is more of a diary that I'm dumb enough to make public on a daily basis.   I'm not like them in that I don't spend a lot of time on graphics and other technical matters. Truth be told, I'm not that creative and I'm a techno klutz.   On the other hand,  Crescat has pretty pictures and comical and self-deprecating stories that involve a cat that likes to sleep on the toilet and cockroaches who disrupt the blog-owner's nap in a hammock. I read her once in awhile.  I frankly don't follow the Anchoress or Mark Shea, not because I dislike them in any way, but because there are only so many minutes in the day for me to read blogs, and I'm a bit of a creature of habit. They'll survive without me because they have oodles and oodles of readers. What I do like is reading about Kelly's family, Caroline's reflections on the saint or feast of the day, and Patricia's poetry that I hope she will one day compile into a collection of prayers.  I love Terry's creativity and sense of mischief.  Ros seems to find the most adorable depictions of Jesus with children.  I learn a lot from Kathy about homesteading. I love Richard's dry sense of humor and how we can both commiserate about bad liturgy and the beauty of the Extraordinary Form of the Mass.  There are others I've probably overlooked and I apologize.  (That's what addendums are for.)

Then there's Father Z, who most likely has the lion's share of readers. Don't assume you know what I'm going to say next based on my previous comments about Father.  Read on.

If there is a Mensa society for priests, this man should be inducted without hesitation. He is undoubtedly one of the most intellectually brilliant priests I know.  If truth be told, at least for me,  he leaves something to be desired spiritually. But, no one is perfect, certainly not me.   Father often talks about how bloggers can help other bloggers out, and I think what he means is that we should vote for his blog, as often as we can, for every award for which he's nominated, BUT   we should not expect him to reciprocate in any way because, after all, he has condescended to speak to us in the first place.  I'll never forget the time he reposted something Colbert did on The Daily Show.  Twenty people posted. I was number 21.  Immediately following my comment was his complaint that his blog was being dumbed down, because no one commented on some thesis he posted earlier (that no one without a PhD in philosophy could decipher anyway) but 21 people commented on Colbert.  Still, although the man either insults or completely ignores me, he's like a stopped clock in that at least twice a day he posts something I find useful or of interest.  I actually think it must be very lonely to be as smart and culturally enriched as Father is.  Like the Goldfinches he complains about, he can drive me nuts but he often has worthwhile information.  So I treat him like the eccentric microbiology prof I had in college who acted like she was going to catch a disease if  we  spoke to her after class but who gave us an education that was priceless.  The insulting part almost becomes amusing.  Almost.

For awhile, I contemplated going to Rome and just letting the blog die a slow death, especially after the vitriol experienced on Labor Day,  but I've met some people who really are precious to me, so while I'm not going to win any awards or rack up stats, I can continue the friendships and exchange words of encouragement along the journey.

I was trying to think of a new name for the blog.  Story of a Fool keeps popping up for some reason, but I think I'll stick with The Little Way.

ADDENDUM (TOLD YA THERE WOULD BE ONE)
How could I forget Anne at Imprisoned in My Bones or Theresa at Carmelitemom?  But I did, and these are also daily reads for me, as well as new friend Allision at Totus Tuus Family.  You cannot help but be put at peace when you click on Theresa's blog because of the beautiful chant that greets you.  And never a word of malice from any of these folks, including those noted above.  God Bless!