A look back: my first year of blogging

Posted on February 21, 2011 by Huffygirl

"You had a good run Grandma"

It’s been just about a year since I started Huffygirl’s Blog, so naturally it’s time for some reflection. I started my blog mid February 2010 when I was spending way too much time home alone, and feeling a need to do something new and creative. I wrote six posts and was ecstatically excited about every single one. I badgered everyone I knew to read them and give me feedback. (Sorry, obliging friends and family.) My original thought was to write about health and wellness, and help people everywhere overcome their health demons. That idea was okay, but it seemed that not that many people were interested in reading about all the things they should be doing for their health, but probably were not. But then one day I cleaned my self-cleaning oven, all the while with a satirical script running through my head, and the Satire Friday category was born. Suddenly, I had much more to write about, as a chance to satirize my life lay at my fingertips. Since then I’ve branched out into other categories: Random Thoughts and Personal Rants, which are exactly what they sound like; Exercise and Fitness, fueled by my

"Funny, you don't look a day over...."

own journey to improve my cardiovascular fitness level; HuffyHow, inspired by my discovery of how to get tulips to stand up straight in a vase, Plinky Prompts, short stories written in response to a topic assigned by Plinky, Nature, to cover my interests in gardening and birds, and Food, because we all have to eat, so why not make it interesting?

Just like all things in life, some blogs turned out great and some, not so much. Here’s the highlights of the year in review.

Worst blog ever: Senate Bill 2274, McCain-Logan. I wrote this as if it had been plucked fresh off the front page of The Onion, my favorite, made-up, satirical news source, but most people DID NOT GET IT. It was inspired by a report on dreary unemployment numbers, that basically suggested that the only way to find enough jobs for our large population of unemployed was to have many of those already working die. I had great fun writing it, fine-tuning every detail down to the bill number (the year Logan’s Run takes place.) https://huffygirl.wordpress.com/2010/11/05/satire-friday-senate-bill-2274-mccain-logan/

Most enduring blog: A tie between America’s Love Affair with cheese and How to cure floppy tulip syndrome. American’s obsession with cheese

"How to cure floppy tulip syndrome"

draws interest, or maybe folks are just entering the search term “love affair.” Apparently I underestimated the need for a cure for tulips flopping over in a vase. That post continues to get several views every week, and was the first of mine to appear in a Google search. https://huffygirl.wordpress.com/2010/02/18/americas-love-affair-with-cheese/

https://huffygirl.wordpress.com/2010/04/17/huffyhow-how-to-cure-floppy-tulip-syndrome/

Easiest blog to write: Invisible Fence. Inspired by a spate of celebrity, politician and rich-people bad behavior, the words just spilled out as fast as I could type, which is pretty fast. But just like McCain-Logan I’m not sure that everyone got it. https://huffygirl.wordpress.com/2010/08/13/satire-friday-invisible-fence/

Hardest blog to write: You had a good run Grandma. My tribute to my recently deceased mom was hard because I had so much to say, wanted to get it right, and wrote it during a very emotional time, but easy in a way, because the thoughts poured out once I got started. https://huffygirl.wordpress.com/2010/12/30/you-had-a-good-run-grandma/

Longest time in draft limbo: Just in time for Thanksgiving, the turtato.

The Turtato - a potato shaped like a turkey! (Photo: Huffygirl)

Inspired by a potato that looked just like a turkey, I tried to make this one work. I took picture after picture of my turtato, but could not get the right look to show everyone how much it REALLY did look like a small turkey. It’s still sitting in drafts and will probably remain there forever, where it rightly belongs.

My all time favorites: A tie between My 100th post, Socks without partners, and You had a good run Grandma. My 100th post was a look back on how my writing mantra evolved (Laugh. Cry. Think. Learn.) and thanks to my loyal readers and WordPress for helping me to get there. https://huffygirl.wordpress.com/2010/11/13/my-100th-post-thanks-wordpress/

Socks without partners was a parody based on the fine organization, Doctors without Borders, inspired by those extra socks that everyone finds in their dryer. Part of what makes a blog a favorite for me is how I felt while writing it, and if I felt the message came through. https://huffygirl.wordpress.com/2010/10/18/socks-without-partners/

Most attention: Funny, you don’t look a day over… When this blog was featured on Freshly Pressed, WordPress’ home page (thanks again WP) it received an overwhelming 2,639 views the first day, and bumped my monthly total views to a respectable high. Although fame is fleeting, it was a great rush. https://huffygirl.wordpress.com/2010/11/02/funny-you-dont-look-a-day–

Best part of blogging: Being part of a world-wide community of bloggers, reading and commenting on other people’s blogs, having a forum from which to write, and just plain being able to write.

Thanks readers for your interest and your support. It’s what keeps all bloggers and writers going – we’d be nothing without you!

56 thoughts on “A look back: my first year of blogging”

Linda King on February 21, 2011 at 8:35 am said:

Congratulations!

Reply ↓
- huffygirl on February 21, 2011 at 10:42 am said:
  
  Thanks. It’s been a great ride.
  
  Reply ↓
TheIdiotSpeaketh on February 21, 2011 at 9:04 am said:

Congrats on the 1 year milestone! I thoroughly enjoy reading your wonderful blog. Looking forward to many, many more years ahead! Have a great day! 🙂

Reply ↓
- huffygirl on February 21, 2011 at 10:42 am said:
  
  Thanks for your kind comments Mark. That means a lot coming from an experienced blogger like you!
  
  Reply ↓
Margaret Reyes Dempsey on February 21, 2011 at 9:39 am said:

Happy Anniversary, Huffy. Here’s to another year of blogging. I’ll be right here reading.

Reply ↓
- huffygirl on February 21, 2011 at 10:41 am said:
  
  Thanks Margaret, so glad to have you aboard!
  
  Reply ↓
Zahara on February 21, 2011 at 10:35 am said:

Congratulations on a year of blogging! This post really sums up the joy of blogging. Keep on!

Reply ↓
- huffygirl on February 21, 2011 at 11:03 am said:
  
  Thanks fellow blogger. I’m glad it’s a joy for you too!
  
  Reply ↓
Pingback: A WordPresser’s reflection on her first year of blogging | The Daily Post at WordPress.com
thumbles on February 22, 2011 at 2:14 pm said:

Well done! I still haven’t progressed from the pestering friends and family stage but even if I do, it’s worth keeping at it.

Reply ↓
- huffygirl on February 22, 2011 at 4:22 pm said:
  
  Well, isn’t that what friends and family are for? 🙂 You know they’d do the same for you.
  
  Reply ↓
kolembo on February 22, 2011 at 2:51 pm said:

Great post, and congratulations. I can’t wait to get to the end of the year…I’m gasping. Does it get easier or do you go on day to day until it smooths out? thanks for this.

Reply ↓
- huffygirl on February 22, 2011 at 4:12 pm said:
  
  I think if you have something to say, writing is easy. If you don’t – well that’s the hard part. If you’re committed to posting every day, some of those posts probably end up as “I have nothing to say today” kind of posts. For me doing a post a day was a little too much, post a week not enough. I post 3-4 times a week and most of the time find it easy. The few times I’ve lacked inspiration have been times when I’ve been surrounded by other people and had no quiet time to myself to hear the inspiration. That’s when I pull out a draft that I started and finish it – the inspiration is already there, it just needs the polish. Keep going – I’m sure you’ll make it.
  
  Reply ↓
Theresa on February 22, 2011 at 3:27 pm said:

Congratulations! I greatly admire your style. Hope you keep blogging for many, many more years.

Reply ↓
- huffygirl on February 22, 2011 at 4:05 pm said:
  
  Thanks so much Theresa. It really is inspiring to hear that. I hope to keep blogging as long as the inspiration continues.
  
  Reply ↓
mybusinessaddiction on February 22, 2011 at 3:28 pm said:

Hi huffygirl, I may steal the idea of this post when my first year is up in November. It’s a great post! You should stop by my blog some time as there may be some stuff you’ll like. The blog’s evolving in a similar way to how yours did. Ciao, K

Reply ↓
- huffygirl on February 22, 2011 at 3:58 pm said:
  
  Oooh K, I hope you’re not really stealing my idea. I’ll look forward to seeing your reflection on your first year of blogging. I have stopped by your blog from time to time and enjoyed it.
  
  Reply ↓
moneymakingjus on February 22, 2011 at 3:48 pm said:

Congratulations!!!

Reply ↓
- huffygirl on February 22, 2011 at 3:52 pm said:
  
  Thanks. It was great fun to take an honest look back on my first year of blogging!
  
  Reply ↓
Hubby on February 22, 2011 at 9:59 pm said:

I’m glad you are having so much fun with your blog. You are cute when you get so excited about it.

Reply ↓
- huffygirl on February 22, 2011 at 10:02 pm said:
  
  Why thank you Hubby! Now, whose hubby are you? 🙂
  
  Reply ↓
pochp on February 22, 2011 at 11:56 pm said:

Congrats on being featured on WP News!

Reply ↓
- huffygirl on February 23, 2011 at 11:20 pm said:
  
  Thanks. It was a thoroughly pleasant surprise.
  
  Reply ↓
SomerEmpress on February 23, 2011 at 2:02 am said:

I’m looking forward to that milestone! Congratulations! I’m finding that as I seek to post more quality-type posts, I also may post less often than once a day, but more than once a week. I’m cool with that! The journey of blogging commits me to the regular exercise of writing, and the joy that comes from it is PRICELESS! You go gurrrrrrl!!!

Reply ↓
- huffygirl on February 23, 2011 at 11:15 pm said:
  
  Thanks SomerEmpress. I agree with your thoughts as well – I think the quality is more important than quantity, at least from the writer’s standpoint. Looks like you’ve been working hard at your blog – good luck.
  
  Reply ↓
gatehouse13 on February 23, 2011 at 2:07 am said:

Congrats and it’s so lovely to be able to hear your passion and excitment for blogging. Sometimes I think it’s just me who gets so bouncey about this stuff – it’s wonderful to know there’s others out there too.

Reply ↓
- huffygirl on February 23, 2011 at 11:11 pm said:
  
  No, it’s not just you. I took a peek at your blog and see a lot of passion there for what you’re doing – although I have no idea what NLP is:(
  Thanks for stopping by.
  
  Reply ↓
Grace on February 23, 2011 at 3:19 am said:

Rock On, huffygirl, Rock On!!

Reply ↓
- huffygirl on February 23, 2011 at 11:04 pm said:
  
  I will, I will!
  
  Reply ↓
Rike on February 23, 2011 at 7:48 am said:

Hey Huffy, great reflection about your first year blogging! It great that you really thought about the different kinds of posts, I should do that too in order to see how my blog evolves… Congrats on beeing FP, by the way…! 🙂

Reply ↓
- huffygirl on February 23, 2011 at 10:51 pm said:
  
  Thanks. I tried to take a look at your blog, but it seems to be …in German? Good luck on your reflections on your own blog.
  
  Reply ↓
Mtresa on February 24, 2011 at 6:55 am said:

Wow. Such a great piece of work. I was reading this blog in my mobile while I was seated in my car and I was so engrossed in it that I was completely unaware of whats happening around for a few moments. Congratulations on your first year bloggiversary. To many more years of blogging. Cheers.

Reply ↓
- huffygirl on February 24, 2011 at 8:33 am said:
  
  How kind of you to say so Marytresa. Good luck on your blog too!
  
  Reply ↓
Mtresa on February 24, 2011 at 7:01 am said:

And the turtato .. that certainly is one odd looking potato.

Reply ↓
- huffygirl on February 24, 2011 at 8:31 am said:
  
  It’s too bad that you couldn’t see it in person. If I had added little legs and wings, it would have looked exactly like a small turkey, all ready to roast!
  
  Reply ↓
thediplomaticwife on February 25, 2011 at 3:10 am said:

It really did look like a tiny turkey! LOL! =P

Reply ↓
- huffygirl on February 25, 2011 at 10:27 pm said:
  
  Finally! Someone else who has the insight and imagination to see it too! Maybe I’ll have to resurect that post and draw wings and drumsticks on it!
  
  Reply ↓
  - thediplomaticwife on March 10, 2011 at 11:19 pm said:
    
    Definitely! You should take a poll! =P
  - huffygirl on March 11, 2011 at 11:27 am said:
    
    Okay. What should I be polling?
  - thediplomaticwife on March 12, 2011 at 11:24 am said:
    
    Poll: do you think it looks like a turkey or not?
  - huffygirl on March 12, 2011 at 10:15 pm said:
    
    That’s a good idea. I will try it, although my dilema is that I said in an earlier post that I would NOT blog about the turtato.
expressbywords on February 25, 2011 at 6:04 am said:

wish you even better year ahead…

Reply ↓
- huffygirl on February 25, 2011 at 10:26 pm said:
  
  And the same to you! Thanks.
  
  Reply ↓
Sandra Bell Kirchman on February 25, 2011 at 9:58 am said:

Lovely post and good idea. I may borrow it when my one year blogiversary rolls around (in about, oh, 10 months :P). Congratulations on making it that far and enjoying it along the way.

I didn’t know about your blog before but noticed it in the WP feature. I subscribed and am glad I found you. Looking forward to more of your writings.

Reply ↓
- huffygirl on February 25, 2011 at 10:23 pm said:
  
  Such a lovely compliment from someone who is so accomplished as a writer. Thanks for stopping by.
  
  Reply ↓
E on February 27, 2011 at 12:00 pm said:

Wow that’s really inspiring!

Reply ↓
- huffygirl on February 27, 2011 at 1:26 pm said:
  
  Thanks. Maybe you’ll be doing the same thing a year from now!
  
  Reply ↓
Stef on March 6, 2011 at 10:22 pm said:

I know what you mean about struggling to write a post when you have so much to say, and want to get it “right”. I had the same experience when I wrote about the passing of our dog – who was more a family member than a family pet. (http://smilekiddo.wordpress.com/2010/11/13/goodbye-sweet-girl/) Congratulations on your positive buzz from WordPress – that truly is wonderful! 🙂

Reply ↓
- huffygirl on March 7, 2011 at 8:19 pm said:
  
  Thanks. I’m sorry about your pet – always hard to lose one.
  
  Reply ↓
Pingback: The Surly Demeanor « Abby's Road
- huffygirl on March 9, 2011 at 9:21 pm said:
  
  Thanks for the pingback.
  
  Reply ↓
Mtresa on March 10, 2011 at 12:47 pm said:

@huffygirl – thanks

Reply ↓
- huffygirl on March 10, 2011 at 8:41 pm said:
  
  You’re welcome Marytresa.
  
  Reply ↓
Arden Paringit on March 31, 2011 at 10:09 am said:

Wow, congratulations! I wish I had the same commitment to blogging as you have.

Reply ↓
- huffygirl on March 31, 2011 at 4:01 pm said:
  
  Thanks. I have seen a few blogs that have fizzled after only two or three posts. If it’s something you enjoy, and you have something you want to say, it’s easier to make the committment. Being able to type really fast helps too. Thanks for subscribing BTW.
  
  Reply ↓
Pingback: 33% done | Huffygirl's Blog