Another Chat on Patrice's Porch

I missed our chat last week, Patrice, but glad I'm able to join you this week on your porch.


Some of your Fall weather would be delightful. Unfortunately, we wouldn't be able to sit out on a porch here - at least not without our woolly scarves - so it'll be your place this week again. Imagine the hardship - having to picture myself over your side of the Pond. Again.


Anyway, your questions for this week.


If you could bring someone to Patrice's porch to join in on our chat, who would you bring?

Well, I have two online friends, whom I've never met in person, but who have become really precious to me. One lives on this side of The Pond, so I could pick her up en route; the other lives in Virginia, so she'd meet me on your porch.

I may have said this before (I do have a habit of repeating myself. It comes from having children. Or from forgetting what I've said before)... anyway, where was I? Oh yes ... When I began blogging, I had no idea what was ahead of me. I had no definite reason for beginning to blog; I had no strategy, or deep and meaningful reason behind pouring out some words along with some photos. A friend sent me a link to a blog she'd been reading, said she thought she'd begin blogging and I realised 'normal' people could blog. So much for the beginning. But the result has been that I have 'met' so many people, and have developed real online friendships with a couple of folks I originally met through the blog. 

So, back to your original question (I tend to detour, so you need to drag me back, Patrice), these are the two I'd choose.


What's your favorite thing to make when fall rolls around? (Can be food, or maybe a craft.)


I love when I see the nights drawing in. Some people love the summer and develop SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder, or something like that) when the Autumn and Winter arrive. I'm the opposite. I love seeing the days shortening, because I love the thought of cozy nights in by the fire. I love having time. T-I-M-E.... such a precious commodity ... with the Builder and the kids. To talk, to yarn, to read and drink tea and eat cakes (I'm so glad our chats no longer have anything to do with weight loss. So very, very glad ;), to watch a DVD. To chill.

Oh hang on, I just noticed you said, 'What's your favourite thing to make...'. To make? It will have to be food of some description, although our diets don't change that much with the seasons, because our seasons don't change that much with the, er, seasons.

How many times a month do you go to a library or bookstore?


Well, the kids go to the library in town often, but I hardly ever go. The bookstore visits are normally reserved for my (infrequent) visits to the mainland. Bookstores, with coffee shops and comfy chairs, must be an absolute dream day out for me. 


It'd be a toss-up between that and a day shooting. And not with the camera.


What things make blogs the best?


I do like to feel like I get to know a person. Obviously there are limits on what we'll talk about on a blog, but I do want to get a feel for what makes a person 'tick'. If a blog has a teaching objective, I want to learn; if a blog is a 'story' blog, I want to feel like the person is talking to me. I like blogs that have a mixture - like your own, Patrice - I like to at least know those who live in the home; I like to get a 'feel' of where they live - whether town or country, or waaay out in the sticks; I like to learn some recipes - I really love step-by-step recipes (that's why PW's recipes are so good); and some new skills - maybe canning or gardening or basic household tips. 


Like yourself, Patrice, I don't like too much moaning. I don't mind people opening their hearts and letting us know of their problems - absolutely, I don't mind that - but constant whingeing... that's a no-no.


When you blog, Patrice, do you make conscious decisions about what you're going to blog about? Do you think of what people may want, or what they may have had enough of? To be honest, I don't, but maybe I ought to. I just open my mouth and let my tummy rumble. I am on Facebook now too, so 
that's another outlet for saying Hi at odd times of the day.


I'd love some of those who read my blog, actually, to tell me what they like and don't like about my blog. So, if you're reading this, please tell in the comments what is good, bad, or indifferent about my blog. I'd love to know.


If someone would pay for you to take a class (any class- college-private-online-at a craft store-the sky's the limit here, my friends), what class would you take? 

Oh, choices, choices! I would probably learn to play the piano if I could. That is still a dream for me. I would also love to study history, and politics, and philosophy (I did this for a year at University, and it was by far my favourite subject. I'd love to do more of it.). Literature too. Writing - I'd love to learn writing skills.


And cooking. I'd love to really learn proper cooking and baking skills.


I certainly don't long for my kids not be around me all day, but I do think if I'm ever 'at a loose end', there are things I'd love to study. They may not be in formal classes, but the history of the island, and my genealogy would definitely be a subject I'd like to delve into.


Oh, I do ramble on and on.


Great to meet up again, Patrice. I really look forward to these chats, but I guess I'd best go and get started on dinner. See you next week!