Wednesday, January 08, 2020

Stats And Stuff

I have been writing Nelly’s Garden for 15 years, 4 months and 12 days. During that time there has been 3133 published posts which works out at a post every other day and we all know that’s not happening. So, what’s going on? What has changed over the past 15 years, 4 months and 12 days?

I became fifteen years older and a small bit wiser.

Back in 2004, I didn’t actually expect anyone but a few fellow bloggers to read the damn thing.

Now so many of those fellow bloggers have quit. Some of whom I greatly miss.

Then one becomes disheartened.

Gets to thinking, who even fucking cares what I blog?

Becomes self-conscious. People come up to me at funerals and address me as Nelly.

Run out of things to say.

My husband doesn’t read it.

Many of my friends don’t read it.

Sure I hardly even do anything anymore.


And some of the things we do are secret.


And I don’t want to offend anyone.


Peak blogging year was 2005 when I wrote 486 posts. What was going on in 2005? I had a job, there was a lot going on, a lot of material for blogging. Looking back, it’s a wonder Nelly's Garden didn’t get me the sack. Nowadays, with absolutely everyone on social media, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram most people tend to be much more careful about work-blogging.


My slackest year for blogging was 2013, just 99 posts that year. I vaguely remember feeling very flat. Matty had died in 2011 and that took a lot of getting used to. And we still had Pearlie, getting frailer and frailer and that was hard too. Bert tried to cheer me up by buying me a ticket to Vancouver and that was a good experience although there was no blogging from British Columbia. Martha and Evie were pre-school age then, always fun but tiring too. 

So here I am, in 2020, wondering how much longer I can keep this thing up. My sister, whose blog is nearly as old as mine, posts every day. And has a full-time job. I don't know how she does it. Actually, I do. Her life is more interesting than mine.

There! I've answered my own question. I just need to get a more interesting life. Either that or start spilling the secret stuff. Wish me luck.


This is the very first picture I posted to Nelly's Garden.

12 comments:

Deirdre Byrne said...

Keep her lit Nelly I would miss your blog.
Dr Leitrim Sister (aka Dr Boozie Mc Boozeface)

Nelly said...

Thanks Boozie. That's very encouraging.

Susannah said...

Well, I would miss your blog :) I really enjoy peeking in at your life and what your family is up to. I do understand what you are saying here as I am always amazed when anyone finds my life interesting!

ganching said...

You have probably written the equivalent of five novels. I would dispute that my life is more interesting than yours and in any event according to Traybake it is completely due to him that anyone ever looks at my blog.

Nelly said...

I'm glad I wrote this post as I have been greatly encouraged by these comments.

Rachael said...

I read it. One of the few things that makes me laugh out loud on reading, and that wasn't just the one about the couple who came over and had a row about each others driving.

But I did really like the bit where you wrote "I think the person who is drinking and not driving should shut the f up"

Dermot said...

Don't you dare quit. There aren't many of us left!

Nelly said...

I'm not quitting. Only a few more years and I'll be in the Guinness Book of Records!

Sarah said...

I enjoy your blogs Mary living here down under xx

London Sister said...

Yes indeed, you are not a quitter! Please keep writing your blog

Connie from Toowoomba said...

I love your blog Nelly.

Anonymous said...

Ik lees je heel erg graag!
Lian