When I first started writing this blog near the end of 2008, it was because of my oldest son’s prompting. He knew that I kept a journal and thought others might be interested in my travels as well. I doubted that, but took the plunge anyway. I especially liked the fact that I could add pictures to my journal this way.
I think it was well over a year before I received comments from anyone other than the occasional remark by a relative. In the meantime, I had started reading other RVers blogs, and would leave a comment now and then. I guess that’s what got the ball rolling. Now, receiving comments is an enjoyable part of my day, and gives me the incentive to continue posting.
Lately, I’ve noticed the number of comments drifting downward. I remember remarking out loud to Emma the other day that I guess my recent posts weren’t very interesting. Traveling solo as I do, the blogging community out there allows me to have daily conversations with a variety of people. I’m sure most of you understand what I’m saying.
Anyway, every time I change my header picture, I check my blog to be sure it posts. That’s when I noticed the other night that the blog had received comments that I never got the email copy of. That was a mystery to me, and I wondered how long that had been going on and what caused it. So you know who I emailed to solve this mystery (Rick, of course). His suggestion was to check my Gmail Spam box. Viola! There was a bucket full of comments that Gmail had decided were spam. I don’t know why, but it seems any comment that Paul and Marti Dahl leave seemed to kick the spam thing into motion, and anything after gets deflected to spam on my email.
So I spent the afternoon catching up on 57 spammed comments that I hadn’t read before. Thanks to Rick, I believe the problem has been solved, but I’ll occasionally check that spam box to be sure. I was certainly one happy camper to hear from all of my friends again.
Since I’ll be working the next four days, Emma and I just hung out at the rig today and didn’t do much of anything. The temps stayed lower than 90 today, so it was quite pleasant for a change. From what the weather guys are saying, it was a short respite.
Thanks for stopping by… talk to you later, Judy
Yes, sitting here in Iowa, i, for one would be glad for 90 degree weather, never thought i would say that!!! was 102 here today, BUT i have not sweat yet...it takes diligent action on my part to remain as inactive, inside as i can. :) take care!!!!
ReplyDeleteHey Judy, I read all your blogs. You always have interesting things to say and are knowledgeable on so many subjects. I have found that as I've come across more and more blogs, I read them but don't comment as much--mostly because of time.
ReplyDeleteSomething like "biting off more than I can chew". I'm so depressed that I can't travel, now, that I don't blog often and when I do, it seems like it's always something sad. Reading about your travels and the travels of others takes my mind off the doldrums. I traveled solo for six months with my pup, too, so I'm always interested in the travels of solo women. I sold our big motorhome when my husband passed 7 years ago, but have camped since first in an Aframe, and now a 21ft Jayco.
Just because I'm not commenting, don't feel like I'm not reading--you're in my reader--and I read every night. I'm sure that's true with many of your readers.
Pats to Emma.
Check your blog spam filter too ... I've found legitimate comments there at times. Not sure why they got filtered out, but using "not spam" and moving them seems to take care of the problem.
ReplyDeleteYes, very true about reading but not always commenting. Time is usually the culprit. I love reading what is going on with my blogger friends. Since we started full-timing last Oct. but haven't yet gotten to travel, just camp...yours and others blogs are what keeps my dream alive. We will get going/rolling, soon as God sees fit to push us on down the road.
ReplyDeleteI know how you feel - it is kind of like a conversation, and when there aren't many comments, it feels like no one is interested in that day's info. Sometimes I'm surprised at which posts get the most comments. But - lots of times I read through all the blogs I follow, and leave only a few comments. Other times, I leave a lot of comments, and I'm sure others are the same. It really is time consuming, especially when we're also writing our own blogs. I always read your posts and find them interesting. I just wish you were in my part of the country. I doubt I'll ever visit where you are, and would like to read your comments and see your photos of the western US.
ReplyDeleteGlad you found your comments! Good ole Rick! :)
O.K., Barbara, who are you calling "ole"????
DeleteI always read your blog. It is one of the best out there. Sometimes I get in too big a hurry if I have been unable to read for a couple of days. Will check my spam too.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely the same as everyone else. Either I have lousy internet connections or I run out of time. I read a whole lot of blogs and try hard to post comments on a regular basis because I love the conversations. So we are out here reading every day.
ReplyDeleteIt just goes to show I can screw up anybody's computer, not just my own. I've been known to wipe hard drives and crash networks just by walking by them... :cO
ReplyDeleteI hope you still love me after all the trouble I've caused. Now go check your spam folder. ;c)
I check my comments for spam pretty often but rarely get one in that folder. I do notice that the number of comments, as well as daily readership, has gone down over the past 6 months. Maybe that's normal, and maybe it indicates there are way more and better blogs out there for people to read. You do interesting stuff so it's probably the spam thing that is grabbing comments.
ReplyDeleteHey, Judy, let us know if Paul and Marti's email went to Spam tonight! It's pretty amazing at the different ways in which our computers can generate a seemingly infinite number of weird, strange problems.
ReplyDeleteNot too long ago I found comments in my spam also. I have no idea what caused it. Very strange.
ReplyDeleteIt's funny how legitimate comments can get marked as spam, but actual spam comments don't always get caught!
ReplyDeleteOh my, I'd be so sad to have missed 57 comments. Yours is definitely one of the more popular blogs I read and comment on. Now I have to go check all my spam filters. Especially since I have to approve all the comments before they get posted.
ReplyDeleteHey, I had one comment hit my junk email the other and for the life of me I don't know why. Weird. I'm reading every day, Judy, but sometimes lately my brain just can't form a meaningful comment. :)
ReplyDeleteI always thought Paul and Marti were trouble makers :) heehee Now we know for sure!
ReplyDeleteI love your blog and read every post. I don't usually comment because I don't feel I have much constructive to add. But do know that your blog is much loved and appreciated! :)
ReplyDeleteI always rad my comments by way of the dashboard drop down menu. It tells me when something is marked as Spam. I don't get the emil notifications. This way I can look at all the comments at once.
ReplyDeleteWe knew those Dahl's were some kind of trouble! :-)
ReplyDeleteGlad you've solved your comment mystery.
Don't work too hard!
I like to comment on a blog if there's a picture that's quite pretty or well done, or if someone said something I liked.
ReplyDeleteHaving said that, no one ever comments on my blog :(
I guess I don't have interesting things to say.
Oh well.
never thought I would show up in the span :)
ReplyDeleteI hate when that happens
ReplyDeleteWhat would we do without Rick huh? My blog comments always come to my email and then I have the option to release them to be published. Love your blogs.
ReplyDeletedont' work too hard Judy!..and yes, we all like those comments..they give us a warm and fuzzy feeling, knowing that our 'blogging family' cares what we are all up to!!..
ReplyDeleteNice header photo. I think you have LOTS of readers...and maybe a few "lurkers" that don't comment. But we all love your blog.
ReplyDeleteI may not comment all the time but I always read your blog ;-)
ReplyDeleteGlad you found your comments. I'm guessing Marti has nothing to do with it but your computer has Paul figured out :)
ReplyDeleteEmma...
ReplyDeleteI read your interesting blog however I've never posted a comment. Please continue writing.
I appologize, I have been a lurker for a long time. Just got brave enough to create a blog the past month or so. I guess I will be a little braver and comment on yours.
ReplyDeleteI love reading your blog. It is so encouraging and inspiring to know that you do all of this on your own. I am very interested in your current location. Lorene
I read it every day and sometimes I'm lost for words. Keep it coming.
ReplyDeleteI had the same thing happen to me and would you believe it, a couple of Ricks comments were put in the spam folder!!! Glad you figured it out and it's a good reminder for me to check my spam folder.
ReplyDeleteWe read many blogs so we may not comment on every blog, every day. Just know we're out here!
ReplyDeleteIt's so frustrating when our computer protects us from ourselves! Earlier today mine corrected the spelling of a word by changing it to one that means the exact opposite of what I meant to say! Good thing I proofread my writings. :)
ReplyDeleteI also want to say I always read your blog but if previous commenters have said what I would say I don't say it. It gets hard to find something new to add by the time I read--usually the next day.
ReplyDeleteI'm reading every day and comment sometimes, but they don't always show up in your comment section.
ReplyDeleteI read your blog almost every day and enjoy sharing your travels and adventures. I don't always comment but I suppose I should so you'll know I'm here LOL. Microsoft Hotmail has their new smart screen filter marking all sorts of legit email as spam, so I wonder if that's what is happening to you as well? I'm glad you got it figured out.
ReplyDelete35 comments so far today. Oops, mine makes 36! We all love ya and will keep those comments coming.
ReplyDeleteOkay, I checked and they are all ads in there. Some of them apparently think I could use some help in a personal area. Oh yea and done from Paul-in his defense:)
ReplyDeleteFaithfully read but by the time I get to comments usually what I was going to say was already said
ReplyDeleteyour blog makes my day! I love the pictures and the effort you put into this journal, it helps me dream of when someday I too can travel I will have to work a few more years to make that happen, thanks
ReplyDelete