On April 1, I stumbled across a blog post that centered on the A-Z blogging challenge. I had just spent the previous two weeks at home vegging on the couch and mindlessly scrolling past all of the corona virus jokes and advice and fearmongering on facebook, and I realized that I needed something productive to occupy my time lest I go cuckoo.
I published my first ever blog post on September 12, 2017 and tapped out 13 posts total in 2017, 30 in 2018, and 35 in 2019. 78 total posts heading into 2020, and this post makes 25 so far for the year. In the beginning I posted at least twice a month and last year more like three times a month. How many times have I tapped that cranberry-colored Publish button (does it change colors? I swear I thought it was blue), and said to myself, I’ll never be able to write anything again. That’s where the challenge came in. I wondered. Could I really write something remotely interesting every day? How much would the blog grow?
Shortly after I committed to the writing challenge, I walked back to my bedroom and stepped on the scale. Yikes! That number scared me worse than Covid-19. I wondered. If I walked at least thirty minutes a day for the next month, how many pounds could I lose? How much would my ass shrink?
Faith + Gratitude = Peace + Hope 
I look forward to reading your posts everyday. I’ve learned more about you, and they are such a good read! Like…Did I know you have a daughter? I didn’t know your story with your husband. I’m seeing the woman who has traveled the path before me, so thank you for doing this challenge. I’m so happy for you and a tad bit proud. Keep walking and writing. 🙂
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You just gave me the feels! It was that part where you “look forward” to my posts and about being a “tad bit proud.” Thank you, Barb! I feel the same way when I reach your site—like you’re totally mentoring me.
I’m going to try to keep those walks going. We’ve had such beautiful walking weather!
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You’re a darling! ❤
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Good morning Crystal. The last two years blogging has been more fun because of people like yourself. I interact with and am encouraged by you. Reading your posts often makes me smile. I think it is your honesty and your humour. I hope you don’t stop either your writing or your walking. I think it is excellent that you took on this a-z challenge, and I encourage you to take on more challenges. Will I read a blog about you running a 10-K in six months?
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Hello, Dave! And how many times have you encouraged me? I’ve run out of fingers and toes. Running a 10K? Your words make me smile, too!
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Congratulations! Yes, your posts are very interesting. And walking is a great exercise.
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Fourteen days in a row skipping Sundays, at least 30 minutes and often times an hour. I can see a difference, and I have some extra energy. Thank you, Nico!!
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Awesome.
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OK, here’s a number for you, Crystal…2,067*. That’s the total words your blog has coaxed from me.
To think, most of my recent writing has been in the form of purchase orders, inter-office emails and performance reviews. Yet, the magic you share with us every day (lucky us) has broken me free from that rut. Your charmed wordsmithing, always clever, has inspired emulation, and stirred a soul I feared dormant since undergrad days. How am I doin’ coach?
*Not really. I didn’t count them, but it is a pretty good guess, don’t you think?
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Terrified Amateur,
If I’m the coach, then lucky me! You’re a naturally witty wordsmither who practices daily. I think you secretly write for Bon Appétit and have to use an alias for your blog.
As for the numbers, I’ve counted. I have an obsession, and your guesstimate is spot on.
Your friend,
Crystal
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I always enjoy reading your posts! Like mentioned above I like the honest & humorous quality of your writing too 🙂 I’ve been enjoying walks out in nature too, so refreshing always. Happy blogging! 💛
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Thank you so much, THJ! Most of the time it’s just me over here cracking myself up. It’s nice to have an audience. 😊💕 Happy blogging to you!
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I think the only blogging challenge I’ve ever done was “NaBloPoMo” – “National Blog Posting Month” – organised in about 2006 to run alongside NaNoWriMo – where we tried to post every day for 30 days during November. It seemed like a crazy thing to do at the time, and yet these days people think nothing of posting to social networks throughout the day, every day.
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I’m surprised I’ve never heard of NaBloPoMo. I know there are people who post daily and multiple posts per day as a lifestyle, but I think I would burn out. I might try it again sometime. I’m not sure how often I’ll post from here. 🤔
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Love this post!!!!!!!!!
N is for. Remind me 🙂
Oh if course n is for nature
Love, light, and glitter
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I see lots of nature on my walks—cardinals and blue jays, frogs and geckos. But the squirrels are most plentiful and full of personality. They shake their butts and flip their tails—to say what’s on their minds.
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You’ll like Linda’s posts if you don’t follow her already. She’s friends with the squirrels.
💕💕💕
The nature I rather is the sky, clouds, trees, blossoms, green, water, lakes, ponds, streams, grass, sunset, sunrise, stars, moon…. hey m is for moon 🙂
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I love that part, too! Moon over M________.
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