Hissy Fit

It seemed only appropriate, after the craziness I’ve been dealing with in Blogland recently, that we had this visitor on our front porch last night. (By the way, Is the moon full? Is the earth’s gravitational pull causing havoc on the human population?)

Some of my readers may have noticed that I recently removed the option to comment on my blog and maybe even wondered why, or not. Some of you may have even noticed my Dream Catcher Avatar over on my sidebar, or not. Some may even be familiar with the Native American Dream Catcher legend and have an idea why I added it there. It may even seem cheesy to some, but that’s ok. I like it, and that’s all that matters.

If you plan to keep reading, you might want to grab some refreshments and visit the bathroom first. This one’s gonna be long.

I don’t blog, or at least I didn’t start blogging, as a way to build up readership, or as a popularity contest. I may have let myself get carried away with it for a little while because it was fun, and Blogger seems to encourage that. But really what is a blog? It’s many different things to all the people who choose to blog, but our little bloggy web homes belong to none of us, and in a single blip could all disappear. I began blogging as a way to journal about me and my family’s daily lives and to spark my creative side. And sharing that with far-away friends and family was a nice benefit, too.

When people started commenting on my blog posts, it was a little strange but oddly exciting, eventually leading toward Comment Addiction. Kind of like feeding the monster. It never seems satisfied and wants more. Then there are those Follower gadgets to attract even more readers and potential comments. It’s a crazy cycle. And it seems rather impersonal when you sit back and think about it.

I mean, how can anyone 'Follow' a hundred or more blogs on a regular basis anyway? I can't and I don't think it's fair to other bloggers if I just stick my photo on their Followers gadget just to get them to sign up for mine. I’ve been spreading myself too thin for a long time anyway. I have 3 children whom I homeschool, a husband, a small ranch with lots of animals to care for, a house that requires cleaning and maintenance sometimes, a bum knee, friends and family that like to see me outside having fun, and I have loads of other interests and hobbies.

I found it fascinating when one of my readers commented not long ago and asked why I don’t spin or knit anymore. Well I do! Just because I don’t blog about it doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen! hah!

Our blogs are not our entire lives. They are just a small facet, a small window, a tiny peek, if you will,  into our lives. Not the whole enchilada!

And then there are some bloggers who believe that someone’s personal blog is an appropriate place to debate and argue over that blogger’s words, or to force their opinions and agendas. Not cool. There are some blogs that welcome that, like maybe Fugly, but most bloggers with personal blogs don’t appreciate that type of criticism.

I know I don’t. And as another one of my readers told me the other day after leaving me a rather snarky, opinionated comment, I have thin-skin and am too sensitive. I agree whole-heartedly. I consider myself a kind-hearted, gentle, thoughtful person who can easily get their feelings hurt. I’m not ashamed of that and I don’t think it’s a terrible trait to have. What I am ashamed of is that I let mean people and their actions upset me.

Shoooeeee, I’m 43 this year. I’m not in high school anymore, where the big mean bullies have any control over me. Even though Blogland can feel a little bit like that at times.

I bet I will step on some toes when I say this, but I’m going to say it anyway. I’m blogging for me.

There I said it.

I’m not blogging to garner followers or to become popular. All of that is just silly. Really! If other bloggers stop by to visit and enjoy what I write or the photos I post that’s great and I’m glad. When they leave comments, that’s just the icing on the cake.

But the snarkiness, rudeness, and just plain mean-spiritedness makes the icing taste, like what I imagine chicken shit tastes like. Not good, and entirely unpleasant. Actually just down-right awful.

 When a blogger spends an hour uploading photos, videos and gathering their thoughts to type it all out in a blog post, and they don’t receive positive, uplifting comments, it can be very disappointing. And for a photographer to share their little pride & joys showcasing the time spent behind the camera, perched in often uncomfortable locations and positions just to capture a creative and beautiful photo, only to have people not notice or even appreciate those photos, is quite a sad moment.

I recently had a blogger leave a nit-picky comment on a blog post that showcased my friend’s adorable, beautiful spunky little foal. She complained about people who didn’t give their foals ‘real’ registered names that could be used, and instead gave their horses barn names that were different then their registered names. Did she temper that comment with something gushing and positive about the precious little foal or even my photography? nah.

And another blogger commented on a post recently that took me hours to organize and prepare after taking umpteen photos watching for the perfect action shots. Did she say, wow! Great photos? Or, how the horses looked beautiful in action? nah.

What she did say, was “Is it just me, or does everyone else see the train-wreck about to happen?”

Nice.

I left one of my rare replies and stated that all activities surrounding 1000lb animals have the potential for danger.

And this is how Miss Katharine Swan replied,

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Laughing Orca Ranch said: “Life can be dangerous, though. Should we just sit around covered in bubble wrap, knitting socks in a closet?
Or should we take a few risks and grab life by the horns and be free while enjoying life? “

Does that mean you've given up being scared of Baby Doll, and have decided to keep her?

:::evil grin:::

Of course many things in life are dangerous, particularly anything involving a horse, but there are certain degrees of danger. I'm much less likely to be badly injured pleasure riding than being on the field with 5 other 1,000 pound animals trying to go all different directions and with airborne sticks and balls.

Nothing is foolproof when dealing with a horse, obviously, but to me comparing casual horseback riding with something like this is like comparing target practice at a firing range and Russian roulette.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

And when I decided not to approve that comment, since I’ve unfortunately felt it necessary to now have my comments moderated, Miss Katharine Swan tried to post another comment,

“ Katharine Swan has left a new comment on your post "Polocrosse~Horses and Lacrosse":

Lisa, I see you didn't approve my last comment, so I guess you didn't like what I had to say. I'm sorry, but I find it inconsistent and kind of hypocritical that you would lecture your readers about anything horse-related being dangerous, when you are selling your mare -- and thereby failing to take care of her -- because you are scared of her. Where's your sentiments about not bubblewrapping ourselves in that particular choice?

I'm not sure why you've suddenly turned into a comment Nazi. Your blog was never like that before. You were always very open and welcoming, yet suddenly you are unwilling to hear viewpoints that are different than yours. I think it's too bad, because your blog used to be a site I enjoyed visiting, but that appears to be changing. What's the point of visiting a blog if it's a one-sided conversation?”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Wow. That stings.

 Hmmm. Well I suppose I missed the official Blogger Protocol Memo that said that every blog must be a platform for readers to debate everything posted. If I would have known…..well I never would have started blogging, quite honestly.

If I thought that my blog was supposed to be open for flaming, rude, nitpicking, snarky comments, like Fugly’s, then I would have ran fast in the opposite direction.

Who’d a thunk?

I’ve been blogging for over three years, and last year I had my first negative blog experience, which was really just an unfortunate misunderstanding with a fellow blogger friend, and sadly it didn’t turn out so well, but she did teach me one thing, and that was that it’s ok to avoid people that make you unhappy, stressed, and that cause unwanted drama in your life. And I thank her for that inadvertent lesson. And I thank Blogger for giving us many options on our blogs. And one of those options involves comments, whether allowing them, or moderating them.

I made the decision to not allow any comments on my blog yesterday, and then changed it back to allowing moderated comments just for today’s Sunday Stills, because I figured, like me, most Sunday Stills bloggers like to stop in and say a few nice words about how we follow through with Ed’s challenges each week.

I was even feeling a little guilty when my sweet buddy Michelle over at Galloping Grace Youth Ranch left a comment saying that she was disappointed that she wasn’t allowed to leave her friendly comments, full of praise, on any of my past blog posts. So, I even went back and changed that, just because I do try to be nice and accommodating.

But after Miss Swan’s oh-so-lovely comments for me, I regretted that decision greatly.

And so, I’m thinking of going back to my original decision of not permitting ANY comments, except for the photo challenges. Although I do enjoy all the friendly words left for me, the mean-spirited comments hurt me too much and I’d rather not have to deal with them when moderating comments. I’ll try the moderating thing again even though it’s a chore, and it makes one person call me a ‘Comment Nazi’. (wow)

But seriously, why should we approve a mean-spirited, flaming, snarky comment? Just so the person can rejoice in seeing their words out there in all of their argumentative glory? What’s the point?

I’m not interested in providing a debate forum or a place to argue.

And it’s quite frustrating that some people feel so obligated to read my blog and then feel it necessary to leave rudely opinionated comments. It’s a free world, this Blog place, people! You don’t have to visit any blog, nor do you have to leave a comment!        

In that same vein, I’ve also decided that I don't want anyone to feel obligated to come over to my blog and leave me a comment, just because I leave one on your blog. My thoughts on commenting are this: I'm dropping off a meal or treat(a comment) to you, just to be nice and sociable. I'm going to leave it (the comment)for you in a disposable dish, so that you don't have to wash and return it(the comment) to me. It's my gift from the heart, without any obligations.

I'm still planning on visiting my favorite blogger buddies (if you’ll have me) but I plan to pare down to just the blogs that make me happy, are interesting and have become more than just a 'Follower'. You all know who you are. *smile*

And with that long, drawn-out, tirade, I will now share with you Mr. Bull Snake’s own Hissy Fit.

(Turn off my playlist music at the bottom, and then turn up your volume. He gets really loud!)

(Oh. And no harm came to Mr. Bull Snake while on our porch. He hung around for another hour or two acting as Guard Snake.......keeping pesky sales people, political campaigners and Hare Krishnas from knocking on our door. He was kind of cool, even though he was grouchy. It was a thrill seeing such a beautiful snake up close)


From the Tower of,


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