"...we part with tender relations stretching far behind us, that never can be exactly renewed..."
What a beautiful explanation of what I too am finding. I know what you mean about the surprise of finding that community online. It's nice to feel that there are others who speak in the same tongue.
I loved the music of your delivery. You caught me at the start with this--talk about music and imagery!
*It’s like I took the off ramp from the freeway, and decelerated from seventy to zero within seconds. When you come to a full stop like that, it’s hard to figure out whether to go left or right.*
From then on it was like watching an athlete, my mind was saying, "You go for it, Scot." And at every turn I was surprised and delighted with the heartfelt way you married the melody to the meaning. Not an easy thing to do, but I notice it was a magic night-time post. Maybe the stars inspired you. GRIN
Thank you for your kind tribute. I think it might be the nicest way that anyone has ever said I talk a lot and constantly.
smiles,
Liz
I'm not a writer by trade, or even habit. I am a musician. Blogging has come in fits and starts, with fits and doubts easing into the lead at this point.
As for the community, the shear volume of blogs makes it hard to find the gems, or even compatible friends. So far, in six months it's been slow.
I'm happy you've found community. Your writing and your personality are a valuable asset to any friend. And the friends you've found match your assets.
Thanks for posting this. It gives me some hope. My post for today takes the opposite tone: self-doubt and disappointment. But my temperment is certainly capable of these, regardless of the quality of a situation. In other words, it doesn't take much for a perfectionist to be doubtful and disappointed. However, just to be able to write those words, and see them written is, in the long run, why I blog.
One other thing about me, since I'm unloading a bit. I'm an odd bird, neither here nor there, but sometimes both (here and there) and at other times nowhere. Calling on other odd birds is like a chameleon looking for others of the same color.
Ok, now I drop the message in the bottle in let it drift away into the great ocean. Or fill a balloon with my blog air, and release it to the wind.
.oO(Did someone say "chameleon"?)
An interesting coincidence, just as you say, Scot, that we should both write of Phil on the same day. But then he's a giant and does tend to be rather conspicuous on the plains. 
Your post made me think of my own experience of blogging for it has been very similar. I, too, was introduced to the concept by my son and have been surprised and delighted to find good friends and like-minded writers along the way. Community was such a natural outcome from this.
You also made me think about the craft of writing again. I read your apparently effortless style and think of the hard work I have to put into mine (I don't do re-writes - that all takes place beforehand and while I'm typing the words). It makes me wonder if there is some sleight of hand going on here, that behind the scenes you are beavering away so that we may be presented with this easy, peaceful and insightful flow. But then I think, what the heck, it matters not; the result is so enjoyable I don't care how it's done, I'll just read and enjoy. 
Garnet: By reading your comment it is evident that you are a musician. I say that because as I read your words I can hear the power of the "inner-voice" in your writing. I am pleased that you have come by to visit and respond, and I appreciate your thoughtful comment. But don't despair. As writers, we do tend to be odd ducks, so to speak. Frankly, I think that is an inherent quality with most people who are infused with the creative spirit regardless of what medium they choose to express themselves in. Whether its dropping a message, as you say, in a bottle or filling a baloon and letting it go, we find ways to connect. I have not had a chance to come by and visit with you at your blog, but after reading your comment today, I know I will. As for my blog, stop by anytime. It's good to have you here.
Scot
Liz:
As always it is good to have you come by. I am really beginning to enjoy our ensuing dialogue that we have with each other on our writing, and with the way we choose to respond to each other. I especially appreciate how you articulate the value of what my writing means to you.
Thank you so much.
Scot
Thanks for taking the time to point us to other blogs worth reading. I, too, feel less lonely when other people come along who appreciate the same things I do. Before I started blogging I sometimes thought my head would explode with all the thoughts that passed through it. Writing them down is far better.
Clive:
"Chameleon?" Now that's an interesting thought. Thanks for stopping in. I envy you that you write first drafts only, and yet are able to do so with precision and clarity of thought. I, for one, am not as lucky. I write messy. The creative process is something I have to wrestle with each and everytime. It's funny how it comes about. I get a sense of wanting to say something and I'll get ideas in my head that I'll jot down on bank slips, napkins and such, and then when I get home I'll do an initial writing on what it is that seems to be mulling about. I'll go out for a stroll, usually down to the ocean and stare out at the water. A few more thoughts come, and I write them down. When I get home, I start with my yellow lined notebook paper, and have a go at it. By this time I surrender to the thoughts I have about a particular topic, and start writing furiously. After a few hours, I stop and then see if what I have is something I really want to work on. If it is, then it's to the computer, where I sit down and start typing it out as a word document. After I've completed that task, I then start to pick away it.
With writing, whether it's an essay, story or poem, I try to listen for, feel out, and think about the words I use in expressing particular moods, ideas and experiences. In doing this, and in practicing it, I try to invoke the power of intuition, which, in essence, is the power of the "inner-voice."
But not only is the posturing of voice important to me, so is structure. By structure, I mean the use of craft, or technique: sonics, metrics, metaphore, irony, sybolism, and so forth. If I were to diagram my writing, it would be drawn out as an equilateral triangle among voice, content and form.
So, perhaps there is, as you say, "sleight of hand" going on as I "beaver" away. LOL. But I am appreciative and pleased that you enjoy the results.
Thanks for coming by,
Scot
Scot
Melinama:
Thank you for visiting and commenting. I hope that you will continue to check in again. Blogging certainly has made my world a little less lonely, and it's amazing how this phenomenon is connecting people in ways never imagined.
Scot
The connection, Scot, is not the writing. The connection is your voice.
Scot, interesting to read about your "process" and how much intuition and musical rhythm you use. This is all encouraging to me.
I need to carry notebooks with me. I have them all over the house, where ever I might be when something pops up, a pattern, a spray of words.
Aren't we all "chameleons"? Shifting styles and language for different places, people, settings? But too many guises can confuse the real self, as when the suit becomes the man.
After a long jog, my head cleared and I realized I sounded jealous in my first comment here today. I need to clarify that I do have a community, and it includes Liz, among several others.
I was reading your comment in JC's blog. She is one of my favorite people as well as blogger's. No we have never met, but I think that with some people, nuances shine through blogs
Did find it ironic that your post was on the blogging community because Katrina brought out the best in most bloggers
As a New Yorker all I could think about was giving back. At first there really wasn't anything a person could do about it but blog, and I felt some satisfaction in communicating about it.
But I was blogging in my own blog, a political one, and another, and began to lose my ability to tell the story I had been trying to tell
Need to let the storm settle, write for myself selfishly, and then reach out for the cup of coffee.
Your blog is exceptionally beautiful; have to thank JC for leading the way to it.
Pia:
Thank you for visiting and for your kind, thoughtful comment. I think you're right about how "nuances shine through blogs." I notice that with JC, and the other writers of blogs I have come to admire and appreciate.
Hope to see you come by again.
Scot
“Idle reader, you may believe without any oath that I would want this book, the child of my brain, to be the most happiest, the most brilliant imaginable. But I could not contravene that law of nature according to which like begets like.” Cervantes – Don Quixote
Liz:
Thank you for being so sagacious and generous with your comments. It is good to be in your company.
Scot
Scot-I don't know what to say except thanks for the mention. I am honored that you would even think to mention me. I am not a writer in the sense that you and Pia write. I simply find it a place that I can vent or ruminate. What the blogging world has done is give me a chance to discover people through their words. Pia is like an addiction, as I want to discover her. You are my cup of cocoa before bed, I head here and you soothe the soul. I leave and not only do I feel peaceful, but I feel as though the world is a beautiful place again. Thanks.
Garnet:
The sentiment of your words in your last comment reminds me of T. S. Eliot's "Prufrock."
"And I have known the eyes already,known them all--"
Sometimes I think we wrestle with the creative spirit out of fear that it may consume us, that if that were to happen, there would be nothing left of us to express anything in any form ever again.
Anyway, just a thought. I look forward to our continued discussion on this. Thanks for stopping by again.
Scot
JC,
You're welcome, and thanks for coming by. The wind and rain is blowing hard against my window tonight, and it is good to read your calm sentiment. I am pleased that you think of my writing as your cup of hot cocoa before bed. With you, and my other fellow bloggers, I feel I am among kindred spirits.
Scot
Thanks for the mention--especially in such a beautiful and thoughtful context as this post.
I, too, have found kindred spirits. Sometimes I feel that people I know only through their words on blogs understand me better than some of the people in my life.
Scot
Thanks for being so kind and gracious. I'm very pleased and honored.
To echo what others have said, you and others I've become acquainted with here in the blogosphere have distinct "voices." That's what is drawing people to you. It seems to me that your gift revealed in each piece you craft takes those who read it on a wonderful journey.
Like you, I was initially hesitant about blogging, but my wife "insisted." I'm glad she did.
I've read that C.S. Lewis, Tolkein, Elliot and others often frequented pubs together to discuss craft, gifts, theology, life, and what not. I can't say that we should flatter ourselves to think we're in that category, but I do believe we have our own virtual pub or coffee shop where we interact in much the same way. Perhaps someday we'll all get together to carry on the discussions face to face.
Again, thanks for your kind words. They're gratefully received.
I've met some pretty neat people thru blogging
Phil:
My pleasure. As you have honored me, I have honored you. It is strange how the internet has created a virtual pub, so to speak, but I am glad for it nevertheless. That we can have an exchange of ideas among contemporaries is, perhaps, its biggest benefit. Because of you, Clive and Liz, I feel encouraged by your generosity, and as such, inspired to put forth my very best. My thanks to you, and to all the other wonderful people who stop in and respond in a kind, thoughtful manner. It is greatly appreciated.
Scot
Patry:
You're welcome. I am pleased to have you as a reader, and I enjoy your work as well. I certainly can relate to the sentiment expressed in your last sentence. LOL
Scot
Jean:
Welcome and thank you for responding. I will come visit you as soon as I can.
Scot
Scot,
I was fascinated reading how your blog evolved from a fledgling to a full-blown journal. My start was not quite so well constructed. My purpose was to find out who exactly I was so, as you can imagine, there were too many changes in the beginning and I couldn't keep an audience. Everything met change from the template and font to the content and style. Mainly, I just wanted my counter to hit numbers not yet invented to impress first-comers.
It wasn't until I met Liz that I realized that there was more to blogging that just an audience. Your thoughts are right on target and I appreciate the fact that you "get it". And even more, the fact that I "get it". There is something beautiful in the whole blogging process. It's connecting with other souls.
Tanda:
Thank you for your perceptive comment. "Connecting with other souls," is aptly said. I am amazed with how a simple way to pass time has evolved into something much larger than I ever imagined. I'm beginning to think that all of us here are helping each other to be at our very best, and are sharing and communicating in ways never imagined.
Scot
And I would agree. I have learned a great deal about myself and others since I started. I have the feeling the same is true for you.
I really enjoy reading your work, btw. I'm sure it's probably not quite the word that it deserves, but your writing is very sophisticated.
Thank you, Tanda.
I appreciate your generosity.
Good stuff
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