Hello out there! Anyone around?
I’m trying weekly “what’s making me happy” posts this summer. I’m not sure if anyone is still clicking on blogs, but I’m not willing to give it all up. I’ve been running this site since November of 2010. I suppose it now functions more like a writing portfolio + a place to list and review the books I’ve been reading + an update on the friendship advice posts that’s still inching along nicely with two questions published each month.
I’m mostly okay with that description above. It’s why my inability to come up with a cute name for this site in 2010 ended up serving me well. I could never settle on one topic, which allowed me to float around without needing to change the name of the site or url.
But I do miss sharing the random stuff I’m into these days for no reason other than that I feel like it. I’ve been reluctant to do so because I’m not a lifestyle blogger and the “lifestyle” concept has taken over the internet in the past few years, at least the corner of Instagram and Bloglovin I seem to poke around. I’m not aiming for that vibe. Trust me, you wouldn’t be interested in what I’m wearing or how I’m doing my hair and makeup.
Why weekly? I want something more consistent on this site. And I want to consistently appreciate the little joys I encounter.
SO, WHAT’S MAKING ME HAPPY THIS WEEK?
Diana Krall and Sarah McLachlan’s version of Gordon Lightfoot’s 70s hit, “If You Could Read My Mind,” has been on repeat in my car for weeks. Maybe a month. Really, I cannot stop playing it. You can ask my kids, who act as if I’m torturing them.
“Why do you like such sad songs, Mom?” I don’t have a good answer to that. But they’re right. I love sad songs. My oldest begged me to put on something, anything, uplifting as we approached his school this morning.
I have a duets playlist on Spotify that I’m pretty obsessed with all around, but Krall and McLachlan’s duet by far gets the most replays. I even used it as a prompt in my creative writing classes at ModernWell. (I have a few spots available in my summer group if you’re local and interested in seeing what this group is all about.)
I hope, despite how sad this song is, that it somehow makes you happy, too.
See you next week? I’ll be here! Nina 🙂
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16 Responses
Love to see a “regular” blog post! On the same note, do people leave comments on the actual blog anymore either??
I haven’t heard the song but will check it out. I love a good sad song. Look forward to your series!
Yay for real posts and real comments! 🙂 Thank you for letting me know you were here. Really, it’s hard to know if I’m talking to myself, you know? I want to know what you think of the song. Report back if you can!
I play all the BeeGees over and over, not to mention Hamilton.
Everything the BeeGees sing is heavenly to me. The movie Staying Alive over and over and, well, over!
Thanks for sharing.
Sue-Sue
I love the music for both of those too!
Oh, Nina! If you stop posting, I don’t know what I’ll do!!!!
I LOVE Diana Krall – and had no idea she did a cover with Sarah. Off to check it out!
Will definitely see you next week.
I want to know what you think once you hear it!
I definitely know what you mean about seeing the internet drift into lifestyle blog category, but I think it can be so much more than just what you’re wearing or makeup. I guess I started blogging about things that weren’t books and libraries because I got to the point where all I thought about was books and libraries, and gravitating towards “lifestyle blogs” because I was trying to have a “life” and didn’t really know what that meant anymore. So writing up recipes for a blog was a way for me to have fun taking pictures (still totally amateur, and am not fussy or talented enough to really improve much, but have fun) and cooking, which I’ve always enjoyed (and frequently adjust a recipe I find slightly and them annoyed when I don’t have my version with the revisions written down anywhere). I like having a write up on where I ate on a weekend trip, so if someone asks I can pull it up right. I actually look these days for blogs that are in the Cup of Jo vein, with well-curated content that covers a wide bit of serious and mundane. Anyway, this comment is turning into an actual blog post, all to say bring on the “what makes you happy posts” because I was delighted to find another version of that Gordon Lightwood song, which is one of my favorites. I’ve been described as loving maudlin music.
I really like Cup of Jo. This is a good time for me to think about why. And I really like what you’ve done with your site too. In both cases, I feel like I’m seeing into the life of real women, not a perfected lifestyle “brand.” Do you think that’s the difference I’m talking about? I really like a few of the “branded” people too. Trust me, my online ordering issues are all related to following them! But there’s a certain sameness to the “brand” people that I don’t see on your site or Joanna’s.
And maudlin is a word to describe it for sure. I love their voices together.
I love an old school blog – and would be devastated if you ever stop!
I also love Diana Krall, and had no idea she’d collaborated with Sarah. Fun. Off to find the song:).
Hey Nina – Love this idea and it reminds me of my Everyday Delights I posted in my space. Like you, I am not certain if people are still reading blogs, but the exercise of noting and posting everyday joys is a worthy pursuit. Looking forward to more of your what’s making me happy posts.
Rudri Bhatt Patel recently posted..A Few Friday Faves
Yes I remember those posts!
I LOVE sad songs 🙂 I really do. My favourite genre is soppy love songs (sad ones) from the 80s.
Yes 80s ones are THE BEST!
I am glad you are continuing to blog during the summer. I have been reading your posts and your book reviews for a while now. Thank you. R.
Thank you so much for letting me know!
I’m still here! A weekly post is a terrific idea…maybe I’ll try that once both my kids head to college in August. I could use some structure and a routine! And taking the time to appreciate life and the things that make you happy is time well spent.
I’ve always loved this song, and this cover is excellent. Thanks for sharing, Nina!