It's Been 10 Years!!!

In January of 2008 we moved to Toronto and in February that year I started writing The Canadian Chronicles.  TEN years ago!!!  I never expected it to last this long.  Frankly, there have been times in the last few years when I considered abandoning the blog.  The closer I got to ten years the more I knew I could not quit.  This anniversary deserves a little walk down memory lane.  Put on your reading glasses, get a drink and enjoy my walk.

This is where it all began
February 2008

In the beginning my stats were fairly accurate so I have a good idea of what the most read posts were but then something happened and the stats went crazy.  I'll try my best to choose the most read posts plus I may also have to throw in a few personal favorites.  I can't say they are like my children because unlike my children, there are blogs I love more than others.  Maybe they are like pieces of art (in my dreams), some are masterpieces, some are sketches, some are self portraits and others are merely exercises.  They are all pieces of my soul in one way or another.  Writing this blog over ten years has been a pleasure, sometimes a chore, occasionally a challenge, definitely a growth experience, and a personally enriching activity.

2008-This was my very first blog post in February of 2008.  I've come a long way since then.
My most read post in 2008 was this post.  It chronicles among other things the day I became a "known wine smuggler".  Also in 2008 I wrote the post that in my mind started it all.  It was one of the most traumatic days in my life and the day I gained tremendous perspective.

2009-  The most read post this year embodies much of why we enjoyed our time in Toronto so much.  We knew we were not going to live there forever so we vowed to explore as if we were tourists.  I tell myself I should have that attitude about life in Houston and things would be more interesting around here.

2010-  The shore has had a very prominent position on the blog over the years.  Every summer I write at least three or four posts from the shore about life at the shore.  This post was the most read post in 2010 by a landslide and continues to be one of the most popular posts.

2011-Two posts were notable this year.  The first brings back some very good memories.  The second introduced a "character" to the blog who has appeared a few times over the years.  Who knows....maybe you will see her again one day!  I love her!

Thanks to these two for bringing Scotia Woman to life!

2012- If I had only loved beer in 2012 this would have been nirvana!  This was my most read post and it was when I discovered readership really increases when people share my posts.  Thanks for sharing!

2013- One of the all time favorites and most read posts is this one!

2014- Another example of a post being shared (for good reason) and becoming the most read post for the year.  These two are celebrating their 4th anniversary and are welcoming their second child in September!   It was definitely a fun wedding.

2015- This was the year my stats started going crazy.  I think there is a robot in France reading the blog, so I have no idea which post was the most read post.  The bot seemed to love this post and this post!

2016- According to the blog roll on my homepage, this is the most read post of all time...for some reason.  I think the French bot love it!  I think this is the best post in 2016!

2017- When you only write 20 posts in a year it is a little easier to choose the most read or my favorite. 

Through the years my frequency of posting has definitely slowed down.  I keep wondering if I've said it all and then every once in a while I get another idea.  I guess I haven't said it all...yet.

Swimming in the Deep End

I must write while it is fresh.....
I am attempting something I have attempted to do several times in the past.  I have attempted to push myself outside my comfort level, creatively and/or academically.  I am neither creative or academic but I can fake my way through both.  Tonight I may have finally pushed myself outside my comfort/ability level.

In a moment of boredom and need of getting out of the cul-de-sac I signed up for a Street Photography class.  I have walked on many streets around the world and always want to take better, more interesting photographs.  Why not take a class and learn?   Hey...I just visited the Museum of Modern Art in NYC and feel all cultured and artistic so maybe I can do this.

I've seen cool photography...maybe I can produce cool photography!

Tonight was my first class....I am so out of my league.  Of course, it is my first class...but from the introductions and conversations in class....yup...me and my Sony a5000 are out of our league.  There were names flying around the class that I had never heard of and others were nodding and saying, "Oh, yeah...".  I was saying, "??? gotta Google that one!"  The learning curve in this class may match the curve in my Spanish 2 class.  Only problem is...I can't look up "how to take awesome street photos with my dinky camera" in a book or online while I could just study my brains out and learn Spanish.

My insecurities are raring their ugly heads tonight I tell you folks! 
Stay tuned for street photos from the rodeo...give me strength!