8,760 Hours and My Thanks
Well, my kind and faithful readers, today marks one year since the return to my blog. You can read about that journey in my post, “The Return”. And this past year has been an amazing journey for me, made even sweeter by all the support, encouragement, and kind words I receive in return.
When I returned, I continued my blog as the catchall for all types of writing. But as the months passed, I decided to focus its theme to my poetic work. Oh, I still occasionally slip in an editorial, announcement, or moment of thanks (like this one), but by and large it has become about poetry.
Those of you who have shared my journey have seen the beginning of the weekly series “Friday’s Phrase” and its penultimate demise, chronicled in the post “How Do You Kill A Series?”. Only to be replaced by the much more popular weekly series “Whittled Words”, a look into the many diverse forms of poetry and expression. It also spawned the limited weekly series, “Tuesdays Tidbits”, a series of quotations meant to inspire, uplift, and encourage writers of all genres.
I feel much more comfortable in this new skin. I believe my readers now know what to expect when they visit. And I have found that poetry holds some of my greatest passion to express in the written word.
Through this past year I have been the humble recipient of great praise and recognition, not only from the publication of some poetry and some noted awards, but also by every comment, like, and follow that comes from the people I really write for, my audience.
But beyond any of that, what I have gained through this endeavor is much more priceless. I have made good friends, read the great words of others, learned from my peers, collaborated with other artists (you know who you are), and felt all the love and support anyone could ask for. It seems a failing for a writer and poet to fall back to the most common of expressions, but there are truly no better words I can give, so… THANK YOU!
Hope you will stick around to see what the next year holds. I am not sure where it will all lead, but I do know that because of all of you, I will be walking that road with a smile!
commonsensiblyspeaking 
Wonderful Brad. Congratulations! You’ve a lovely blog, you’re a very talented and gifted poet which makes your poems so beautiful and interesting to read as you touch upon some very profound truths! All the best my friend!
Thank you, Francisco! Meeting you and becoming friends is one the highlights of my year. You are always generous with your praise and support. I appreciate you! Take care!
Meeting you and becoming friends with you also has been a highlight this year and I feel very proud to support you and your blog as you are a great poet with much to communicate, and much art to bring to us all on your blog. Thank you Brad, and all the best, stay safe,
Francisco
Congratulations!!!!💐💐💐💐
Thank you kindly!
I may not have been there at the start of your journey but I’m so happy and it is a great pleasure being part of it now, supporting your blogs. Your works are such masterpieces, it’s not hard to love what you write. You go inspire more writers, Brad!
Matt, I loved watching your creativity explode in new directions. Your compositions are always provocative and original. And your blending of forms is uniquely creative and always a joy to read. Thanks for all your support!
I learn and get motivation from you, Brad. If anything, I’m the one who should be thanking you.
Congrats Brad, and thanks to you for sharing such wonderful poetries along with the tips, knowledge and various kind of poetry. Like mentioned in past I have learned a lot from you and your work. Keep up the good work my friend, hope to see more of your talents for eternity
Thank you, Vinayak! You have been a gracious and giving supporter from the very start and I appreciate all your kind words and thoughts. Your own compositions challenge my thinking of what poetry is and the beauty within has consistently added color to my world.
congrats on the rebirth of your blog, brad. i’ve only crossed paths with you as of late, and am really enjoying your work and getting to know you.
Thank you, Beth! I appreciate all the time and support you show me, and your own writing has helped me to find new ways to express myself. I look forward to seeing what the year ahead has in store for both of us!
Congrats on your return
Thank you , Michael! And thank you for your support!
🥳🎈🎊🏆
I will read more about your journey Brad, but I want to say I am so glad I found you. You have enriched my life with your woords more than I could ever say. I was at a very down point regarding my blog and my writing when I discovered you and your blog. And I found just the tonic that I needed, and SO MUCH encoragement from you. So THANKYOU. We are all in this together, whatever “this” is… x
I am not sure that kinder words have ever been given to me. Inspiring others to find and share their voice is all I have ever hoped to accomplish. Thank you for saying so!
Oh, Brad you are such a wonderful being and outstanding poet. You touched my heart.
Yes, you need a publisher.
I think I am ready, but I have so little knowledge of the industry, and a literary agent for poetry seems to be an albatross. I hope to follow in your footsteps some day, Poetess!
You are ready. Let’s talk about in the fall.
Agreed. By the way, although it was nearing the end of its limited series life cycle, since you had told me how much you enjoy the Tuesday Tidbits series, I have devoted more time to it and am ready to continue the series for a few more months. I thank you for all the encouragement! You know I love you, my friend! xoxoxo
Good. We have a deal!
Thank you for continuing ” Tuesday Tidbits series,” I really enjoy those posts.
I love you too Brad. You are a wonderful being and a wonderful friend.
congrats on your one-year anniversary! I have enjoyed watching your blog evolve into its current state. I think I first got to know you and your writing from your thoughtful posts about guns.
You have sparked my interest in poetry, and helped me to see it for the wonderful form of art and expression that it is. Along the way, you have also educated me about the different forms of poetry, and often introduced me to a new word or two along the way.
I wish you continued success, and I am grateful for the support you have shown me, as well as many, many other bloggers.
Thank you, Jim! This trip would not have been the same without your constant support and encouragement. As I said in the post, it is the friends I have made along that way that mean the most. I am glad to count you among mine!
the blogging community is incredibly supportive, and it has been wonderful to make some friends like you along the way!
Everyone gets into blogging for their own reasons. A lot of blogs are for people trying to promote themselves or some product. There’s nothing wrong with that, but that’s not me. I see blogging as an exchange of thoughts, ideas, and words in a respectful give and take. In short, it’s an opportunity to meet interesting people. Thanks for being part of that crew, Brad. I haven’t known you long enough to know that this is part two. I’m heading over to read “The Return.”
Pete, I am thankful for the opportunity to meet people just like you. People who readily look past the surface of things with the innate desire to openly discuss what they find.
Congratulations Brad 🎉💐, I’m sure this year you had a wonderful writing journey. I found a good friend, an amazing poet and loving human being here. Feels great to hear from you always. May you grow more into your greatness with every passing day.
Thank you, Shanti! You have been so supportive from day one!
I’m not sure how I missed this post, but it deserves my attention nonetheless. I am not sure exactly when I discovered your blog, but I do remember it happening twice. You did an interview with Mathew, what did he call those? Hell, I can’t remember, but it’s not important. What is important is that I found you intriguing. For whatever reason, I don’t know if it was WordPress or my brain that was wonky but I must not have followed you because I missed a lot, but all of a sudden you appeared again! You left me me praise and support, so I went to your blog to explore, wanting to repay the favor. I was hooked by the very first poem.
I haven’t been with you since the beginning of your return, but I am so glad I made that decision to explore, because not only did I discover a new favorite poet (all-time poet, not just WordPress,) but I also made a friend. You are so supportive and caring and it means the world to me. You inspire me in more ways than I could have imagined and i am so grateful for you! ❤
Congratulations on this milestone. I am looking forward to walking this journey of another year of blogging with you!
All of my love 💞
K
Ah yes, Mathew’s beloved series, “Behind the Author”. I found you through his interview with you, but I never received that high honor. You may have found me either through a submission to his “Wild Poetry” series or the collaborative poem we did in the contrapuntal style. Still one of my favorites.
But, it is unimportant how you found me, I am just glad we found each other. You have been so supportive and honest with me. I look forward to you being an important part of my continued journey and I am lucky to have you to share that with! You’re the best and a dear friend, always! Love you tons! ❤❣🥰😘
That’s it. Thank you! Weird, I thought for sure you were one of the first in that series, but yes, perhaps it was a poetry piece or collaboration. As you said, the “how’s” and “when’s” are of no importance.
You will always have my support and friendship. Love you tons! ❤😘😍💋
Congratulations!!!
First of all, I’d love to thank you for this valuable article.
Truly this article is worth reading. Thanks a lot for the share
Belated anniversary wishes, Brad. Words cannot do justice to the enjoyment I get from visiting you and your blog xx
You are too kind beautiful lady!