Help! I Have Blogger’s Block
This just in! Suzanne’s brain has officially turned to mush.
I started this blog almost two years ago, and have always been able to come up with material for daily posts, but in the last few days: nothing, nada, zip, zilch. I have ideas, but then I realize I’ve already done a post about this or that. Maybe it’s just having a few days off from work and getting used to the slower pace and I’m getting lazy. I dunno.
Anywho, I need your help. Tell me what you would like to see me blog about. Want to see what the cows/calves are up to? Would you like to see more recipe posts, and if so what do you want me to cook? A drive around the countryside? More Kitty? Kitty of course says Yes to that idea, but how about you? A tour of the farm? Harland doing a high wire act? Kitty cooking supper? (Yeah, right. I would LOVE to see that one too.)
You’re in charge. Tell me what you want……please. I need your ideas.
Thank you.
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Harland doing a high wire act, absolutely! good luck on your writer’s block–the affliction must be going around like the stomach flu because I certainly have a virulent case of it.
Suzanne,
I enjoy your blog SO much! Ideas: the countryside near your home or neighboring areas.
-a tour of the farm in the four different Seasons
-I love anything about Kitty or the Barn Cats (we have a cat named Tabitha)
-anything about Nature
Thanks for asking…Mary Ann
P.S. You and Harland are marvelous photographers!
Suzanne, I love reading anything you post. Being a mostly city gal, I enjoy reading about things on the farm – what Harland is doing, what the cattle & calves are doing. That’s always entertaining and educational to me. I love your little road trips – I live vicariously through those posts. Love cooking posts, even though I live alone and don’t do much cooking. But the posts “taste good” to me. And Kitty is always a favorite! I have two cats of my own – Sissy and Darlin – so love that also. Do you have photo tips from you and Harland? Maybe Harland needs to write a post from time to time. Just keep up the good work!!!
Ok Suzanne….give me today to think about this while I’m putzing around the house…I’ll check in later and give you an idea! Right now I’m working on a post, an old family tradition, poppyseed cake…don’t steal my idea, okay?? ha ha!
I believe the idea about photo tips might be a winner. Not to take the place of blogging about your country life but as a fill in for your readers who love the hobby of photography.
You are allowed to take a break once in awhile you know. Your readers love you so they will check back in, no problem.
Happy thinking!
Suzanne everything you post is a winner with me. Don’t worry to much…writer’s block happens to the best of them.
I love your homemade “everything” posts. How about a tour of the Ranch, Farm? Your garden? I love the cows, and of course the antics of Miss Kitty. Your Kansas life in general is very interesting especially your get-away times to see this or that. Your Photography is beautiful too.
Too bad you have to work ……..you could be a full time Homesteader and post all kings of tutorials restoring the old fashioned ways….:o)
Hi Suzanne,
I love your pictures and stories of Kansas! I keep looking back at your posts of the sunflowers. I live in Western New York State and right now it is 19 degrees. Brrr. I have a case of Cleaners/Organization Block. I got a couple new kitchen gadgets for Christmas and don’t have any cupboard space to put them. So, instead I sat down and am looking at your blog! good luck.
I love your recipes, travel stories, photographs, stories about Kitty, working with the cows, and working on the farm. More of the same would never be boring!
I’m sure it will pass and you will come up with wonderful things to share with us. Just be you and it will be fine. In the meantime, maybe you need to ease up on the pressure you are putting on yourself…. post 2-3 times a week rather than every day.
Are you guys members of the Explorers? You could pick a “Quest” and blog about that from time to time over the next few years. (http://www.kansassampler.org/kansasexplorersclub//page.php?id=179
Examples are: To eat a steak in every single county. To photograph every single courthouse. etc…
I’d love to learn more about the communities near where you live. Interesting places, geography, history, architecture, places to eat, plans for the future, etc…
Suzanne, what I love about your posts is that they contain beautiful pictures of the countryside, animals, delicious food and just every day life. Please – more pictures of your travels ( I never get to go anywhere!), the wonderful fields and sky just outside your door. Oh, I loved the posts about the churches you visited! We (your readers) just enjoy seeing how you lucky people in Kansas live. Thank you again for sharing!
Good luck, the one thing I know is I miss your post. I check for new ones each day!
Can you tell us about your Etsy experience. I want to open an Etsy store but would like to hear about your experiences. Is it pretty easy or difficult?
I love your blog. One of my favorites. Love kittys stories, your travels, I think about the story you wrote about the rose bushes from time to time. 🙂
Mandy,
My Etsy experience has been very good. My “store” was easy to set up. I just love the tutorials that Etsy offers. They send an email to you when you start an account that has a link to a tutorial that tells you step by step how to set up the shop and get it running smoothly. You have to get a tax ID number thru the US gov’t site and your own state site, but that wasn’t hard either. If you have any questions, just ask, I’ll be happy to help.
Like the rest I love anything you post. I’ve been having writer’s block too. Maybe it’s the holiday season and being so busy!
I was wondering the other day what is going on with the panda calf. Is he going to be sold? What does he look like now? I would love to hear something about him.
Also anything about Kitty. Isn’t it something how we are owned by our cats?
Or anything about what goes on with a farm in the winter. What kinds of things do you have to do to keep things going?
Like I said, no matter what you write it is interesting and informative. Hang in there.
Hi Kathy,
Thanks for all your ideas. I’m going to get up to the farm and take pics of the calves again this weekend. We sell all our calves except for 10 girls who will be used to replace older cows. But all the boy calves (steers) will be sold and alas, Panda calf is a steer.
Thanks again.
More kitty! Any more rogue cows? How about a photo tour of the farm? Small town downtown charm?
I’d love to have a tour around your farm! I enjoy seeing how farms in other parts of the country are put together and function. 🙂
Oh, that Explore Kansas that Garden of Daises mentioned sound like something you and Harlan would both love!!!! Kinda adds purpose to the wandering. Maybe I need to do something like that myself…hmmmmmm……..to get me out and about more…….
Otherwise, I’m happy to read whatever you post.
I would love a good multigrain bread recipe if you’ve got one!
Will look up a good recipe to share soon. Thanks Maegan.
Recipes!! I have cooked several of your recipes and they are really good! Posts about Kitty are always good too!
I am interested in seeing in what is going on around the ranch, and recipes. Whatever you are cooking! Not so much interested in the kitty.
What you are reading.
Things about the farm.
Pictures, pictures, and more pictures.
Recipes.
I am always amazed at the things you come up with!
And love reading them. I love the photos the most.
And your humorous comments 🙂
I think it would be very hard to come up with blog topics!
Maybe you need to post a little less often, although I would miss you.
I’m trying to think of new topics……
I enjoy your cooking posts with pictures!
I love your posts about Kitty!
Love to see the photos of Kansas in all seasons, which helps me appreciate the state I live in more.
I always enjoy your posts about farm life, since I am a city girl!
Love seeing photos of Harland!
I’ll try to keep thinking……..
Suzanne. You have done magnificently and just don’t worry. Maybe you have done what you need to and it’s time for a break.
When I started with ‘thefieldofgold’ what I had in mind was to make a record, a sort of book. And the blog was a way to do that and a really good way. But after a while I had said and recorded the things I wanted to and really just ran out.
I truly appreciate those blogs that are journalistic and very frequent. But it’s not the only way. Maybe it’s fine to make your record and then stop for a while. I’ll miss it – but that’s not the point. maybe you are better to do the things you want and not do it if you don’t.
‘thefieldofgold’ has slowed markedly. I have been tempted and sometimes have put up poor posts because of the need to do something. I am starting to not do that. Maybe it will get going again and maybe not. It’s there and it’s interesting to see many old posts are accessed by people via google and such.
But I have to say ‘Window on the Prairis’ is one of the best. Genuine journalism and I know so much more about Kansas in a real way.
I love Kitty, so definitely more articles and pictures of her. I have a calico also, they are such wonderful creatures. I would like to see more recipes. Tell us about your camera. I’m thinking of buying a new one and would like some information. What photo software do you use? I love your blog, just keep doing whatever you are doing.
Hi Patti,
I’ll start having some stuff about my camera and how to take pics in future posts, but wanted to get an answer to you about my camera. I use a Canon 50D, and have 2 lenses: most of the time I use a 28-210 sigma and for animals in nature I used a 400 canon lens.
Thanks!
I’d love to see anything about Kitty.
Here’s what helps me: on Tuesday’s, I link up to Bluff Area Daily’s Barn Charm: http://www.bluffareadaily.blogspot.com/
On Thursday’s, I participate in Mama Kat’s Writer’s Workshop here: http://www.mamakatslosinit.com/. She offers 5 prompts each week, and my posts based on those prompts have become some of my favorites!
I’ve found that, by participating in these link-ups, I’ve made many new blogging friends.
Your pictures are wonderful, but you are also a very good writer. You describe your life on the farm very well and with a lot of humor too. I read your post every day. I also enjoy your videos . . harvesting, birds, drives down wintry roads. I live in the city and look forward to “going to the farm”. I’m sure your bloggers block is only temporary, and I look forward to whatever you choose to post. (though Harland on a high wire would be different):-)
I love your witty sense of humor! Your recipes are great, and the kitty posts are wonderful. I really would like to see more of your farm, the local countryside, maybe some history or interesting facts, the local flora and fauna. Even just your thoughts on life. Love your photos and the way you write. You could write about anything and it would be interesting because you have a uniquely wonderful sense of humor.
As a homesick midwesterner who was transplanted to California many years back, I appreciate seeing all of the great photos of the local countryside, places you visit, the farm, and animals, and especially Kitty (since I have two kitties). Hope you take a brief restful ‘refueling’ break before posting again.
Suzanne, I seldom miss a day reading your blog. I love how you are so real & write with your heart. Kitty stories & the barn cats, along with all of your photographs, are wonderful. Harland’s photos are wonderful, too! Having grown up on a small farm, I relate to your posts about crops, cattle & wildlife. I enjoy seeing what’s growing in your yard & vegetable garden. The trips you & Harland take are so interesting & often off the beaten path. The photos & descriptions of locations where you overnight are fun to read. I’m glad you share your stories with us & look forward to reading more about anything you want to write.
I like EVERYTHING you’ve been writing about. It’s a nice mix of who you are, the things you do, and where you live. Since I’m originally from the Sunflower State, I have really been enjoying your excursions to out-of-the-way places and the stories behind them. I’ve learned a lot about Kansas, and your photos take me right there! Perhaps there are other places in northeast Kansas that may have interesting stories behind them ( Davis Memorial Cemetery in Hiawatha comes to mind). Or is there anything about your work that you could include in a blog?
But really, Suzanne, as far as I’m concerned, I enjoy all your photos and stories about Kitty, the activities on the farm, your delicious recipes (got any good soups?), and the trips you and hubby take. I think us readers just enjoy your allowing us to peek into your life because you make even the most ordinary things humorous and interesting. That being said, you’re allowed a little break through the holidays to recharge, if it feels right to you. No pressure! :o)
I think you do a marvelous job….why don’t you take a break now & then from Blogging…refresh your mind….getting away for a while always gives one a different outlook on things when they come back.
But you wanted suggestions, so here goes…
More kitty and barn cat antics…skunk included
more cooking segments and recipes…
What other type of farming is Kansas noted for
closest town and what it offers
local food…..comparing difference to different states
whatever you do is fine with me as I read your blog faithfully…might not always post comments but I’m always in back ground.
Celia
Pictures and stories from your childhood, your first job, Harland’s history–has the farm been in his family for a while? Soup recipes.
I love to see ranch/farm things, even though we live in a rural area and own the homestead-like Phony Farm. I also do some photography and enjoy the photographs. Harland is my FB friend. Yes, I would like to know some the history of the farm and your own history. Also like the idea of Harland on a highwire.
From a tiny hanmlet in Middle TN.
Hi! I really enjoy all your posts, and my favorites are kitty.
Blogger Block – Oh No. I wondered where you were, thought maybe you and Harland went on another trip and I was waiting to see where you had been playing. Elaine up above here had a great idea Homemade Soup, need some more ideas. And Kitty is always welcome here. I read you everyday and love the farming post because it takes me back to where I was raised on a 200 acre farm.(does that sound like you front yard?) Love the cows too. Love your blog just don’t worry about it, its that time of year. A whole new one is almost here! Happy New Year.
Thanks everyone for all your great suggestions/ideas. I have a lot of things to post about now. You’ve provided a great kick in the pants for my writer’s block! Thank you very much!
I just started following your blog about a month ago and enjoy it immensely. I grew up in western KS on a wheat/cattle farm, so enjoy reading about your farm life and seeing your great photography. We really like your biscuits and had them for breakfast this morning! When you lived in north central Missouri, I wish I would have taken time to get to know you. Holiday blessings to you and those you love.
I find it hard to believe that you have trouble with what to blog. Ha ha! I have been following you for over a year and love all that you do! I really enjoy seeing how you and Harland interact, and your country travels. I really like down home stuff. Just keeping it real. I miss my Missouri so I go to you for reminding me of where I came from.
Again thanks for all you past and future post.
Suzanne, I enjoy everything you write about, especially the farm, your local area, the animals, and your great recipes. Just write about what you see and enjoy.
Suzanne, I love all of your posts and try to comment often so you know someone is out there. I would love more recipes, especially maybe crockpot ones. I work also and any recipes that are easy to get dinner on the table would be nice. I have made several of your recipes and love your Hermit cookies. I also have cats and love the posts on Kitty. I have really enjoyed all your adventures. When you drove the harvester I had to play it several times. Great stuff! Keep up the good work. By the way one of my favorite posts was the frost flowers. Have a wonderful and blessed New Year. I stop by to visit every day but you deserve time off too.
Another thought…you could write about any hobbies. Do you knit or sew or quilt? I loved your quilted Christmas ball and would like a post on how to make one. I am an avid reader and would love to know what you are reading. I would also like a tour of your town. I also like another readers suggestion of having Harland do a few posts. Hope some of these suggestions help. I love your site.
I vote for the Harland high-wire act! I can see where winter is a more challenging time. I think it’s OK to take a day off every week and rejuvenate your brain. And remember a picture is worth a thousand words — especially scenes from you or Harland — so you don’t always need to write a lot. I always enjoy seeing Kitty and reading your recipes (I bet Harland likes it when you do those too). Cheers to you and 2012!
Your blog is just about having fun! Whether it’s about animals, or driving around the country, and some like me, I have not seen many sites from most of your pictures. I love history! So the amazing churches and any of the old buildings are just an extra dose of happiness for me to view! Just about anything will do!