Just a quick note today, and a couple questions for you.
For the last month of 2021 I’ll be off-line and somewhat out-of-pocket, which means the last planned post for the year is this Sunday’s links post, for which I have a slew of things to share with you. It’s been that kind of month.
As for December, it’s my red wheelbarrow, upon which so much depends. There are things to think about. This blog is one of them.
I’ve been writing in this space for ten years. And before this blog, there were two others. I’m not quite OG, but I’m OG-adjacent.
I intend to keep writing, here and elsewhere, but I’m considering how I might want to proceed. I know most of you subscribe via feed or email. Would you be (just as) happy with an email newsletter rather than a blog post? Would it make any difference? A newsletter feels more personal to me, more connected, less vox in deserto, but that’s me. What’s your take?
Also, I’m wondering how you feel about the monthly links posts. I know I’ve only done two so far, with a third one coming this weekend, but I’m completely enamored of them, and I look forward all month to putting them together. They give my online wanderings a sense of focus. Do you find them useful? I like it when writers I enjoy point me toward writing they enjoy. Give me all the links. The internet is too big for me to wander it alone.
But maybe you have all the links you need, and you just want more me. Maybe even more poems. (Seriously! I could make that happen!)
Please share your thoughts. I’m going to take your replies with me into my (deep and dark) December, and come out on the other end with a bit of clarity. That’s the plan, anyway.
Look for me on Sunday, then I’ll see you on the other side.
As always, I’m grateful for you.
ps pirro 
Hi Peggy: I already subscribe to your blog feed, so moving to a newsletter wouldn’t be any different for me. As long as it comes to my email, it’s all the same to me.
I use a blog format rather than newsletter because it’s easier to save posts, to search what I’ve written in past, and to link to things I’ve written in past. I also find it hard to link my readers to others’ newsletter content, since in some cases they don’t have a specific URL to link to.
I like your links posts, but since I’ve been doing them for nearly 20 years myself I’m obviously biased.
I hadn’t considered the linking or searching aspect of newsletters. Good points. I’ve been enjoying your links posts (and the rest of your work) for quite a few of those 20 years, as you know. 🙂 Thanks for the feedback.
Hi, Peggy!
I get your newsletter via email – I can’t remember right now if there’s another way – so the format doesn’t matter to me, as long as you keep sending it to me!
I like links too, and I love your poetry.
Sorry, I’m terrible at constructive criticism when I appreciate the content. I have no complaints. Your writing is awesome! Keep it coming.
Happy Holidays and all the rest, Lori
Thank you, Lori. I thought of you recently when I heard a Tom Jones version of “Ain’t No Hole in My Head” (it’s awesome, in the way that only a Tom Jones song can be.) It’s good to hear from you.
Hi, Peggy!
I subscribe to your blog and would happily subscribe to your newsletter should you decide to switch to that format. In fact, I just now searched my email for this post to say that, and because I’ve been curious about writing a newsletter myself, rather than my blog, which lies dormant. So, yeah, if you go newsletter, I will follow. Happy New Year! Hope to see you soon.
–Laura