Charles VIII courtesy of google.com
On March 11, 1483, Charles VIII (the l’Affable) became king of France. Only a handful of historians will remember the fact. Far worse, to my thinking, is that a smaller number will note I published my first blog, March 24, 2010. Even so, I feel chuffed about the 9 year accomplishment.
Of course, when I began, I imagined my effort would be an extension of me. But I was wrong. Over the years, readers added their words to mine, transforming the site into a joint venture.
I’m grateful for my readers’ company. The first day of my blog I remember how lonely I felt, sending my words through time and space. The experience allowed me to glimpse, in an instant, a vastness comparable to the universe and the emptiness of a black hole.
A blog, I learned recently, derives from the notion of a journey. Dale Hess, a fellow blogger, who is also about to celebrate 9 years at the game, provided the explanation. The word is a coupling of log, referring to a ship’s log, and the letter b, the last in the word web. We were chatting about this derivation as we sat waiting to film a new episode of Just Read It. Just Read It is my 10 minute book discussion with local writers about New York Times Best Sellers.
I say “my program,” even though for the past four years, Susan Stoner and I co-hosted the show. Susan has chosen to focus on her writing, so I’ve decided to fly solo. The program’s new format will air in a few months. A new camera crew has added embellishments which I hope will please.
If anyone wants to follow along with the new episode, as I enter the 5th year of the series, here’s a list of the books we will be discussing: Natural Causes by Barbara Ehrenreich, The Gentleman in Moscow by Amol Towles and The Tuscan Child by Rhys Bowen.
I can’t promise the pomp and circumstances of a king’s coronation as I celebrate the anniversaries of my blog and my vlog, but I do hope to keep you royally entertained.
