Why Follow This Blog?

I am humbled by the number of people who send me comments on Facebook, stop me at church or school to mention my blog, refer to my posts before my YMCA classes, or tell me over the phone or via email, Facebook, or Twitter that they read what I've written.  Wow!

I thank you.

I started blogging because I'm a writer.  I've always loved writing, but as an elementary school teacher, my passion became to inspire 8 and 9-year-olds to LOVE writing.  If I can't write for a living, maybe I can inspire a few who will.  MY personal writing has be relegated to the proverbial "back burner" as I've pursued my teaching and fitness careers.  Thankfully, with today's technology, I don't have to write my thoughts, send them to a publisher, and wait for 8 months to receive a letter saying that they won't be publishing my writings at this time.  Today, anyone can publish.  That gives me the courage to write.  But to whom?

This spring, I've written about things that I'm passionate about through this pubic forum.  It all started as a private blog, but I've opened it up to Facebook friends, and now to the rest of you who either live gluten-free or love fitness and healthy living.  I don't have anything to sell; I'm just excited about sharing my experiences with anyone who's willing to listen.  I publish as "Dusty Whiskers", because I am Mama Kitty to two amazing little black cats, but in this day and age you have to protect yourself from ridiculous things like identity fraud.  Most of you know who I am anyway...

More importantly, I want to talk to you.  I want to hear what you think. I want to hear your thoughts about my posts, ideas, recipes, product and restaurant endorsements, and experiences.  I want to hear from you.  I want to know how you've tweaked my recipes, how I could improve mine.  I want to know where some of your inspirations come from so I can be inspired too.  I want to know what fitness endeavors your taking on.  Let's talk!

And also, writers need feedback.  Yeah, we're needy.  The poor Husband has to deal with my complaints that I only have X number of followers.  I can't tell you how excited I was when I had my first follower who wasn't required by genetic code to follow my blog.  (Thank you, Mark!)

Also, because I want this to be a place of dialogue between people who want to discuss health and fitness.  I don't want this to be a place where I post my thoughts to the air.  I want this to be YOUR forum as well.  What do YOU want to share?  Do you agree with my ideas?  Do you have others to share with me?

And, I'll admit it, because I'm a needy writer-girl.  Yes, that's me.  As soon as I hit the "publish" button, I start imagining those who will actually read my post.  I can always count on Karen to respond immediately.  As my college roommie and fitness aficionado, I know she understands my purpose and my neediness.  But, in utter transparency, I confess that I check HOURLY for blog comments.  I'm in desperate need of affirmation!

Thank you for reading this blog.  Thank you for responding via Facebook and email about my posts.  But if you're willing to sign up to officially "follow" this blog (and/or the gluten-free cat fitness blog), I'd LOVE it.  All it takes is registering and signing in when you want to engage in dialogue.  (And of COURSE you can sign in as WHOEVER you want.  "Dusty Whiskers" is already taken.)

Regardless, thank you for reading.  I love you all.