Okay, I realize, at this stage of my blogging life, I’m largely talking to myself, but I’ve been doing this fairly regularly for more than two months now, and I still can’t decide what I want this blog to be. I write like I’m going to be graded. I’ve been wandering around the Internet, going from blog to blog, finding blogs I sort of like and linking to blogs those bloggers like, but I can’t seem to hear the voice I want to hear. I should note that I’ve pretty much restricted my search to blogs by women, which in many — but certainly not all — cases kind of limits the conversation to the traditional women’s topics: love, relationships, parenting, fashion, body image, equality, etc.
I’ll admit it. I envy the mommybloggers. Twenty years ago — barely married, relocated and jobless, holed up in a Victorian three-flat in Chicago with two very small boys and no one to talk to — I would have found those sites a lifeline, a very Godsend. But, despite the obvious fact that theirs are among the most powerful and prolific voices on the Web, the Mommys don’t speak to or for me. I have different issues now, and I’d like to talk about them and hear others talk as well.
I enjoy the literary blogs, particularly Maud Newton, with her combination of literary insights, family history and life in the Big City. I learned of her and several other great literary/arts blogs from another favorite, critic Terry Teachout. And who couldn’t love Bossy? (Good luck on your trip, girl!) But there are some pretty dark voices out there, and while I don’t mind a well-written rant, I tend to stay away from the really angry bloggers.
It’s not like I’m a neophyte. I may not choose to have a Facebook or a MySpace site, but back in the day I would almost daily log onto alt.fashion (“What are YOU wearing today?”) and alt.depression (with its multiple threads) to check in and join in the conversation. Does anyone else remember this? Am I such a dinosaur? It was just the ’90s! I know you’re out there!
If you are a woman of a certain age (doesn’t that sound better than middle-aged?) and know of blogs that talk comprehensively about this wonderful, frustrating stage of life, please let me know. I even have a name for it: More than Menopause: Welcome to Midlife.
We need to talk.
March 6, 2008 at 8:05 pm
Hello, I found you through Blogher.
First I must say–you link the Shakespearean Insult Generator in your sidebar! A woman after my own Bardy heart.
But, to your question. I’m middle-aged, a blogger and an arts lover. When I first discovered the Net I hung out in CompuServe forums. Now, I mainly blog and visit a few forums from time to time.
So, don’t give up. We are out there.
March 23, 2008 at 5:55 pm
I can’t believe I found you! I am a total newbie at this whole blog thing but I am looking for interaction with other “middle-aged” women going through the same thing. Not so much the physical changes, I don’t even want to acknowledge those, just some introspective chat about what is this life supposed to be about? I have worked for 20+ years working fulltime, raising three children, going through the hills and vallies of married life……is there more???? I tried Facebook but my daughter told me I was pathetic as only 20 somethings and younger use Facebook…who knew?
March 30, 2008 at 11:55 am
I found you through BlogHer, and I agree totally with the difficulty in finding mom and/or dad blogs of the “older” crowd.
Since my 6 kids are all grown now, youngest is 18, I really can’t relate well with posts about cupcake smeared all over little faces, or the latest episode of Johnny jumping on the couch after being told to stop, etc.
Hopefully I’ll be able to find more older mom and dad blogs through browsing through BlogHer, as well as on Twitter. Are you using it? If not, you should, as it is awesome.
March 31, 2008 at 2:12 pm
Thanks for initiating the conversation! You’ve really started something on BlogHer!
September 9, 2008 at 3:11 pm
My name is Denise Burks and I live in Naperville, Illinois a suburb of Chicago. I am working on a project called “Success In The Suburbs”.
“Success In The Suburbs” is a series of interviews and photographs of interesting Naperville women who like their suburban lives.
Next week I will launch the website, http://www.successinthesuburbs.com. The website is where the interviews and photographs will be published, initially. Next winter I will publish a Volunteer Directory that will feature many of these women, since volunteering is a big part of the suburban scene. And, finally, I intend to publish a four color photo essay book in the spring. Recently I posted a one minute commercial on YouTube that is part of my grass roots effort to contact additional women in Naperville who might be willing to let me into their home with my tape recorder and camera.
I would be honored if you would visit my commercial on YouTube (link below).
I intend to list your blog as one of my favorites.
Warmest Regards,
Denise Burks
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KaoDnCGgsjU
Name of YouTube Video: Success In The Suburbs
http://www.successinthesuburbs.com (coming soon!)
Denise Burks
Success In The Suburbs
55 South Main Street Suite 367
Naperville, IL 60564
630.885.0172
August 17, 2009 at 12:52 pm
Hi There
I’m a new 50 year old woman who has been blogging since 2007 about life in a rural Irish town.
I’ve made a lot of older women blogger friends around the world and have even met some face to face when they have visited here.
Today I started a new blog that will be about the mad and mysterious peri and menopausal journey that I’m on … it’s called Menopausal Ninja Vixen (http://mnvixen.wordpress.com).
I’ll be rss ing your blog.
slan
Liz