Comments

Comments have been a common topic in the blogosphere lately. To read them or not, write them or not, allow them or not, moderate them or not, respond to them or not, and like them or not. By the looks of things, comments can get complicated!

I've read more comments in the last few days than ever. The tragic deaths of Bruce and Margie have everyone talking. Margie's daughter's posts have generated more than 200 comments. And, I've read every one. Most of my blogging buddies have shared their thoughts about the loss of these two beautiful souls. And, every post has generated comments. Again, I've read every one. As my buds shared reflections about Margie, everyone mentioned how much she commented on their blogs and how much they loved hearing from her. Margie was a prolific commenter! She left many comments on our two blogs. I've gone back and read several of them over the last few days. I found myself looking for a response from her on my last post. But, of course, it's not to be.

All this has made me think about how little I comment. I'm a voracious reader of blogs, but I'm a lousy commenter. I think about things to say, but I usually don't. Why? I'm going to blame it on my iphone. (I blame it for lots of things, so I'll just add this to the list.) I do most of my blog reading on my iphone, which makes it super easy to keep up to date with my blogging friends. But, when it comes to writing on the iphone, I'm all thumbs. It takes me five minutes to type five words! That makes commenting a real challenge.

Comments transform a blog from a one-way communication vehicle to a many-way conversation. Some folks may just want to stand on their blog podiums and preach. And, I suppose that's fine. But, I find it much more interesting to be a part of conversations. Lots of them.

So, I'm going to be a better commenter! I'm going to read blogs at my nifty laptop with this wonderful keyboard where all my fingers can go to work. I'll let the comments fly! And, I'll respond to comments on our blogs. I won't comment just to comment. I'll do my best to foster conversation and acknowledge the work of my fellow bloggers.

For the record, I like comments. So, they'll be here on both blogs, completely unmoderated with no password required. I read every one, of course. And, now, I'll do my very best to respond.

Let's keep the conversation going!