“Your blog feels like home.”

Sometimes I wonder if I’m doing this blogging thing right. I don’t do it like any other blogger I know.

There are no posting schedules for me – I post when inspiration strikes. I rarely check my stats. I’m not interested in running ads or posting affiliate links. Not that there’s anything wrong with those things, there isn’t; that’s just not me.

And yet, I keep coming back to it. Am I blogging wrong? I’ve always been a bit backward. It takes me a little longer to get where I’m going than it does others. Should I be pushing harder?

When I started beating myself up over it, I got an email from Jim Teachy. Jim’s email is where the above quote came from.

Your blog feels like home.

That right there is the most touching bit of praise I’ve received about Where the Dogwood Blooms. It’s why I started this blog: to help people feel connected to their roots and introduce others to a genuine North Carolina experience.

I want locals to feel like they’re home when they visit this site and newcomers to learn to love our cultural heritage as much as we do.

Jim’s praise seems to have opened the flood gates. His one sweet comment started a snowball effect.

I was interviewed by Melissa Vera on Chats from the Blog Cabin, who encouraged me to start my own show. My anxiety immediately kicked in, and I thought: me with a podcast?

When I posted about the interview on Twitter, one of my followers thought I’d released my own show. He was incredibly excited about it. My mind was blown that anyone wanted to hear me ramble about life in North Carolina.

His excitement led me to do a little research on podcasting. Who knows, maybe I’ll diversify content in the future.

Right after that, I got a few messages from folks wanting more information on my upcoming appearance at the Highland Games. I can’t hardly believe there are people out there who may travel to listen to me do some family storytelling.

These little things made me realize that I’m too hard on myself. There’s nothing wrong with taking the scenic route. Backward or not, I’ll get where I am going. I always do.

Thank y’all for helping me figure that out. I’m beyond grateful for all of the encouragement. And that’s what each comment, subscribe, follow, share, like, and email is.

I appreciate it all.