Friday, 20 April 2007
Elderbloggers List Update
Yesterday, I updated the Elderbloggers List on the left sidebar. The count is 200 now and I’ve marked the new ones with an asterisk so you can easily find them. To give you time to make new discoveries, I’ll leave the asterisks for a couple of weeks.
In no way does this list cover all the elderblogs there are nor does it try to do so. It’s a subjective list because it could not be otherwise, but there are some objective criteria and this seems a good time to repeat them:
- The blogger must be 50 or older
- The blog must publish at least once a week
- The blog must be designed well enough to be easily navigable
- The blog must be reasonably well-written and follow the generally accepted rules of spelling and grammar
- No light-colored text on a dark background
- It must be a personal, not commercial or business blog
- The blog must have been regularly published for at least three months
- The blog should be a compelling read
Well, that last item is subjective, isn’t it. In the interests of full disclosure, some other subjective criteria are these:
In general, group-written blogs are not included nor are blogs that promote a specific religion although blogs that discuss religion (or lack thereof) and spirituality in general are welcome. And it goes without saying, I hope, that no blogs are included that express prejudice or bigotry of any sort. Even once. In the past, I have removed two blogs which used unacceptable words for certain ethnic/religious groups in a derogatory manner.
That said, we all have our prejudices and I can think of two I apply in choosing blogs to exclude:
- Far right-wing politics and Bush administration supporters
- Mushy, platitudinous writing
None of this is particularly important (we all make these sorts of choices) except that I get a lot of requests for blogs to be added to the list and perhaps this will explain why some are rejected.
The length of the list is becoming unwieldy, but I haven’t found a solution for that. I have no reason to prune it and every reason to continue expanding it.
[EDITORIAL NOTE: Norm Jenson's new story, Parental Control, at The Elder Storytelling Place is probably not about what you would first guess.]
Posted by Ronni Bennett at 06:50 AM | Permalink | Email this post
Comments
Bless your heart for not including Bush supporters...
But wouldn't it be a perfect world indeed, if there were NO Bush supporters??
Posted by: mizmell on Apr 20, 2007 8:13:12 AM
Thanks for the updated Blog Roll. I'm flattered to be included! I've been reading a lot of young mom blogs because those are the ones I've linked to through my daughters. I'm so glad to know people in my stage of life are a major part of the blogging community. Elders add the depth, experience and humor I most enjoy. Kids are great but I like a little grown up talk!
Posted by: Travelinoma on Apr 20, 2007 12:19:00 PM
Thanks for the link! I'm honored to be included. I don't do wingnuts, either.
Posted by: Gay on Apr 20, 2007 12:54:44 PM
I'm amazed. You don't include Bush supporter blogs but I guess that means you must include other party supporter blogs? I'm amazed. I always thought the US was based on equal rights but I guess I'm wrong. And he's the President of the US!! We don't much like him up here in Canada either but you would think that an American based blog would at least allow links to several points of view, particularly one based on the leader of their country,no matter how much you don't like him.
I was going to ask to be linked because I qualify for all the critera (I think) but I'd rather find a non partisan group to be associated with.
Posted by: The Savvy Boomer on Apr 20, 2007 1:13:26 PM
Thanks so much for including me on the list of elderbloggers. I fee like I'm in very good company there!
Posted by: kalyn on Apr 20, 2007 3:30:33 PM
Some time ago you were going to try grouping blogs, but this was before your email went funny and starting eating everything as spam sandwiches.
Is this still a project of yours? do you want us to resend emails or just make a new announcement when you have "idle time"?
Posted by: vuee on Apr 20, 2007 5:57:23 PM
Ronni, thanks for changing the link to my newer blog. You have listed so many new ones I was unaware of - and I can't wait until I have the time to check them all out. Thanks!
Posted by: kenju on Apr 20, 2007 8:32:39 PM
Thanks for the update. Here's one you might enjoy. It's called The Life of Riley, and it's by a 107 year old woman in Australia. If you want to check it out, the link is www.allaboutolive.com.au
She's a hoot.
Posted by: Betty on Apr 20, 2007 9:26:47 PM
Stand by your prejudices!! It's YOUR blog (not the public airwaves) and you don't have to link to Newt Gingrich if you don't want to.
Posted by: Susan Harris on Apr 21, 2007 6:26:06 AM
Thanks for the link!
Thanks for introducing us to the Zimmers! I have sent the video to many friends and everyone loves it.
The almost 30 year old son is in shock that mom is sending him videos to check out.
Thank you for introducing us to other ElderBloggers.
Posted by: cesnh on Apr 21, 2007 7:18:02 AM
I am amazed that Bush has any supporters left. I guess they aren't able to connect the dots. Thank you for not including the lies and disinformation from the far right-wing; we get enough of that from other sources.
Posted by: Darlene on Apr 21, 2007 11:00:37 AM
Ronni
Thanks for including Driftwood Inspiration on your Elder Bloggers blog roll.
This is an amazing complilation of elder bloggers, without which I would never have found my way into and around the special world of elder bloggers.
I can't wait to start visiting some of these additions which are new to me.
Posted by: Chancy on Apr 21, 2007 2:58:44 PM
vuee: Yes, I once thought I would create a page organizing elderblogs by topic. I worked on it for awhile, but it soon became obvious that I would have almost as many categories as there are blogs, so I abandoned it.
If anyone has a better idea, I'm open to hearing it.
Posted by: Ronni Bennett on Apr 21, 2007 4:41:34 PM
Happy, oh, happy not to be sharing the blogosphere with Bush supporters. Maybe we do get wiser as we get older after all!
If I may slip in a swift 'public service announcement' (advert), I have just posted a two-part piece on ageing on the Patteran Pages.
Posted by: Dick on Apr 21, 2007 6:04:02 PM
We now know that all opinions or points of view are not welcome. I was with you including right wing nuts, but I agree with the Savvy Boomer. Talk about discrimination!
Posted by: Bonnie on Apr 21, 2007 6:36:02 PM
Bloggers also have the absolute right to delete any comment they want to and ban anyone from commenting they want to. In my almost 2 years I've only deleted 2 comments and banned no one but I like having those options at all times.
One blog I'm involved with has a global warming denier who's suddenly appeared and is very vocal in the comments and okay, we're open to other ideas but why should we waste our time debating with a member of the Flat Earth Society? I've told him I'm not reading his comments anymore, and I kinda hope our other readers eventually stop debating him and maybe he'll go away.
Posted by: Susan Harris on Apr 21, 2007 9:27:22 PM
I never thought of being an elder blogger, or an elder anything! But I fit the criteria... so now I guess I should go get a bus pass? Oh, forgot, there's no bus here.
Anyway, I am in the midst of moving "Think On It" to my own website, so I've used the new address above.
I've only ever posted on aging once, but I do post using the word lobster often, since I then get picked up by the lobster board, and it has become a game to me to see how long it takes them to cruise and find me.
Posted by: Judith in Umbria on Apr 22, 2007 5:04:40 AM
I always say that wherever two or more are gathered, there is bound to be disagreement. I see my blog is there--and thank you, Ronni, although I guess I never assumed you were giving awards--just like minded, kindred elderspirits. Thanks.
Posted by: Fran aka Redondowriter on Apr 22, 2007 11:13:04 PM
Ronni--
Regretfully, I no longer fulfill the criteria for listing among your Elderbloggers. (No, I didn't get younger...I quit blogging!) Thanks for keeping me on your listing for the last couple of years. I'll still be around as a reader/sometime commentor.
Posted by: Cop Car on Apr 25, 2007 1:07:23 PM
Ronni, I love the feeling of being part of a worldwide community of 'elderbloggers'. So glad I am still on your list even though I haven't posted for quite a while. (I am 'on the road' at the moment, visiting family in various, far-flung places). Storing up lots of things to blog about when I get home. And looking forward to reading the new additions to your list.
Posted by: Marian Van Eyk McCain on Apr 26, 2007 1:20:31 PM
Sure it is your blog Ronni and you can have on it whomever you please. However, if you exclude certain people now whom else will you choose to exclude later. As for me, all are welcome at my blog even Liberals and leftists if they are civil and of reasonable intellect.
Posted by: Paul on Jun 9, 2007 9:57:50 PM
Congratulations on your wonderful blog and thank you for allowing the download of the Proud ElderBlogger image. I've made a logo "ELDERBLOGGER UNITED" on my website. All are welcome to you it where you see fit.
I hope you can include my blog on your list.
Posted by: Andrew Chadwick on Jul 15, 2007 10:01:19 PM
I've added the elderblogger tag button to my sidebar! Could you add my blog to your list?
Thanks.
Posted by: Hootin' Anni on Jul 17, 2007 10:05:31 AM
Thanks for the invitation, Ronni. I think I qualify and so I've added the Elderblogger link...Please take a look.
Posted by: Steven on Jul 25, 2007 6:54:53 PM
Hi Ronni,
I don't know how I got to be an elder. It just snuck up on me, and now that I've reached 60, and love to write, I'm starting to get my arms around my elder status by writing about it. I hope you and others check out my blog and enjoy it, especially if you want to write about your life or are interested in those who do.
Posted by: Jerry Waxler on Aug 27, 2007 7:22:58 AM
How do I get on the list; I'd like to download the elderblogger badge for my blog.
Posted by: Alice on Sep 4, 2007 12:18:52 AM
