Shit - I'm sorry you're not going to blog anymore. I see your blog as a valuable resource. I would have never found out about the Thought Police legislation otherwise. You've brought my thinking up to date with respect to aging and ageism. I've also found some other wonderful blogs while trawling through your list of other bloggers.

Thanks for all the blog entries. I'll miss this blog. I'll miss Ollie and I'll miss Crabby too.

I am sooo sorry to hear this. Please let us faithfull readers know if you will be expressing yourself and sharing yourself somewhere else. We want to come along.

Uff Da!!!!

There are no words to tell you what your extraordinary attention to the things that means so much to us all have meant to me.

You have a die-hard fan in Minnesota who will miss TGB in a huge way.

Oh.No! You are irreplaceable. Please rethink and reconsider your decision to stop writing your blog. Your absence will diminish the Internet severely.

This is a blow, Ronni. Take a walk, take a long bath, pet your cat. Reconsider. You're an important voice. Don't cut yourself off.

I too am going to miss you and your words, Ronni. Can't this be a short time out instead of the end?

Ronni, I have really enjoyed your blog, and have found a lot of good information in it. I'm sorry to hear that you are shutting down, but four years is a long time to maintain a blog. I find myself getting tired of coming up with something new to say, and I've only been at it for two years. I hope you'll let us know if you decide to start another blog somewhere, sometime in the future. Best wishes to you.

Dear Ronni -- this is devastating. I am so sorry. There have been a few blogs that truly inspired me: Jeanne d'Arc's, Steve Gilliard's, Billmon's, yours -- and now you are all gone.

At least you are still around. Don't let the bastards get you down as you go on to other venues. We don't have that option.

Oh my God!!!!!!! I don't know what to say! I do understand your frustration and the toll it can take. You have been a wonderful leader for us elders and I don't want you to go. This breaks my heart and I hope you will reconsider. Like Rain, I hope, that should you decide to start a new project, that you keep my address and let me know. I will continue to rage against S. 1959 on my blog.

I thank you from the bottom of my heart for the friendship and encouragement you've given me. I probably never would have continued had it not been for you and I think a lot of others feel the same way. You have done a great thing here, Ronni, for those of us who are old. You gave us confidence, strength and a sense of community that doesn't exist for us elders in this big ugly world.

I am crying now and I don't think it's going to go away too soon. Then again, I always weep when I experience loss.

Please reconsider, Ronni.

Gee, I am at a loss for words.

You're my rock, TGB a daily habit. But, I surely do understand your decision, sad though it be to your readers.

I am sure I speak for a lot folks when I say we wish you much happiness and success with whatever adventure awaits.

It's a long way to Tipperary,
It's a long way to go.

So sorry. Very. Sorry.
Just to let you know; you will be missed. And I must not forget...Thanks!

Really appreciated being posted on your Elder stories website. I have hundreds I could write so already have a good start on my third book about my caregiving journey.

I am also producing a film of 30 minutes or less on my journey through caregiving. I hope I can last through the time-consuming grant process.

I already have seed money and hope that will grow to be enough so that I won't go broke producing this film.

I will include the Raging Grannies that I sang with for several years,
footage of Homage on the Hill, a film honoring older women, my standup comedy OPEN MIKE appearance, dancing in the living room with my husband waving his arms in rhythm, singing a song I composed for our 50th wedding anniversary and going with my husband in his wheel chair to art museums, plant nurseries, family dinners and the like.

I will include our health aides, a visiting acupuncturist and dentist and physical therapist. I will show my husband getting out with the help of his electric lift out by our front steps and show his getting around with his walker, falteringly.

I do hope I can complete this journey into film production in a year or so as my husband is already 89 and I do want his and my journey to be remembered.

Anyone who knows of grant sources let me know. I will begin with our local neighborhood grants in Seattle and local community colleges etc.

When I get my book and film completed I am getting my own website along with millions of other people I suppose.

Thanks again for the outlet on your web, Ronnie.

Ronni, say it isn't so! I'm in denial that you're really shutting down TGB.

Ever since I found TGB, I've been inspired by your words. I've learned so much from you.

You have made and do make a difference here. I used to be one of those who recited platitudes like you're only as old (or young) as you feel; never thinking of the implicit connotation that old is bad and young is good. I get it now, thanks to you.

So, even if you stop TGB - and I do understand your reasoning, despite my feelings of denial - I hope to read you somewhere else. Please let us know if you start something else because I'll be there.

I'm very sorry to hear that we won't be able to hear from you any longer. I am also a young reader (23) with no connections beyond relatives to the elder generation. I just love to hear the perspectives and stories, and also to gain wisdom in how I should age. Nonetheless, writing for pleasure, should be just that. I'm sorry that the pain now outweighs the benefits.

Sorry to see you go. I am hoping to see you turn up again in some other form. You are too good of a journalist and advocate not to write somewhere.

Wow, I am so surprised! I never thought I'd see the day. Thank you for your good work. You've opened my eyes on aging, that's for sure.

I am very disappointed to read you are leaving before I scarcely got to know you, only weeks ago. And in that short time, you were a kind help to me. I don't understand all that has caused you to feel so disillusioned, but I'm sorry for it. Like the others, I do hope you will have a second incarnation. Please do let us know should that happen.

Sincerely,
Nora

Ronni Tears in my eyes as I read your decision.
I have only been reading your post for several months as I am new to the blogging world. But your sharing has been what I needed to hear. I felt as though I had met a new and what would become a dear and close friend.
Please take care. You have too much to give just to stop. Maybe do not give as much. I would welcome even a monthly letter from you. Something but please do not let there be NOTHING.

What they said--don't go, Ronni.

It's been great for us all, having you speaking truth to power. That's a selfish reason on our part--but won't you miss, even a little, being that loud public voice on our behalf?

Say it isn't so! I know that blogging can get tedious, and some people can be very negative, but we elders have to persevere. Come back when you're ready.

Thank you smart lady for it all.
If it isn't good for you to continue than you shouldn't. It's not easy to make that decision. Too few do it. Good for you.

I am heartbroken to read this. I only recently discovered your blog and it has been a breath of fresh air to finally read voices I could identify with and that wrote with enough life experience and wisdom to discuss and think intelligently about issues important to me and others my age. This is a gem among the internet drek. While I sincerely understand and am facing the same decision, I wanted to add my voice of support for all that you've done here. It's incredibly valuable, top quality and very much appreciated.

I'm almost at a loss for words. I can wish that you might reconsider your decision, perhaps after a respite away from the blog, or with less frequent blogging, even mellowed intensity.

I realize you cited a confluence of many factors as the cause. I am tempted to refute them one by one as justifiable reasons for ending TGB. But, most important of all is doing what is best for you, what gives you pleasure, so I respect your decision, as I selfishly experience an intense sense of loss.

I understand burn out. I am only sorry I have been too busy painting in my own world, and have not been reading you on a regular basis. So I have not been supportive for you. I for one have wanted to find euphanisms for being old, but because of your blog and Rain, I have written and illustrated a book for my grandchildren. In it I refer to myself as Granny and paint dreams of when I get to be older. I wish you well and hope to hear of you again.

I, too, am very sorry to see you go. I will miss your insightful comments, your sense of humor, and yes, your outrage at things that are outrageous. I've enjoyed getting to read your blog and knowing you, and I hope that you may still have (or may resume) some presence on the 'net, even if it isn't this one.

Ronni, I'm sorry you're hanging up your hat for purely selfish reasons. Yours was one of the first blogs I started reading and I'll miss reading it. Enjoy your old age!!

Ronni

I'm shocked, sad, upset and in tears to learn that you are closing down your blog. I will miss you very much, I feel like I grew up with you and am losing you now. Another lose -
Be sure to let us know what you will be doing now. You put so much of yourself into this blog - I'm sure you are going to get involved will something that you will give your all to, like you did with your blog.

You have to do what's best for yourself but from where I sit, I will miss you very much.

I have recently started reading here and I have to say my heart skipped a beat when I read this will no longer here. I understand how hard it is, but you have taken me from reading about young moms (making me feel worthless) to feeling empowered. Please rest and come back...

Dear Ronni,
I am very sorry to hear that. In the short time I have come to know you and your blog, you have inspired me a lot. Like the voices here, I also hope that you will take a break and then reconsider your decision.

Again thank you for all that you have done at TGB.

May you have a relaxing and stress-free holiday season.

Wishing you the BEST
Guru

Stupid Blogger! Ok, I know it wasn't jus that, but a lot of things. I want to beg you to keep writing (TGB is the first thing I read) and also want to say "Do whatever makes you feel alive, even if that means I don't have your insight and example to inspire me." I was/am working on my first story for the Elder Storytellers! I found this post this evening rather than tomorrow because I was doing some fact checking on S 1959 for my latest post. I let out a howl of dismay and sadness that my husband heard clear down the hall.

Ronni, I'm writing this with tears in my eyes. I started blogging three and half years ago and yours was the blog that made me do it. I even stole your top page timeline from you. And to think that I didn't even know you had decided to quit, when the first thing I do, every morning when I switch my computer on, is click the TGB link in my browser and won't be doing this any longer, and to think that yesterday was quite busy and I didn't have time for blog reading at all and I missed that decision.
Unlike a lot of your other commenters, I won't say that I understand it. I understand the fatigue, the anger, but still think that even if you need to be silent for a while, you shouldn't quit altogether but give yourself time. Time to think it over. Time to reconsider. And mainly, time to rest. Who is going to fend for us elders, now?
I wish I were around Portland to be able to come and visit you and Ollie, or that you could come for a visit to Paris. What I'd like to be able to do at the moment, is hug you. Not only in words.

Thank you for all you've done to teach me acceptance of myself as I age. I'll be 50 next year and have no fears of it whatsoever. Partly because of what I've learned from you, I was drawn to doing pet therapy work with elder people and I find I learn so much from them as well. You've drawn me into a whole new area of service in my life.

We need our wise elders. If not you there will be others to teach me, but I think of you in many ways as one of the wisest women on the Internet.

I only hope someday I can reach as many people as you have here, touch as many hearts and lives and make such a huge difference for others.

I respect your decision, but regret its effects for all of us as your readers. We will miss you, and as many here hope, I as well hope you may return here or in some other place with your powerful voice.

Namaste.

Florida Scott-Maxwell, writing in her eighties, said "All this is very tiring, but love at any age takes everything you've got". Passion for a cause, speaking out for what you know is right, trying to break through walls of denial that seem to get thicker and stronger - that's tiring. It's bloody tiring. Especially when someone does it day after day after day, as you have, Ronni.
Many of us know the feeling. Call it burnout, call it what you will, there comes a point where you just feel so defeated that you stop and say "That's it. I've had enough."
That is what is true for you today. It may also be true tomorrow. Who knows? The phoenix has to go into the flames before anything else can happen. Like your hundreds of other loyal fans, I'll be sitting patiently by the fire for a long time, watching and waiting.
Love, Marian.

Aw, damn. But thanks.

Ronni,

I will miss you. Yours was the only blog I read regularly. You have taught me much. I am sorry, I was just a lurker, and did not provide positive feedback when I had the chance. I wonder how many others there are like me, who read regularly, but seldom if ever commented? Thank you Ronni for all your hard work, dedication, and humor. When the path to aging was starting to look dark, I found a wonderful, shining light that I could follow. You have been that light.

Broken hearted, devastated, and in shock are understatements of what I am feeling now. I guess I thought your Blog would always be there like the air I breathe. I agree with everything that has been said and can especially identify with getting my morning fix by visiting "Time Goes By". I think I will have a good cry.

I do understand the toll it must take to write so beautifully on the myriad of subjects as you have done. The stress has to be a killer.

Yesterday there was no e-mail from "Time Goes By" in my box and I didn't have time to Google it in. This is the first time when I wasn't sick that I failed to click on "Time Goes By" and I guess it spared me one day of anguish. I sent a story to the "Story Telling Place" instead of visiting here so am late with my wishes for your continuing journey into the elder years.

I hope we can keep in touch via e-mail until you decide what new venue you wish to pursue.

Thanks for all the wonderful blogs in the past. I will miss them terribly.

Take a break. Go play.

I have a feeling you'll be back...I hope so, anyway. You will be sorely missed.

Thank you for this blog over these years. It has been an amazing ride, but on even amazing rides, you need to get off to get your balance back.

Enjoy your time off and your freedom to explore life without this responsibility.

Gosh, I'm going to miss you & your silly cat to say nothing of Crabby! Be well. Our loss.....perhaps temporary....fondly, Dee

I had a busy out-of-house day yesterday and didn't get to read blogs. So yes, like so many others, I was quite shocked to come here this morning and find the doors closed, so to speak.
You were such a beacon to all of us, Ronni. We may not have always agreed with you, and nothing wrong with that. But we certainly admired you, respected you and applauded your incredible intelligence and diligent research on aging that you then went on to share with all of us.
I've been blogging almost 3 years and you were one of the first that I found and made me realize that blogging, which I knew nothing about, could be a very powerful medium for sharing important facts, for promoting awareness on a variety of issues from health care to aging.
I now applaude your decision to do what's best for YOU. Because in the end, that's all that really counts. But I will miss your wise words and wisdom very much. You were our leader that gave us wake-up calls on all that was important on our journey.
The winter solstice is approaching...perhaps it's a time for you to sit back, contemplate, go within,rest...and then come back refreshed and revitalized and share your profound and brilliant thoughts with us once again.
I'll miss you....wishing you all the best always.

Ronni,

May I suggest that you start a blog dedicated to your observations of living in Portland. I really enjoyed those posts about life here especially the contrasts you draw with living in NYC, where we also come from.

In any event, I hope we do not miss your voice for long.

Dear Ronni:
You certainly have good reasons for doing this, but nevertheless, it is very sad news.
I am not a blogger myself, but ever since I was introduced to your blog, I liked visiting and I did it regularly, always with great pleasure, and I don’t think anything on the internet will ever replace what you were doing here. But as I say, you probably know why you want to quit. Still, seeing all the comments that were posted in the wake of your decision, I can’t help hoping it might make you reconsider.
If not, I will miss you as many others will do too.
I wish you all the best.

Hey Ronni,
Don't surrender.

The last time you decided to stop blogging I suggested that you think about blogging in a different way.

Share moments. Share photos. Share links.

Don't let the naysayers get you down.

--Steve

Ronni, don't go. I love your blog and will greatly miss it. Stand tough and stay.

MAY GOD BLESS AND KEEP YOU - Thank you for bringing your blog to me this short time -
I have learned in life that you have to do what you have to do...

The comments above -- AMAZING. Ronni, I salute your courage! I can't help but think of Dr. Gene Cohen's description of the "liberation" phase of life when that little voice in our head starts saying, "If not now, when? Why not? And most importantly, what can they do to me?"

Don't be a stranger!

Reading your blog has been an eye opener and an education for me. I didn't always agree, but that's the blessing of free speech.

While sad to see you leaving, I am much more content to see you leave with dignity.

Thank you for your insights, your elder wisdom and your humour.

I am sorry you feel so discouraged about your mission to change the way people speak and write about elders. You took on an enormous unending task that needs lots of allies.
I believe you influenced a lot of people who will keep on spreading the word. Thanks to your blog roll I have met some more online friends.
I will miss your posts. I wish you and Ollie well.
Perhaps someday we could meet in Portland, Oregon as it is still my dream to live there someday.

I am "sidere." That's French for knocked off my feet from a lack of comprehension. Of course, your faithful readers can respect this decision, but I, for one, really hope you will reconsider. Writing a daily blog is a lot of work. I wrote a blog every day while I was caring for my mom. Now that she has passed, I write my other blog twice a week. Wouldn't you consider a different rhythm? Let yourself take a vacation and come back in the new year, refreshed. There is no one who raises the level of conversation about aging -- wait, scratch that. There is no one online who provides such food for thought on the topic of aging. Whoops. Wait! There is no one who tackles the taboo subject of aging with such eloquence and sensitivity. The world needs you, Ronni. Please do not desert us! Please reconsider!

Ronni:
After not being in touch for the past nine years or so, it was wonderful to find you again on TGB. I was drawn by what you had to say and how you said it (I will never forget the letter about your mother and the doctor telling her not to buy any green bananas). Nor will I forget how you took care of her for ever so long.

You were a god friend long ago; you were that again through your blog.

Bless you. Perhaps the next time east in the spring (to visit daughters and grandchildren) I will try to find you in that town called Portland.

Bill Watson