Congratulations, Blogging A to Z survivors!
By mid-March, I had a complete alphabetical list of “Common (Communal) Places” you might find readers, all of which I planned to visit (virtually) for this 2021 Blogging A to Z Challenge. This was going to be easy – and so much fun, I thought. During the last week of March, I was already writing posts – well ahead of the game. Until the letter G.
Upon returning to a website I’d checked out weeks earlier, I discovered that in this perfectly turbulent era, the bookshop was (now) “CLOSED INDEFINITELY” Uh oh. In order to recommend these places, they ought to be accessible, open to the public, or still in business at the very least. I had some further investigating to do.
I made a ton of phone calls, many of them delightfully
memorable. One such call was me saying, “Hi! You’re open!” to which came the sleepy reply, “Let me get my pants on, and we will be,” Aren’t those Mom and Pop shops
the best? I paid more attention to time
zones after that ;-)
All in all, I had a blast!
The Scavenger Hunt (a fabulous idea!) was also fun. I hope this is offered next
year – no, how about from here on out! That way, I can concentrate on finding
more than eight items ;-) Less Beaten Paths,
Crackerberries, The Other Side,
Weekends in Maine,
and What a Journey had the items I found.
Often, the blogs I read were so good I forgot to notice if they contained a
hidden treasure. I can’t wait to read
where all the rest were hidden.
Big hugs and many thanks to
Arlee Bird, founder of this sensational challenge, and J Lenni, Captain of the challenge, for checking in on me! This was by far the least expensive shopping
spree I’ve ever been on, but I did pick up a t-shirt ;-)
Happy blogging, everyone!
Hi Deidre, returning your A to Z visit to my AJ Blythe - poisons blog. I didn't do the scavenger hunt, but I've read quite a few reflections of people who have and it seems it was fun and a huge success.
ReplyDeleteHi, AJ!
DeleteHaving a theme really helps, but the challenge itself is always fun.
Hi Diedre - I just loved looking at the places you'd found, and thinking I'd enjoy a trip visiting those - unlikely ... but they were a great choice for the A-Z - congratulations ... Hilary
ReplyDeleteHi Hilary!
DeleteThank you so much for tagging along with me as you did! A friend adds to the richness of any adventure ;-)
You made it a fun adventure!
ReplyDeleteI would've been surprised by the 'let me get my pants on' response.
Hi Alex!
DeleteHa! I sure was. That's when I started thinking about time zones ;-) He even offered to have his wife put on a pot of coffee!
Thanks for checking in, your comments were encouraging along the way.
Diedre,
ReplyDeleteFirst congrats on finishing the challenge. I'm working my way through catching up from last month but I'm pacing myself. This may take all summer and I'm okay with that. I accidentally came across some of the treasures but like you I enjoyed the content frequently that I forgot to look. My brain was swirling too fast this go-around to make sense of much. Thanks for dropping by to cast your vote in my recent BoTB and if you visited last month then I will eventually get back over to check out your posts. Yes, I'm terrible forgetful on who came by. *sigh* Have a good day, my dear!
2021 A to Z Challenge Reflections
Thanks, Cathy! It does get a little hectic, doesn't it? Oddly, once the challenge is over, I feel like a short-tracked train with leftover steam ;-)
DeleteI really enjoyed your BoTB and plan to visit again!
Sad to see bookstores closing, but glad that some are still hanging on.
ReplyDeleteI didn't do the scavenger hunt, but I'm glad you and others enjoyed it. I give full credit to J and the Team. They did a wonderful job!
Thanks for being a part of another great Challenge.
Arlee Bird
Tossing It Out
Hi Lee!
DeleteYes, it was another great challenge. Your river theme will stay with me all summer ;-)