Blogs That Are Getting Me Through the Pandemic

For a long time, there was a terrible misconception that the term “blogger” was synonymous with anything less than stellar. This bothered me. So much so that I changed the word “blogger” on my LinkedIn profile to “writer” to avoid sounding like I was writing about toilet unclogging, farting, or balls.

Even though I actually was writing about that.

But a blogger is who I am, how I started, and what I do every day to keep myself sane when I’m not journaling into 25 cent spiral notebooks every morning and evening to get out all the scary, ugly thoughts from this scary, ugly time.

Then I thought about all the bloggers I enjoy following, who make me happy and continue to make me happy during this difficult time, and I decided it would make a nice Christmas present for any of you who are currently in pain; to share them with all of you.

Then I realized it would be a great Christmas present for myself. To see all of the amazing women I hang out with almost every week together in one blog post.

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These are the women who have made me smile, laugh, think, and learn in the last ten months.

These are the blogs that are helping me cope with the pandemic.

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Ally at The Spectacled Bean

I discovered Ally’s blog last year, and it feels extremely universal because I had no idea I needed it until I found it. She encourages me to think outside of my small box-shaped head, which is helpful for me. Ally challenges my thinking in the best way possible.

She interacts with her readers in the comments section, so don’t be alarmed by the large number of comments. She’ll respond to you. Ally clearly values her readers and features them as authors on her blog. It is truly an art form.

Known for– poll questions within blog posts, introducing new vocabulary words for your everyday use.

For your reading pleasure:

A Small Adventure in an Old Cemetery, Because My Curiosity Must Be Satisfied

Vinegar: One Person’s Magic is Another Person’s Salad Dressing

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Andrea at Maybe It’s Just Me

Andrea and I met through another friend, Marianne. I’ve gotten to know Andrea’s heart over the years, and she reminds me so much of my Aunt Chris, about whom I wrote a few weeks back.

Andrea has recently resumed blogging after a challenging few months. Could you please visit her blog and show her some online love? Andrea remained one of my biggest supporters when my screenplay was widely publicized on this blog and was utterly terrible.

Known for– Follow her on Instagram to see her misadventures with a child-size mannequin, where she writes about random things we all take for granted.

For your reading pleasure:

The Home Away From Home

Malted Random

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Ani at All That Life Stuff

Ani is my spiritual sister. I met her at a “link party,” which is where bloggers go to meet other bloggers who share interests with them, as well as to increase the reach of their blog in order to make more money, and so on.

Ani has become one of my closest blogging friends. She is the type of person who would travel across the country if I needed a kidney. Her blog reads like a letter from a friend.

Known for- Gilmore Girls, journaling, honesty about mental health, beautiful photography (especially of her home state of Connecticut).

For your reading pleasure: 

November Musings (you will want to move to Connecticut, trust me).

Bipolar Disorder-What Does it Feel Like?

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Deb at The Widow Badass Blog

Deb’s blog was probably the best find of 2020 for me, and I credit Ally up there. I was tweeting about pandemics one day early this summer when I came across a post by my friend Ally titled “Are Bloggers Writers?” I immediately clicked on the link, which led me to Deb’s blog.

After reading and commenting on the post, I descended into the rabbit hole of her other posts, which provided the most delightful distraction I could have imagined. Her blog is an ever-changing gift; honestly, they should turn her life into a sitcom, and I mean that in the best possible way. Her life is fascinating, and her writing is equally so.

Known for- beautiful photography, humor, and Canada, eh?

For your reading pleasure: 

Joanne Comes to Visit- The Gift that Keeps on Giving (this will explain the picture)

My Digital Happiness Box (but make sure you click on the link for the backstory on Seashell Jesus)

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Ernie at No Small Feet

My friend Ernie is a superwoman. She is raising six children. in a pandemic. And she writes about it almost daily. To be honest, she is the Erma Bombeck of our time. Give this woman a newspaper column. However, some of the events that occur to her and her family are so unbelievable that you wonder if they were staged for the blog. It is NOT made up for the blog. It’s genuine and funny, and our shared connection makes it even better. If you are unfamiliar with our history, you can learn about it here.

Known for- writing hysterically about her neighbors (which is why she uses a pseudonym), specifically Mary Ann, Irish dancing, and SIX KIDS.

For your reading pleasure: 

If John’s Country, I Don’t Wanna Be Rock ‘n’ Roll: My Music Dysfunction 

Since You Asked: What We Eat, Plus What We Drink & Watch 

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Joanne at Slices of Life

I’ve been following Joanne’s blog for years, and she has given me so many wonderful suggestions for recipes, crafts, and homeschooling. She feels like the big sister I don’t have, despite the fact that I’m probably light years older than her. Joanne’s blog always makes me feel at home.

Joanne recently underwent major surgery in September (during COVID), and you can read about her experience on her blog, so please show her some love if you read any of those posts.

Known for- lots of great homemade recipes, beautiful photography, and hosting a link party if you need inspiration.

For your reading pleasure: 

Fall Reflections and Leaves 

Recipes We’ve Been Making This Fall

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Katie at Oh Katie Joy 

I discovered Katie through Rita’s blog a while back, and I believe the Universe was preparing me for 2020. There is so much I love about Katie’s blog, but there is one thing I don’t like: there are never enough posts. Her “Tuesday Things” posts make me happy, like a letter in my mailbox or, more realistically, an unopened package of Oreos in the pantry during a pandemic.

Known for- knitting (particularly socks) and her book suggestions (they are almost always on my library list).

For your reading pleasure: 

Friday Finds

Tuesday Things

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Melanie at Comfy House

My dear friend Melanie and I met over eight years ago at a blogging event near Chicago; the event was kind of boring, but she and I hit it off right away, and when we discovered we lived only 15 minutes apart, we were ecstatic.

I’ve fallen in love with Melanie in a variety of ways over the last eight years. She and I have a lot in common, and it is because of these similarities that we have formed such a strong bond. I’ve missed meeting her for regular lunches and coffees due to COVID, but reading her blog makes me feel like I’m still having those meetings.

Her blog is the real deal; her home really is so cozy, so inviting, and so filled with love.

Known for- homemade recipes, making a house feel like home, which includes sharing her love of antiques (it is an art form).

For your reading pleasure: 

Women Supporting Women

Channeling Ina- Baking and the Comforts of Home

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Rita at Rita’s Notebook 

Ah, Rita. Her writing has helped me get through the previous ten months. Every Monday morning, I gently remind her of this in the comments. I don’t want to put pressure on her because I know how fragile we all are right now, but if her writing goes away soon, I’ll be devastated. Rita should be writing a book.

She makes Portland feel like home. I feel as if I’ve known Rita my entire life, and I can’t remember ever not knowing her.

Known for- writing about parenting from an empty nest and the perspective of an educator.

For your reading pleasure: 

What Is a Dog?

On The Day I Take My Daughter to the Airport

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Rivergirl at River’s World

I’ve only recently discovered “River” but her every other day blog posts have been saving my soul for the past few months. I knew I’d fall madly in love with her when she said, “That’s why God invented gin” in response to one of my menopause posts.

Her posts have become one of my favorite things to look forward to every day because of their frequency and relevance to her life. I could watch the wild turkey (not the booze) video repeatedly. The pandemic humor that she and I share is exactly what I need, and I believe you do as well. Sometimes a well-placed, inappropriate joke is exactly what the doctor ordered.

Known for- humorous updates on her life in rural Maine as well as loving complaints about her husband’s constant hoarding.

For your reading pleasure: 

Barn Decorating 

A Rare Sighting

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Suzanne at Busy Bee Suz

Last but not least, is my friend Suzanne, also known as “Suz”. I can’t believe I’ve only known Suz for a year. In fact, I don’t think it has been a year. I recall reading a post about her having the upper respiratory flu (remember that?) and bonding over her incessant coughing and rude stares, and then we laughed and laughed. This was right before COVID, and then things went downhill.

OMG, SUZ. DID WE MANIFEST COVID?

You’ll love her sense of humor and wit, and you’ll love her little family. By the way, I found Suz’s blog through Ernie’s blog, which is why I love blogging so much. The maze of blogging is so interconnected, familial, and lovely.

Known for- her love of butterflies and her ability to tell hilarious stories.

For your reading pleasure: 

Things I Don’t Want To See or Hear or Have People Do

It’s a Miracle We Even Survived: Christmas 70s Style

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Please go forth and read these blogs over the coming weeks and months. Click on their links, read their older posts in detail, and leave thoughtful comments. Let it be my Christmas gift to you, as well as your gift to them. Because they have saved my life this year, in 2020, and, indirectly, yours.

My beautiful blog family.