Happy New Year everyone!
The start of another year is always a good time to look back at how things went last year and plan out where we want to go in the new one.
For the stats fans out there I can say that my 2017 numbers on Norm 2.0 were down dramatically compared to 2016. But considering I averaged less than 1.4 posts per week last year vs 3-4 per week the previous year, yeah lower numbers were no surprise.
Of course Thursday Doors represented the majority of both my posts and overall number of visitors last year.
Seriously folks, I can’t thank everyone enough for their continued enthusiastic support for this fun weekly event!
We’re still consistently pulling in over 30 contributions a week which is very much appreciated.
On the flip-side I will say that for reasons I haven’t quite figured out yet, an increasing number of Thursday Doors participants are consistently NOT including their post on our link-up list.
This is not mandatory of course. After all, my goal with this event was to try to make it as inclusive and as easy as possible to participate.
Mind you, since the whole purpose of blogging is to have our posts be seen and read, if you’re not using the link-up, do keep it mind that it makes it harder for others to find your post. Particularly if you forget to add a tag such as “doors” or (ideally) “Thursday Doors” to your post.
I know our little Blue Froggie button is not perfect so if anyone has any suggestions to make it easier to get everyone’s posts all in one easy-to-consult place then hey, I’m all ears.
2017 was also the first time since posting my first Thursday Doors back in September 2014 that I took a complete vacation from blogging. In fact I liked that so much that I decided to do it again during the holidays 😀
When I was on vacation back at the end of the summer Thursday Doors was kept on the rails and chugging along thanks to three awesome regulars who each agreed to fill in as guest hosts for a week.
Thanks again to Joey at Joeyfully Stated, Dan at No Facilities, and Manja over at The Mexi Movie II for stepping in and doing a great job while Honey and I were off hiking the coastal wilds of western Newfoundland.
For 2018 the main goal for me will be to keep having fun, sharing with and learning from this wonderful community of door friends from all over the globe! I hope you’ll continue to join in and by all means, tell your friends and invite them to the party as well 😉
What I enjoy most about our weekly doors gatherings is that they are generally apolitical, and I think we could all use a little more lighthearted, non-partisan fun and friendship right about now 🙂
At the moment I don’t expect to be making any major travel plans for 2018. If that changes and I find myself headed somewhere near any of my fellow door fans, I will certainly reach out and let you know and hopefully we can get together.
By the same token if any of you are planning to be in my part of the world this year, if you’re interested I’ll be happy to meet up with you for a local doorscursion, or even a just quick cup of coffee.
In the meantime, I want to thank every single one of you for clicking that follow button here as well as on Twitter and Instagram.
Your likes, faves, comments, support, and most of all your friendship, have made this so much fun for me.
Here’s to more fun, along with good health and happiness to all in 2018!
As always, I thank you so much for reading 🙂
Happy 2018! I’m looking forward to seeing what you find on your doorscursions. We are still trying to pull together our travel plans for the year….but there will be some! 🙂
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I feel you have led me to the place I have in blogging, Norm by sharing your doors “folks” and their kindness abounds. Thank you for kind words, likes and prayers for my brother while he was going through two brain surgeries. I am never hood at timely appearances, but I try to round back and say something nice about most of the Doors posts. This is a beautiful gift You gave me! Thank You! 💞 ~Robin
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Norman! I’m so happy I’ve found the Thursday Doors peeps and you! I’m looking forward to many adventures looking for doors in 2018. And I will hit you up when I’m in Montreal! Happy 2018!
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I guess I would be one of those people who didn’t lick on the blue frog. I always thought that if I mentioned your blog in my post it would pingback to your site. I guess it didn’t. Sorry about that.
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No apologies needed my friend.
As I mentioned it’s not mandatory to use the link-up. I know it’s not easy to do for those accessing their blogs via a smartphone or tablet.
It’s just that with some folks using the link-up, others using ping-backs, others putting links in the comments, and still others relying on tags, it creates a bit of a mess for me to sift through each week. I really want to get to see every post because I don’t want anyone to feel left out or ignored
In the end your participation is welcome regardless of how you choose to join us. But I would suggest you give our little blue guy a try. I think you’ll find your post attracting more visitors if the link in on the same list with all the others.
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Happy 2018, Norm! I haven’t participated in TD in a while, but I haven’t posted as much over Fall 2017. Thank you for hosting and looking forward to new doors!
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Happy 2018 to you, Norm. Nice post!
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Thank you, Norm, for your spirit of keep doing it. It’s also important that you know you can take a holiday from it whenever you feel like it lest it becomes a burden. Looking forward to each and every Thursday.
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Happy New Year Norm! I enjoy posting about doors and linking to your Thursday door community even if I only post occasionally. I am constantly looking out for interesting doors and stories they tell whenever we travel. And, I agree, taking time off from blogging now and then is good for the soul. Loved your posts from Newfoundland.
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Twas a pleasure to host, thanks for the opportunity! I don’t understand why, even after I told people directly, “Link, Name, Email,” People Still Don’t Do It Right! O_O
I love #ThursdayDoors, obviously!
By the by, any time you and Honey need a travel nanny for your camera or whatever, I’m always available for Newfoundland!
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A happy and blessed 2018 to you and yours, Norm. I’d love to stop by if we ever get up your way, which I’d enjoy. I took my first vacation from blogging last year while on vacation and realized it was the only way to go. I’m almost ready for my yearly visit to my parents in Arizona, so I’ll be take a break soon. Much more relaxing that way!!
See you Thursday!
janet
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I’m already looking forward to Thursday! Thanks Janet 🙂
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Happy new year Norm 💜
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Thanks! All the best in 2018 😀
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💜🌹
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I was hoping to get some door shots over the holidays but ended up much too busy with grandkids! It’s a great thing for me cause it gets me out of the house and away from editing….
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Grand kids are a good enough excuse…I guess 😉
Don’t forget Jan, when they’re a little bit older you can start taking them along on your doorscursions. It’s never too early to start cultivating the next generation of door lovers!
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Welcome back! Missed you! MmmwwwaaahhHH!
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Thank you Marian. I missed everyone too. I’m already looking forward to Thursday 😉
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Happy 2018, Norm! Thanks for showing us the magic of doors. When I first came across Thursday Doors (courtesy of Dan), I thought “who the hell wants to read posts about doors?” But I have since found door enlightenment! Even though I haven’t participated in Thursday Doors for a while, your weekly blogfest has me noticing doors wherever I go. You’ve made me and others take note of our surroundings and go on doorscursions, which is notably cool. I hope your Door People continue to grow in numbers and make 2018 an awesome door to the world.
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Thanks so much Mary. Your support and kind words are appreciated 😀
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One of the best things about Thursday Doors, Norm, is the way that is has me paying more attention to my surroundings. Also, when I travel, I am getting out and walking around farther than I might have before. I’ve always loved walking, but this has given me some additional inspiration.
Thank you for managing this. O hope 2018 is another good year and I hope the folks who post doors can all find the little blue frog. I try to mention him each week,
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Thanks Dan. I know you promote our blue frog in every post and it is very much appreciated. It just makes it so much easier for me to find everyone’s post when they’re all in one place.
Think maybe we need to name him to boost his brand awareness?
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Contest?
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Welcome back, Norm. Hope you had a great hiatus. 🙂
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Thank you Judy. Our holidays were wonderful. Lots of quality time with family and friends.
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I could get all philosophical here about how doors are a metaphor for life – but I won’t 🙂 – however, I do suspect that is one of the latent reasons why this particular challenge resonates with many of us. There is an instinctive attraction to the mystery that lies behind the door, the story that is contained beyond it.
See … I couldn’t resist just a little philosophical musing 😉
Thank you Norm for bringing us together each week. I’m so glad your enthusiasm for this challenge continues! In spite of 2 failed attempts to get together, I have a good feeling that this will be the year. Looking forward to more doors in 2018 and finally getting to meet you 🙂
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Thanks for not getting philosophical Joanne 😉
We haven’t finalized our plans; I’ll keep you posted on that. All the same I’m pretty darn sure that this is the year we meet in person.
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And I too am trying to flesh out plans to hit the Trans-Canada Trail through Montreal this summer. Last year’s plan got tossed in the dumpster, but I’m a woman on a mission this year!
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