Category — Friday Blog Roundup

I scrolled past the original image from @princeandprincessofwales on Instagram without thinking much more than, “Oh, nice photo.” That night, I saw the news stories about how someone altered the image, and I went back to the photo and zoomed in. I could see what they were referencing, but it didn’t seem like a big deal, especially because the photo was so small on my phone. Who bothered to enlarge a family portrait to see that?

And you know how the rest goes. I don’t care that she pulled together images to create a good one for her Instagram feed. It’s not like she edited herself into a place she wasn’t or edited herself out of a place she was. If I knew how to edit photos, I would love to pull the best version of person X from photo A and the best version of person Y from photo B and bring them into photo C, which has the best version of person Z. Again, an image capturing an event of world importance — I’d probably rather see all of the outtakes. An image capturing an everyday family portrait… I’d probably rather see one version where they all look at the camera.

But what struck me was what a terrible existence. She did everything right: Announced her absence, gave a reason, and stated when she’d return. And people (not her boss; just the general public) couldn’t stop asking where she was a month before she was set to return — not just asking but hounding and critiquing.

Would William get the same commentary, questioning, and scrutiny if the roles were reversed and he was stepping back to take care of his health? I sense not.

*******

Stop procrastinating. Go make your backups. Don’t have regrets.

Seriously. Stop what you’re doing for a moment. It will take you fifteen minutes, tops. But you will have peace of mind for days and days. It’s the gift to yourself that keeps on giving.

As always, add any new thoughts to the Friday Backup post and peruse new comments to find out about methods, plug-ins, and devices that help you quickly back up your data and accounts.

*******

And now the blogs…

But first, second, helpings of the posts that appeared in the open comment thread last week. To read the description before clicking over, please return to the open thread:

• “No Kidding Voice Count” (No Kidding in NZ)

Okay, now my choices this week.

Finding a Different Path has a post about IVF terminology in the media. This is my pet peeve, and I once wrote the NYT’s about it in 2009. (The opening of my note: “This isn’t the first time I’ve read this in the New York Times but I truly felt compelled to write this time. Doctors can transfer embryos. They cannot implant embryos. If they could, IVF would have a much higher success rate.” Their response: “I hear you, but knowing this beforehand we made the conscious decision to use the word implant. The average reader doesn’t understand what a ‘transfer’ is.” Grrr…) This part in Jess’s post blew my mind: “Bryce just said that if the phrasing is that the embryo is ‘implanted’ in the uterus, then the failure falls on the woman when it doesn’t continue. Which I never thought of before, and adds to the insidiousness of the self-blame I felt (and I’m sure others did too) when cycles failed.” So true and so frustrating that I was writing the NYT in 2009 about this, and it’s now 2024, and nothing has changed.

Apron Strings for Emily is back with a discussion about reproductive rights in the US. There was anger after the Roe v Wade reversal, but she writes: “But this time … this IVF issue really hit too close to home. Which is why I finally picked up the pen – err, dusted off my keyboard – and decided to write again.”

Lastly, Scientist on the Roof has a post about visiting D.C. I love hearing what people do when they visit here, and I’m glad they got to the Portrait Gallery because it has the best atrium in the world. But I also thought it was sweet to read about the time together with her child.

The roundup to the Roundup: I would not want to be Princess Catherine. Your weekly backup nudge. And lots of great posts to read. So what did you find this week? Please use a permalink to the blog post (written between March 8 – 15) and not the blog’s main URL. Not understanding why I’m asking you what you found this week. Read the original open thread post here.

Every year, on March 9, the ALI community comes together to perform random acts of kindness in Thomas’s name. I believe this is the 19th year. The action can be little or big. You can tell the person you did it for Thomas or quietly take action and whisper it to the universe when you’re alone. It’s really up to you.

And it’s incredible to think about how much good a person can still accomplish, even if they’re not here.

*******

Stop procrastinating. Go make your backups. Don’t have regrets.

Seriously. Stop what you’re doing for a moment. It will take you fifteen minutes, tops. But you will have peace of mind for days and days. It’s the gift to yourself that keeps on giving.

As always, add any new thoughts to the Friday Backup post and peruse new comments to find out about methods, plug-ins, and devices that help you quickly back up your data and accounts.

*******

And now the blogs…

But first, second, helpings of the posts that appeared in the open comment thread last week. To read the description before clicking over, please return to the open thread:

• “Repetition” (No Kidding in NZ)

Okay, now my choices this week.

Dear John approaches the anniversary of her husband’s death with a letter explaining that she still misses him. She writes, “I don’t really know how people move on. I guess they’re more comfortable letting people into their lives, where I am somewhat more reserved.” And I found the Doritos moment touching, for lack of a better word.

Finding a Different Path has a story of technology to the rescue (computer) after technology failed her (car) when she was on her way to a book event. “I was so proud to be a part of it, and so bummed not to be there in person to chat with people after. But also so grateful that they were willing to zoom me in to share my fringe-y perspective on the need for reform in adoption.”

The roundup to the Roundup: Do a random act of kindness. Your weekly backup nudge. And lots of great posts to read. So what did you find this week? Please use a permalink to the blog post (written between March 1 – 8) and not the blog’s main URL. Not understanding why I’m asking you what you found this week. Read the original open thread post here.

It occurred to me earlier in the week that because employers base salaries on a 365-day calendar, everyone worked for free yesterday with the leap day. It would have been brilliant if the world had given the day as a holiday; 24 extra hours of found time to do with as you wish. But it didn’t, so I worked as if it were a typical day, albeit with an unusual date at the top of my notes.

What did you do with the leap day?

*******

Stop procrastinating. Go make your backups. Don’t have regrets.

Seriously. Stop what you’re doing for a moment. It will take you fifteen minutes, tops. But you will have peace of mind for days and days. It’s the gift to yourself that keeps on giving.

As always, add any new thoughts to the Friday Backup post and peruse new comments to find out about methods, plug-ins, and devices that help you quickly back up your data and accounts.

*******

And now the blogs…

But first, second, helpings of the posts that appeared in the open comment thread last week. To read the description before clicking over, please return to the open thread:

• “Is Positive Thinking Really THAT Powerful?” (Finding a Different Path)

Okay, now my choices this week.

The Road Less Travelled wins for coolest post experience this week. She wrote a book review, explaining how an unnecessary dig at childlessness ruined a few pages of the book for her. The author, S.J. Bennett, jumped into the comment section and gave the best answer, thanking her for pointing it out and stating that she would try to change it in future editions. I’m reading the same book right now (though not quite to that chapter), and it made me love it even more, and it was already a five-star book for me, just like the first three books in the series. As much as the internet can divide us, it can also bring us closer together and understand each other better. This is really a story of two women learning from each other.

Lastly, Infertile Phoenix talks about getting COVID, (continue to feel better!) and the thoughts that went through her head while sick. She writes: “Those were just some thoughts I had. I got sick and couldn’t do anything, but I had some time to think about things. And things have been different … And even though I’m a creature of habit, different can be good.”

The roundup to the Roundup: Leap day. Your weekly backup nudge. And lots of great posts to read. So what did you find this week? Please use a permalink to the blog post (written between February 23 – March 1) and not the blog’s main URL. Not understanding why I’m asking you what you found this week. Read the original open thread post here.

We went up to visit the twins at college.* For three days, we wandered around their campuses, ate apple cider donuts, hiked in the snow, explored new towns, and hung out in the hotel room talking. It was amazing to be back together, making the time to the next break a little easier.

It’s also hard to say goodnight every night and leave them at their dorms. (Or drop them off on campus so they could run off with friends. We know they’re not actually tucked up in bed at 10 pm.) It’s hard to say goodbye and drive away on the final day. It feels physically and emotionally awful.

It’s the balance of the highs and the lows.

* On the way up, we met A Half Baked Life for 15 minutes underneath the neon vape sign of a mini mart to give and get a hug. Mini mart meetups are the best.

*******

Stop procrastinating. Go make your backups. Don’t have regrets.

Seriously. Stop what you’re doing for a moment. It will take you fifteen minutes, tops. But you will have peace of mind for days and days. It’s the gift to yourself that keeps on giving.

As always, add any new thoughts to the Friday Backup post and peruse new comments to find out about methods, plug-ins, and devices that help you quickly back up your data and accounts.

*******

And now the blogs…

But first, second, helpings of the posts that appeared in the open comment thread last week. To read the description before clicking over, please return to the open thread:

• None… sniff.

Okay, now my choices this week.

Did your father win an Oscar this week? No? Then go over and live vicariously through Finding a Different Path’s account of watching her father win a major award. Look at the pictures and feel the love: “I love my dad so much, and it’s always difficult to say goodbye. Those was an amazing visit though, with a day at the LA Zoo, the Aquarium of the Pacific, the fancy schmancy day, and the best Thai food I’ve ever had in my life last night.”

Lastly, No Kidding in NZ has a super helpful post about how to think positively (or what you’d put “on your personal encouragement card“) — both to use AND to get you thinking about your own list. I love this: “Love yourself, and feel compassion for yourself. Give yourself comfort. Stop beating yourself up. It helps more than you can imagine.”

The roundup to the Roundup: Good visit. Your weekly backup nudge. And lots of great posts to read. So what did you find this week? Please use a permalink to the blog post (written between February 16 – 23) and not the blog’s main URL. Not understanding why I’m asking you what you found this week. Read the original open thread post here.

On the heels of replacing the computer came major car repairs. Why does the universe group large purchases/repairs together? Josh and I were trying to figure out why windshield wiper fluid wasn’t spraying out despite a full well (broken pump), and in doing so, we watched the check engine light come on (failed oxygen sensors).

So off we went to the mechanic to give up another astronomical sum in exchange for a functioning car.

I rarely drive my car, which is why I also felt guilty about fixing it. Why were we dumping money into something I use somewhere between 1 – 3 times per month? Because the cost of a new car (or even a new-to-us used car) is so much right now, fixing the one we have seems to be the smarter move. But yuck to spending money to fix existing stuff.

*******

Stop procrastinating. Go make your backups. Don’t have regrets.

Seriously. Stop what you’re doing for a moment. It will take you fifteen minutes, tops. But you will have peace of mind for days and days. It’s the gift to yourself that keeps on giving.

As always, add any new thoughts to the Friday Backup post and peruse new comments to find out about methods, plug-ins, and devices that help you quickly back up your data and accounts.

*******

And now the blogs…

But first, second, helpings of the posts that appeared in the open comment thread last week. To read the description before clicking over, please return to the open thread:

• “This Anonymous Blog” (Infertile Phoenix)

Okay, now my choices this week.

I remember wearing grey for Missy, so this post from Bio Girl made me want to reach out with a hug over all the time that has passed. This made me weepy: “These days we live a lot of our lives because of you. Everyday I go to work and do the things I love, they are because of you – you pushing me out the door to start my graduate program. You telling me it was okay to take that time to learn to do something I might love.” What an amazing person to have had in your life.

Lastly, Bereaved and Blessed has a post about a mistake made on her mother’s headstone. I love the beginning: “One of many idioms that I grew up hearing was how things aren’t permanent until they are ‘set in stone.’ I didn’t spend a lot of time thinking about what it meant or how literal I took the expression until today.” As well as the end — that we can change things, even the things set in stone.

The roundup to the Roundup: More money spent. Your weekly backup nudge. And lots of great posts to read. So what did you find this week? Please use a permalink to the blog post (written between February 9 – 16) and not the blog’s main URL. Not understanding why I’m asking you what you found this week. Read the original open thread post here.