It is a bit anticlimactic since I can’t link to my inaugural blog post, but today marks exactly three years since I clicked Post for the first time.
In honour of this little anniversary, I’d love everyone reading to leave a comment with a pun, joke, or beloved quote. To get things started, here are two from my nine-year-old:
- What do you call a group of robbers that jump into a pool?
A crime wave.
- If you’re Canadian in the kitchen, and you’re American in the living room, what are you in the bathroom?
European (You’re a peein’)…
If you’re a blogger, how long have you been writing online? If you’re not a blogger…I still want to hear your (PG) jokes!
Bonus questions: How did you find my blog for the first time? Where do you live? It still amazes me that people are following along from Europe! Africa! Asia! Australia! What’s a topic you’d like me to blog about (no promises, but suggestions welcome)?
Header photo by Metin Ozer on Unsplash
Karen A.
One of my favorite, and not-well-known writers is Will Cuppy, author of “How to Tell Your Friends From the Apes” and “The Decline and Fall of Practically Everyone.” At one point he lived as a self-described hermit on a small island near New York City. He was a lover of trivia and an exhaustive researcher.
“A hermit is simply a person to whom civilization has failed to adjust itself.”
― Will Cuppy
“He had also learned that there is no use murdering people; there are always so many left, and if you tried to murder them all you would never get anything else done.”
― Will Cuppy, The Decline and Fall of Practically Everybody: Great Figures of History Hilariously Humbled
“Aristotle was famous for knowing everything. He taught that the brain exists merely to cool the blood and is not involved in the process of thinking. This is true only of certain persons.”
― Will Cuppy
“A few alligators are naturally of the vicious type and inclined to resent it when you prod them with a stick. You can find out which ones these are by prodding them.”
― Will Cuppy
Elisabeth
The alligator quote had me in stitches!
Beckett @ Birchwood Pie
Happy Blogiverssary!
Question – you’ve been writing for three years, but how long before that did you follow blogs?
I started my blog in 2011 but I didn’t really find my groove until late 2017 when I had the odd idea to write about what I was eating, my workouts, what I was watching, and what I was reading. It took even longer than that to find the Cool Bloggers – but hey, it doesn’t matter how long the journey was, it only matters that I got there. I don’t remember how we “met” specifically, other than you were one of the Cool Girls, and I’m pretty sure that you broke the ice by leaving a comment on my blog first. I live in Ohio, and as I learned last summer, the fastest way for me to get to Canada is to take the ferry to Pelee Island!
Elisabeth
I had been following blogs for about a decade before that – most of which are no longer functional (but a few became HUGE!). I never commented or engaged in any way for those 10ish years. Then I participated in Laura Vanderkam’s Tranquility by Tuesday “focus group” and her Three times a week makes a habit rule inspired me to finally start the blog I’d always wanted to have…
I can’t remember how I found your blog. I remember seeing your name show up a lot (Nicole’s site, maybe?)…and I think it was the recipes that pulled me in at first!
Ally Bean
Congrats on three wonderful years of blogging. You’re doing great.
Well this very week I wrote about it being my 20th blogging anniversary, so in answer to your question there’s that.
As for a [dad] joke: When a group of yellow jacket wasps are traveling, where do they stop to go to the bathroom?
Answer: The BP station [British Petroleum fueling station]
Elisabeth
You and Engie are both at the 20-year mark. Wow! I’m very, very impressed. Not sure if I’ll make it that long? Though if I do have another 17 years of writing in me, I would have a THIRTY-YEAR-OLD CHILD. *Gulp*
BP station…that’s good.
Jacquie Ticknor
“You have to maintain a fine balance between hope and despair. In the end it’s all a question of balance.”
The above quote is from the book A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry, my absolute favourite book!
Happy 3rd blogging anniversary! I do not blog, but I am an avid reader. I came across your blog via the comments section on either Lisa of lisasyarns or Nicole of girlinaboyhouse blogs. I started to follow their blogs for book suggestions.
I came for the books and stayed for the interesting life stories everyone shares. Another bonus has been the opportunity to take part in the CBBC and CBWC. The community is very supportive of one another which is so evident in the comments section, unlike many forums that have you swiftly exiting the platform before being sucked into a world that is sorely lacking in the milk of human kindness!
I wish you many more happy years of blogging, Elizabeth!
Elisabeth
I’m so glad you’ve been able to participate in the group events – like book and walking clubs. I feel like there is a family atmosphere at play in this blogging sphere – and there is always room at the table for more people to join 🙂
I have never read A Fine Balance – it’s such a classic and I really should carve out time to read it. I think it’s quite long, but you’ve reminded me I want to read it.
Nicole MacPherson
This is my strength! I used to tell bad jokes all the time in my yoga classes.
Police confirm that the man who tragically fell from the 18th floor is not a bouncer.
Finland has closed all its borders. Now no one will cross the Finnish line.
My friend Joe recently went on the Dolly Parton Diet. It really made Joe Lean. Joe Lean. Joe Lean.
Elisabeth
The bouncer one made me laugh SO HARD. And then I started singing Jolene to my daughter. She seemed both confused and unimpressed…
Nicole MacPherson
Oh, and I’ve had my blog since 2008!!! Can you even.
Elisabeth
I can’t even. If I make it to 20 years like Ally and Engie I WILL HAVE A THIRTY-YEAR-OLD CHILD. Can you even?
Elinoora
I’m no good at jokes, so instead I’ll answer the bonus question 😊 after Laura Vanderkam mentioned you on het blog (or was it podcast first?) and I currently live in the Netherlands.
Oh, and I used to blog over at Live Journal. Does that even still exist?
Wait, a quote, I can do that! I was recently reminded of this great quote by one of my favourite writers, Lois Mcmaster Bujold:
“But I’ve always thought—tests are a gift. And great tests are a great gift. To fail the test is a misfortune. But to refuse the test is to refuse the gift, and something worse, more irrevocable, than misfortune…. If you think it’s really wrong…that’s one thing. Maybe that’s the test. But if it’s only the fear of failure, you have not the right to refuse the gift for that.”
Elisabeth
I’ve never heard of Live Journal? I know there used to be xtanga (or something like that), and then Blogger, and now it seems like WordPress is the place ot be?
There is a LOT to unpack in that quote (which I love; I’ve been reading back through my giant collection of quotes lately and they’re so inspiring).
It’s ironic that you found me through Laura Vanderkam; participating in her prep for the Tranquility by Tuesday book is what inspired me to start a blog so this brings it full circle 🙂
Elisabeth
And a second reader from the Netherlands! So cool!
Tobia | craftaliciousme
I am not good in telling jokes so I leave that to others.
I think I found your blog through NaBloPoMo so probably through San’s list. And I have been following from the beginning. I myself have been blogging sine New Years 2013.
Elisabeth
NaBloPoMo! Now that you mention it, that might be how I met Birchie…
I love that your anniversary is New Years!
Gigi
Holy crow; I’ve been blogging for 15 years! Since 2009. That’s a long time for someone who has very little to say lately. (can that double as my joke?)
Congrats on you anniversary. I’m guessing I found you either through Nicole or Suzanne.
Elisabeth
15 years! That’s amazing!
Suzanne
Every time someone asks me to share my favorite joke, my mind goes completely blank. What is this “joke” you speak of?
So here is a quote instead: “Lighthouses don’t go running all over an island looking for boats to save. They just stand there shining.” – Anne Lamott.
I cannot remember how or when I found your blog, but I’m sure glad I did! Happy blogiversary!
Elisabeth
I’ve heard that Anne Lamott quote before but it has been years! It’s so fitting to have you write it out now that I’ve got a blog with a lighthouse theme. Can you say perfect timing?!
Jan Coates
Happy blogiversary! I think I started my “blog” about 15 years ago, and, as you know, I’m an infrequent poster. I do like that it’s somewhat a record of my life when I take the time to look back. And a favourite quote (today):
“We should all do what, in the long run, gives us joy,
even if it is only picking grapes or sorting the laundry.”
E.B. White
Elisabeth
What a great quote. And it highlights how our differences make the world go round – I don’t particularly enjoy picking grapes or doing laundry…but I do get joy out of writing cheques (how odd, right?).
NGS
Yay! Congrats! Do you think you’ll do a post like this every year commemorating your blogiversary?
What goes up when the rain comes down? An umbrella.
What did the dirt say to the rain? If you keep this up, my name will be mud.
If April showers bring May flowers, what do May flowers bring? Pilgrims.
Yeah, that’s right. I have no shame about my hilarious jokes.
Elisabeth
I feel like I did this in year 1 & 2 (though all those posts are gone). So…yeah? Maybe? Probably? I honestly have no idea how many years I’ll make it with blogging anyway so each one is reason to celebrate, right? It could be my last?
The dirt/rain/mud one is my fav of the bunch – HILARIOUS!
San
Congratulations, Elisabeth. Three years is huge… and I wish you would have started sooner, but at least I can say that I started reading your blog long after you started (even though the first iteration is lost now). I don’t remember how I found you (oh, if only I knew how I found all the blogs that are so near and dear to me!) but I am just so glad our internet paths crossed.
I just celebrated my 20th blogaversary… my first post was on April, 15th, 2004. That’s so wild.
I feel like you already cover a whole range of interesting and diverse topics, but one thing I’d like to hear more about is the relationship with your siblings.
Elisabeth
TWENTY YEARS! That is epic, San.
Phew – sibling relationships. That’s an interesting one and something that is complicated in its own way, but I have made a note!!
Maria
Happy third anniversary! I found you from another blog and I frankly can’t remember which one. I’ve blogged at my current place for about 4 years. I think? I have had other blogs before though.
I’m feeling un-jokey and out of quotes this morning while recovering from a stomach bug. But I can answer the questions:
Reading from the Fundy coast of NB. A blogging topic: what inspired you to start blogging and what are your favourite parts of blogging? (Maybe you’ve written about this before?)
Elisabeth
I feel like I have written about this before…but only on my old (now deleted) blog? A great topic and I’m making note 🙂
SHU
Congrats on 3!!! Mine will be 20 this July. I’m trying to think of something to do to celebrate!!!
Elisabeth
Twenty is epic! That’s amazing…
Lisa's Yarns
I will have to tell Paul those jokes! Phil got a page-a-day calendar of dad jokes and he reads the daily joke to us each night at dinner. There aren’t a ton of good ones, but we still get a laugh or it gives us an opportunity to teach him about humor/satire/etc.
Happy 3rd birthday! Your blog is a toddler!! I have been blogging since 2008 so my blog will be 16 this year. So my blog can almost drive! The blog I started was actually my France blog – I started it when I was spending 3 weeks in France doing a grad school 2-week program with travel in Paris tagged onto either end of the trip. And then I loved writing so much that I started Lisa’s Yarns when I get back. My OG blog is anamericangirlinfrance.blogspot.com.
Elisabeth
Your blog can almost drive! This is the funniest analogy, Lisa! Love it. And I LOVED looking through some of your old posts on the American Girl in France blog!!!
My blog is a toddler. Uh oh. We both know that’s not my favourite stage of parenting 🙂
coco
Happy anniversary! your blog has grew so much in such short period of time thanks to your thoughtful posts and comments!
I found you from another blog I think. I like your style of writing, my first impression was that her writing her blog is so calm and southing, and the range of topics you post, including real life struggles.
I started blogger in 2008, a long time ago!
let me leave you with a joke about economists:
How many economists does it take to change a light bulb? None. If the light bulb needed changing, the market would have already done it!
Elisabeth
I think I found your blog through SHU? Or maybe Kae? I can’t remember now!
Sophie
Congrats on 3 years, that’s awesome! I think I discovered your blog from SHU’s blog possibly?
My blog is 7 weeks old (just like a baby I’m still counting in weeks haha!). For a long time I thought I couldn’t start a blog because I was starting too late, I felt like all the blogs I saw were so established! – Seeing how you started and grew yours into such a great space definitely inspired me to give it a go 🙂
Elisabeth
I laughed that you’re counting in weeks like a baby! That’s brilliant.
I’m so glad you started writing 🙂
I totally get the feeling that starting now is “too late.” I felt the same and most of the blogs I’m reading now were started 15+ years ago. I think people have gotten tired of social media and are returning to this form of online connection? I also feel like conversations are a lot more like regular friendships – surface level silly stuff (like my post about names), but then also tackling really big things like mental health, challenges with work and parenting etc.
Wishing you many happy weeks, months, and years of blogging ahead!
Mary
Hello from Ireland! I found your blog through SHU? Kae? Laura Vanderkam? I’m not sure. Not a blogger myself but have been reading blogs for probably about 15 years. I like hearing about how people go about their everyday lives, figuring things out.
Elisabeth
Hello, Mary! I think you might be my first confirmed Irish reader. I have neighbours from Ireland and have always wanted to visit!
Michelle G.
Congratulations on 3 years of blogging! I actually would’ve guessed that you’ve been blogging for much longer because you’re so good at it! You know how to engage people, and you write about interesting things. I discovered you just before your previous blog was lost, and I was so sad that I couldn’t find you anywhere! Then Nicole gave me your new blog address, and I’ve been here ever since.
Did you know: “Lance” may be an uncommon name these days…
But in Medieval times, people were named Lance a lot.
Elisabeth
Haha! Good joke 🙂
I’m so glad you “found” me again after my blog debacle and I’m so glad I found you! Your miniatures never fail to brighten my day 🙂
And thanks for such sweet compliments. Words like that mean a lot <3
Melissa
I’ve been blogging since 2011, but I made that blog private when the kids were in their late teens And started my new blog.
And a joke:
I asked my landlord if I could set up a cloning lab in my apartment. “Sure”, they said, “Make yourself at home.”
Elisabeth
Haha – good one!
Marcia from OrganisingQueen
Congrats! I’ve been blogging since 2006!!!
I found you when Sarah H-U linked to one of your posts. I’m from Johannesburg, South Africa, and am reading today because I happened to have 20 minutes between meetings 🙂
Elisabeth
I am meeting up with a friend who hails from South Africa shortly! I’m waving – metaphorically – from Nova Scotia!
Stephany
I have been writing online since high school – I think my first online “diary” of sorts was in 2004 or 2005? That’s crazy to think about!
I can’t remember how I found your blog, though. I think I saw you commenting on other people’s blogs and decided to find out who this Elisabeth person with all the thoughtful comments was! 🙂
Elisabeth
Wow! That’s a long time writing, Stephany. Kudos!
Anne
Wow, 3 years. I remember when I started reading your blog – I think it was right after you started, and I am pretty sure it was a comment on SHU’s blog (which I read but never comment on), and I was seeing who had a hyperlink associated with their names. You did, I loved how you spelled your name, and the rest is… history? So glad you are still here, and that you made it back after the debacle that was … well, really 2023. I don’t know if I would have done the same. Your thoughtful posts and carefully considered content (say that three times fast…) make this a favorite place to stop by on the interwebs. <3
I don't know when I started my initial Blogger site, but my WordPress site has been around since November 2020. Such a year…
Elisabeth
I didn’t realize you had such a recent start to blogging as well! It’s such a wonderful community <3