Pour the champagne, because in the midst of celebrating Loretta Young this month, I am doing a little celebrating of my own. No, I'm not celebrating my birthday, though my birthday is in January. Instead, three different blog things have put me in the "making merry" mood.
First, next week will mark They Don't Make 'Em Like They Used To's 2nd anniversary. Though I've been blogging at one blog or another since early 2006, it was on February 1, 2011, that I decided to "marry" my loves of classic film and writing through a blog devoted solely to Hollywood's golden age. I've loved every single minute of writing this blog, and I have been blessed to have made some wonderful classic movie-lovin' friends through it. I look forward to another year of showing that Hollywood just "doesn't make 'em like they used to!"
The second thing I am celebrating is that I am now a member of the Classic Movie Blog Association. I am honored that my fellow classic movie bloggers counted my blog worthy of admission to their group. I am looking forward to joining in the events the Association puts on and to having the opportunity to get to know even more classic Hollywood appreciators.
Finally, I am celebrating that my dear friend, Monty, of All Good Things has awarded my blog the very prestigious "Blog of the Year" award. I don't always choose to receive these awards; in fact, in most of my blogging years, my blog has been "award and tag free." Oh, it's not that I don't appreciate being honored with an award---it's more that my readers' friendship and kind comments are award in and of itself. However, this award really meant a lot to me---it came at a time when I was discouraged and feeling like readership was so low that I might as well abandon the blog. Monty's award touched me at a time when I really needed it, and I am grateful. That he enjoys my blog enough to consider me one of "the blogs of the year," means more than I can say. So, with a humble heart, I accept the award, which I will be passing on soon, in its own post.
Of course, all celebrations have gifts and prizes, and They Don't Make 'Em Like They Used To's celebration is no different. I have a classic movie gift for the winner...and if there is more than one winner (depending on how many more), I will either have multiple prizes, or I will randomly choose which of the "winners" gets the prize. All y'all have to do is answer a question about my classic movie loves (taking a cue from Monty's most recent giveaway). There is one film which really began my love affair with classic films...one film which showed me that classic films were not just "antiquated black and white movies which ought to be forgotten"... and all you have to do to be eligible to win is tell me what film that is. I've mentioned it before, both at my blog and in comments I've left on others' blogs, so we'll see how attentive everyone is. You can leave your answer in the comments, or you can email me with your answer. The correct answer and winner(s) will be revealed on February 1st.
Thanks to all of you for giving me a reason to celebrate! Let's go drink the champagne!
Congratulations on your two-year blogoversary, Patti! I can be HORRIBLE about starring items in my Google Reader and forgetting to go back and actually leave comments...so know you have a fan in me. :)
ReplyDeleteRuth, thanks for the congrats and the kind words.
DeleteYou mentioned Google Reader...I am curious about that. I know people use it, but why? What is the point of it? I always click on a blog page from my dashboard and just go to the specific post or main blog page directly. Is there an advantage to using Google reader over doing that?
Congratulations on your anniversary and award! I'm sure you'll enjoy your association membership, too.
ReplyDeleteI want you to know you've inspired me into going through the old movie channels a couple of times a week now and dvr-ing (is that a word?) things. I have half a dozen films waiting on me already, including Now, Voyager, which I know is a favorite of yours. I'm hoping to get to it this weekend since we're going to be having a bout of cold weather.
Thanks, Eileen, for your sweet words. When I started this blog, that was my goal...to inspire people to seek out these great old films by sharing enough about them to arouse the curiosity. It's gratifying to know that I have been successful.
DeleteIf DVR-ing and DVR'd aren't words, I use them anyhow. I'm always DVR'ing something; in fact, my DVR is at 38% capacity right now. It's not all my movies...much of it is my kids' TV shows, but I think it's safe to say that I have about 60 movies in there that I need to watch. So many movies...so little time.
Let me know what you think of "Now, Voyager." I DO love that one!!
First of all, CONGRATULATIONS on your blogs anniversary, your acceptance into the Classic Movie Blog Association (well deserved!) and your award from Monty! You know how much this blog means to me, it's opened my eyes to so many wonderful lesser known actors and films.
ReplyDeleteHmmmmm, your favorite movie is a hard one because you have a lot! I do know you love "The Best Years of Our Lives" and one of your favorite scenes is Myrna Loy letting her daughter know that their marriage hasn't always been easy. Plus, you love Fredric March:) But I don't know if that's the one that opened your eyes to classic movies. Are we allowed to cheat and go way back on your blog LOL. Anyway, that's my guess and again, CONGRATULATIONS!!!
Victoria, you have been an encouragement to me with this blog from day one, and given that it was at your suggestion that I added the "films reviewed" page, you have helped it to become somewhat of an online movie-guide.
DeleteI do love Fredric March, and I do love that scene in that wonderful movie. I will let you know on February 1st (blog anniversary day) if you are correct with your guess.
And, yes, you are more than welcome to cheat by reading old posts...just be sure to let me know if you find any that have that strange white block running through the text. I have spent several days trying to discover those ruined posts, and I think I have everything fixed now, but I might have missed one.
I am symbolically raising a glass of bubbly to your three blog achievements! I always enjoy your recommendations.
ReplyDeleteBest,
Bonnie
Thanks, Bonnie!
DeleteCheers and Congrats!! You deserve it! You put a lot of hard work into your beautiful blog. I know that: A Place in the Sun, Now, Voyager and Casablanca, are a couple your favorite films..
ReplyDeleteI was shocked to read that you were thinking about abandoning your blog. I read it almost everyday..
Thanks, Dawn, for the congrats and kind words. You definitely know my top 3 movies...but is one of them the one that opened my eyes to the beauty of classic films? I will reveal the answer next week.
DeleteI was never going to delete my blog, but I did think about just not doing it anymore. As you know, winter is difficult for me. I suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), which is a depressive disorder brought about by the diminished hours of sunlight. My mental and emotional states are severely hampered from about October through April, and by about January, I'm horribly depressed and discouraged. It was that frame of mind which caused me to think I ought to just give up on my blog.
Congratulations on your award and the 2nd anniversary of your blog, Patti! Even though I've only recently made your acquaintance, I think your site is a great place and a welcome addition to the CMBA blogroll. I'm sure I speak for everyone who drops by here when I say that I'm glad you didn't give up on the blog when the temptation arose.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes,
Jeff
Thanks, Jeff, for those very kind words. They really mean a lot!
DeleteI am a Florida girl currently living in Idaho...and struggling with every minute of winter. With about 3 more months until it will be warm enough for me to spend time outdoors, the depression---and resulting temptation to just give up---may well hit me again But with different blogathons coming up and my monthly blog schedule in place, I will be able to persevere! Plus, I really do love writing this blog. Not having it would make me even more depressed!
Congrats Patti! I'm glad you didn't give up on the blog because it's always a joy to read. Looking forward to more of your wonderful blogging.
ReplyDeletebest wishes
Alyssa
Thanks, Alyssa, for your sweet and kind words! They really mean a lot!
Deletecongrats to you Patti...love Loretta Young, among others :)
ReplyDeletei wish i could go back in time and have Bette, Loretta, and Barbara's wardrobes.
love those dresses and peep toe shoes...
you certainly deserve the awards...
BEAR hugs on the 27th :)
victoria
Thanks, Victoria, for the congrats and kind words. I have missed you in blog land...so glad to see that you have eased back in through a weekly post.
DeleteI agree...the dresses those women wore were so incredibly beautiful! I wish we gals still dressed that way on a regular basis. (And men still dressed in suits, ties, and fedoras!) Ah, those were the days!
Congratulations, Patti.
ReplyDeleteAnd one point about being discouraged about low readership: write for yourself, for the sheer joy of sharing your thoughts. The readers will come, the readers will go, and sometimes you may never know that your writing is doing a great service to those readers. But write for yourself.
Thanks, Jim. And I understand the point you are making...when my daughter is discouraged about her own low blog readership, I tell her the same thing!
DeleteI do know that my seasonal depression is partly responsible for that feeling, as it’s difficult for me to function in the winter, and I am constantly feeling discouraged and hopeless. People who don't suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder can't understand...it's not just a "get over it and deal with winter" kind of thing. It's a very real disorder which affects the sufferers mental, emotional, and physical states. Our brains NEED sunlight just as much as our lungs need air.
Despite feeling that way, though, in the end, I came to the place of realizing that I’m a “quality over quantity” person anyhow. I would rather have a limited number of blog readers who I really communicate with and am close to than to have dozens who I really don’t know. So, I stayed around.
I just started "It Happened One Night" (1934). The bus trip has just begun and I'm looking forward to the ride! Thanks to you, buddy.
DeleteHi Patti, I am so glad you decided to keep writing also!! I really enjoy every word and have been exposed to many movies I have never seen or heard of. I understand the S.A.D. problem in winter. I am in the Midwest and the last week our highest temp was 10 degrees before windchill. I don't mind the cold but the darkness can get to me. I try to get outside anytime there is sun and soak it up no matter how much I have to bundle up. Also sitting in a sunny window can help :o) I hope you have a depression free rest of the winter.
ReplyDeleteMy guess is "Now, Voyager" as it is just so perfect. Blessings, Dee
Congratulation on all of these fronts, you do a wonderful job and it's very obvious that this is a passion of yours. Please keep it up!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, Patti! If you keep on writing, we can keep on reading. You already have built a long and deep guide for movies. Sometimes I will visit it after watching a movie, like "Now, Voyager", which I saw for the first time last year...and then I learned it is your all-time favorite one.
ReplyDeleteOther times I read your blog before I watch a movie, and can decide better in what order I will place it in my "priority movie list". As you have mentioned before, there are too many movies, so little time, so your blog is not only informational but helpful. I thank you for that.
About writing: I think it warms the heart of the writer and the hearts of the readers, so hopefully it will help you keep you, and us, going through the long winter.