Should I Stay or Should I Go?
But let’s face it: some of you probably wouldn’t mind dropping a house on me right about now.
As we settle into a new year, I face a jarring question best enunciated by The Clash: Should I stay or should I go? Moreover, how long can I keep this going? Are you getting sick of me? Is it time to click my heels three times and retreat to Moreland Hills?
The time will come when Vertes'Verities must end, or at least publish sporadically, not once a week. Other, far more formidable bloggers than I have flamed out or run out of ideas, but that is not nearly as bad as running out of readers.
Oh, I am eternally grateful for my core audience. You open my emails weekly, comment when you are so moved, and even tell me you look forward to Thursdays.
But is there a dawning weariness with moi?
It is nice to believe that one writes for oneself. When I dabbled in a book project last year, other writers and even a professional editor advised me to do it for myself.
Still, I am not without ego. I am not above wanting a bit of affirmation, a friendly nod—even a confrontative “Are you out of your freaking mind?”
I can sustain this blog for another year or so. I may have already passed the point of “leaving them wanting more," but I don’t want to reach the point of “leaving them wanting you to leave.”
So come on and let me know: Should I stay or should I go?
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Please add your name to your comments. You don't need to log in to Google. I appreciate all comments, but I love the signed ones just a little more.
Blogging calls for dedication, not ghosting your devoted readers! Stay the course or I will drop a house on you.
ReplyDeleteCould not like this comment any more… except to say are you out of your mind? You are so good at this. Don’t let this go.. we all need it!
Delete-Missy
DeleteWell said Joe!!
DeletePeter ! ! ! Never Stop ! ! ! Look forward to your Verities every Thursday ! ! Awesome ! ! ! !
ReplyDeleteI, for one, enjoy the weekly gift of a peek into your world. Whether it’s a blast from your past or current events, I hope you keep them coming. And Joe’s comments are great, too!
ReplyDeleteChristina
I know how it is, Peter, and you should know these pages are a sweet comfort. I hope you will continue.
ReplyDelete: )
Erin OB
STAY‼️ Who else writes such thought provoking and sophisticated blogs, like you…right, no one that I have found‼️
ReplyDeleteI feel your pain, my friend. Coming up with topics on which to blog is a chore. There will always be winners and losers, but you do such a nice job with it. So I'll just say I hope you keep going, but I understand the difficulty of it.
ReplyDeletePlease stay, Peter. I enjoy reading.
ReplyDeleteSTAY! I don't always have time to read it but it makes me happy knowing you're doing it! -- Kara
ReplyDeletePlease stay as long as you feel you can! I don’t usually comment, but I do look forward to your posts every Thursday! With love, from Pittsburgh- Kathy K
ReplyDeleteKeep it going Peter!
ReplyDeleteI think there's a clear consensus here but I will add my voice to the mix. It's true that I look forward to Thursdays every week. I think you have plenty of stories to tell - so keep at it for us, but only as long as you enjoy it, too!
ReplyDeleteI always enjoy your weekly “column”, Peter. It’s more important that you should continue to enjoy producing it. If a change in frequency might help you build a backlog of ideas, then by all means.
ReplyDeleteI've enjoyed your weekly visit as I feel you speak your truth in a refreshing candid style. Keep putting it out there as long as it serves you!
ReplyDeleteSTAY!
ReplyDeleteSTAY! I love waking up Thursdays to your humor, insights and memories! Sending you hugs from our sad LA
ReplyDeleteStay
ReplyDeleteI enjoy it immensely! I especially like it when I get a peek into your life with Joe. Please don't stop. At least not yet! Lisa Wallace
ReplyDeleteStay! I look forward to your well written observations and opinions.
ReplyDeleteJoan
Take the advice of your esteemed professional editor. Keep writing! Ian
ReplyDeletePlease don’t stop Peter. I love your writings.
ReplyDeleteMary Purton Claney
I will answer your Clash question with a Maurice Williams & The Zodiacs answer:
ReplyDeleteSTAY... just a little bit longer
--Dean
Hi Peter, i enjoy all your blogs—they’re intelligent, well-written, funny and align with my outlook on life. I never comment because i feel intimidated and pressure to have a pithy witty reflection on what I’ve read. So i do enjoy it. But I wont be mad if you quit it. “It’s yo thang, do whacha wsnna do, I can’t tell you
ReplyDeleteWho to sock it to” Btw, this is Vincent
Hell yeah man, keep going.
ReplyDeleteRegards,
Disco Dave
Peter, you write very well. I enjoy your weekly blog. I can hear the words in the sound of your voice which isn’t always the case with these. I also enjoy reading Joe’s comments. It’s heartwarming. Space them out a little more maybe if that scratches the itch…. but I wouldn’t quit. ✌️
ReplyDeleteDave Mercado
The time for blowhard pontification has passed. I’m sure this blog will not be missed. Well past time to go.
ReplyDeleteWhoever this is needs to get some counseling! Being jealous of other’s success is pretty ugly. You must not be a happy person. Peter, don’t stop. I look forward to this every week. There is always a bad apple in the bunch!
DeleteA bad apple? Opinions were asked for. I gave mine. If you disagree with my opinion it means I have a problem? You are sounding like a MAGA.
DeleteI'm confused. The author of this blog has never posted something that is "blowhard pontification"....
DeleteIf you are so outspoken then why hide behind anonymity?
DeleteFirst of all, I imagined that your title was a reference to the incoming administration. That you are considering leaving this blog is unimaginable to me. Your words are eloquent, your ideas are beautiful and your writing, well, it is perfect. Listen to your husband and stay the course. You cannot let us down. You are too good to stop.
ReplyDeleteYour weekly (or monthly) Cleveland-based musings are indeed a high point in the pablum of the Internet. Your content is fresh and entertaining. Don't monetize. Just write from your soul....
ReplyDeleteAha, I now see that our comments default to "anonymous". Turn that ferature off...
DeleteDefinitely continue. Your take on things is always interesting to read and I would miss the posts.
ReplyDeleteYour STAY/GO conundrum I figured was you and Joe contemplating an exit to a moderately far-flung land propelled by obvious timing. I’ve enjoyed every post and marveled at your writing skill and the rich vein of situations you’ve found yourself in. I can fathom the burden as well as the joy and satisfaction of launching each blog. In this blog, you are putting your quandary “out there” (here) as ever…its chock full of your super power; veritas. As we all know; “the truth will set you free, but first it will make you miserable”. - often attributed to James A Garfield. #writeonpeter 💛
ReplyDelete