Benign Neglect or What?

I used to have a dream in which I have given birth to a baby, a wanted baby, but then I forget to take care of it.  I put it in a bassinette somewhere or a crib by a window and then–oops! how long has it been since I’ve fed the baby?  I can’t remember.  In my dream, fear clutches my stomach as I run to where I’d last left the baby.  I want to look, but I don’t want to see:  is it dead? dying? shriveled to sodden mass of dirty diapers?  I would wake up from this dream with a start, and if you want to know why I never had a child in real life, I think it’s because I saw the dream as prophetic.  At the least, I knew I couldn’t have a child myself until I stopped having that dream.  By which time my eggs were kapuee.

I’m telling you all this–yes, why is she telling us this?–because it occurred to me that I’ve done something similar with this baby, MidLifeBloggers.com.  You can ascribe any psychodynamic you want to it, but I blame this election season.  As it got closer and closer to election day, I was unable to concentrate on much else but who was voting which way and why.  Rewrite that last sentence to: who was not voting the way I knew they should and what could I do about it?  Lots of people, and nothing.  But the election is now over, we have a new President-elect and, tra la, life goes on.  So–is this baby, MidLifeBloggers.com, dead or dying or merely shriveled to a sodden mass?

In the next couple of weeks, there will be a new look to the site, one that is more in keeping with what it has become:  a magazine of sorts.  Call it Salon for Midlifers, maybe.  The look will make it easier to negotiate the site, which has grown beyond the standard blogging format.  Tell me what you think when it happens.

Also in the next couple of weeks, I’m putting out a survey.  I want to know what you want to see on MidLifeBloggers.  What we’ve had and what we’re missing.  Because, as always, this is your site.  I’m the editor, but you guys are the engine.

Popularity: 15% [?]

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  • http://ineversignedupforthis.typepad.com/ darryle

    Aha! And I thought I was the only one who went completely off track for the last few months. I think this site is a great opportunity to do what mommy bloggers are doing and connect with people going thru the same stuff. You know I’m a techno-phobe so I don’t know how to do this but maybe have some sections on specific topics–health, appearance, recipes, caring for aging parents, empty nest–so people can connect and share on the things they’re most thinking about. Love the baby analogy–or is it metaphor? I have so much trouble remembering these things….

  • http://midlifebloggers.com byjane

    darryle: at least you were producing words…I was just sitting in a stupor in front of the computer or television. The sections on specific topics is exactly what we will have…a static front page with sections people can click on.

    The baby analogy is, hmmmm, a metaphor. Actually, it’s a trope. That’s a fancy English lit word for any figure of speech. I use it when I can’t tell the difference.

  • http://inventingmylife.blogspot.com Liz@InventingMyLife

    Well, I for one didn’t notice any neglect – though I completely know what you mean about becoming consumed by the election. Looking forward to seeing the changes!

  • http://www.girlsgardenofmenopause.com/ Ellen

    I have the same dream, only it’s a dog, not a baby.

    I’ve been just as consumed with election news and just as neglectful of my blog. But Jane, you should do only as much as you feel like doing, whenever you feel like doing it. That’s what you get — flexibility and latitude — when you don’t get paid.

  • http://vintagemommy.com Vintage Mommy

    I’m finding I’m even more consumed by the news now, pos-election. I’m fascinated by the transition, Obama’s choices for top posts, Republican angst, Palin’s return to reality, etc.

    Looking forward to the new format and to contributing!

  • http://midlifebloggers.com byjane

    Ellen: I don’t get paid? Well, waddaya know….

  • http://midlifebloggers.com byjane

    Vintage Mommy: please, don’t even tempt me. In thirty seconds I could get really pissed off at the way the GOP is scumbagging Palin. I wasn’t for her, but my god, have those men no shame? Or maybe they’re just trying to garner her the sympathy vote. Am I babbling? Yes, I’m babbling. See….

  • http://vintagemommy.com Vintage Mommy

    Babble away, it’s been that kind of political season. No doubt they’re looking for a scapegoat (rather than looking at themselves) and she’s handy. Now she knows what it’s really like to swim with the sharks.

  • http://www.womenbloom.com/blog Allison

    Well, Ms. Jane, yes politics was an engrossing subject and I know what you mean. I didn’t realize just HOW engrossing until it was over. What a relief, I feel soooo much lighter.

    And, I didn’t notice the neglect, but at any rate, onward from here!
    Allison

  • http://phhhst.blogspot.com/ phhhst

    If I had a nickle for every minute I spent in front of the Tv or on the internet hooked on political news. arggh.

    This site was my starting off point when I started blogging and looking for my virtual community. I found most of the bloggers I enjoy reading through this site. The site has also inspired me to kick it up a notch on some of my own posts with the idea of submitting them here. I think the idea of categories is a good one. I like how I can navigate myslf around here. Blogher overwhelms me so far.

  • http://www.sasstown.com Cecilia

    I too, was pretty engrossed in the election coverage in a way I never have been before.

    Do you think it is just our age????

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