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Reflections from Jay’s Back Porch—one year—319 Posts!

By
Services for Real Estate Pros with Noted Curmudgeons

Jay’s Back Porch Graphic © 2007 Jay MertonIt’s a fine fall-like 56ºF morning on my back porch here in my beloved old river town of Saint Paul, Minnesota, and I am enjoying my “Danger Bay Collectible” mug of organically & shade-grown, fair-trade, French-roast coffee firing up my remaining brain synapses to synapting, as I consider this, my one year anniversary here on the ‘Rain.

Hello Activerainers (September 16, 2006)

I don’t expect to write a lot in this blog, but from time to time, you may expect me to offer an opinion or two about home repairs & maintenance. Opinions I have many—and I’m usually willing to share (folks my age tend to be loooong on opinions, ‘cause we don’t let facts get in our way).

One year ago today that was my first ever post to Active Rain. It seems much longer to me—as if the time I’ve been here should be measured in years not months!

Wow! I was certainly mistaken in that first phrase: “I don’t expect to write a lot in this blog…” After 319 (counting this post) posts, 24 of them featured, 111,956 points (excluding this post), it would seem my ability at prognostication is wanting—or perhaps, my understanding of the addictive quality of blogging was lacking—not to mention competitiveness.

When I began blogging here, Active Rain was a relatively small group of plucky bloggers, and today? Who would have thought there would be more than 48,000 members—no longer a small community by any measure!

A short trip down memory lane:

Blantant Icons

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I haven't displayed those in a while.

 

It’s been a great ride—and I loved it! But this is my last post to the ‘Rain. The time has come to let an RE professional claim the second spot in Minnesota! I have a new blog-mistress, “Our Saint Paul,” and she is demanding myJay Was Here Icon complete attention!

But I’m not leaving completely, I’ll still stop by to comment, even if it is only by leaving my new “Comment Icon” just to let you know I’m still around and still care about our Gentle Readers!

I have included many of your outside and AR blogs in my blogroll and in my RSS Feedreader—so that I may remain in contact, and I invite you to visit me at Our Saint Paul—you will be warmly received.

Sincerely,

Jay
Cheryl Johnson
Highland Park, CA

Okaydokie.  It's been fun.   See you at Our Saint Paul

And Jay, did I ever say You are the King of Graphic Artists!  Your Graphics Rock!!!

Sep 16, 2007 01:27 AM
Bob Carney
Taylor-Made Deep Creek Vacations & Sales - Mc Henry, MD
Licensed MD/PA Real Estate Agent
Happy Anniversary!!! I will be around for the next ones after this...Glad to be a gentle reader.
Sep 16, 2007 01:34 AM
Maureen McCabe
HER Realtors - Columbus, OH
Columbus Ohio Real Estate
Happy Anniversary I don't know if I started reading as soon as you started posting but I think I was an early fan.  It used to be a first thing in the AM.. check whats happening in St. Paul and look at the gorgeous graphics.  
Sep 16, 2007 02:17 AM
Lysa Napolitano
Daytona Beach, FL

Jay, I second Lenn!

I've been enjoying your posts since I saw your old red truck parked outside the cyber cafe... Happy Anniversary my Codger friend! I need to remember to hit Danger Bay without a reminder myself :). I've enjoyed every minute of reading you and Boomer since I've found the "Codgers" pages.

Thanks for the

 RIDE!

 

 

Sep 16, 2007 02:19 AM
Boomer Jack Boardman & Carl McIntyre, the Codgers
Noted Curmudgeons - Saint Paul, MN

Lenn: I’ll keep up with you (I know where to find you)! Thank you for the very kind words.

Cheryl: Very kind words, indeed! Thank you.

Bob: Thanks, your visits to “Our Saint Paul” are appreciated.

Maureen: Yes, you were an early “Gentle Reader.” You too know where to find me. Thanks for commenting.

Lysa: Nice bike! And—you are very welcome!

Jay (Time for a nice nap, now)
Sep 16, 2007 02:49 AM
delete account
Clayton, MO
Last post to the rain!! Awww....well at least you'll still pop in and comment. I do have your other blog in my favorites....guess I'll have to visit there more. :)
Sep 16, 2007 06:29 AM
Rick & Ines - Miami Beach Real Estate
Majestic Properties - Miami Beach, FL
Why Am I sad if I see you all the time at Danger Bay??  Jay....you are THE BOMB!  and you have a way of lighting up a blog.....imagine what you can do to a room.  I will keep doing my rounds, gotta keep that SWIGS running smoothly! : )
Sep 16, 2007 06:56 AM
Boomer Jack Boardman & Carl McIntyre, the Codgers
Noted Curmudgeons - Saint Paul, MN

Pamela: Pop in I will.

Ines: You make me blush!

Jay 

Sep 16, 2007 07:36 AM
George Souto
George Souto NMLS #65149 FHA, CHFA, VA Mortgages - Middletown, CT
Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert
Jay, sad to see you leave AR, but I will be stopping in at your Danger Bay Blog from time to time in order to stay in touch, after all I have to keep up with those great graphics that you create.
Sep 16, 2007 09:11 AM
Boomer Jack Boardman & Carl McIntyre, the Codgers
Noted Curmudgeons - Saint Paul, MN

George: And I thought it was the compelling story line! ;-) Thanks George.

Jay 

Sep 16, 2007 09:53 AM
Kristin Small
RE/MAX Southern Shores - Myrtle Beach, SC
REALTOR -GRI, Myrtle Beach Real Estate
Well I just recently found you here, so I can read all of your old posts to stay entertained for a while.  319 post...impressive. 
Sep 16, 2007 10:12 AM
Boomer Jack Boardman & Carl McIntyre, the Codgers
Noted Curmudgeons - Saint Paul, MN

David: Of course. The blog will remain, and I will reply to all comments.

Jay 

Sep 16, 2007 11:16 AM
Virginia Halter
RE/MAX Signature Properties - Harrisburg, NC
ABR, CDPE, CRS, GREEN, SFR, SRES

Jay - I look forward to reading Our Saint Paul to keep up with you.  Your posts are always enjoyable to read.  Maybe you can visit on your next anniversary to tell us how you are.

Have a great time in Saint Paul!! 

Sep 18, 2007 02:25 AM
Boomer Jack Boardman & Carl McIntyre, the Codgers
Noted Curmudgeons - Saint Paul, MN
Virginia: Thanks!
Sep 18, 2007 08:16 AM
Bonnie Erickson
Tangletown Realty - Saint Paul, MN

I feel sorry for those who missed the first  Codgers and all their wisdom.  I've got Our St. Paul in my RSS feed but you'll be missed here.  The dimension of wisdom and sanity that you've added can't be rivaled.

Sep 21, 2007 01:19 PM
Boomer Jack Boardman & Carl McIntyre, the Codgers
Noted Curmudgeons - Saint Paul, MN
Bonnie: thank you.
Sep 21, 2007 08:06 PM
Bill Roberts
Brooks and Dunphy Real Estate - Oceanside, CA
"Baby Boomer" Retirement Planner

Jay, I feel cheated. I've just discovered you and you are already gone? What kind of a deal is that? I thought "Ah ha!" A replacement for Garrison Keillor. Great. So now what am I supposed to do?

If I "comment" on all your old blogs will you come back to answer?

Bill Roberts

Sep 26, 2007 12:51 PM
Boomer Jack Boardman & Carl McIntyre, the Codgers
Noted Curmudgeons - Saint Paul, MN

I already have. I certainly can not compete with the master, Mr. Keillor. We're still posting our stories on "Our Saint Paul"

Jay 

Sep 26, 2007 12:55 PM
Chris Griffith
Downing-Frye Realty, Bonita Springs, FL - Bonita Springs, FL
Bonita Springs Listing Specialist - Agent
I see that you've come back long enough to pink up your profile picture.  You give one girl in West Virginia a bucket of pink paint and look what happens.
Oct 14, 2007 12:46 AM
Boomer Jack Boardman & Carl McIntyre, the Codgers
Noted Curmudgeons - Saint Paul, MN
Amazing, isn't it?
Oct 14, 2007 01:46 AM