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If you have just recently stumbled across this little blog o’ mine, then welcome. Please make yourself at home. Look around. Pick things up, put them back down wherever. I don’t care. Look through my underwear drawers, I’ve nothing to hide. You don’t need a coaster for your beverage. Don’t look too close at the corners, though, they may be dusty. I don’t have time to clean everything, you know!

Anyway, eventually you’ll probably notice something. I don’t have my “Comments” button on. I actually haven’t for years.

I don’t remember precisely when I turned them off, but I didn’t really think much of it at the time. People have occasionally asked why I don’t have them on, but I just change the subject or throw something at them and then run away while they are distracted and/or hurt. But really, I suppose I avoid the subject because I don’t have one clear answer why. I’ll try, though.

I started keeping a blog as really, just a place to practice writing and story telling. I absolutely love to read or hear people’s personal stories. Life-altering, intriguing, surprising, and of course hilarious – I love to listen and swap stories. I also occasionally enjoy writing a story satirically or even in a different voice than my own. With that in mind, I started writing this blog. And folks would leave comments, and it was all fun.

And then I felt I was too distracted by the comments. What could I write about that would solicit comments? Should I not post anything new until people have had enough opportunity to comment? What if people leave a negative comment and hurt my tender feelings? I just wanted to not worry about comments anymore.

Please know I absolutely love that people read my blog.  And when I visit with friends, I love that they’ll give me feedback or encourage me or whatever. But I enjoy the freedom of not being distracted by comments each time I write.

However, recently I have been threatened by a few folks if I don’t turn the comments back on. I mean, not since I was a teenager and convinced my dad to take our entire family to see Joe Versus the Volcano (starring two-time Academy Award Winner, Tom Hanks) have I been subjected to such harassment.

And so now I am reconsidering. And I ask, should I turn my comments on? Should I give it a trial run? Will you be offended if you make a compelling argument, but in the end I decide to still leave my comments off? While I have been writing sans comments for quite some time now, I am curious as to what kind of spirit of community might be fostered by folks leaving comments. Perhaps new friendships will be formed. Perhaps the “comments room” in my little blog home will become a safe place to rest from the weariness of life. A place to encourage others to share their personal, albeit brief, stories. A place where Joe Versus the Volcano will be showing in a constant loop on the television. (Because I stand by my conviction that that movie was funny. He should be three-time Academy Award winner, Tom Hanks!)

So, please leave a comment, and tell me what you think. Rock the vote! Cast your ballot! And let me know how you’re doing. I miss our chats and haven’t heard an update from you in a while, quite frankly.