And so, my month of merry music-making has come to an end. I wrote about instruments, many of which I’d never before heard of, and musicians that tried their best at playing them!
I cannot thank enough those that chose to play along with me, your comments were encouraging, humorous, sage and often very ‘punny’!
I gained a lot of pleasure from following your blogs, most of which were in categories other than mine, and made quite a few new acquaintances along the way.
That’s the good bit done. Now let’s get serious!
I thought long and hard before deciding to take part this year. This was my sixth go at it, having joined up in 2015.
Sadly, each year there has been a decline in the number of folks participating. In 2015, a total of 1509 added their names to the master list, this year just 307.
Also, the number of writers posting very short stories, my chosen area, has dwindled to just a few. And as with previous years, with one exception, I received no visits from any of the team members.
Each and every year I’ve said in my Reflections that it would probably be my last. Then as a new April approaches, I change my mind!
Was this my last go? On reflection, probably!
This year’s A -Z stories
Keith's Ramblings 
I always enjoy your short stories! Sometimes they are whimsical and sometimes serious.
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Variety is the spice of life! Thanks so much, Sadje.
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You’re always welcome Keith
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Perhaps it’s a question of natural atrophy: every idea has its time and then fades. Then we have the writer’s perennial dilemma: to write what you enjoy, for your own satisfaction and a faithful few readers or give it up because there are so few faithful others.
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Absolutely so Christine. I really don’t know which side of the fence to sit on which is why I hum-and-ha in the run-up p April revert year!
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I enjoyed your posts and writing my own, but I find the glitches of A-Z tedious. Though I sign up, my name never appears… and the names that ARE on the list don’t even all participate, some are private sites, etc. Why are they there & not me? It’s annoying! But I probably will do it again…
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The lists and the home page need a lot of improvement, that’s for sure. Thanks so much for your visits to my place Paula, It’s much appreciated.
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Thank you for participating against your will, I’m so in love with your short stories 😊! I know I have missed 1 or 2 posts, but the 22 others were so good!
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Pffff I can’t even count… The 24 others of course 😂
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Thanks so much. With the amount of work that must have gone into creating your posts, I’m delighted you found the time to read mine!
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I participated from 2013 through 2018. When they started having you post your link everyday it was too much trouble and I quit. This year I posted but not as part of the challenge.
I was fortunate in my first year to meet ‘Jo’ who visited my blog, answered my questions and gave advice. I really miss her since she passed away last fall.
I got discouraged trying to follow bloggers who would quit half way through, if that. This year I decided to look for one of those bloggers and sure enough, she was ‘participating’, but about a week behind in her alphabet posts. What is the point?
I’m pretty sure one of us found the other on the challenge. Then again, maybe not.
Thanks for the entertainment.
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You make some very good points Denise. It could be so good if only they took a step back and worked out where things need improving. We could well have met on the challenge, certainly quite a few of my blogging friendships started there. Thanks for sticking with me throughout the month.
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I did wrote a couple of short stories for the challenge but I don’t think it’s all the popular. Even I don’t quite had the patience to read them.
I’ve said that same thing about participating every year. Honestly, this year seems like not everyone is quite into the challenge. It’s probably not true. I guess people are elsewhere.
Congrats on finishing.
Have a lovely day.
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At least you wrote a few even if you didn’t read them! Thanks for your thoughts, Lissa.
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I enjoyed your posts! This was my 10th year, and I’ll continue to do the challenge, even if not officially (like my friend Denise). And I do like to visit new blogs if the theme interests me, but I know we’re all busy, and I’m okay with just a handful of visitors/commenters.
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I quite like your somewhat casual approach to the challenge. Perhaps I’m taking it too seriously! Thanks so much for your visit’s my ramblings Martha.
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As long as you keep posting your wonderful wit and wisdom, i will be happy.
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Nothings gonna stop me now! Cheers, Mimi.
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Hi Keith – only 307 … gosh that’s indicative. I did it from 2011 and then when it changed up a lot … after Tina died and became impersonal. The new administration never acknowledged I’d even been doing the A-Z … talk about lack of encouragement, and now somewhat self-centred. I won’t do it again.
I’m delighted with the friends I met in the early days … and they’re still around … I love your stories and will keep visiting – enjoy your very windy walk today! Cheers Hilary
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The only comment I had from a team member was on day 24. It made no reference whatsoever to my post and was more of a plug for something they were doing in May! It was clearly cut and posted to my comments section and many other peoples too.
Having said that, I quite enjoyed taking part and I received many lovely comments though nothing like the number I received in previous years.
Thanks for always being there for me Hilary!
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Pleasure Keith … I’m around – nearly got blown up to you today! But … I agree far too much promoting themselves … not nearly as friendly as when I started or obviously when you did too … total self- agrandisement … my grump! There are some great people out there … cheers for now – Hilary
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It’s was a bit windy out there this morning Mary Poppins would have flown into space!
I totally agree with everything you said
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Well, we shall see, won’t we? I truly enjoyed all your wonderful, musical posts!
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Indeed we shall. I’ll soon be taking bets! Thanks so much for your visits.
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I sincerely hope you will participate next year Keith. The A to Z won’t be the same without your posts. I’ve mentioned my thanks to you in my Reflection Post. Here’s the link: https://artismoments.blogspot.com/2021/05/reflection-post-for-atozchallenge-2021.html
Have a wonderful summer. I hope to be a tad more regular with blogging this year. So, see you:)
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That’s so nice of you Arti, and I really appreciate the lovely things you said about my stories in your post. Don’t be a stranger!
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Another year under our belts, Keith. This is my 10th year (missed 2020). I decided at the last minute to participate with my theme of Novel Research, postponing my plans to post interviews of other authors’ research projects. It gave me an opportunity to fine tune the interview idea for May so that was a big benefit for me. I signed up for the Theme Reveal hours before the site closed. Likely, that’s when I’ll decide again next year. Thanks for all your wonderfully humorous stories again this year.
https://gail-baugniet.blogspot.com/2021/05/atozchallenge-reflections-2021.html
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Better late than never! I’m sure your eleventh year will be as entertaining as the one you’ve just completed
Thank you so much for reading my stories, Gail. Your support was much appreciated
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I’ve been doing the challenge for five years myself and agree it’s not quite as robust as in the beginning. I did skip one year and really missed it. While it’s a smaller group now, in many ways I feel more connected to the other bloggers who participate than I did in the beginning. I’m not sure if that is because of the connections I’ve built over the years or that those who remain are more committed to supporting one another. I can understand if it’s your last go but who knows what another year will bring? I’m sure there are more instruments out there whose stories are waiting to be told. Weekends In Maine
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Thinking about it, you make a very good point about the smaller size of the group making it more up close and personal. Next year for me? Let’s just say the jury’s out and deliberating!
There certainly are more instruments. The harp, flute and trumpet were really put out when I chose the harmonica, french horn and triangle instead!
Thank you so much for your loyal support during April.
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Hi Keith
You (should) know I always enjoy reading your posts. I started off with good intentions, as I do every frigging April, and then the month’s writing (and more) gets heavier and I blog hop less and less.
I will be back to read the rest of your post in the next few weeks, with all the others I’ve neglected.
The amount of bloggers registering is a letdown. I started in 2011 with the A to Z, and I know my mind is shot to pieces, but I think there were close to if not over, 2,000 blogs that signed up. A lot of dropouts, but still.
As to the lack of host visits, I’ve complained about the same thing most years. I understood it more in the early years. Not so much in the last four to five years (although I do have one consistent host and another two very intermittently pop by).
I do hope you’ll change your mind for next year. It’s always a pleasure.
Stu
Tale Spinning
Liquid Time Reflection: https://stuartnager.wordpress.com/2021/05/04/contemplation-on-liquid-time-2021-a-to-z-blogging-challenge-reflection/
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Thanks so much for your comment Stu, we seem to agree on everything!
A-Z is very time consuming and it’s difficult to visit and comment on as many as we should, especially as some folks post pieces that take ages to read – hence my self-imposed 200-word limit!
Next year? We’ll see!
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