Don’t Look Now, But I’ve Been Tagged!

I love a good blog challenge, so when I was tagged by John Rieber, to participate in ‘Tag, you’re it,’ I gladly entered in!

‘What’s it all about?’

‘Just answer the questions, ma’am, so folks can get to know you better.’

‘Sure,’ I said, ‘why not?’

How did you come up with your blog name?

Cats and Trails and Garden Tales

I’d been writing cat stories but didn’t know what to do with them, when my brother John suggested I start a blog. So top billing went to the CATS.

In fact, my first post was written by Tiger – did I mention my cats talk? – but Benji eventually became the star!

Trails represent my hikes and travels both near and far; Gardens covers my backyard, flowers and general love of nature. It’s a bit long for a blog name perhaps, but it is what it is.

If your blog was a person (fiction or real), who would it be?

Actually, my blog is a person, and that person is me – Susanne – or as my cats call me – Sue. I don’t think it would veer far from Susanne and Tiger and Benji!

What helps you create new content if you feel like you need some inspiration?

My cats provide material with their antics, cuteness, and life challenges. Tiger is aging (aren’t we all?) and Benji is down to 8 lives and 3 legs, adjusting to his tripod status back in May.

And I’m continually inspired by nature and my travels. (The feature photo is from the Quinault Rainforest on the Olympic Peninsula, one of my favorite places.)

The highlight of our recent trip to Wenatchee (other side of the mountains from Seattle, for those who don’t know) was watching a pair of Ospreys feed their young with fish from the Columbia River. I used my Lumix FZ300 with its amazing zoom to watch them on a platform high above the river. It was amazing!

All that said, when the well starts to run dry, WHICH IT DOES, I can always get ideas from challenges (including this one!)

In fact, my latest post was a response to two different photo challenges, and the bees were from my backyard.

Is there anyone you would like to collaborate with?

Not sure what that would look like, but I’d be open if there was a topic that worked for both of us. Cats? Travels? Gardens?

Is there anything more you wish you had or would like to learn as a blogger?

Definitely!

I wish I had more technical tools at my disposal to better understand the software under the covers (WordPress.) I wish I had a test bed, that provided more than just ‘preview’ of a post in draft – they don’t always come out the way you think they will. (Okay, the tools probably exist, but no doubt cost more money and training, so maybe I’ll just plod along as I am.)

Do you have a specific style of blogging?

Authentic, I hope.

When I started out over seven years ago, I focused mainly on stories, but as I pursued photography, I began to include more and more photos in my posts. Now, the photos often tell the story. Or trigger the story. And I hope the stories and pictures inspire you to appreciate the beauty of the world around you.

Now I’ll, add my own question!

What do you like most about blogging?

I’m glad you asked. 🙂 I like the writing. The starting with nothing, groping to find what you’re trying to say, and having it all come out the way you hoped, in the end. Oh. And I like the folks, too. The other bloggers. Who follow. And comment. And produce their own marvelous posts as well.

DONE!

Now, Tag, You’re it! If you’d like to participate (no pressure, folks!) just copy the questions above and answer them in your own blog post; then leave a link to your post in a comment!

~ Susanne