Crunchy numbers

600 people reached the top of Mt. Everest in 2012. This blog got about 6,400 views in 2012. If every person who reached the top of Mt. Everest viewed this blog, it would have taken 11 years to get that many views.

In 2012, there were 151 new posts, not bad for the first year! There were 642 pictures uploaded, taking up a total of 1 GB. That’s about 2 pictures per day.

The busiest day of the year was November 25th with 137 views. The most popular post that day was West Lake goes Zombie.

Ya Hoo!!!  I love this stuff.  Thank you everyone who has made this possible

 I have been blogging now for ten months.  No one is more surprised than me how much this new hobby of mine has grown and taken on a life of its own. Who knew when I started last March, that Westlakemusings would grow to 6,400 views in 2012.  It’s mind-blowing.  It has opened up a whole new world of possibilities and connections.  

The Connections:

I had no idea blogging would lead to new friends and be so much fun.  There are weekly contests, lots of exchanged comments and visitors from all over the world. People from 47 countries have viewed my site in the last year.  Isn’t that amazing? 

Support and interest in Westlakemusings grew slowly.  At first my readers were strictly family.  Then a kind stranger made a comment.  In return I checked out her blog. I read the remarks from other commenters and started to follow their blogs.  They started to read my stuff and a community was formed. Now we are virtual friends.  I’m interested in their lives, their opinions and concerns.  For instance,  Heidi over at http://lightlycrunchy.wordpress.com .  We share lots in common ie. appreciation for the simple life, sharing receipts, vegetable gardens. 

Lightlycrunchy is a  wildly successful  blogger with a huge following.  When she mentioned my blog in her website, it brought me lots of new readers.  (She is probably busy today packing up her household and preparing to move into her in-laws house.  Good luck to you Heidi.    I hope the transition goes well.) 

LouAnn over at http://onthehomefrontandbeyond.wordpress.com/  is holding a virtual New Year’s eve party today.  Really!  Check it out. She even has live entertainment. 

 http://onthehomefrontandbeyond.wordpress.com/2012/12/30/three-party-party/ 

http://leafandtwig.wordpress.com    This is a beautiful way to start each morning.  The writers of this blog post a lovely photo taken of some natural setting and a short haiku style poem sums up the moment.  Amazing stuff.

http://wildsherkin.wordpress.com    This blogger lives on Sherkin Island, which  is a tiny island off the south-west coast of Cork, Ireland.

http://gingetz.com/     She writes from a remote, high mountain, off grid ranch in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado about an hour from the nearest town. 

Michelle – over at http://thegreenstudy.com has been so amazing. She recently quit her regular job and has begun the challenging life of a professional writer working from home.  She is so generous and supportive to me.

As a matter of fact she recently nominated me for an award.

  How affirming is that?    

http://thegreenstudy.com/2012/12/23/the-awards-show-part-3/

Michelle recently listed all of her favourite blogs.  From that list I started to follow http://cancerinmythirties.wordpress.com/  This young woman has the same aggressive type of cancer I had. (HER2).  Her story is so courageous.

The Thank You’s

I owe thank you’s to a lot of generous and kind people.  My blog would not be running today without your support.  

Thank you for all who leave comments.  The regulars are:   Rev Mare, Heidi, Michelle, Donna, and LouAnn. 

Thank you WordPress.com  for your free support, stats and daily suggestions.  You are wonderful.

Thank you Heidi for making that first link over to my site. 

Thank you Michelle for running a recent competition – funniest Christmas stories.  Even though I was not in the top three, she is posting my submission on January 9th on her blog.      http://thegreenstudy.com/2012/12/28/winners-and-not-the-charlie-sheen-kind/

 Thank you to those who allow me to write about them and take pictures of their property.  I hope I have never offended or embarrassed. 

I hope you continue to read my stuff in 2013.  BTW –   Drive safely tonight and a Happy New Year!