Confession

                                                   I have a secret that I need to confess.

                                                  That got your attention, didn't it?

Well, I threw it out there so I had better get on with my confession. When I first discovered Blogger, I was mesmerized by it.  In the beginning, I had so much fun discovering and reading what other people had to say. I became a loose woman. I hit that "follow" button as fast as I could and as often as I could. My only conditions to following or not following a fellow blogger were that their sites could NOT contain smut, filthy language or be full of anger. With those ground rules being established, I happily started following site after site. But then I noticed that a lot of my daily reading consisted of the day-to-day activities of young moms and their children. I have nothing against children. New motherhood was some of the best days of my life. However, being 50+, I'm well past that stage of  life. So, new mothers unite! I waved a fond farewell and made use of the "stop following" option. I began looking for blogs of people in my own age range, with whom I shared a common thread. I searched for URL addresses containing anything relating to middle age or humor. (Because let's face it, you can't have one without the other. If you try, it's NOT a pretty sight). Anyway, using that method I found my home and my new friends. I've added a few others that have captured my attention because of a circumstance, belief or craft skill. But for the most part, the people that are on my list are people who share a common bond. People who are leaving one stage of life and entering the whacky new age of the latter part of midlife. I will most likely never meet any of you. Those of you who are always faithful to leave comments have become my treasured friends. I, too, have favorite Bloggers without whose daily entries make my day incomplete.

HOWEVER.....

I kept hearing a lot of buzz about FaceBook. At first, I kept my eyes focused on Blogger and avoided temptation. I kept telling anyone who tried to lure me over or break my faithfulness to Blogger that FaceBook was for young people. I had no business over there. After all, I'm not one of those silly women who try to recapture their youth by hanging out with the "cool" kids.

But then it happened! My eyes strayed. I tip-toed over to give it a peek. It looked a mess. I snuck back to to my well-organized world of Blogger, hoping that none of you would discover my indiscretion. I remained faithful for weeks.

But as things of that nature do, FaceBook continuously whispered my name and lured me back. I had gotten away with it once, so I figured another little peek wouldn't hurt. I tip-toed back over. It still looked a mess. My conscience burned and  I was in a hurry to leave and get back to where I belonged. But, Wait! I noticed some of my cousins and High School friends lurking about. This changed things a bit. It couldn't hurt to stop long enough to say hi. But in order to do that, I had to start a FaceBook account. After I did that, I had to figure the whole mess out before I could just say hi and make my quick exit. By that time, I was in it too deeply. There was no way I could avoid implication or deny being there. So like anyone who might be caught red handed in a dirty little secret, I had to come up with a story to avoid taking the blame or accepting responsibility for my actions....My best plan of defense: I needed to think of solid excuses reasons why it's alright and completely innocent for me to be there. Such as; I can keep in daily contact with family and friends. I can keep up with current news and events. If I want to play games , there are a wide variety to choose from. YADA-YADA-YADA....

In the beginning, it was a simple, undemanding, uncomplicated relationship. It was new. It was exciting. I didn't have to put as much work or thought into it as Blogger required. And before long I was spending as much or more time with FaceBook. I started neglecting my first love. I spoiled FaceBook. We spent some happy days together.  Everyone was happy to "find" one another. We posted, we shared and we laughed together. It was great and entertaining.

But then one day, FaceBook showed his true colors. I started noticing that people were using FaceBook to voice complaints or unkind opinions. The bickering soon began. Family members unfriending or blocking one another. It's becoming a place where I have to over-think or censor what I say. Or I have to avoid comments altogether because a particular status may be referring to a conflict or disagreement between other people or a nasty little dig about something that I'm unaware of.

As is common with most tawdry affairs, my relationship with Facebook has to be handled with kid gloves. It's one of which I am unable to untangle myself with just yet.

So, here I am. My head held low. Confessing my betrayal and neglect. Hoping that Blogger will forgive me and be understanding of my current relationship with FaceBook.