A couple of weeks ago, I wanted to cry. I’d just learned that two valued members of Murderati planned to leave. This made me so sad.
After almost a year of hard work, I started to question blogging.
Believe me, it takes mucho energy to come up with engaging topics, to write and rewrite, to commit to this process whether or not the blog is busy that day. It’s also a challenge to participate in a group endeavor; democracy isn’t for wimps.
Yet week after week, we continue composing posts that disappear into the blogosphere. We work through disagreements in order to bring all of our voices to seen and unseen readers. We support each other.
What’s the return on this investment?
Anyone who thinks it’ll translate into hefty book sales, or contracts granted, is deluded.
So why do we do it?
Today, when you read this, I’ll probably be in my kitchen making chicken soup (the picture to the left is of the first batch of matzoh balls I made last Sunday), stirring the brisket, testing the meringues, placing roasted eggs on the Seder plates. I’ve been preparing for this traditional celebration for a little more than a week — menu-planning, cooking, cleaning, de-cluttering, struggling to find the right balance between religious observance and social commentary for our family and 15 guests.
Why do I do it?
Would you belive the reasons for blogging and having a large Seder are the same?
I do it to share, to nurture a sense of community, to participate in a larger conversation about the world.
I do it for love . . .
Frankly, I think all of us at Murderati do. (Hey, guys, correct me if I’m wrong.)
This week and next, you’ll meet our newest Murderati members. I’m delighted to announce the updated schedule. Please join me in welcoming:
Ken Bruen — He’ll alternate Tuesday posts with Louise Ure.
Robert Gregory Browne and J.D. Rhoades — They’ll alternate Wednesday posts.
Toni Causey –She’ll be one of our main guest bloggers, just like Naomi Hirahara.
Our first year passed in the blink of an eye. I’m humbled and grateful for the many fine people who’ve participated here — both as writers and readers (including lurkers). Our second year promises to be at least as thought-provoking.
It’s been such an honor to share our world with you. I hope you’ll continue sharing yours with all of us.
Thank you,
Pari
Happy birthday, Murderati, you’ve had a terrific year! Looking forward to future posts from old favorites and your delightful additions.
You are THE bloggers I read each day.
Yes, happy birthday!
This is a wonderful, welcoming place with great conversation and always thought-provoking posts. Looking forward to more!
It’s great to be here, among such talented folks. I’m looking forward to it.
Pari,
Thanks for everything. I’m glad to be a part of the conversation.
And thanks to all you who drop by with your insights.
JD,
Murderati is lucky to have you.
What lovely messages to wake up to.
Now, I’ve got to get the kids to school so that I can cook, cook, cook!
Billie and B.G.,Part of the reason it’s been such a great year is the two of you!
JD,This is gonna be fun. Can’t wait to read your first post next week — and Rob’s, this one.
Happy birthday 😉
Congrats on your anniversary. I’ve enjoyed the many posts here and look forward to more 🙂
Wait now. You mean we’re not getting paid for this? 🙂
It’s great to be part of one of my favorite blogs….
Welcome, welcome, welcome to our newest members – Ken, Rob, Dusty and Toni!!! We’re honored that you’ve agreed to join us.
Happy Birthday, my fellow ‘Rati mates! It’s been a wonderful year, and I’m thrilled to be a part of this with you. I think Pari is right, love has a lot to do with this.
More importanly, allow me to wish our lovely readers Happy Birthday as well. Without you, we wouldn’t be having nearly as much fun!
Here’s to many more! And Pari, save some of those matzoh balls for me, they look delicious! Are you doing green chile latkes this year too?
Welcome, welcome, welcome to our newest members – Ken, Rob, Dusty and Toni!!! We’re honored that you’ve agreed to join us.
Happy Birthday, my fellow ‘Rati mates! It’s been a wonderful year, and I’m thrilled to be a part of this with you. I think Pari is right, love has a lot to do with this.
More importantly, allow me to wish our lovely readers Happy Birthday as well. Without you, we wouldn’t be having nearly as much fun!
Here’s to many more! And Pari, save some of those matzoh balls for me, they look delicious! Are you doing green chile latkes this year too?
Have a good Passover, Pari. I wish I could be the 16th guest.
And welcome to the new ‘Ratis! When are we getting T-shirts?
Congratulations on the first anniversary of many to come, I hope.
Rae, Wendy and Bill,Thanks for the well wishes. They mean so much.
Rob,Didn’t you read your contract?
Mike,It’s been a pleasure to know you so far. Can’t wait to see how your life is enriched (and verges on insanity) when the baby comes.
J.T. and Naomi,You’ve been here since the beginning. Isn’t it astonishing?
As to Passover . . . I’ll check in with the cooking today. Believe me, I’d love to have all my friends to this dinner. It’s such hard work — and it’s such a joy.
Watch out for that Rhoades fella. He’s sneaky…
I forgot to say how wonderful Bill Crider’s blog is. Visit
http://billcrider.blogspot.com/
for a hit of popular culture.
And, no, JT,I’m not making green chile matzoh balls; the regular ones are so good — and everyone love them so much — it makes no sense to alter the recipe.
Four new Rati blogger-friends! What a nice birthday present.(Blog Birthday, that is. Not mine.)
And Pari, thank you for graciously sheparding this group along.
Can you tell I’m procrastinating? I have to go to the store for round 74 of the cooking.
Louise,You’re welcome. Thank you for being part of the (can I say it?) magic.
Chili matzoh ball soup? No!Happy Birthday all…
Happy Birthday! What exciting additions to the team! 😀
Greeen chile matzoh balls? Hmm…
I was talking about your green chile latkes. I remember the recipe from last year.: )
Excellent news with regard to the new contributors, a fit beginning for Volume II of Murderati.
Chile [sic] latkes are the sure sign of a dangerous and nihilistic heretic, the moral equivalent of stuffing a turkey with jalapeño dressing, and in my mind justify the entire concept of capital punishment for certain crimes. Away, fiend of Satan!
And speaking of Seders, haven’t any other folks out there wondered where the Seder scene in “The Ten Commandments” comes from?–I mean, there they are, having a Pesach Seder with matzohs and bitter herbs and all, and not only are Moses & Co. not wandering aimlessly in the wilderness yet, but the Passover hasn’t even happened.
But perhaps this in on the same level as understanding why Samson gave into Delilah’s charms because she looked just like Hedy Lamarr, and who wouldn’t?
But what do I know? I grew up a Methodist.
Thanks for letting me tag along with my favorite group. And happy anniversary!
J.T. — green chile matzoh balls are good, too.
Elaine, Bill and Toni,Thanks so much.
JLW,M’dear, don’t knock green chile latkes until you have one at my table. You’d be surprised how wonderful they are . . . Sweet potato latkes work too.
Here’s what I’m making for tonight’s dinner:* chopped liver (yep, I make it from scratch with roasted onions/mushrooms/egg whites and cook the livers in broth — it’s almost good for you)* brisket with mushrooms* oriental salmon garnished with watercress* homemade chicken soup with knaidlech (matzoh balls)* charoseth (apples,walnuts,grape juice and cinnamon)* homemade almond and chocolate chip meringues
Guests will bring the raw, salad and cooked veggies.
Oh, and there’s going to be wine . . . lots of wine.
Salmon! Oh thank you, Pari! I’d forgotten to get the salmon I’d promised Lillian for dinner tonight! Whew! Saved me, there, so thanks again!
And happy birthday, Murderati crew! I’ve taken to recommending this blog to the folks who come into the bookshop asking about the ins and outs of writing and getting published. You’re a valuable and excellent resource, so thank you so much!
Fran,What an incredibly nice thing to say. Thank you.
(And, I’m glad to remind you about the fish; wouldn’t want you to get into trouble . . .)
Heretic.