Be sure to visit Two Writing Teachers for more slices of life.
Every morning in March, I have many gifts waiting for me in my email inbox. Without fail these same gifts are there every Tuesday. But those are not the only days I am gifted. Almost every day of the week, there is a message in my email that connects me to one of my blogging friends.
Sometimes it is related to a meme such as It’s Monday What Are You Reading? or Poetry Friday. Sometimes it’s just because a blogging friend has something to share with the world. I look for the potential of the gift whenever I find a new blog and I want to be a regular reader of this blog. It brings the blog to me. I don’t have to make the rounds in the blogosphere to see what’s happening in the lives of my blogging friends.
What is this bit of magic that brings posts directly to your in box? Here are three examples you might find on a side bar of a blog.
These are referred to as widgets. WordPress defines a widget as a small block that performs a specific function. It allows you to add content and features in the widgetized ares of your theme. They were originally created to provide a simple and easy-to-use way of giving design and structure control to the user. I love finding the subscribe button!
When I subscribe to a blog, I get the latest post delivered. The one downfall is that occasionally the content is not delivered in a timely matter. Some are delivered hours or even a day after the post went live, but the good thing is it arrives.
Do you have a subscribe button? If not, look through your widget selection and consider adding that button. Just think of all the gifts you might send out into the world.
elsie tries writing 
I read lots of blogs, but I don’t follow very many. You make me reconsider!
I think I can speak for all the bloggers…your writing and comments are a gift to us all!
Thanks Keith!
I love waking up to a post from you which tells me that you’re a morning person although we do have that two hour delay. Thanks for this wonderful how-to post.
Hi Elsie! I tend to leave those features off that show who is following, because I think, “Goodness gracious! Who is going to follow my blog?” It would be a reminder of the few! Wink! I just use the email sign up feature as I have no idea who does or doesn’t fill it out. Well, I know my mom does! That’s most important! :0)
Thanks, Elsie! I am not very tech savvy; and I am going to try to follow some blogs this week. I usually just go to Two Writing Teachers and link that way. I plan to get one of my sons to help me!!!
I thought this was going to be about comments, but then it turned out that you consider posts from your friends to be your gifts! Even sweeter! Love this community, and I’m always so glad to get “gifts” from you, elsie! (Both the post kind and the comment kind!)
I love how you view your update emails as gifts and then your piece turned informational. I don’t subscribe for any but have them all linked and “housed” in my Feedly app. The down size is, I have to remember to stop by but they are updated regularly.
Yes, we do get amazing gifts in our email. Thanks for coining that phrase for me, Elsie! Love it!
I’m addicted to comments on my blog and reading other people’s blogs. Thanks for sharing this.
Elsie, I like that you consider other blog posts as gifts. Over this past month I get notifications of your posts and it is true that it always feels like a gift to read. You have such a positive attitude that comes across in everything you write.
They are gifts! And you send gifts right back with your comments. Each one a bit of a slice in itself.
Thanks for the helpful tips! I subscribe to your blog (and a few others), but they just come in my “reader” feed, not to my inbox. Wonder if I have some settings off…hmmm…
Way to pass on the wisdom! Thanks!
What a neat way of looking at posts – as a gift! Your writing and tips are gifts to us today!
What a great metaphor! Emails from blogs are gifts. I enjoy reading what my favorite bloggers have to say. I always look forward to yours! đŸ™‚
Aw, thanks Erin. I do enjoy your stories too. Glad you jumped back in this year.
You are so right! It is like little gifts in my inbox each day. I feel that way about the comments on my blog as well…little gifts of kindness that people leave me.
Such a lovely way to describe daily notification of blogs we love to read!
Elsie, you are a natural teacher as well as blogger. Altho’ I do follow several bloggers (including yourself), it’s because I stumbled across the “follow” button rather than searched for it. I will keep my eyes open for that. Thanks…any tips are welcome. And like so many others here, I, too, start my day with my blogging community.
Thanks elsie. I learned something about wordpress I did not know before. I will have to check it out.
A good way to start a day. I haven’t used the follow buttons. I have made a list of many blogs on readers like Bloglovin and Feedly. I visit and read when I have time.
What a good and informative post, Elsie. I enjoy those “gifts”, too.
This would have a been a great post for #DigiLit Sunday with Margaret Simon. You should check it out. https://reflectionsontheteche.wordpress.com/2016/03/20/sol16-20-look-at-this/ We’d love to have you!
I agree.Sharing my morning coffee with my blog friends is a great way to start the day!
Blogs are such gifts. Awesome that they are waiting for you in your mailbox!
I begin each day by checking my inbox as well as my bloglovin’ list to read all that is new. It’s such a great way to start each day! Always something new to look forward to.
Thanks for pointing this out, Elsie. I subscribe to several blogs and love to start my day with these friends. You are right, it is like a little gift.