Squirrel on the fence – we now regularly see two or three at a time. They eat from the trays and go, as the rest of the food is kept in cages.
Yes, not a very imaginative title, but that’s just how I am. I would have refrained from using it but WP is playing up and not sending greetings to people when I try to answer comments. I wonder if this is a sign of things to come and Russian hackers are responsible for the regular problems we now experience with internet services. Or Chinese or Iranian hackers.
Eleven years on WordPress and this is my least productive year apart from the first one, which was only a couple of months.
I’ve always thought that the farm years were the best ones on the blog, with loads of photos, cute animals, a worthwhile occupation and interesting subjects. I was wrong, when I look at the figures. The best year was 2017, the year I was off work. I posted more and had my best ratio of likes to posts. Things were reasonable whilst I was in the shop. 2020 allowed more time for posting but in 2022 my posting started to fall away and my likes ratio went down alarmingly. It was 23 likes per post in 2017, fell to 18 by 2021, and in 2022 fell to 12, despite good posting numbers. I only managed 8.5 likes per post in 2025.
Squirrel in MENCAP gardens, Wilford
It’s probably just that I’m becoming dull, but I must try to do something about it. Apart from becoming dull (look at the third paragraph of this post for an example), I have been ill and have also written a lot of other stuff and, with a lack of time, I have stopped reading and commenting as much as I used to. Somewhere in all that, there is an answer.
So, in addition to more submissions next year I am going to do try to become a better blogger. I’m not quite sure how to go about that, but can hopefully come up with an idea by tomorrow.
Until then, enjoy the celebrations, or sleep through them if that is your preferred option, and I will see you all next year.
Squirrel at Rufford
I think that likes are probably a reciprocal matter. The more posts that you like, the more other posters like you, even if they don’t always read the full story. Also, I think that it has become more complicated to post a comment recently on WP so that may affect your numbers too.
I don’t think that you will have much chance of becoming boring (as long as you don’t spend too much time writing about being afraid of becoming boring) since you always provide an interesting read for your followers.
I will do my best to stay interesting. I have been suspecting WP for some time, as various things change and challenge my intelligence.
You’re fun and people like you. Keep it up. XOXOXOXO BJA USA
Thank you. Happy New Year. 🙂
You’re already a good blogger, but I get it. Cheers to writing and blogging in 2026
We will have to see what happens. 🙂 I am looking forward to it.
And PS, I love the squirrels but it is a shame they are immigrants and not natives.
I could, I suppose, move to a house in one of the few remaining red squirrel strongholds, but I’m lazy and I’m prepared to put up with the greys.
Every time I mention the fall off of viewer numbers I am told that stats aren’t important. That sometimes comes from people who have so mant views and comments that they haven’t got time to respond. I am sure we write better when we are acknowledged.
I did write an article on this, which was refused by a magazine. I mat resurrect it for the blog. Most of us like to be read, but it’s also true that numbers aren’t that important, as they mainly aren’t realistic, and because I write for a small, select audience.
I slept well. I’m too dull to stay up for fireworks
As an insomniac I am usually up at midnight anyway, so it’s not much of a treat. 🙂
I’m sorry to hear you have been ill. I hope 2026 is better. Friends tell me WP is giving them the runaround re liking or commenting. Mysterious and annoying for both bloggers and readers.
Glitches usually precede “new and improved” features we didn’t ask for. I’m planning on being sensible and healthy for 2026. 🙂
Numbers are just that, Simon. I look forward to more poetry from you this year, and anything you or Julia might have to say. I always learn something new here, too!
Thank you Lavinia. I’m happy enough with things declining as I write less, but do worry about becoming boring. 🙂 It’s vanity, I know, bu it still nags away at me.
You boring? Never!!!
🙂 Thank you, but I fear it is a growing possibility.
I think not!