Habou is having open heart surgery today. This was all sudden. Monday she went in for a test that she was sure would exonerate her vessels from any wrongdoing and yesterday afternoon it was decided to do a bypass.
So if you have a little prayer to spare for her, it would surely be appreciated! She was in great spirits last night and looking forward to life after recovery with more energy and ability.
While I'm knitting in the ICU (where they took her after the test, which made even the nurse down there wonder, since she was pretty spry), I'm thinking things over about this blog. So excuse the seeming incongruity, but I have to vent about something that's driving me crazy — the comment function.
These photos are from our visit to Minuteman National Park in Concord, Massachusetts. We love taking visitors here, especially our European friends. It helps us all understand our national character of rugged individualism, here at the spot of “the shot heard round the world.” |
With the old Blogger comments, we couldn't reply to a particular thing someone said, which made it cumbersome to have any semblence of a conversation. Conversation is important to me. And I know you like it too…
So I installed the Intense Debate application, which seemed to work well for a while. But I don't care for making you feel like you have to log in — I don't want much of a barrier to commenting at all.
I do appreciate when you “sign” your name or nickname so I know at least which anonymous you are, but that's about it. And of course I enjoy when you aren't anonymous and I can check out your blog and see your pretty face. (Suddenly we're getting many more comments — and we read each and every one — but don't think we've forgotten our old friends!)
Looking at the Old North Bridge from the patriots' side, only the garden is nicer now 😉 |
Lately, though, the Intense Debate people have abandoned their customer support. They literally have a message that says they don't do support!
What's worse, I now have to moderate most of the comments! What a pain! I can't be running to the hospital with all that that entails and approving all the messages. They are all fine! I love them all!
But now I'm worried that if I get rid of the Intense Debate thing (and why can't it be called Sweet Exchange??), I'll lose all the comments that have been made while I've used it, even though they say that won't happen. There's no way to contact them to make sure.
And if I go back to Blogger comments, I still have that issue with not being able to respond to each comment individually.
So I guess I'm asking you, besides for a prayer for my mom: 1) do you know of any other application that would work for me? 2) does the Intense Debate thing deter you from commenting (would you mind taking a moment to overcome that if it does, just this once?)? or 3) does it not bother you this way, and with the moderation?
Bridget has always loved the grounds by the visitor's center! She could be four again. See her smile? |
The Old Manse. Now that I've started going in these colonial houses after all these years, I'm appreciating my 19th century house more. I used to think nothing but an 18th century house would do, but what a life they had! Impractical and chilly. And Hawthorne was a nut, just for the record. |
Paula in MN says
I'm not bothered by the way it is now. I have blogger, and I get an email for every comment I receive, so I'm able to reply to those individuals immediately. I'm guessing you are frustrated that your reply only goes to their email and not directly in your comment section. It's never bothered me on any blogs I've commented on!
Beth says
Well, while I haven't commented all that much (yet!), I don't mind the intense debate function because once I've signed in the first time it saves it on my computer and I don't have to sign in again, so that's really not an issue, but I can see where all the approving would get extremely old for you. I agree with you about blogger comments, though, which I why I switched to Disqus. I guess you could try them out, but I”m not sure if you would lose all your previous comments. I'll pray for Habou, too.
Barbara says
Prayers for Habou and offering up my sacrifices for her today. I have no trouble with comments, anyway that you configure them, but I am pretty persistent. 😉
(I have also learned to copy my comment before I click “submit” because more often than not, something goes wrong in the process. Not just your blog but Blogger everywhere.)
CarlynB says
Prayers for your mother!
Regarding the comments – I always just comment as a guest and I haven't noticed any difficulties. I haven't not commented because of your use of IntenseDebate, nor does the idea of my comment being moderated bother me. I like that you can reply directly to those of us who comment, but it's not a deal-breaker for me, if you think you need to change to another application.
I hope everything goes well for your mother today.
DeAnna says
I'm new to your blog. I think that just the fact that you mention your frustration, will possibly soften the hearts of those that don't like the debate option. I think you should pick what you like and ask for the support of your readers, they will follow 🙂
Rebekka says
Prayers for your mum.
The commenting setup is totally fine.
MamaHen says
You need to pick what will work best for you and go with it. Please keep us updated on Habou.
Mom in MO says
Prayers for Habou. I know what a sudden heart surgery of a parent is like and I am also praying for you and your family.
The comment setup is fine for me, too. However, that being said, you should choose what works best for you, even if you have to try several different setups. Change will not stop me from reading your blog, or from commenting when I choose to.
Penny says
Prayers for your Mum from here too – – – –
Sarah @ ALT says
Oh dear, dear Auntie Leila. Saying prayers for Habou today. And for you! And sending love as well.
1. No. I don't know of anything better. The way blogger does comments makes me CRAZY because often times I can't respond to the comments left on my blog at all! Most people (I think) probably don't go back to the original post to see if anyone responded to their comment. And yet if I try to respond by email to individudals, I can't always do that- they are often “noreply@blogger.com” addresses.
Crazy, I tell you. If you figure something out, do share, Auntie Leila. I'm frustrated with this on my end, as well.
2. Intense debate doesn't bother me at all. Although I agree- it should be called Sweet Exchange. 🙂
3. Moderation doesn't bother me, either. In fact, I had to enable this on my blog after receiving a deluge of not-so-charitable comments on my blog.
Sigh.
I agree with MamaHen- just do what works best for YOU. Make this whole bloggy thing easy on you, especially right now as you tend to Habou.
Much love and thanks for all your wonderful wisdom you share here.
Breanna says
I'm with the others so far in that the comment thing doesn't bother me–the sign-in is saved on my computer as well–I only did it once. But no customer service…that's a pain. Do what you can live with.
I'll say my Rosary for Habou tody, and some little “fireworks prayers” (the 5-second mental prayer bursts) too. 🙂 Hang in there, and try to get the ICU nurses to make you some fresh coffee in the waiting room. Trust me, they know where to find it… (I'm an RN. 🙂 )
bwya says
One of my (many) favorite features of wordpress is the built in threaded comments, so I understand why going back to blogger comments would bug you. As long as I can comment without having to log in to anything, it doesn't matter to me ~if I have to log in or get a blogger account it does matter and I don't bother. (Some blogs I've been to have been set up so that only blogger acct holders can comment. I stop visiting those.)
Praying for your mom.
Rochelle says
Sorry about your mama. Hope all goes well. I'll say a prayer for her.
As to the comments, pick what works for you. I'll comment either way. 🙂
Michelle says
Prayers for your mother!
I have no opinion on the comment setup. However you have it is fine with me. I've only commented a few times and my computer saves my info so I don't have to do anything than write my msg and click submit.
hope says
We'll be praying for your mother today! And, no the commenting however it is done was never bothersome for me! You should do what works best for you!
Emily says
I never really noticed the way comments were being done. Now that I look at it, I guess I'm commenting as a guest? But it displays my name and website, so it isn't anonymous….anyway, I've never had a problem with the way your comments are handled.
Prayers for Habou.
tarynkay says
Praying for Habou! and the comment function is just fine.
Bobbi says
I'll be praying for Habou…and well, there are just some of us you'll never get rid of (tee hee) no matter what weird commenter thinger you get! SMILES!!
freckledhen says
We will pray for your mother, too. I hope everything goes well.
As for the commenting stuff, I'm of no help!
Take care and keep your hands busy with that knitting.
Pippajo says
I will definitely be praying for Habou and the rest of the family. We'll add you all to our morning prayer requests before school!
And the comment format seems fine to me, but I'm not the one stuck with moderating all the comments from your many adoring fans!
Rachel says
I haven't commented much, but I'm a new reader and your blog makes my heart happy. 🙂 I just prayed for your mother! And I'll admit that a lengthy commenting process (too many fields to fill out!) has kept me from commenting on blogs more than once.
Adrienne says
my Dear, Dear Leila,
I have been reading for a while, and your blog has been such a blessing and a help to me. I don't comment, but that is more of a time issue. I love to read others' responses, and your continued discussion within the comments. I do hope and pray that Habou's surgery and recovery go well, and that you all survive the next few weeks with a minimum of bumps and bruises.
Betsy M says
I will be praying for Habou today – and your family as well.
Regarding the comments, whatever method is easiest for you is fine with me. The only thing preventing me from commenting lately is a little boy nursing and my inability to type effeciantly with one hand. Signing in is really no problem as it is saved with “cookies” (I think that's what they are called at least).
Oh, and I love your pictures above – my husband dreams about traveling out East for a vacation when the kids get a bit bigger and checking out all the historical spots. Someday.
Bethany says
I said a prayer for your mother. Beautiful pictures and, sorry, I have no opinion on the comment section.
margo says
Prayers and warm thoughts for you all as Habou goes through this surgery. . .
The commenter thing is fine – when I'm signed in to blogger, I don't have to do anything extra to comment on your blog.
I would like to vent about the unhandy picture uploader that blogger has right now. Used to be I could upload pictures from a file on my computer and then insert them from the clipboard into the post. Now I have to insert them as a block because the clipboard doesn't seem to exist. So I end up cutting and pasting html and swearing.
I like picturing you knitting in the ICU. Comforting to everyone, I bet. Making something live-able and useful in a place of illness and pain. Hopeful. My sis used to be an ICU nurse.
Brittany says
I'm sorry you're not getting any support from IntenseDebate. That's frustrating. Also frustrating is having to moderate every single comment–it's an impedance to having a conversation! In my blogging experience I've definitely found out that moderation tends to shut down a conversation (just because it's hard for you to have a life AND be moderating comments 24/7!)
Blogger comments annoy me too. Hard to have a conversation that way, especially with lots and lots of voices. I love threaded comments. But if I had to pick one over the other i guess i'd pick blogger comments instead of having to moderate comments.
Personally I use wordpress for my blog and I love it a lot. I tried blogger and found it too limited/difficult to work with. If it bothers you that much, you might want to consider switching. It's not *Too* hard. Feel free to e-mail me if you want to know more about switching. 🙂
And most of all, thanks for writing 🙂
Best,
Brittany
Camille says
So now I don't know if I'm commenting anonymously or not – because it does ask for my name, email and website! I don't like having to sign in for one more thing so if my info doesn't appear, then I probably won't sign in, ever. 🙂 You might want to look in to WordPress. They just offer a lot more than Blogger in functionality. But to get a good blog, you would have to pay to have the blog hosted (usually around $6-$8/mo). But if your readership grows enough, it may be an idea to pursue. Drew Kime at How To Cook Like Your Grandmother is offering free blog set up for WordPress. May be worth a look.
Teresa says
Prayers going up now for Habou ———
And dear St Paul of the Cross, pray for us.
I've been through two open heart surgeries for my dad – the most recent one was last November. It was amazing each time how much better he became. And Leila, I was truly astonished at how much better the procedure was this last time around, in terms of recovery for the patient. Since I've been there, I can, and will, pray for all of her (and your!) specific needs.
Commenting has never, and still is not, been difficult in any way. What works for you is more than fine with this reader! Love in Divine Mercy – Teresa
Joy says
I'm praying for Habou. As far as comments, I'm content with whatever works best for you.
priest's wife says
Lots of prayers for your mom! My mom had a heart tune-up this past spring- scary, but everything is ok now- just lots of post-op appointments. I'm sure you will be a big help to her.
I've never logged into intense debate…I think it is fine…
Rosie says
Prayers for Habou. I'll ask for your prayers at the same time for a founder of Thomas Aquinas College (my alma mater). One of the founders, Marc Berquist was diagnosed with Lymphoma a couple months ago, and it looks like he will die any day, so prayers for a happy and peaceful death (or a miraculous recovery) would be appreciated.
Commenting is fine!
Dee says
Praying for your Mum today. Hope the day and recovery goes quickly.
Sue says
Sorry, I have no ideas about the comment issue. I'm fine with any of it – you won't get rid of me! ;o)
I will be praying for dear Habou! My dad went through quadruple by-pass about eight years ago, and he is more spry than ever. I know how it feels to be the one waiting, too (except I did my waiting 6000 miles away!). I will pray for you and your family, too! Please keep us updated.
Kim says
Praying for Habou! Please keep us posted!
Crafty P says
well, guess who hasn't commented in awhile. I've been busy eating that wonderful granola recipe of yours.
Praying that all went well with sweet Habou!
I think this commenting function is pretty darn nifty!
Quaker Jo says
We will be holding dear Habou and all of you in the Light (that's Quakerspeak for we are praying for you.)
Thanks for this blog. I like it a lot.
Mama Bean says
intensedebate doesn't seem much different from any of the other comment platforms out there, including disqus. having a sign-in function helps keep trolls away, not that this site seems to attract many folks like that, anyway 🙂
prayers for Habou!
deidra says
Sweet Exchange. I think you're onto something there.
This is not so bad. I considered moving from blogger because I can't reply to comments. I get that. But signing in is not bad at all. In fact, I might consider using it myself.
And this…my prayers are added and lifted with yours.
Melanie B says
Prayers for Habou.
I don't have any suggestions about the comments situation. I do prefer to have the direct reply feature.
bloggedissue says
I'd probably switch over to wordpress… I think you should even be able to export your posts to a new wordpress blog.
Kathleen T. Jaeger says
I will pray for your mother.
Re: comments. The biggest hindrance to my leaving a comment on anyone's blog was before I had a blog. But that hasn't been a hindrance. I do look back at certain original posts to see what the comment was and prefer that to someone sending me a direct comment to my email.
I like you emphasis on conversation. How you have it set up has not hindered my commenting. Although, I do not have much in the way of advice about using different programs…I still use blogger.
Peace
bookgetaway says
I will include Habou in my night prayers. And I'm including you as well. In July my husband, who has Parkinson's Disease, had to have heart surgery and I was the one in the ICU–not knitting, though. The comments? Go with whatever is easiest on you. I love your blog, by the way. I check it every couple of days for new entries. Take care, Leila. (I'm your friend Judy on Facebook. This name goes with my new Catholic book club blog.)
Milehimama says
I am a long time reader but I never comment because I loathe Intense Debate. Disqus has a free comment thing that has replies and threaded comments – but if you ever change from Disqus you will lose all of your comments.
I ended up switching from Blogger to WordPress because WP has some amazing comment functionality that doesn't even compare to Blogger.
S/V Mari Hal-O-Jen says
Prayers for your lovely mother…
Regarding the comments, do what appears to ease the workload on your end at this time. Blogging should be a joyful experience! I had to take a long, long break when it became not so joyful to me, so find the joy and eliminate the nagging bits!
TN_MOM says
Praying for Habou.
Ann Marie says
As thisis my 1st time commenting, it doesn't matter to me either way. I'm a silent reader, mostly. 🙂
Said a prayer for you mom….
SAR in SB says
I'm glad that your mother is doing well at this point. I'll still pray.
The comments as they are haven't ever bothered me.