... this blog, some 265 posts ago.  I can see how far I have come. I began to think about this today while reading a piece on ProBlogger about how apologetic and self deprecating many bloggers seem to be. I don't have thousands or even hundreds of subscribers like Heather Armstrong on Dooce (over 7500 subscribers) but as I evaluate where I was and where I am I feel a lot better about the whole process. I began writing The Fredericksblog in June of 2006. Here's the first post I put up here:

"My usual morning coffee stop or hangout is Hyperion Espresso on William Street in downtown Fredericksburg. This morning an assortment of some of the usual morning crew were basking in the promise of another moderate summer day and talking about what a unique place Fredericksburg is. I commented that I had this ongoing urge to write about the town but that there was so much to tell about "The Burg" that I could never decide where to start.

On my way to the office this blog name popped into my head along with the notion of setting up a team blog where many people could contribute thoughts and commentary on the area. So, here it is or at least the beginnings of it. I'll be sending out invitations to participate in the next few days and we'll see what happens. Hopefully you'll see some interesting commentary in the future."

Now, going on two years later I have a solid core of people who read my ramblings although they do not formally subscribe ( a quick and painless process, by the way). I've met a lot of really talented musicians, artists, photographers and writers whose creations I have enjoyed a great deal. I've seen a lot of art, heard a lot of music, seen and taken a lot of photographs and the process of creating this blog has enriched my life and broadened my appreciation for all this area has to offer immeasurably. I've developed this blog and the concepts it is built on with no formal training and overall I'm pretty satisfied with the end product, mainly because I see it as a means to enhancing my feelings and perception of this amazing area where I have lived for the past 30 plus years. Thus I offer you who read this my thanks for reading thus far. Knowing it may have been useful to you on some occasions and that it may have enhanced your awareness of all that Fredericksburg has to offer to those who will open their ears and eyes to what's around them is reward enough for the effort and time this blog requires.