Stories Collected While Living in France

French la Vie

What Happens When You Think about Changing

Choice

Choice. How fortunate that most of us have it.

Yesterday, I had a wild hair idea about changing my banner. It came to mind because I was on my case about not improving my blog (i.e. putting more energy into, keeping up with emails and the newest fades and trinkets, updating the side bar…) To subdue the voices that I should improve my blog, I thought about doing a new banner.

Easy choice.

I would have never guessed that soooooooooo many of you would have responded to the banner change, and had plenty of interesting things to say about it too.

 

Change

 

I read all the comments, twice.

I read the ton of emails.

And thought about what you said.

 

1)

If I change my blog banner or not, it seems, you will keep reading my blog. That was a sweet eye opener. Why change?

2)

If I put the chair banner up some of you thought it looked like a creepy claw, and that was not appealing. 

3)

I laughed out loud and still laugh out loud when I think of what Carol wrote: "…You can't swing a dead cat without seeing somebody with a camera in front of their face on their blog picture so definitely don't do that one."

Poor dead cat. But the message stuck.

 

Peek into france

 

4)

Julie wrote: "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." I don't think you can top your current banner–it is eye-catching and clever. Unique. I don't think any of the new options measure up to the current banner.

5)

My Brother Mathew LIKED the old postcard one??? He said,
"I like Eiffel Tower but nothing speaks to the brocante lover like that damn armchair."

Brocante yes. Stories yes. Personal yes. Change if you must, and know you won't please everyone.

6) I am a people pleaser, and dang I cannot please everyone, because the vote was neck in neck. 

 

Collage corey

So I am not going to change it until I get it right, by listening to the comments/emails.

Keep it French, poetic, personal, modern with a twist of history and pretty.

Keep Tongue in Cheek, and make sure the font is airy and clean.

I recieved such lovely compliments and that made me happy. You helped me focused on what is important about my blog:

That you read it because it makes you feel happy, inspired and hopeful.

Thank you for that!

Thank you for caring so much that you were willing to wave a banner that said, 'Just be you." I could not ask for anything more.

Comments

36 responses to “What Happens When You Think about Changing”

  1. Stella

    There! That says it all. Thank you for listening and thank you for sharing every day, so generously, snippets from your wonderful life.
    See you in a little over a month Sweetie Pie!

    Reply
  2. Stephanie

    Good. I like it just the way it is.

    Reply
  3. Lilly

    Corey. Your blog is perfect just the way it is. With how busy you are, I’m amazed that you write a post every day, some incredibly profound and some light and quick. You do plenty already so please don’t think you need to update. I think your site and your banner are lovely as is. The dice in the spoon are perfect. A combination of luck and elegance.

    Reply
  4. Jillayne

    Yes! I like your thoughts. I didn’t comment because blog banners are like a haircut – you should do what you want because it’s yours. And people will keep coming regardless of what you do or don’t do with it. So glad this was the answer to your question Corey.

    Reply
  5. missy

    thanks for not changing it!
    missy from the bayou

    Reply
  6. Gail marie

    I seem to gravitate towards your brocanre pictures of charms & keys… Using those in your new banner would be appealing… I liked the fabrics & font in the banner with the chair. What ever pleases you ! I enjoy it all. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  7. mimi

    Appreciate your blog and how you are so REAL! Please keep it that way!

    Reply
  8. pam in oregon

    Your post makes me happy today. I’m so glad you are leaving things as they are for now. I happen to think it’s perfect as it is. You are such a unique and blessed individual that you can’t be matched. You need never feel that you must be like everyone else. We come here to read about your beautiful life as only you can tell it, with gorgeous words and photography. Just continue being you and you will make all your other readers happy too!

    Reply
  9. Robin Williams

    Yea! R

    Reply
  10. Rebecca from the pacific northwest

    We readers are nothing if not full of opinions! Even more, we love you and how you view and report on life.
    I suspect that each of us loves most of all the banner that was/is in place when we first found this blog.
    Do what you want. We’ll always stay with you.
    And thanks.

    Reply
  11. Anjanette

    “Just be you” enough said … that’s why we enjoy it so much!!

    Reply
  12. Judy

    Hi Corey, I am so happy to see the dice in the spoon banner toay!!! Some things cannot be improved upon~I LoVE your blog, your writing, your pictures!

    Reply
  13. g

    corey-you are so WONDERFUL-in the person you are-we read because YOU give us something personal- something special…however it comes i’ll take it-

    Reply
  14. Lana Kloch

    yes, we read your blog daily and learn and relearn so much. you are able to capture in words and pictures the beauty of life and sometimes it’s pain.
    we learn to deal with different situations. we are exposed to all parts of the world and new adventures.
    just BE..
    a ditty:
    as you wander on thru life, brother, whatever be your goal, keep your eye upon the donut and not upon the hole

    Reply
  15. kim

    I have to say that I think you should just do what pleases YOU. Your readers will come here no matter what you do to your blog. Your content is excellent because it’s from the heart. People sense this and are attracted to you.

    Reply
  16. unikorna

    You are hilarious Corey, you definitely speak my own language. I like your current banner with the spoon, it’s a very unusual yet interesting association.

    Reply
  17. Mo’a

    I like you banner a lot…however, change is good…and if that is what you would like to do go for it. This is your blog, you have no obligation to please everyone…you know that is impossible. Please yourself.
    That being said,…if you were to ask me for my opinion 🙂 I would like to see larger photos. And more photos of French Husband.

    Reply
  18. Sarah

    I age keep the current banner, I think I might feel lost if you changed.

    Reply
  19. sharon morrison

    Whew!!! done with that decision. Now, what next???
    I would read your blog everyday even if the banner
    was blank. The spoon and dice are very unique.
    I am glad you know how much you are admired.
    We all need to know that at times.
    Hugs…

    Reply
  20. Christine

    Didn’t comment yesterday, because I didn’t want to be negative. Like your banner as is…totally unique. As time goes by, I often think I should change things on my blog, but I always come back to “I write for me” not to be in a contest. Sometimes the best things are the ones that show up at the beginning of a tale and remain constant. They become classics. I think that applies to your blog and personality. 🙂

    Reply
  21. thiswhiteshed.blogspot.com

    I barely have time to breathe since starting teaching but I couldn’t let this go by. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your banner. It’s your brand. Julie’s right….if it ain’t broke…
    Just change the font if you’re itching for change but none of the other pics even touch the incongruous spoon and ‘Tongue in Cheek’….totally captivating. OK, back to my books.

    Reply
  22. cynthia

    Yeah! I didn’t vote yesterday, but I really like the banner you have. It’s like when TV series change the opening & music each season. Don’t like that, esp. if they have a good one first time around!

    Reply
  23. Linda

    Good! Could not comment yesterday because I like your banner as it is.
    Love your writings and photos, thank you!

    Reply
  24. Helen

    Relief that you still are staying with your marvellous banner – I would miss it too. Hugs.

    Reply
  25. Marilyn

    I went through this same thing a few months ago and decided not to have any picture in my header, just the words. So far I have liked it. If I add something back, it will be simple. I like simple.

    Reply
  26. quiltmom anna

    Corey,
    I may not comment often these days on your blog but I love how you share your stories and reflections about life. Your stories resonant with me, and I think that if you lived close by, we might be good friends. Your posts make me laugh and cry and everything that is in between those two emotions.
    Change whatever you like because you feel that it will inspire you or touch you or connects with your heart. Your readers will come back because of the touching writing and beautiful photographs that reflect the lovely person that you are.. “Joie de vivre ‘would be a such a great descriptor for you…
    Warmest regards,
    Anna

    Reply
  27. beatnheart

    wow Robin Williams reads your blog…cool.

    Reply
  28. littlebadwolf

    best of all from this discussion, corey, is that you are hearing how much everyone values you and your perceptions.
    taste and style are important–you already have them and
    share them graciously, so if the giftwrap changes a bit, you and we always know that what’s inside will be of great value, even as it changes, too. brava, brava, corey.

    Reply
  29. jend’isère

    Transitions/adaptations… Your present banner is striking and wonderful! Perhaps a shade of the season or month in colour or typestyle could give yout he boost you are seeking. Thanks for asking.

    Reply
  30. Laura

    YAY – I didn’t want you to change, but didn’t dare say so, but I’m happy others did! Everyone is correct – I would keep reading no matter what and also why change what’s just perfect?
    Change is nice, but we don’t really need it here 🙂
    Laura

    Reply
  31. SusieQ

    You are a wise woman! Good decision made, cause it sure ain’t broke!

    Reply
  32. Sara

    Dear Corey,
    I change my blog masthead every month–it is something I really enjoy. That said, I have always loved yours. Every time I see it, I wonder about it. What inspired it? What does it mean? Such an interesting combination of objects. Over the years (!), it has come to really capture your blog for me.
    THAT said, you should do as you like, because that is you, too. You might consider setting up an archive where readers could take a look at past banners/mastheads.
    Whatever you come up with, it will be lovely, no doubt.
    Sara

    Reply
  33. Rebecca from the pacific northwest

    It seems you have pleased your people.

    Reply
  34. giftsofthejourney (Elizabeth Harper)

    I tried to change my header about a year ago. I slipped in a new one without mentioning it and people had a lot to say … mostly that they wanted the old one back. I think they like seeing me standing all alone, high on a big old rock in the middle of Bodmin Moor.
    Good luck with yours. I’m still standing in the same place, but content to do so … at least for now.

    Reply
  35. Shannon

    Corey, all of this thought and struggle about making changes on your blog? LOL. I feel whatever changes you make will be the right ones if it feels good to YOU. Your taste appeals to whoever comes to your blog, so you really can’t go wrong. Live and let live…blog and let blog 🙂

    Reply
  36. Lisa-vet

    corey, the picture above with you, the flowers, tea cups I like that alot! not one of the choices. But I like it. Use that..

    Reply

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