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To keep my promise this year of “keeping up” I’ve been looking at my statistics again. Statistics are a wonderful tool, you gain a lot of information, and see what works for you and your blog. The key, and the kicker, is to follow up with the information.

I like the stat that showed the piece I wrote ( An Adventure in the Gardens of Kent ) that had the most comments. There weren’t hundreds of comments, but more than usual. It was also part of a series of posts that I wrote about the UK.  I loved writing the “What I Learned Series,” because I did learn a lot and I wanted to pass it along. Now this got me to thinking about how I have traveled as a Tourist…….then as a Traveler…… and now as a Traveler, who likes to keep up with the Joneses. I no longer am all that interested in seeing famous sites, maybe because I have seen the ones I really wanted to. I don’t like crowds or waiting in lines any more either. Over the years I became a traveler, staying longer in one place and soaking up the scenery, the people, their history. Last year, during my stay in the UK, I found myself investing in “Keeping up with the Joneses.” I found the time to really talk to the people I met. Of course, it helps when you are in a country where the majority of the people speak the same language you do. OK, so I like to talk.  In other countries, I have talked to people that I could only remotely converse with, but still we talked. I call this “Keeping up with the Joneses.” I like learning about their country and I always ask, for those who have been to the US, what they liked about it. I met a wonderful woman on the train in the UK, who was going to a garden luncheon with the Queen, because she was being honored for her local charity work. I felt like I had met royalty!  She had only recently returned from the Southwest, United States where she had met up with a school friend that had moved there.  You know what she liked the most about the US? Drive-thru windows!  Drive-thru fast food, drive-thru bank windows, drive-thru liquor stores, etc….. The availability of  drive thru!  She couldn’t believe how we drive everywhere and then don’t get out of the car! I have never given it one thought! Another woman, who had never been to the US responded, when I asked where she would go first, replied, “to see Elvis Presley’s home!” She loved Elvis Presley!

So, see what I mean about “Keeping up with the Joneses”? I like talking to the people, who are just like me, just regular folks. I am going back to the UK again this year, on a long run; to drive down the country lanes, hang out in the pubs, look at the beautiful gardens, meet and talk with the folks in the small parish church………talk with the Joneses. I can’t wait. I would love to talk to a woman, who is a long time member of the W.I. (Woman’s Institute) The folks probably think I’m odd for loving such things! Such mundane routines for them and absolutely fabulous to me!

So, here is a list of Joneses who have kept in touch with me, through my blog. Although I have never met any of them, they have been the bloggers who continued to chat with me on a regular basis. They wanted to know about me and I wanted to know more about them. It’s a two way street. Have you talked with the Joneses lately?  

My best blogging buddies, who comment, and their blogs;

Diana at Italy Translated. Diana is an American, who is married to an Italian. They live in Italy. I learn a lot about Italian life from her.  I love hearing about her family, and reading her recipes!

Joy at JoyLovesTravel. Joy and I share many interests! It’s uncanny how we think so much alike! We have traveled to many of the same countries and had similar experiences.

Christine at Cristine R. Christine was one of my first Australian friends. She is writing a book and has introduced me to many online courses, which I love. She shows pictures of flowers I have never seen before and lots of bee and insect photos!

Sylvia at Another Day2paradise. Sylvia and I have many travel experiences in common! I love her sense of humor!

Doug at Doug Warren. Doug Warren introduced me to Spotify. I learn more about music from him than from any other person I know! We also realized we are related way, way, way down the line!

How are your Joneses? Enjoy your week in blogging!

PS I come from a long line of Joneses (in my family tree) in real life too!