I have been to thousands of websites over the years, ordering something or looking up information. Typically stops are brief and I move on. They are utilitarian in nature, providing a needed and much used service for most of us in today’s world. After Gifts From a Feral Cat was published I was told that book and website go together like hand in glove, the website becoming an extension of the story where others could read and learn more about the book, its characters, and author.

The challenge for me was creating something that was beautiful while engaging you in an environment that was warm and inviting. I wanted you to feel at ease, comfortable. I wanted this to be a place where you could slow down, stop multi-tasking, take a deep breath, and feel your muscles relax. So I avoided the sterile, drab landscape of a typical website and created a place that was more like inviting you into my own home.

One of my favorite storytellers is John Irving. You might have heard of him if you read his book or saw the movie “Cider House Rules.” Another movie from one of his books was “The World According to Garp,” which had the dream house I envisioned – a mansion on Fisher’s Island in New York state that stands to this day. In my imagination, I saw this grand home with many rooms where people come to meet, connect, learn, and share ideas. The Linderman Home, as it’s called, became my template.

I see this website as a home where rooms are set up for guests. Each special guest room has a sign on the door so visitors can choose which one they want to explore. The well-crafted signs for these rooms are done in graceful calligraphy (of course). They are labeled: “Greetings, Tian’s Books, MJ’s Travels, About, Goodies, Connect” and one more.

That one last room is where “Blog” lives. Not every website has a blog section, but statistics show that 77% of internet users want them and read them. I loved the idea of offering more writing. But what I didn’t love was the word. Blog.

Being a lover of words and beauty, I apologize to the 21^st century but ‘blog’ is one of the ugliest words in the English language. It has no music. It is heavy, falling from the mouth like dull, wet, grey cement. It doesn’t feel good to hear it, let alone say it. I’m always relieved when it leaves my mouth and is gone.

To me, words have substance and form. They can be light or heavy, brightly colored or muted. They can taste hot or cold, wet or dry, bitter or sour, or sweet like honey. Speaking a word creates a sound that can be everything from dull and heavy like trudging feet (think ‘blog’), to light and musical like children laughing near a calliope (think ‘tinkly’) to actually sounding like its definition. For example, take the word “susurrus,” defined as whispering, murmuring, rustling. Say it out loud… susurrus… If you say, “I heard the susurrus of the trees,” doesn’t the word sound like leaves moving in the wind?  

Blogs have a commonality: every posting is made because people want to connect. Whether the blog is about research, clothes, or pets, the desire to connect is central to humankind. Whether in person or by phone, letter, email, or putting a blog into the ethers, we grow and know ourselves by interacting with others. We wouldn’t blog unless we had a hope of connecting.

To be honest, I think we humans long to connect. It seems universal, this uncontrollable urge, this thrust of energy toward another. We are ever dancing in concentric circles with a common center. And that center is the magic that happens when we connect with another, are seen by another, accepted by another. In this connection there is a spark – even in small ways we can become transformed, made greater, finer. In this connection we can be instructed, challenged, healed a little, and made more aware. We change, we open, we connect, we belong. And that feels like home.

And yes, I can hear your thoughts: some blogs are used as a platform to rant, rave, spread hate and disinformation, manipulate, feel important, or monetize the experience. But the vast majority of those who write blogs want to offer their creativity, dreams, ideas, and observations. They want to give something to others. Isn’t that what this blogness thing is, after all? A way of giving in order to connect? That has value. 

Rather than throw the baby out with the bath water, I’ve chosen to offer my own blogs, but replace the poor, ugly little word with a new one. I chose the Spanish word ‘Regalos.’ It’s the perfect word for several reasons. First, it is a beautiful word that rolls off the tongue effortlessly. It has music that leaves the mouth like a sigh of soft blue, light gold, and rose. The word itself calls forth visions of curly bows, bright laughter, hugs of gratitude, and feelings of appreciation. Yet it is two-dimensional, much more than a pretty face.

Regalos can take blog’s place because it has backbone. The Spanish dictionary says it means “gifts” or “contributions.” And that’s the deep part, the anchoring, and the spine of this beautiful word. For what is this Life if not a million opportunities to give, contribute, offer, reach out, and show up?

Look up at the top of this page and you’ll see the list of rooms for you to explore. One says Regalos. That is the name of the room you are in. Here I can answer your questions. Here I can make a contribution to Life itself as I share my small gift of tiny stories for you, Esteemed Reader. Here I can join you in your ideas and comments. And when you read each Regalo, that is your gift to me. And hopefully you’ll receive a present within for yourself. With all my heart…

I hope you receive something you can take away… my gift to you.