The First Step

Welcome to Domestic Putterings, my big, splashing leap into blogland.

It took a lot of time and thinking to come up with what I wanted to do. My last job was about homes and domesticity, as Homes Reporter for the Cleveland Plain Dealer. I loved it, and a homes-related blog seemed like a natural. But having my career taken from me when I was laid off in December (along with 26 other good people) was painful. I've had a hard time adjusting to not being a reporter after 20 years in the business. It was a part of my identity, a part of my heart. The adventure of going after a story, the adrenaline rush of covering a championship game on deadline, the thrill of meeting interesting people and seeing interesting places and things, the pride and passion of creating a story are things you don't get in many careers. I'm still grieving in some ways, not just for the work and the writing, but for the people, connections and atmosphere of newspaper life. But that's over, at least for now. Time to move on, and find a new outlet for my curiosity, my interests and my self-expression.

Domestic Putterings is going to be about home- and domesticity-related topics, some seen through my life and its adventures as I manage a home, adjust to married life (John and I were married in April), and make my way forward.

Today is the first baby step, creating this blog and putting words to screen. Hopefully, my coming steps will lead somewhere good and provide interesting reads for you. Enjoy!

Comments

[mr brightside]

Congratulations on this new direction! All the best wishes that it's successful beyond your wildest imaginings.

[V]

Go Melissa! What a perfect idea.

[Lisa]

Yay! I can't want to see what you come up with.

[Cheryl Tan]

Congrats on the new blog! Looking forward to reading more....xo

[Shiny Things]

Looking forward to your blog! I think it's great that you've started one. Best of luck!

[Phyl]

I didn't even realize you'd started a new blog. Hurray! I hope you enjoy the heck out of it. And I'm subscribed!