Hello, Michele sent me to say Goodbye.

Dear Friends,

How to sum up in one post what this blog has meant to me? It was a distraction after the death of my dearest friend, it was a meditation during a serious illness; it was a public wink to a private flirtation, and it was personal brevity during moments of stress. It was, in short, exactly what I needed when I needed it  most. 

This blog, of course, is not  me, it never has been. It has always been simply a slice of who I am. The slice that I offered was often quirky, usually fun, rarely disheartened and always protective of my privacy. Is that who I am? Yes and no. Yes, it is  my hope  that I was able to share a virtual aspect of myself that is true to my reality. However, I am much more than what I have ever offered in these many posts, which of course is true for all bloggers. Yet, very few bloggers create and maintain a mystery of self to such the extent that I have during the past  several years. This  mystery was partly by choice but  mostly by necessity. There has been many times that I have felt it unfair for  me to not contribute to the countless conversations that I prompted on these pages. If anyone has ever, even for a brief moment, felt slighted or thought I was being rude by my unwillingness to join in or respond: I apologise. Please know  that it was  never my attempt to be anything but welcoming on my blog.

It has been the me behind this blog  that has taken generously from the many individuals who were kind enough to become regular visitors here. To say that this blog has received lots of visitors over the years is, of course, stating the obvious. What is also obvious, to anyone who spends time reading the comments left here, is that these many visitors have offered wit, wisdom, kindness, insight, and a readiness to simply join in on the silliness that I continued to offer. To each and  every person who opened up a comment box and  left a few or many words on these pages - I thank you. I thank you so very much.

This blog has introduced me to someone who made me swoon, someone who became a deeply cherished friend and someone who stands behind me and allows me to see through a window to a view of wonder that I had no idea even existed. Was that cryptic enough for you? If yes, then please allow me  to be less so by admitting that there are also a small handful of regular visitors that I truly feel connected to; of course, I am not certain that they also feel this connection, but I certainly hope they do. And I hope they will allow me to begin or to continue exchanging notes. There are some people who I now call blog-friends  that I would love to develop or continue a friendship with. Yes, I will be in touch. Please, know that any person who also feels this unspoken connection of friendship is welcome to write to me. Yes, I will now finally have the time to respond.

As you have no doubt gathered by now, and yes, the title was a less than subtle hint, this  is my goodbye post. Why now? Well, because I am now  ready to say goodbye to my blog, without saying  goodbye to blogging. My hope  is  to now  have the time to become a visitor at some of my favourite blogs. It is also my hope  to post a link on this site offering you a new place to go and play the meet n' greet. It is also possible that I might one day wish to open a new blog - not a copy of this  one, but one that offers a different slice of  me.

Someone very special to me suggested,  when we discussed that I was planning on writing my goodbye post, to go out silently and not allow comments. I considered doing this. I decided against it. I care too much about the community of blog-friends that gather here on a regular or somewhat-regular basis. So, the comments are open - yes, you may have the last word. Maybe. It is, of course, possible that I will write back or add you to my list of those to notify if I ever do begin blogging again - please consider yourself  warned.

Thank-you for making Michele the blog everything it was. Thank-you for sharing a bit of yourself with me and for continually allowing me to share a bit of myself with you. Many of  you already know that my real name is not Michele Agnew, but, what many of you do not know is that I will always carry Michele Agnew in my heart because "she" allowed me to get  to know many of you.

With all my heart, thank-you and goodbye.

With Love. xoxo

Comments

[Rob]

Will remember you and this blog with fondness and love. All the best! :)

Rob

[Chris]

Well, it may be that yin and yang really do exist as my cousin Robyn has always believed. I am after being a lurker on many blogs, about to start an anonymous one myself. I just need to do something rather than nothing to let myself be known and my thoughts and dreams.
Hoping it all balances out,
Chris

[Marie]

It has been a pleasure, Michele. Yours was one of the first blogs I began visiting, 4 years ago too... You've spread so much sunshine... I hope you'll keep in touch. Best always to you... xo

[Busy Mom]

:(

[Olyal]

Thank you Michele!
I've been here in different guises for many years.
Michele Agnew will be missed, but whomever else we oneday get to play with will be just as brilliant!
:o)
Safe journey!

[Charmarie]

Well good times must come to an end. It is understandable. I had oodles of fun wandering around your blog I always have. You're always welcome to mine.

You have to do what's best for you, see you around the blogosphere "Michele" ;)

[david - living in the tree house]

have I said lately how curvy and attractive your calves are?

[Jean-Luc Picard]

It will indeed be be a big hole in the blogasphere without you, Michele. You were one of my early blogs to visit, and it has been a pleasure to visit.

That super picture of you, and all you have done, will be remembered fondly.

[sage]

thank you Michele for all you've done. Probably a 1/3 of my blog friends have come via your pages! I too hide in the shadows, refusing to blog about work or family, which has made me wonder wonder if I am being unfair... I hope to see you around.

[sister AE]

Thank you for throwing one of the best parties on the Internet! I've had a great time and been introduced to some great people.

[Uisce]

just popped in because I've been so behind and just catching up and... WHAT??

you can try to quit blogging, but at least for me, it never works.

Michele, how can it be that we've never met but now you're gone and I've got tears in my eyes...

you've added so much to so many people's lives, lots of fun and growth -- you introduced me to so many other bloggers, I can't even count.

thank you so much, Michele, for everything!!

but no, I will not say good-bye... til we meet again, is better.

[MissMeliss]

Michele -

May your life continue to unfold with richness, friendship, adventure, and mystery. I know I haven't visited here recently, but that doesn't mean I won't miss you.

[caspar]

It fell from a softer rain,
A glimpse of flirtation, of talent
And born of dissected thought.
It was a whisper in a land
Where shouts were common and she
Promised and delivered a community
Founded on the premise that she was so
Damn good at being herself,
Yet ironicly it never was about her,
It was about us (them),
Yet perhaps it was about how we loved her,
This aspect of her, this slice of her,
This image of her, a her that she could
Write as a novel, no war and no peace.
This wasn't her life, but it was the one she
Obsessed over, much to many's disdain
Because what she gave to you, took from us (them) and for those of you (us) Who wondered, her legs stood as sentinel,
Although she had never really said that
They were hers, as was I, as were you.
It mattered little
Because over time, all she left was the hint of Chanel, far less than we (I)
Wanted and more than one could ever expect.

[caspar]

It fell from a softer rain,
A glimpse of flirtation, of talent
And born of dissected thought.
It was a whisper in a land
Where shouts were common and she
Promised and delivered a community
Founded on the premise that she was so
Damn good at being herself,
Yet ironicly it never was about her,
It was about us (them),
Yet perhaps it was about how we loved her,
This aspect of her, this slice of her,
This image of her, a her that she could
Write as a novel, no war and no peace.
This wasn't her life, but it was the one she
Obsessed over, much to many's disdain
Because what she gave to you, took from us (them) and for those of you (us) Who wondered, her legs stood as sentinel,
Although she had never really said that
They were hers, as was I, as were you.
It mattered little
Because over time, all she left was the hint of Chanel, far less than we (I)
Wanted and more than one could ever expect.

[Bob-kat]

Michele,

It's the end of an era! I am sad to see your blog go despiet my erratic visits the last few months when 'real' demanded my attention more. Without your blog I would not have met a fraction of the bloggers that I did. I enjoyed the silliness.

If you ever start a new blog I would be honoured to visit. Good luck and best wishes.

Bobkat xoxo

[Breadbox]

Michele,
Although I've not been back to play here for a while, I really enjoyed visiting and playing your games.
Good luck with the non-pseudonymous aspects of your life! And may you bring as much joy to yourself as you have to your many visitors here over the past few years.

Best,
N

[Sleepypete]

As Bobkat says, end of an era ...

You've introduced me to some extremely interesting people since I came back in to blogging - but I'm not sure that any of them are as interesting as the various games you've made available for us here.

We'll miss you ! Thanks for keeping the word games and meet & greet going for as long as they did.

[Morahmommy]

I have loved coming to your site.

I wish you only good things, good health and happiness.

[barbie2be]

goodbye, good luck, and thanks for all the fish! we will miss you, michele!

[James]

So sorry to see this blog go, but so happy to have discovered it when I did.

May all your dreams come true.

[anne]

Well, my dear, thanks. It's been fun.

You'll have to leave this up for a while because I thought I'd be able to visit to get links to people I've met here, not copying them all to my own blog. But now I can't rely on that so I need to go back through M&G's to find folks for good.

Thanks, again.

Anne

[Denise]

Dearest Michele (for you will always be so to me),

I haven't been very good about posting or commenting of late, so I've just found your farewell. I understand and applaud your desire to do something new and fun and different, and I look forward to renewing our online acquaintance sometime in the very near future. You were one of the very first people kind enough to comment on my journal, which helped give me the courage to carry on, and I shall never forget your grace and kindness.

Best regards until we meet again,
Denise

[Ranger]

I believe it is like retiring: this leave taking you have underway. You won't miss doing the work but you'll reallly miss the people.

This dedicated lurker will miss you, too.

[Amanda]

I can't believe how sad I am right now. I wasn't a daily poster but Michele is just what I needed when my days were low and I needed a Meet & Greet or a picture comment to make me laugh.

I felt extra special on the day I recieved email from you. In my blogging world you are a celebrity. (That was in 2005.)

Thank you for sharing Michele with us. She won't be forgotten.

[Isabella]

Cheers,

[usedtobeme]

Michele,

Yours was one of the first blogs I "read" and one of the few I continue to lurk around all these years later. I met wonderful people through you and I thank you for it. I hope your new road takes you to many wonderful places and I do consider you my blog friend. I hope you will tell me if/when you ever start blogging anew. Until then I wish for you happiness, many smiles and lots of warm thoughts. Take care of you. M

[rashbre]

Hello Michele,

My best wishes for whatever you plan to do next. Thanks for all the fun from here and 'don't be a stranger', as they say.

Continue to be 'so damn good at it'.

Best, rashbre.

[Rick]

Hey,

I come back after two years and find this!~,:^)

Well, good for you. I converted my blog to something else...two years ago, and kind of stopped blogging. But I check regularly at three places I found at the meet and greet. And of course, those places are people I have gotten to know.

Your work here is through. And it was good.

Thanks and all the best,
RM

[Wisconsin Karen]

Wow, Michele, I'm so sad. You're like the anchor of the blogosphere. But I'm happy to read about your happiness. As I look through the comments, I see so many familiar names, thanks to you. Vaya con dios, mi amiga! Hugs from chilly and snowy Wisconsin!

[Wisconsin Karen]

Wow, Michele, I'm so sad. You're like the anchor of the blogosphere. But I'm happy to read about your happiness. As I look through the comments, I see so many familiar names, thanks to you. Vaya con dios, mi amiga! Hugs from chilly and snowy Wisconsin!

[david - living in the tree house]

Now you tell me your name is NOT Michele Agnew?
next you will claim those are not your legs....
Say it ain't so!!!

God bless you and your travels.

I shall work hard on tricking out my tree house in the unlikely event that you drop by for tea some afternoon.

[OldOldLady Of The Hills]

To say I am shocked, doesn't really touch how reading this post made me feel, dear Michele. YOU brought me into Blogland. It was your "Meet & GReet" that allowed me to meet so very many people over these last three years and almost three months....!
I am so sorry that you are going "Bye Bye".....It is the END of something that was Sooo Important to so very many....I can only speak for myself, my dear Michele. Your departure saddens me more than I can say. I understand you must do what you need to do....But, I also understand that I don't have to be happy about it!
I wish you well, my dear Michele, and Thank You with all my heart for opening up this anazing beautuful world of blogging, to me!
May you enjoy your retirement, my dear Michele.....I wish you well.

[craziequeen]

Michele - to us you will always be Michele. A blogger mentions Michele and we all know who they mean...
You are a legend in blogdom and I am so happy to have met you - even in your faux persona :-)

Thank you, Michele, for being the catalyst that brought so many of us bloggers together, making friends and learning about each other in so many ways.

You will be missed, my sweet Whoever, and we will forever speak proudly and loudly of Michele in the blogosphere.

I have always known you weren't 'Michele' but in this world it doesn't matter who you are but what you do.

With love to you in your new life and the love of many, many bloggers goes with you wherever you go.

You'll always be welcome at the Palace :-)

cq

[craziequeen]

Michele - to us you will always be Michele. A blogger mentions Michele and we all know who they mean...
You are a legend in blogdom and I am so happy to have met you - even in your faux persona :-)

Thank you, Michele, for being the catalyst that brought so many of us bloggers together, making friends and learning about each other in so many ways.

You will be missed, my sweet Whoever, and we will forever speak proudly and loudly of Michele in the blogosphere.

I have always known you weren't 'Michele' but in this world it doesn't matter who you are but what you do.

With love to you in your new life and the love of many, many bloggers goes with you wherever you go.

You'll always be welcome at the Palace :-)

cq

[Kisane]

Just came by to find that it's goodbye. I wish you all the best that life has to offer. Thanks for the daily doses of fun and games - I met some interesting people here.

Ciao for now...

[Kisane]

Just came by to find that it's goodbye. I wish you all the best that life has to offer. Thanks for the daily doses of fun and games - I met some interesting people here.

Ciao for now...

[Ole Blue]

Peace out sweet friend peace out

[JoeInVegas]

I didn't come often, but had a link from mine to share you with others. Enjoy what you are moving on to and thanks for being here.

[Tracey]

Take care and thank you for a wonderful blog. I haven't commented much lately but I have always read and admired your blog.

[Pink Sun Drops]

Michele, this must have been a huge slice for you, because your comments? Were the same. You are fun, and bubbly. And we all have the other side. Sometimes it's nice to leave it on the back burner for awhile. Honestly, girl, it's been so long since I've been here, but I came across a comment you left when we were both "regulars" while I was looking to see who was around when Sam was blogging. She left four years ago and I just met her TONIGHT!! Of course I felt like I've known her forever, since we were itty bitty even. Blogging is such an amazing world and it connects us in so many ways. I hope you do keep reading and do decide to start a new blog whether you let us know or not (but I'm hoping you do : ) .

[leslie]

I'm certainly going to miss coming here. I've had so much fun playing your games and meeting others. Thanks for letting us come visit. I remember my biggest goal was to be on your blogroll. Good luck. Hope to see you in around in the cyber world!

[lee.brookes@gmails.com]

Well, Ive been away from the blogosphere that long and we are losing an icon....

Michele, thank you for all the blog friends you introduced me to through this amazing piece of you...

I will truly miss you :)

to find out I am losing a friend at the end of the day of the yule festival is very poignant for me, you are in my thoughts and prayers. Be well

[dena]

Your blogs was one of the first I visited when I started blogging. It's also the place where I found many of my favorite reads. Sad to see it come to an end.

[Begered]

I have been away for a long time...I am very sorry to hear you will be leaving this blog. I have enjoyed this blog very much and it has introduced to many other blogs that I would have never run across. I am thankful to you for introducing me to the blog world!!

I wish you the best :)

[Deana]

Thank you Michele. When I first began it was here, through your blog, that I met friends that I too now cherish. You were always there when I needed you. I hope your life goes wonderfully! All the best wishes to you.

[Chatty]

Michele - I used to be a regular visitor many moons ago. Many of my blogging friends are those of whom I met through your meet and greet and I have long lasting online and off line relationships with them because of that. I hope that if you should decide to start a new blog, that you keep me in the loop.

Good luck to you

[david]

miss you

[kimberly]

Michele, I'm glad that you left this up long enough for me to wander by in a quiet moment. Like many others, I found your blog early on in my blogging. During a difficult time in my life, you provided a place where I could play and laugh. A number of bloggers I still read -- and a couple whom I've met in person -- I discovered here. Thank you so much for what you created here. If you should start a new blog, I would be delighted to read whatever your new online persona would care to share.

Wishing you all good things.

[Thebluestbutterfly]

So many of my favorite bloggers have had to say goodbye lately. You will be very much missed. Hugs.Please take care.

[angie]

I'll miss this place a lot! Good luck to you, 'Michele!'

I met a few people through this blog who have become very good blog friends and for that I am grateful.

Love and good wishes!