Gather is good, but the improvements?

I love Gather for the friends I've made and for a lot of other reasons too. I've met people from different countries, different states and some from four letter word states. I've had fun joking with people who have a great sense of humor. I've met young, middle aged and elderly people and no matter their age almost all have something meaningful to say. Sure, a few are pompous, but I have a plump ass, so there are similarities. Because I lived in foreign countries and an alien spacecraft for 18 years of my life, it is a joy to read the thoughts of people from different cultures such as India, South Africa, Ohio, etc.

One of the great benefits of Gather is reading creative short stories and poems. It is a genuine pleasure to see the excellent talents of so many people. Everyday I sign on to Gather, I do so in anticipation of reading something creative that leaves me with a sense of awe. Some articles are simply great and these knock my socks off, which is good, so I can count to give ten stars. There are of course photographs and art to enjoy and personal articles of joys and sorrows that most share with goodwill and needed empathy. A person having sadness can reach out and be comforted by Gather members. This is a blessing.

I don't know how you feel, but, in a way, Gather has been a great learning experience for me. I believe, by reading various articles and comments that this has helped me to improve my writing skills and helped me find different ways to express myself in writing. I'm 54 and never before had tried to write humor. A few months ago, I got an humorous idea and published it. That people enjoyed it of course made me happy. Where else could I have published a humor article? How could I ever have really known I could write humor without Gather people. I also learned about dandelions, chocolate and caramel covered ants. The Dandelion Queen is a great friend. Should I tell her dandelions are weeds?  

I don't want to be negative, but I thought the word improvement meant to make something better. I can only assume this word has a different meaning here at Gather. This is the second time this year that Gather has temporarily shut down its web site to make improvements. I think many of us were filled with glee to not get notices of who was commenting on our articles, or have comments mysteriously disappear. Now we have a second shut down for improvements. I guess having all my images disappear is an improvement. I do admit the blank icon head next to my articles and comments looks better than my photograph. I can see many of you nodding in agreement.

Well, it's early and maybe it just takes time to iron out the kinks. I sure hope so, because it took 3 minutes to open my inbox to read another obnoxious invite to read some article by a person who hasn't ever commented on one of my articles. I'm fairly even tempered, but inbox mass mailing invites do make me angry unless they have a bonafide purpose such as a group effort to help someone who has suffered a tragedy or advertising featured articles from a specific group. How hard is it to make a comment and advertize the article you want the person to read in your comment? Some people do this in comments they make on articles I read by other people. Sometimes, if it looks interesting, I go and read what the article they advertized. Mass mailings to a person's inbox is spam (usually).

I said a lot more than I had planned on saying. My wife will wake up soon. This will give me more time to practice saying, 'Yes, dear.' I've been up all night and I'm about to count llama. No, not sheep. You see, llama spit and that helps me keep my eyes closed. I wish I was awake enough to roast Fred Hose. I certainly hope I don't dream about him dancing around another tree. I also don't want to dream about dandelions, since such a nightmare might make me scream. Maybe I'll dream about a lady in a bikini bringing me an iced tea. What if it's Wilma in a thong? That's not likely since she's no longer at a beach in Oregon. I'm so tired I should refrain because you just might think I'm insane. 'Here, Flickertail'.

P.S. Rumor has it, this being the anniversary of Elvis' demise, that an Elvis impersonator named Barb B was seranading the folks making these improvements and so many were crying after she sang, 'Are you Lonesome Tonight' that many left before the improvements were finished to go to Graceland.