TheBanyanTree: My, how time flies!

[Gloria]

I thought I'd better get my story here since I've enjoyed reading all of the others. It's only right that I take the time to do so.

Spoon found me through the Scout Report of new lists.  I had just taken a class to learn about the Internet.  I kept seeing that "I" word and no one I knew could tell me what in the heck it was.  When I saw a class being offered that begged to answer my question, I signed up.  The teacher put a lot of emphasis on e-mail lists since those were what he enjoyed.  I'm thankful that he did!  I find that I enjoy e-mailing more than surfing, though surfing has become more enjoyable with faster connections.  

I tried other lists before trying Spoon.  I'd subscribe one day and unsubscribe the next.  I tried chatrooms and found them to be quite entertaining, but that got old pretty quickly.  Spoon blew my mind.  I couldn't wait to get home from work to read the stories of ordinary people that were being delivered to my house from all over the globe.  That state of amazement I was in sounds so silly now.  Then again, I think I'm still amazed by it all.  Being raised in a good sized city and then learning to live in a small rural town that's known for fishing, was quite a challenge.  I felt rather unconnected from the world.  Still do sometimes.  I tend to miss going to concerts, the circus, ice skating performances, plays, malls, all of those things that cities offer.  I don't miss crowded living, heavy traffic, crime, or fear though.  

Back to Spoon.  I don't know how long I waited before I wrote something.  A couple of months, maybe longer.  Fear of acceptance held me back.  I knew I couldn't write like those people could, but it felt rather odd to be peering into their lives and getting to know them, and at the same time never saying anything to let them know I was listening.  I didn't know that just listening was okay too.  I had no idea people could be so accepting of one another.  I've never seen anything like it, then or now!

And here we are today, how many years later?  I came online about 12 years ago, but I don't know where Spoon fits into my history.  I guess if someone knew when it got listed on New-Lists, I'd have the answer.  The when of it all doesn't really matter.  What matters is that we're here, whether writing or listening, and I'd be lost without all of you.  

Thanks for being here!
Gloria...aka Dreamer ~ Always dreamin' of a kinder, gentler world for ALL