New Blog/Journal Coming Soon!

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.” Lamentations 3:22-24

I am getting a new website and blogsite. Me-the woman who remembers her first home computer, a giant box and monitor that took up the entire surface of a desk. The one who registered for college classes picking up punch cards doled out like playing cards by professors stationed outside their office doors. Oh, the tears I shed when I was stuck in Sociology instead of Western Civilization because it was the only card still held in a teacher’s hand. Like a preschooler wanting the chocolate cookie instead of vanilla. “Take what you get and don’t get upset.”

Me-the woman who still has an America On Line (AOL) email account that shows my age and is neither clever nor memorable.

Me-the woman who typed her college papers on an IBM Selectric, grateful for autocorrect and electricity. I am getting a website called CathySlusser.com. And a creative new logo including a smart tag line, “Past Stories Made Present”. Now, when you “google” my name (instead of going to the library and looking in the card catalogue) you will find me listed on Amazon, Facebook, newspaper articles and my own website. It is a heady experience for someone closer to 60 than she is to middle age.

I thought that finding a website designer would be a daunting task. I dreaded it because I know how much effort it took to get them for the nonprofits I assist. Committee meetings, vetting of candidates, hours of back and forth on design and content. Though I had a list of names, I prayed, then chose the first one I talked to; not out of fear or laziness, but because I knew it was right. The designer spoke my language. Despite the difference in our ages, we are so much alike. I felt comfortable working with her. We fit.

In less than a month, I will have a presence on the Internet. The Internet that didn’t exist when I was born. Or graduated from college. Or married. Or even birthed my children. It has only been a decade since I stopped telling students the Internet was bad and the library was good. Now, I see much value in the Internet. I practically live on the Internet. In fact, I will be living on the Internet. I have an address there. Or will soon. But, like a house move, I have a lot of preparation to do. I have to “pack” up my old stuff, dispose of old emails and blog posts so there is less to move. Instead of writing chapters on Florence’s Story, I write “content”: About me, Facts about me, How to do Research and synopsis of my books.

I’ve been choosing photographs, and working with a delightful young woman who puts my words on the website faster than I can write them. Who has a gift for design and for placing things just so. After ten years of blogging on this place, I am moving. Starting over feels good. In so many ways.

PS I will let you know when to use my new address!