November 30, 2006 3:33 PM
The picture problem - part 2
Have I told y'all lately how much I love you?
I know that sounds weird since I'm just a mom in cyberspace, but your feedback about my picture has just been overwhelming.
Did I ever tell you about the time when I was a nerdy, wallflower 12 year old (I skipped a grade and was from a poor, alcoholic single-mother family) and threw myself a backyard birthday party and only my best friend and her brother - who lived over the back fence - showed up?
Decades later, I still panic whenever I speak, worried that no one will show up. That kind of thing can haunt you for years.
So receiving a record number of comments when I ask for your advice about my picture is really affirming. Thank you so much for caring - and for understanding (I hope) that I'm not coming from a narcissistic place, but just a genuine desire to continue being able to do what I've been doing.
No, my hubby's comments didn't hurt my feelings and neither did anything you all said. I'm really not personally attached to how I look. That may sound odd after all the effort I put into looking better this year, but really it's all about being a better steward over the body God has given me, as well as a better messenger. For that reason alone, the picture is important in communicating to readers in an instant who I am. You know: a picture says a thousand words. Obviously most of you didn't like what the new one was saying - and that's not good.
I'm also used to responding to criticism without defensiveness because I have to do that with my writing. Editors have their opinions of how things should be - sometimes they're right and sometimes they're wrong, but they're always in control - and if I got upset about these things, I'd be crazy. I've also taken my share of public abuse in my more political writing for newspapers. All in all, I've just learned to roll with the punches.
The bottom line is that your being honest shows you trust me and I appreciate that! I trust you too, and so the picture has to go.
I've had a busy day (Maddy, still coughing after three months of coughing and three different antibiotics and a sinus-cleansing regimen, had to get sinus x-rays), and have things going on with the kids tonight (play rehearsal for the Downzers, who are all in Very Special Arts' Japanese Fairy Tales), but I'm going to ask my BlogGuru to put up my old pictures until I get another. Actually my hubby took that picture. My son had taken the one before. I'm going to have someone who knows who I am and what I'm all about take the photo this time. I feel like that photographer just wasn't on the same wavelength and wasn't aware that it was part of her job to try to understand the subject.
Tomorrow Tripp is having laser surgery for his varicose veins - the result of years of climbing trees (he was an arborist for 20 years). So I am all tied up then. It seems like my life lately has been all about supporting my family in their various needs, so I'm grateful I don't have a book contract. I'm really enjoying it . . . . .though an idea is creeping around the edges of my mind (and a really great title, which I'm going to keep to myself for a while lest anyone steal it :) - titles aren't copyrightable) which reminds me of Agatha Christie's commetn "The best time to plan a novel is while you're washing the dishes." while I'm doing all this stuff for my family, there's a book idea growing inside me. It's kind of like being pregnant.
Thank you so much for your honesty. You all are a tremendous resource for me and I appreciate your input. Oh, and take a look at my website. That has a different crop - but I should probably change that too.
PS - for the reader who wanted to know how I got my signature: I scanned it, then uploaded it like a photo.
PPS High cheekbones courtesy of a Native American grandmother. They were just buried before.
Posted in Blogging | Permalink
Comments
Barbara,
I'll do your photo session for free. Just call me. Contact info is on my website.
Suzanne
www.picturethisbysuzanne.photoreflect.com
Posted by: suzanne | November 30, 2006 6:28 PM
Oh I like that much better. You have a twinkle in your eye -- like you have a very nice secret.
You are an everyday read that I look forward to during my quiet moments of the day.
Posted by: Harriett | November 30, 2006 6:28 PM
[this comment came after I reverted to the old photo:)]
Barbara,
I am a new reader of your web page, so I don't know you nor have I seen previous photos of you. So, I am in no position to comment on this new photo. I see a friendly person who might have "something up her sleeve". There is really nothing wrong with "keeping them guessing" :>) Anyway, the most important thing in this entire subject is the good, honest communication between you and your husband. Praise God for that! That message will speak louder to your readers than any photo could speak.
Posted by: Carol Fickinger | December 1, 2006 2:36 PM
