Midwest Mary

Poetry, photos, information on peace, nature, dementia, or prayer. Where should I focus my future posts?

As we enter the second half of the year, I wanted to look at the top posts on Midwest Mary before continuing to write new ones. I cover various topics in reference to my tagline, “Finding the Extraordinary in Ordinary, Everyday Life.” I also post material based on the books I’ve written.

The number of “Likes” that posts receive should offer some indication as to what readers prefer. However, we also understand those “Likes” do not always mean the reader loved the post.

Posts are liked for a multitude of reasons. The reader may have interest in the information, appreciate the style of writing, like the blogger, or be interested in the general topic. They also may understand the effort the blogger put into the post.

On the other hand, the lack of “Likes” does not necessarily indicate a poor post. It may not get many likes because of the time or day when it was posted rather than a dislike of the content or writing style. The blog may also not have a wide readership.

All of that aside, I do believe that we can look at our overall numbers and assume that the higher numbers from our total posts are due to preference.

I compared the top 25 posts out of nearly 100 posted this year on my blog. Of those posts, it appears that Midwest Mary readers search for happiness and enjoy fun stories such as the series on Elmer.

What Makes Us Happy was number one by a landslide. Both The Return of Elmer and Elmer’s Got a Girl were close to the very top. Other top posts included eight poems, three Friday Photos, and topics on life issues, nature, dementia, and faith. In addition, three posts include digital art by Kevin (The Beginning at Last), and three include excerpts from one of my books.

Here are the top 25 posts and the number of “Likes” thus far for the first half of 2024.

1. What Makes Us Happy, 232
2. The Return of Elmer, 214
3. 70 for 70, 200
4. Poem—Where Do I Belong, 180
5. Poem/Haiku—Misty Veil, 174
6. Elmer’s Got a Girl, 172
7. Personality Changes and Dementia, 168
8. Many Thanks, 167
9. Poem-Transitions, 159
10. Accept the New Normal, 157
11. Dazzling Daffodils, 156
12. Double-Crested Cormorants, 155
13. Poem/Haiku—Parent like Geese, 151
14. Poem—Near but not Here, 149
15. Four Reflective Poems, 142
16. Friday Photo—Blue-fronted Dancer, 139
17. The Infamous Zheng Yi Sao, 136
18. Poem—Storm Show, 136
19. Photo—Peace Feathers, 131
20. Duck for the Goose, 130
21. Why I Love Jesus’ Mother, 130
22. Peace and Prayer, 128
23. US Excitement Over the Eclipse, 125
24. Friday Photo—Sparkling Water, 123
25. Poem—Peace Meditation, 123

Please tell me your favorites or topics you’d like to see more of. After all, I write for you.

*Photo by Mary K. Doyle, Chicago Botanic Garden

©2024, Mary K. Doyle