The Sunday Roast

Far from Retired In Blogland

This week's interview is with Rosaria of Lakeviewer,
who writes the blog Sixtyfivewhatnow .

Thank you for the interview Rosaria which was initiated by David at Authorblog.
It is my great pleasure to publish it.

Here's the first of the standard questions. Why do you blog?

Writing feels like a continuous conversation, a sharing of ideas and memories without being interrupted. Many friendships have bloomed through blogging across generations and across continents. I blog to feel connected to the world.

What's the story behind the blog name?

The title of my blog reveals both the age when I started, and the need to find out about what that age meant. After I retired, I had to rethink my goals and my priorities. The task became an existential search for meaning at this stage of my life: what now, what can be as important as the work I did, or the dreams I had? While my blog has expanded and morphed, the issues of the day, such as the current universal health care debate in the States, the basic need to understand what life can be at this age is still the main direction for this blog.

What is the best thing about being a blogger?

The best thing about being a blogger is the rush to discover who responds and what direction the comments take the conversation. After I posted on the need for universal health care, a blogger from Canada asked if he could respond as a guest blogger. I was delighted by his generosity and his knowledge of this subject. Most Americans are still in the dark on the kinds of services other nations have; Rob-Bear outlined a clear path.

What key advice would you give to a newbie blogger?

The best advice I could give a new blogger is to just go for it; if you want to share your daily life, go for it; if you want to share your hobbies, go for it. After you get comfortable, you can add gadgets, improve the layout. Even with your help, David, I admit to being quite dense on technical stuff. It’s intimidating. It’s frustrating. But it doesn’t stop me from creating the conversation.

What is the most significant blog post you've ever read?

David, finding your blog at Authorblog was a stroke of luck; it exposed me to many people I would not have encountered otherwise.

I have three blogs I check first thing in the morning:

Lola’s at Aglioolioepereroncino who takes me back to my Italian roots

Erin’s at Inthroughthebackdoor who writes such insightful, poetry that makes me feel as though I am reliving my life . . . . . and

Renee at Circlingmyhead who shows me how to be brave and courageous.

This list could go on and list people from many continents who introduce me to skills and points of view that open vistas for me.

What is the most significant blog post you've ever written?

I have enjoyed writing the post(s) about health care. I could have gone further, a lot further. It is a very important topic, still debated, still too hot to handle rationally. Sharing ideas about this topic will help us all grow and find solutions.

Finally, if you were to suggest two blogs for roasting who would you pick, and why?

Lola at Aglioolioepeperoncino and Willow at Willow’s Manor. These are exciting bloggers, with lots of ideas and talent. Your readers will definitely enjoy them.

Thank you, David, for selecting me for this Sunday’s Roast. I appreciate this opportunity.

Note from Eddie: Thank you Rosaria and for your two recommendations. They are indeed very popular and in fact both have been roasted already and well worth another read.

Lola HERE and Willow HERE

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Today's Sunday Roast with Rosaria is the 89th in a weekly
series of interviews with bloggers from around the world. __________________________________________________

This interview will feature in The Roll of Honour
for all published Roasts. To view press HERE __________________________________________________