It was June 2010 when I first started writing this blog, “Another Year of Insanity,” and it was at the time that my husband, Carl Crosier, submitted his resignation as Music Director of the Lutheran Church of Honolulu after 37 years.
Someone on the Communication Committee, of which I was a member, suggested that someone start a blog to publicize and perhaps give a little history of the Music Program at the church. For some unknown reason, perhaps I volunteered, or else someone volunteered for me, knowing about our annual Christmas letters, some of which were humorous, of which I was the author.
In those days, I hardly knew what a blog was… or how to put one together. I just started writing … and writing … and writing. Before you know it, the blog took over my life as I tried to explain what was behind the scenes in being a church musician and organ teacher.
After Carl retired in August 2011, the question was put to me as to whether I should continue writing about our musical experiences. I truly was prepared to stop doing it, but then it kind of morphed into my personal musical diary, writing about my experiences in playing church services and concerts, and traveling to the mainland and Europe, and either playing or experiencing musical events, or commenting on musicians with whom I had made contact.
And then it was my comfort when I wrote about my husband’s illness and subsequent death. That was, believe it or not, 6-1/2 years ago. Many of you wrote messages of sympathy to me, and became a way for you to express appreciation for Carl’s life and work.
People all over the world started reading what little ol’ me, an organist in Honolulu, was doing and experiencing. Some of the most amazing coincidences have happened to me because of this blog … people have come to know me all over the world through my words … and pictures. I can’t tell you how many times perfect strangers have come up to me all over the world and said they know me because of my blog. As of today my blog has received 564,138 page views and I have written 1,787 posts! Wowzer!
As you know, the pandemic affected musicians worldwide, and my life as a musician in Honolulu was definitely hit hard. That’s why there haven’t been many posts during the pandemic … because I wanted to keep the blog focused on music.
But now I have come to a crossroads — our webhost has notified us that this blog, especially with its tons of pictures, has a “Maxdir = Storage Abuse” error, over capacity, whatever you want to call it — and they have started deleting my pictures because they take up too much space. We have moved all photos from 2010 and 2011 to another directory and are working with our webhost to possibly create a link to the old pictures. I know that many of my readers go back and read my old posts, and without the pictures (which I think are critical to telling the story) I’m afraid my blog posts wouldn’t have as much impact.
There is also a possibility of my stopping the blog altogether, which seems like one road to take since it seems my days as a performing musician are coming to a close fast. Not only are my performing opportunities limited, but after seven years of having macular degeneration, I simply can’t see clearly at all despite having monthly eye injections. Reading music, with its lines and spaces, is becoming more and more difficult.
As for now, if I do write anything, it will have to be without pictures until we come to a solution. Please, please write in the comments section, what you think I should be doing with this blog. For now, it will stay in this space, but pictures are being deleted as I write ….
Keep the faith, Katherine, and keep going! I enjoy your blog very much. And from the small world department, your former student Joey Fala replaced me in my job at University Presbyterian Church in Chapel Hill NC when I retired last May.
All the best to you!
Tom Brown
Please, please, please — do NOT stop your blog. Reading your blog is like reminiscing with myself about my past (I’m 80 years old). Even if there are no pictures, I will still enjoy reading what you say. Thank you.
Agreed!! 🙂
Aloha, Kathy! I have been an avid fan of your blog for… I guess since you first started it!
I’ll weigh in with my two cents here. Is there a way you could publish a LINK to photos, rather than the photos themselves? I’m sure that would save a ton of space… I don’t know about such technical matters, so perhaps it is not possible.
Guess I’ve tipped my hat! It should be clear that I would *LOVE* for you to keep writing!! It’s entirely up to you, of course. You have a wonderfully interesting life and you express yourself so well! Even if your performances dwindle or disappear, I think I speak for everyone when I say that I would very much love to keep reading your posts! I do hope the matter of the photos is resolved. Cheers!
Hi Kathy,
Your blog is wonderfully entertaining and informative! Reading it is like sitting down to chat with a good friend. Sorry you’re running into trouble with photos – I hope you can figure out how to manage that (I wish I had ideas to help!). Would love for you to keep it going if it feeds your soul, but you do what is right for you and your talented eyes/hands.
Perhaps take some more time to consider, Katherine. Covid has profoundly affected music-making, and in six months or a year, this particular Art may have recovered somewhat. Ponder, and you will come to know what is best for you! Thank you for these wonderful stories and posts.
I’m fairly new to your blog history. I love it, your pictures, your musical works I can hear and see. I hope you’re able to keep it going. I think you do a great job and have a nice balance of interest.
Please don’t stop your blog. I love reading it. Padraic Costello is our connector. I love hearing about music programs in Hawaii, your travels, and generally love everything you write. Please continue as long as it is not in anyway a hardship to you Kathy.
Thank you!!
Sandy
I just started reading your blog, Katherine. It is truly a breath of fresh air, considering the state of this world these days. I agree with John Alexander, if there is a way to link to your photos somehow that would be great! I too have had monthly injections during these past six years as I have myopic degeneration. I seem to have turned the corner somewhat as during the past several months the frequency of the injection in my left eye has changed from monthly to every three months. At age 55 I am thankful I can still play the organ. I began to wonder about the future when my eyesight worsened several years ago before I had cataract surgeries. Thoughts and prayers to you during your trying times with macular degeneration (can only imagine!) and the affect this pandemic has had on your musical work. Thanks again for your blog!!
I enjoy your stories with or without pictures.jb
Oh dear Kathy, I’m not even a musician and I love your posts (blog). So those who are musicians surely don’t want you to stop. Keep it up! See you in October, God willing.
Love, Marg
A thought – finding a host that has unlimited storage would be fairly easy.
You’re too important. So is your blog.
Miss you!
This is so sad! It’s perfect just exactly as it is. I am not techhy enough to know of one, but perhaps there’s a less persnickety site? The words and music are terrific!
Do what brings you joy and peace. On a technical note … are you compressing the photos? You could live with fairly lo res.
Your blog is great but I leave it to you to decide what is right for you and when that transition makes more sense.
Did you ask if you could purchase more storage at a minimal cost? It seems that they should make that option available.