And so

We end as inelegantly as we began. This, my 800th post, is my last. There is nothing special about 800, but when I could see it coming I knew my OCDness would be most happy with that tidy round number.

Several of you—most graciously—have suggested that I keep this blog going. And I thought about it. I still enjoy writing it and reading your comments, but here's the thing: the filler stuff—the quests for planters, the trips to Liberty Custard—in other words, the glimpses into my deep interior life, would all of the sudden become the point of the blog, and sorry, that's just not that interesting to me. This blog was conceived as a way to document a very particular journey; it has done that and, at least for me, so much more.

I did not expect to come away from Hamline and Going40 with such a strong conviction that writing needs to be a central part of my life, but I also didn't expect to secretly like my math class, so there you go. I will almost certainly blog again, perhaps even soon, but I am also anxious to explore the discipline required of other forms of writing (by which I do NOT mean academic papers for undergraduate courses, thankyousweetJesus). I am convinced that blogging is here to stay, though the craft will continue to morph as technology and sensibilities change.

Oh, the last round of limericks? You're all winners, but you knew that. I realized that we didn't really need another limerick contest; the community had moved beyond that. But my loyal little cadre of regular contributors will all find a little something on their doorsteps later this summer.

I would not trade a single moment of the last two years: they have been the richest of my life. Yes, there has been drudgery and trepidation and tedium, but in greater abundance there has been excitement and discovery and joy. I am grateful beyond measure for my time at Hamline, for this blog, and most importantly, for you. Talk to you soon.