Wednesday, August 04, 2010

Scene of the Blog Featuring Margot of Joyfully Retired!


To say that I'm absolutely thrilled to feature this book blogger today would be a complete understatement. I don't remember where I met her or when, all I do know is that I'm glad that I did. She's Margot of Joyfully Retired, and she puts real meaning into the phrase "mobile blogger".

I'm never quite sure what I'm going to find on her blog, but I do know that I'm going to enjoy it. From posts about cooking to posts about travel, I savor her perspective on the world. I haven't even mentioned her reading and reviews or the fact that when she participates in a Read-a-thon, chances are excellent that another two generations of her family have joined in as well. If you haven't had the pleasure of meeting Margot, please-- by all means-- stop by her blog Joyfully Retired to take a look around and say hello. You'll be glad you did!

Now it's time to take a look at the places this talented woman blogs. Don't forget that you can click on each photo to view it full size.



In the year and a half since I started blogging, I can say that I've blogged in many, many places. In fact, I've now blogged in 17 different states. The reason? We move around a lot. Four years ago my husband and I retired. We sold our house, put our stuff in storage and bought an RV. We've been roaming the United States ever since.

I have a lovely desk area in our RV that's just right for my laptop. If I need a printer, it's on a roll-out shelf below the TV. I have lots of storage space for books, but there are limits. If you look below my desk you will see some tote bags. They are hiding some excess books. (It really is time to find new homes for them.) The books on top of the desk can only be there temporarily. They have to be stowed away before we start moving down the road.




One of the reasons we love our RV lifestyle is our ability to be outdoors in so many beautiful, scenic areas. I have a fold-up table and chair that allows me to take the laptop outside for inspiration. I also blog in loads of public places.

The main challenge of blogging on the road is finding good internet access. Good strong wifi is our preferred solution. We've found good wifi in libraries (big towns and small), as well as a variety of food places (Panera Bread is the best), some RV parks, and at our son's place. I also have a Verizon data card which allows me internet service wherever I have cell phone coverage. Unfortunately, that's not usually in the national parks,where you will find some of our favorite places.

For me, blogging and roaming around the country fulfill several personal requirements: the ability to meet a variety of people, a chance to learn and observe new things, and a way to record and express what's happening in my life. Every day is a new adventure and I'm so glad I lived long enough to retire and have all this free time to do whatever I feel like.

I have to admit that Denis and I have talked about traveling the country in an RV, too. We both love to see what's around the next bend as well as what's over the next mountain.... Margot certainly makes it sound wonderful, and I know that when Denis reads this post, he'll be giving me looks.

If you could, how many of you would like to be a truly mobile blogger like Margot?

Thank you so much for letting us take a look at your creative spaces, Margot. We really appreciate it!

Who will be featured next Wednesday on Scene of the Blog? Stop by to take a look. See you then!

21 comments:

  1. Love this feature! It is one of my absolute favorites!

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  2. I am now insanely jealous of Margot

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  3. I love Scene of the Blog. I've learned some new blogs and ways to improve mine. Keep up the good work.

    Page

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  4. I love Scene of the Blog. I've learned some new blogs and ways to improve mine. Keep up the good work.

    Page

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  5. I love Margot's blog because the joy in her Joyfully Retired shines through each of her posts. I'm so glad to see her blogging area and have to admit that I'm impressed by the size of the desk in her RV.

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  6. I think this is my favorite Scene of the Blog post yet. I know my DH would love to do what Margot and her hubby are doing. Not sure I could do it for more than a month or two but never say never, right?

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  7. Cathy, how wonderful that you have Margot here this week. Margot, your blog is one of my favorite ones ever and it's exciting to see your space. I agree with Kathy (bermuda onion) that the size of your desk is impressive.

    Thanks for sharing these special blogging spaces with us each week, Cathy. It's one of the features I never miss.

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  8. How cool! I love the image of the laptop outside on the table. The idea of travelling around is way too cool.

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  9. Margot is awesome and I loved visiting her space!

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  10. Oh - it is so great to finally have an image to associate with Margot!

    I think this is the greatest idea - and while I am not sure I can survive four years on the road, I hope that Geoff and I have the opportunity to experience the RV lifestyle for at least a few months after we retire.

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  11. Yay, so happy to finally see where Margot blogs!

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  12. Thanks to all of you for your very kind words about my blog and my blogging space. Our retired lifestyle is obviously one we love but you should know we aren't the only people who do it. I've seen sources that say there are about a million people in North America who do the same thing and then there are more in Europe.

    I'm glad you like the size of my desk. Once people come inside our RV they are all amazed at how roomy it feels. I think this all proves that a person doesn't really need a lot of stuff to be happy.

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  13. Joyfully Retired is one of my all-time favorite blogs and I've always wondered where Margot blogs. Dave and I have talked at length about RV life when he sells his business and Margot gave me some info about it that was very helpful. All hangs on selling the business! Want to buy a machine shop?

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  14. Margot's blog is like riding along in a virtual RV with her and her hubby. I love all the places she takes us! And somehow I am not surprised at all by how organized her space is. That is a real skill and makes life on the road more comfortable for all! Thanks for letting us peek in through the windows.

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  15. Wow, what a surprise to have such a big space in an RV! And how clean it is! (but that part is not a surprise!) I would love to do what she is doing, with traveling around the country in an RV, but my husband and I figured out that we'd have to have one of those RVs that has segments connected by an accordian-like connector so we weren't confined in such a small space together. Otherwise our "travels" would last about ten minutes! :--)

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  16. I love Margot's blog and enjoy her unique perspective on the world around her! I think being able to travel and blog about it would be so much fun!!! Thanks Margot for sharing your spaces with us.

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  17. I'm glad you all had a chance to see my blogging world. It was fun sharing it with you. Thanks Cathy for sharing your blogging space with me. It is an honor to be featured on Scene of the Blog.

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  18. I'm late, I'm late...but just wanted to say I love the RV glimpses, and the way your blogging life reflects your passion AND your daily non-routine, Margot.

    My husband is dragging me off to Tasmania soon, and the drag part is because I know we will have intermittent and weak internet at times. I've been spoiled by fast and reliable!

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  19. Julie-- I'm glad you enjoy it. There are some amazing book bloggers on this planet!

    Bernadette-- I have to get ready for a dentist's appointment, so I definitely have to agree with you.

    Page-- I'll try. Thanks for stopping by!

    Mary-- I think I could only do it part of the year, but I'd like to be able to give it a try.

    Kay-- I'm glad you enjoy it!

    Barbara-- Um... no. :)

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  20. I loved taking a peek inside Margot's home on wheels. I love to travel, but I like having a home base too.

    I can only imagine the difficulties of finding Internet connections in some of the truly remote places Margot's traveled.

    I too love this series.

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Thank you for taking the time to make a comment. I really appreciate it!