top ten (well, actually fifteen) blog comments so far

Some days I feel like I might just be writing this blog for Mac.  He's definitely the number one fan here at the opinions (that's actually what I call my blog in my head--how lame is that?).  Even so, I typically don't write posts with any particular audience in mind, but today that is not the case.  Because as soon as I started thinking about blog comments that I enjoyed and considered compiling a list, I knew that Mac would be all over this post.  Don't disappoint me, sir.

So here are some blog comments that have tickled me since I started blogging back in December.  There are lots of different reasons for loving these comments, so I may have to do a bit of explaining of the awesomeness so that you, imaginary reader, can appreciate them.  Also I couldn't face ranking them, so they're in no significant order.

• Cory said...

Ellen, since you told me about one of your upcoming blogs, I thought I should post and maybe try and make it, which I probably won't =( Oh and I remember my favorite part of the Facebook part I was trying to tell you today, when you say ".....I know some of you are shaking your heads....." It made me LOL, but in a totally professional way of course.

This one is kind of cheating because Cory got wind of the blog I was planning and intentionally commented to make the list.  But I wanted to reward his effort, and he did say "totally professional way," which is the best work joke ever--because I invented it.  Congratulations on making the list, Cory.

• Robyn said...

What you milk advocates are forgetting is that Ellen is allergic to milk. Fact.

Robyn, as you'll see, usually has a brief comment to share.  They almost always reference something outside the blog, and are therefore probably things that I think are funnier than the average reader.  Such is the case here.  But oh, how I giggled when I read it.

• Wikipedia Lover said...

I read comments. I check daily for new posts, and if there isn't a new post, I check for new comments.

So this seems like a fairly mundane comment, but I love it for two reasons.  Primarily because I had made a comment earlier doubting whether anyone was actually reading what I was typing, and Mac gave me the affirmation my needy soul required.  Thanks.  But this comment is also a perfect example of a thing that Mac does frequently when commenting.  He rarely uses his actual name when leaving the comment, but whatever pseudonym he chooses is related to the comment he's leaving, and he links it to something amusing.  If you follow the linked name in this one, it takes you to the Wikipedia entry for feedback.  I really admired the subtlety here, Mac.  Good job.

• Shane said...

If you had a million dollars you would buy a couch? Don't you mean a Chesterfield?

Shane's comments also trend towards the brief but pithy.  I love a good Barenaked Ladies reference too.

• M.S. said...

I've been teaching the Big 10 to the 7ups for about a month or so now, and I just got to them in OT Survey class today. I'm really learning to love them. I especially enjoyed discussing the third commandment and comparing the name of God to a loaded gun. It's not something you goof around with. It's a life and death thing every second. But I also love how the third commandment implies that if we use God's name, it'll actually do something. Not that it's a magic word, but that God actually hears and responds to His people when they call out to him. It sort of makes me tremble a little more when I'm going to pray.

I also enjoyed reading the big just before the Big 10 where Israel confirms the covenant with God via big basins of ox blood at the base of the alter. I'd forgotten that story, and it was nice to see how Moses splashed the blood on the peple and on the alter to God. It's sort of like Israel and God becoming blood brothers, and I love that God would lower himself enough to do that with His people even when they're a bunch of complainers who reject him all the time.
On heart-hardening: It is relevant (to me at least) that Pharaoh hardens his own heart several times before God starts going to work on him. The process seems more like free actions and consequences than God ditching free actions altogether. Sort of like he'll do with Saul and the "evil spirit from the Lord." when we get to I Samuel.

LOVING these posts!!

Well, for one thing he said he loved the project 4:4 series.  And I need affirmation.  But I also really enjoy when people interact with me about these posts.  And that bit about the third commandment and the loaded gun.  That was some good stuff.

• ellen said...

This series of comments perfectly reflects our life together as siblings.

Michelle--being helpful and encouraging, the captain of my team and clearly a better daughter to our mother

Shane--zooming in on my insecurities and torturing me

Joshua--being the black sheep and not reading my blog or commenting on it

Ellen--talking too much and thinking the world revolves around her and expecting people to care about what she thinks and feeling persecuted

then mac said...

I like your dishcloth, and I think that you're talented.

Mac - throwing out compliments when he doesn't have anything funny to say in the desperate hope that someone will like him.

and then Anonymous (who in this case was my moma) said...

Moma - laughing at you, your siblings, and Mac

Well, this series of comments is going to count as one favorite.  And maybe it's jerky to pick it since I'm the one that started it, and I'm often way too amused by the things that I say, but when Mac and my moma joined in, I think it just got perfect.  

• Robyn said...

I think you could probably pull off a book about sisters.

Over Christmas, my alleged biggest fan Mac made a snarky remark about all the Christmas music posts.  This comment a few weeks later references that amusing family story and affirms that I did some good stuff on Michelle's happy birthday blog.

• Melissa Stover said...

love this post! reading the red tent really made me see the people in the bible differently. it's been a long time since i read it but i remember mulling it over in my head a long time and re-reading genesis to see how much of it fit.

i've had a much different perspective of the people in the bible after reading the bible as an adult, than i did in sunday school as a child. i guess i saw the people as more perfect than they are. once you are an adult and can see just how big your own sin is, you appreciate the fact that those people were also very flawed and God used them to do great things. makes me not so quick to give up on myself.

glad to know you blog too!

I love the story behind this comment as much as I love the comment--which is saying something because I love when people want to talk about my project 4:4 posts (I know I said that already, but I really love it).  Anyway, one day at the library I was checking out a stack of books to a woman who looked so familiar.  I started a very awkward conversation with her by asking if she read Pioneer Woman's blog.  I was thinking that I recognized her from PW's post about the Little Rock leg of her book signing.  As it all turned out, she does read PW, but wasn't featured in that blog.  So I don't know why she looked familiar, but she did share with me info about her own blog, which I've been following ever since, and she popped over here and commented on this post.  It made my day.  Thanks, Melissa.

• Michelle said...

Ditto on that stuff you said about Genesis. At Upper Park Academy, we've been studying Genesis along with the secular events that happened in ancient history. When Abraham left Ur, he was not just leaving some tent city in the desert to follow God as I had always pictured. Ur was a city in the Sumerian civilization. They were very advanced. Abraham left indoor plumbing to follow God--that's huge!!!!

Can't help you on finding a time to read that works because I haven't found one. I'm haphazard at best.

Another project 4:4 comment--this time by my delightful sister.  Upper Park Academy is Katelyn & Rachel's homeschool name.  Also that indoor plumbing thing was funny.

• Shane said...

It sounds like someone is getting a snuggy for her birthday.

It's a good thing Shane is funny.  Or I'd probably kill him for always making fun of me.  Additionally, Shane's the worst speller in the world.  It's snuggie, dude.

• Robyn said...

Dear Ye,

A) You are a jerk.
B) I like Ellen enough to engage her in more
personal ways than blog comments.
C) Nobody wants to hear about the workings of
your digestive system, least of all me. You
couldn't have just recommended some current
events?

Sincerely,
Your sister

This comment can barely stand alone, but I chose not to cheat and put the companions together as a favorite.  Mac left a marathon comment/story about all the food he'd eaten in a twenty-four hour period, though it was almost entirely unrelated to the post.  Then he called out Robyn for not leaving comments on my blog.  Her response was perfect.

• Susan said...

Imagine the following in a tiny two-ish year old voice, a strong almost five year-old voice, and a very giggly six-ish year old voice:

Go, Aunt Ellen, go!
Go, Aunt Ellen, go!

We totally support you in your Bible reading efforts. As you already know, I love that Daily Bible! Enjoy.

Proof that the Lexington branch of my family does read the blog.  And references to Ring, Pinkie, and Thumb, cutest blonde kids in the world.  Plus I was totally capable of imagining that scenario, and that was plenty to put a smile on my face.

• Robyn said...

Good grammar costs nothing. That's all I'm saying.

I ended sentences with prepositions.  And Robyn kept me honest--while referencing a slogan from a t-shirt she once gave me.

• Hailsey said...

I have a thousand different comments I could make to this post, but I'll narrow it down for the sake of those who I might want to read my own blog someday.
1. Once upon a time, when I was a wee child in the 4th grade, I choreographed my own tap dance for the Beebe Elementary Christmas Talent Show. I wore a green velvet leotard and a red sequined skirt and danced as cute as two cute things to the song that is #7 on your list.

2. I love to hear members of your family talk about Christmas. The love in your hearts, especially at this time of year, is the way the whole world should see people. It's beautiful. And I'll stop there so that nobody except Mac-Mac has to cry.

3. I am so glad that you decided to start a blog. I love to be able to keep up with what's going on with you, and you know how much I shamelessly enjoy your witty banter. I've been meaning to start another blog of my own since the recession took my Harding blog away. I might just have to get on the bandwagon.

I love this.  It's very Hailey, and I pictured her holding up fingers as she read to remind her of the things she wanted to say at the end.  It's a thing we do.  I also love that funny (but untrue) bit about MacMac because I did tear up.  And I love that Hailey blogs again now.  I'm sure it was all my good influence. 

• Lloyd said...

I'm on the edge of my seat about your christmas music thoughts. p.s., you need to get a new visual theme, this one sucks. :)

My first comment.  It will always be special.  And I did take Lloyd's advice about the visual theme, but I'm still not all that crazy about it.  Maybe someday someone will give me the gift of a new design.