I Blog Therefore I Am~

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Holler Red Tail Hawk WM1 El Calafate Patagonia (Please click to enlarge photos) dsc04159 Barbary Ape Gibraltar DSC03891 Antarctica DSC03758 Banff BC DSC05114 Cinque Terre DSC00983 Holler Hummingbird DSC01489 Holler Rose
I have stopped counting, which is a very good thing, but thank you sincerely for being here. Last count there were 1,110,870 internet views and visits, 125,268 wordpress comments alone and 15,362 internet followers… Thank you & join us!

Please Note: Award Free Blog. I so appreciate awards but lack the time to properly respond. I retired early after 27 years as a psychotherapist/mental health director and moved to the outer limits of no-wheres-ville to a home I call “The Holler.”

My closest neighbors are coyotes (packs and packs of them and they are HUNGRY), rattlers (lots and lots of them and they are MEAN), and free range cows/bulls (the bulls aren’t too friendly either).
Forget cell phones. They don’t work out here. Forget GPS, it misdirects.
It’s best not to wander too much out here, the people (and their dogs) are kinda twitchy.

To reach The Holler turn right at the reeking chicken farm, proceed down a bunch of pot-holed semi-streets/dirt roads, past the abandoned refrigerators and occupied old RV’s and then things get kinda dicey.
My friends usual reaction to the trip to The Holler is, “You’ve got to be kidding!” Or, “Next time let’s meet half way.”

This is our little bit of heavenly Appalachia right here in rural California.
I like to write and if something strikes my fancy, usually something odd or unusual, you will learn about it here. And thankfully, at The Holler, almost everyday is odd and unusual. So “Holler Happenings” including photos of flowers, birds, and wild animal interactions, are included.

I travel three-four months a year so you will find my photos of locales from all over the world. The good, bad, and the better.
So put your feet up and let’s devote our attention to the best things in life,  the things we want to do.
To start here are some links:

National Geographic Your Shots page,

https://yourshot.nationalgeographic.com/profile/601024/

Pinterest page,

Goodreads page,
http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/5908500-cindy-knoke

And “about me” before I retired and commenced this life of leisure:

http://www.xing.com/profile/Cindy_BartonLCSW

http://www.linkedin.com/pub/cindy-knoke-lcsw/4a/51b/b12

Cheers & Welcome!
Cindy Knoke
(AKA-Cindy Barton LCSW)

Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.  You are welcome to use photos, but please site the source. Thank you!

1,007 thoughts on “I Blog Therefore I Am~”

    1. Veena-
      So are yours. I LOVE your Bengali recipes! Completely new to me and very exciting. I think I will start with the mango chutney and coninue with others. Looking forward to trying to make some of these dishes.
      Cheers,
      Cindy

      Reply

  6. Petre-
    I have just been looking at your blog. Excellent and informative. Important info that needs to out. you seem to have a biology/conservation background? My son is in a wildlife-bio grad program and I notice similar interests. Good stuff. Thanks for posting.
    Cindy

    Reply

    1. Hi Cindy, thanks for your kind comments!

      I almost studied biology at university, but finally decided not to do it, because biochemistry, not my strongest point, was a big part of the study.

      Reply

  8. Ah yes. That makes sense too. My soon to be son in law just finished his masters in history. Did his thesis on the Black baseball leagues and how they helped to pave the way for the civil rights movement. Brilliant paper and something I knew nothing about. Looking forward to following your blog.
    Cheers,
    Cindy

    Reply

    1. Teresa-
      Did I somehow neglect to personally thank you for this honor? I certainly did when I carried out the blog instrucions, but if I forgot to personally thank you for the honor of your nomination, I apologize! I was most honored by your confidence.

      Reply

      2. Teresa_
        Aaargh! I did forget then. I am sorry. I did carry out the requirements of the award and gave my honest praise for your wonderful blog on my awards page! So sorry! I’m going to have to go drown my sorrows in your latest recipe for peanut butter chocolate chip bars! Yum! Thank you for all the wonderful recipes! Keep em coming!

        Reply

  11. Thanks for the follow. I’ll be stopping by yours. Just have to limit the follows due to limited internet on the ship I work on so I can support my bad habit of writing. It’s great to meet fellow travelers and writers.

    Reply

  16. Hej cindy, how are you?
    I found this link on utube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6eTr4ldDYg and thought i might interest you, maybe you know it already. i have a better presentation like this one, but unfortunately its in german.
    have agreat day,
    franza
    ps: that recipe you posted earlier looks so delicious, i dont eat meat but will try to cook it with out…

    Reply

    1. Franza-
      You did it again! I am sending the video to friends and family. It was very moving and fact filled at the same time. Send the German one too. I can understand a bit of German. Am now getting emails from “Playing For Change,” thanks to you!
      We are going to Berlin in 2013. One of the last places I haven’t been in Germany. I’m going to do a photo post on Germany soon. My husband is German.
      Thank you so much for sending these to me.
      Cheers!

      Reply

    2. Hi Icastel-
      I wanted you to know I just followed through on the award nomination. You can see it on the award page. Thank you so much for this kindness and confidence. I always look forward to your new posts and photos and it was fun to read a bit about you too in your award acceptance post!
      Thanks much and keep on clicking and posting. We need your stunning photos!

      Reply

    1. Petre-
      Thank you so much for this honor! I hope I already thanked you but it’s hard to tell when I check through my email. I just read your posts now instead of the news. Seriously. I read Dear Kitty! Cheers.

      Reply

  22. I’ve noticed you liking a few of my posts on my blog, but hadn’t come and check out yours yet, so I popped over today. You’ve got a really great blog here! I love looking at all the places you’ve been and I’m definitely going to have to give some of your recipes a try! Thanks for the follow, I’ll have to follow you back 🙂

    Reply

  26. Dearest Cindy, Good morning! Today I was happily surprised to find out that I was nominated by a fellow blogger for the “Very Inspiring Blogger” Award. This involves some kind of participation (as you probably already know)! One of the things I had to do was to propose 15 bloggers for the same award. Truth is, I thought of you immediately! You’ve been so kind and helpful and encouraging! So, there you go my friend! Participate! http://goomfh.wordpress.com/2012/11/19/728/ This is a link to my page, where you will find the instructions! Thank you for being such an inspiration to me! 🙂

    Reply

    1. Masadiso-
      Oh, thank you. That is so kind of you! I am VERY happy you won. You are just bursting with creativity that absolutely needed a blog for it’s expression….so many talents in one person! Happy you won & thank you for for the nom. Your friend in blogville,
      Cindy

      Reply

    1. Petre-
      You are such a peach! Thank you. My son is here for the holiday and he asked me to thank you for all the animal conservation videos, particularly the tiger ones. You are making an important contribution! We are off to set some critter cams around the holler. Got a super close up of a coyote last night but just the back, good enough for science/census, but not scenic for the blog.
      Thank you again Kittey for the nomination and for being my source for news.

      Reply

  38. Hi Cindy! You always spare your precious time to comment my posts, but I didn’t ! That apply to many other great Bloggers too, for that it makes me feel how humble and great personality you all!
    Today, I am sincerely thank you for your great afford to showcase your eyes to the whole world,Thanks my friend!

    Reply

  39. Sydney thank you for these wonderful and kind comments. It is I who enjoy seeing the world through your eyes my friend. I have never been to beautiful Singapore but your posts make me feel like I am seeing a bit of it. You have a beautiful blog and everyone thinks so! Thank you!

    Reply

  44. Thanks for the follow over on my blog. Nice to meet you here on WordPress. Your post yesterday caught my attention, intriguing, as did today’s with the meat loaf recipe! I have some more reading to do here, great blog.

    Reply

  46. It’s so nice to meet you Cindy. Thank you very much for visiting my blog and now following, because of that I’ve been introduced to a great blogger and site. Thank you, I look forward to seeing more of your blog and follow. Thanks again! Mary

    Reply

      1. I can’t thank you enough for your ever so kind compliment, as a new artist that means the world to me. Wishing the best in our new year! Mary

        Reply

  47. Cindy Congratulations! I have nominated your blog for the One Lovely Blog Award – see my post at: http://www.canapesandchocolate.com

    I hope you will participate in this exciting award. The rules of the award are:
    1 Visit and thank the blogger who nominated you.
    2 Acknowledge that blogger on your blog and link back.
    3 Share 7 random things about yourself.
    4 Nominate 7 or more blogs with the award, a link to their blogs in your post, and notify them on their blogs.
    5 Copy and paste the award on your blog somewhere.

    Reply

  49. Pingback: Reality Blog Award-THANK YOU | Press "M" for Menopause

  50. Thanks for stopping by my Mindful 4 (Jan) post. I’m not quite retired – though not professionally working at the moment. So far, grama to one and his visits are priceless.

    Have a wonderful New Year.

    Reply

  65. Thank you for your recent visits and the likes! It’s very kind of you to take the time and interest to do so 🙂 I’m having a few problems getting updates and notifications at the moment so I maybe a bit behind but I am trying to catch up! 🙂

    Reply

      1. Really? 🙂 … I am coming over all bashful-a-wolfie now lol 🙂 But I am very honoured! My best wishes to your family and I hope you are all very well and life is treating you all awesomely as you deserve 🙂

        Reply

  66. Hi! Thanks for visiting my blog and for the “like” on my recent post. I’m happy you enjoyed it, and I appreciate your visit to my site.

    I’ve already gotten such a kick out of the entries on your blog. It’s so much fun. I love your witty writing style, which makes me smile quite a lot.

    Thanks again! 🙂

    Reply

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  83. Thanks so much for visiting my blog, liking my photo, and following my blog! I appreciate it very much. I’ve enjoyed my visit here and I look forward to following your posts. 😀

    Reply

    1. Good point. Let me clarify. This was an angry male elephant in musk i Kruger national Park, who charged us right after this photo.It was not his fault though. The rangers who were driving the jeep got too close and intimidated him., hence he charged.

      Reply

  89. Cindy, I would so love to follow you, but I can never find the place to click on for follow. It’s probably terribly obvious, but I haven’t got there yet. Can you tell me where it is please !!!!

    Reply

    1. Hi Valerie,
      How nice of you! Thank you. If you look at the top of the blog post, there is the word Follow. Just click on this word and it will switch to following and I will receive notice that you are following. When I receive this notice I will let you know you were successful. If you have any difficulties with this, let me know and I will help.
      Thank you and I enjoy following your blog too!
      Cheers,
      Cindy

      Reply
  90. melanietoulouse

    @”I live in an isolated rural part of California…” I visited California years ago and I loved it… lucky lady! 🙂 Sunny greetings and friendly thoughts from Toulouse, France, “old Europe”! 🙂

    Reply

      1. Several others and myself had a big go around with the so called techys at the WP support forum. 🙂 🙂 🙂 They kept telling us we were using too many categories and tags so we were spamming and our posts would not show up in the reader. We told them that was not true. I’ve posted some with just 1 category and no tags and they never showed up in the reader.

        Reply

  94. I have no idea what led me here but here I am following life in the holler. Lovely pics and not that different than where I am…only I’m in Central America and you’re in California. Only goes to prove how small the world really is. 🙂

    Reply

    1. I love it! Yes the world is amazingly small. I learn that over and over in my travels. I was just at your blog and I find it fascinating to read about your life in beautiful Central America, a region of the world I especially love. So glad you are visiting here at the holler! We love to have you~

      Reply

  95. Hi Cindy. Nice to meet you. Thanks for visiting our blog and for the likes and for following. I’m delighted to return the favour. Your photography is stunning and I’m officially jealous 🙂
    I found you through Paulette – she reblogged the piece on the Roma and Sinti. Just heartbreaking what’s been done to them.
    What led you to the post on Ranthambore?
    Loved your photos of Prague – Eastern Europe is on our list for next summer.
    Blessings
    Alison

    Reply

    1. Hi Alison,
      Nice to meet you too. Paulette is one of those people that one is priveleged to know. Thank you so much for stopping by and for your very kind comments. It seems your life at this point is going in directions similar to mine which is interesting. I am interested In Ranthmbore NP, specifically the tiger reserve area and would love to visit. Your blog gave a fascinating tour of the area. Cheers to you and thanks again for stopping by!

      Reply

    1. I just saw your post here, and even though I thanked you Deo, I wanted to do it again and let you know how much I appreciate your kindness. I am impressed with the scope of your talents and so happy to know you. Cheers & be well~

      Reply

  97. No wonder you are such an empathetic soul–but wow! I am so surprised.It’s weird how so many artists do (did) other stuff utterly. But it looks as if you DO (do) travel reviews, too, and quite a lot!! Bully for you. (the good kind) 🙂

    Reply

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    1. You do see of course why I blog. I get to meet people like you! I am so blessed with my blogging friends, that now, most happily, include you! Thank you for your kindness~

      Reply

  103. Hi Cndy, I love your blog theme! 🙂 you are taking most amazing pictures, thanks for visiting mine. I enjoy a blog with great pictures and will lokk forward to seeing more here. Thanks! Ute

    Reply
  104. Jorge Luis Oyola

    I thank you very much for taking the time to review my resume I hope you can assist me in tweaking it and please if you can pass my post around to everyone maybe that can help me.

    I thank you again and God Bless

    Reply

      2. Be sure and contact your local infoline for services and programs that will help you and your daughter. They are there and you and your daughter deserve some kindness. Avail them. It is what they are there for. Best of best luck to you and your daughter!

        Reply

      1. 🙂

        I’m trying a new thing to try and keep my records straight…but it is perhaps more trouble than it’s worth. Maybe if I ever got caught up it might work…

        No worries, hugs always!

        Reply

  107. Thank you for visiting my blog and following. Your Santons D’art Avignon post is of great interest. I now have another ‘to do’ when in Avignon next month.

    Reply

  108. Hello, Cindy. Thanks for dropping by my blog. Looks like we’ve both been bitten by the travel fever. I hope we can compare notes sometime! See you around this blogosphere!

    Reply

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  113. Hi Cindy !
    I am one your follower but don’t know why recently couldn’t get your posts ! I clicked your blog straightly and surprise that I’ve missed many .
    So I unfollow and follow again , hope the problem solves. 😃

    Reply

    1. I hope it does. A lot of people have been telling me about problems with the WP Reader and I have had them also. The reader deletes likes, fails to put people’s blog posts I follow in my reader, and on one occasion deleted four days of people’s posts from the reader. I think the more of us that let WP know this is happening the better. I sent them an email. So sorry. Please let me know if it doesn’t get fixed and thank you for following! Initially, with me they claimed the problem was “not on their end”, with so many reports that cannot keep denying the problem! Good luck & thank your for telling me!

      Reply

      1. Oh thank you so much dear Cindy I was totally fascinated by your gesture dear, I have a lots and lots of those very ancient hymns and slokas and mantras as PDF text on my blog which are extremely rare to find and most i can tell the meaning approx, like wise i have many rare texts and other literary content also

        If interested please browse through the category section carefully you will find many many beautiful things of English literature too which you might be familiar to all in PDF format

        Thank you for your interest, and originally I made this blog for that purpose only, but in September 2012 I found that people were interest only in photographs so I started posting that

        Thank you for you interest dear 🙂 🙂

        Love Ajay

        Reply

  120. Please accept these 3 Awards.
    Best Moments Award
    Reader Appreciation Award
    Semper Fidelis Award

    I hope you can accept these 3 Awards, just show all 3, and give
    back to another 10 users and thank the person who gave you them

    Thanks
    Shaun

    PS: IF YOU DON’T DO AWARDS!
    COULD YOU PLEASE PASS IT ON TO A FRIEND WHO WILL ACCEPT
    Thank you!!

    Reply

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  129. Hello Cindy,
    I see that you came over and took a look at what sort of things are happening in Russia. Hope you enjoyed it. I read your about page here and must say “wow” 1221 followers, that’s impressive. How long have you been blogging. I’ve only been at this for about five month and have found it’s hard work bringing in followers. I’ll be back to take a deeper look soon. Cheers ;}

    Reply

  131. I don’t travel at all anymore since air travel has gotten to be a pain in the rear… one day when i’m rich and can go ALL first class, maybe… anyway i’ve been cruising around with you this morning, spending WAY too much time at it but your photos are stupendous. Must say your hummers really brought a big smile. Mine are not nearly so nice to each other, even with *3* feeders… hmmm. Anyway thanks for sharing such lovely images of our world. XO

    Reply

  137. Hi Cindy–I’m a huge fan of your photography and would love to share one of your shots this weekend at the new weekend words site. I’ll send you an email to the address I have for you momentarily. Love, Christy

    Reply

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  144. Congratulations Cindy! You have been awarded:
    I’m a part of the WordPress Family Award
    I do not expect any action to be taken, or for you to generate a post (unless you wish to pass on the award nominations). Nevertheless, your blog has been awarded at: http://fae-magazine.com/2013/10/29/award-october-2013/ … Or, after one month at: http://fae-magazine.com/awards/2013-blog-awards/
    Enjoy your Award! 😀 Fae.

    P.S. Thank you for all the likes and the fun messages today. Hugs, 😀

    Reply
  145. acl1967

    Hi Cindy,
    This is such a beautiful space online! I am really looking forward to following your spectacular photos and life adventures. I am inspired by your creativity! Thanks so much for the follow.

    Reply

  153. Thanks for leaving a LIKE on my blog. It sounds like you have an interesting, fulfilling and adventurous life.
    If you think you would be interested in reading and reviewing my book, please let me know.
    I can send you a copy to keep you company during your travels.
    Jan

    Reply

  155. Dear Cindy,
    I always love seeing your face visiting my blog, but I still haven’t worked out where the follow button is on your blog. I’ve ticked the following thing at the top of your blog, but that doesn’t seem to get me to you…I will keep trying… I got into you this time by keying in your name on google!

    Reply

    1. Hi Valerie. I suspect it is not your error as wp is having tons of hiccups lately. If you look at the top bar on the page, the follow button should be next to my name cindyknoke.com and you can click. Also when you make a comment below you should see a follow link. It could be that you are following and the posts are not appearing in your reader. So sorry!!

      Reply

    1. All good thoughts, wishes, energies and friendship flying your way Shaun! Thank you for your kindness even though I am remiss with awards, I do so appreciate the kindness behind them! Thank you Shaun!

      Reply

      1. Thank you for your kind words 🙂 And congratulations to you too! Your blog is awesome! Those red tailed hawk pictures… amazing! I don’t know how you captured those. Great job 🙂

        Reply

  169. Hi Cindy. Thank you for visiting my blog. Although I am focusing on the fur trade I am interested in so many other things. Your life seems fascinating and I look forward to seeing more of it. All the best. Emy

    Reply

  172. Cindy, I just wanted to thank you for reading so much of my work. Your support, especially during periods of darkness, has greatly helped me to continue moving forward.

    Your photography is so beautiful and your free spirit, inspiring. I feel blessed to have you a part of my life, even if it be through the big wide blogosphere ;0)

    Thank you for all of your encouragement this year. It has made a positive difference in my life, and I am so grateful.

    Wishing for you the best of holidays yet, and a wonderfully blessed new year ;0)

    Reply

  177. Hi Cindy thanks for checking out my blog. I absolutely love your photos. I’m a travel buff as well and you’re giving me some ideas about MUST VISITS! Thanks again for supporting my blog and all the best for 2014!

    Reply

  183. You seem to have come in what we call in Dutch “heaven”. Nice you now take time to share the beauty of nature and life with so many people around the world (via internet). Thanks for making available to see the beautiful pictures and bring ‘positive air’ in this world.

    Reply

  191. Cindy, thanks for the follow on my own blog it is really appreciated. Welcome aboard. Your own blog is a treasure trove and I really like the sound of your place, my kinda place and The Hound would love it too. Best wishes for all your journeying. MM 🍀

    Reply

  197. All your photographs are absolutely stunning !
    Thank you for constantly visiting my blog. I was on a hiatus for quite a while but now hopefully I am back for good. Looking forward to communicating with you more 🙂

    Reply

    1. Awwwww. I am very honored and so appreciative. This is so very kind of you. Please know I love your blog as well and am so pleased to meet you here in blogdom! Cheers to you~

      Reply
  202. Rachael Charmley

    Hi. Thanks for following me! I look forward to relaxing into your blog, and I hope you find a story or two you like on mine. 🙂

    Reply

  206. My daughter and I used to see them every single time we drove up from my Mom’s house in Wasco and north towards Hanford (Steve Perry’s home town) they were all along the side of the road (43) early in the morning, always. They were adorable.

    Reply

    1. One animal I have seen way too little of are owls. I have an owl box and we have Great Horner Owls at The Holler who I hear all the time, but rarely see. I would love to see what you have!!

      Reply

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  210. Hi Cindy,
    What a wonderful blog you have! Beautiful photos and I love the description of where you live, or rather, how to get there. 😉
    Thanks for visiting my blog. I see that you are/were a mental health professional so I’ll check out your profile right away.

    Best,
    Heila