In the beginning of my limited and unremarkable career as a blogger, I started a web log on BlogSpot on the invitation of Hugh Hewitt to answer the question "Why I Am Voting for Geo. W. Bush." -- that was just before the Nov 2004 election.

After reading the posts of many others who took up Hugh's invitation, I suspected that I wouldn't have a big career as a political blogger.  The depth and breadth of knowledge, the eloquence of arguments were refreshing and thought-provoking.

My little post seemed childish in comparison.

Now, let's not go all soft and "educational" on this.  I won't be drawn into a huddle where I am the center of a positive self-esteem intervention and petted with silky voices about "no post is a bad post" or "we are all learning here" and "you did a GOOD JOB!"

No, there are wonderful bloggers out there who are a treasure for the rest of us.  I boated around BlogSpot for a while but now I am settled in like a spectator on the banks of the Thames at the Henley Royal Regatta, mostly watching Hugh's Blog Picks.  It is fun.

My own blog became personal and I spoke of incidents and events in my life.  Mostly the little things because the big things in my life take me a while to think about and distill.  I'm not sure anyone ever noticed me.  But I enjoyed it.

And now I am taking up Hugh's invitation to move to TownHall.  I will be moving some of my former posts here after I edit them.

I look forward to setting up on the banks of this river.  This spot will make it easier to participate.

And so I post this initial greeting under A Culture of Life because we are envigorated by the vitality of our values and I am humbled to be a part of this community.

Laura