Commenting on Blogs, and those Awful Captcha's

This is a screen shot of my settings page with regard to blog comments.  Please click to enlarge to see the details.  For some time we've been experiencing troubles here on the Bridge and Beyond with people who used to comment regularly having trouble.  Some of the problems were people who were now getting those awful captcha things.  I hate them so much, I typically won't visit a blog that has them enabled.  I've had probably 15 blogs over the years in several different blog mediums.  Spam has truly NEVER been enough of a problem that I felt inconveniencing my faithful blog readers was worth it.  It seems like inviting someone to your house and not opening the door when the door bell rings.  AND, it puts the work on the reader vs me the blogger, which I also believe to be wrong.  Working through many different blogs through the last 10-15 years, I've settled here on blogspot.  They've always had a very good filter, and weeded out 99.9% of the spam without my using the captcha.  However, it seems now even with my purposely choosing NOT to use the captcha it's there for many of you, who visit and comment.  This apparently is triggered by anonymous comments.  Sadly, we've lost many of our faithful and vocal supporters because of it.  I've researched this problem high and low over the last couple of months and it seems "they" (Blogger/Blogspot) have decided even if it's not enabled it might be used for some people when comments are made using anonymous.  I apparently can't control that anymore.  Looked at using other formats for blogs and find, many of the options are no longer free so will be staying right here on blogspot.

Moving on now to problem #2.  Experimenting around, as well as researching.......I find I am not able to delete anonymous as an option and keep the name and url option.  I've always suggested to people to not use the anonymous option, as their comments often end up in the spam folder; to instead use the name and url option and simply leave the url space blank if they do not have a blog url, or facebook or ravelry profile url.  In the past that worked fine.  Sally and Marjorie, two of our best supporters by way of comments have been two of the people who've let me know they're not able to comment and or if they do it takes multiple tries and they get the captcha.  I'm not clear how many others we've lost that haven't communicating directly with me to let me know; but I do know our stats across the board are indeed down.  Our comments are down, page visits are down, donations are down.  It would seem this could be all tied in together.  Though I know many people simply change whom they donate too based on a new interest so I can't completely say that's the only thing causing the numbers to decrease vs grow as they have every other year since beginning the blog back in 09 or 08.

My options are to do away with anonymous, but then it seems if our faithful knitters and crocheters who don't blog, or have an open ID (meaning they would still need to register somewhere) wouldn't be able to comment at all.  So, that doesn't seem like a good solution either.

My sincere apology to those who dislike the captcha as much as I do, have trouble seeing and or hearing it.  I've tried to get several people to test things for me, to let me know if they're a blogger, to let me know what they see, and whether or not they get the captcha; but haven't succeeding in getting enough people that's it's a valid test.  I've even asked that they do screen shots so I might see what's going on at that end, but many folks don't know to do that, so haven't received any.  For the time being, it seems the best I can do is to again ask people to use the name and url option if they aren't bloggers, to avoid the anonymous option and to keep communicating with me.

I've been making a few changes here and there on blog and will possibly be using a new template...though I'm not sure it will change the comment problem, it might help with more then just a new clean fresh look here on Bridge and Beyond.

Did you see the year end totals?  If not, click HERE
Did you read specific details regarding Afghans?  If not, click HERE
Please pop in tomorrow for details on stats regarding scarves and more.

All donations regardless of size and number are valued. All donations are appreciated. The Power of One is awesome, and when we work together The Power of One becomes The Power of Many.

Knitted Striped Afghan on the Needles to be Donated to Homeless

Folks, I've dug back through the blog here on Bridge and Beyond to review of bit of history for us regarding afghans.  In 2011 we knitted, crocheted and donated 55 afghans, in 2012 we knitted and crocheted the same number 55, in 2013 we came close making and donating 53....just 2 afghans less, and in 2014 we made and donated 32, 23 less then the previous year of 2013.  In those 4 years we averaged 49 donated afghans a year.  This years number of 23 is obviously lower than all those years, lower than average by 17.  With that in mind, I'm sharing a picture of a start to a knitted striped afghan currently on my needles.  I started this ghan last week while out of town on a "girls getaway".  Love the colors.  This yarn was donated by our good friend and long time supporter, Gail B.  You might remember seeing some of this yarn....HERE

I had thought I'd knit a ripple, but in all honesty, we were talking so much I decided I needed something I didn't have to think about, not even counting, and soooooooo nothing fancy, the colors will be the main design feature vs the pattern or stitches.  The stripes will not be even, as I'm basing it on the amount of yarn I have in each color.

Thought it might be fun to know the history and background of the word afghan.  In a quick google search I found some limited information on several sources, including by not limited to Wikipedia.  An afghan is a coverlet, used on chairs, couches, and beds.  The word in English was first used by novelist Thomas Carlyle in his "Sartor Resartus in 1833.  It came from an area in Afghanistan, people known for their textiles.  There are many styles of afghans, some made in one piece, as above, some pieced together like granny style squares.  The history of granny squares seems to be up in the air, though presumed to be named for "granny" the person in each family most likely to piece together a blanket made of scraps of wool back in the day.  The motives style afghan is thought to come from rugs designed in Afghanistan used  in the Colonial period that came from The Middle East.

Crocheting an afghan tends to be far faster then knitting one, while knitted afghans tend to use a bit less yarn, and be less heavy weight wise.  Though I believe both knitted and crocheted afghans are equally warm.........particularly if they are both solid styles or styles where stitches are pretty close together.

What style afghans do you like to make?  How many afghans do you have in your home?  Have you made and donated an afghan?  Did you see the granny style crocheted afghan my Great Grandmother made in the previous post?  If not, please scroll back.

All donations regardless of size and number are valued. All donations are appreciated. The Power of One is awesome, and when we work together The Power of One becomes The Power of Many.

Year End Donation Totals

Some  of you may have seen this very old afghan before.  This afghan was crocheted by my Great Grandmother.  It's in need of repair.

As you can see it's pulled away in a few places.  I've not yet determined the best method of repair.  I wanted to share this with you all, as I tally our year end totals.  Why?  Well, one of the things we do is provide afghans for people making the transistion from shelter living to permanent housing.  A welcome home, a celebration, a wish for a brighter future is what we offer in addition to a warm afghan.  An afghan, can last for generations and can be very meaningful.

Our year end tatallies while below this time last year, are still impressive.  Each and everyone of you who've supported the cause here on Bridge and Beyond should congratulate yourselves and feel pleased you were able to help so many people in need.  I thank you, and hope you'll all continue to care for those in need with your talented hands, hooks, and needles.

Hats: went from 1053 in 2013 to 971 in 2014.  (81 less)
Scarves: went from 666 in 2013 to 590 in 2014 (76 less)
Socks: dropped from 281 to 199 (82 less)
Afghans: dropped from 55 to 32 (23 less)
Slippers: dropped from 153 to 121 (32 less)
Rain ponchos: from 213 to 61 (152 less)
Mittens: from 300 to 130 (170 less)
Cotton Washcloths: fro 577 to 334 (243 less)

If you're able to increase your efforts in the coming months, that would obviously be welcomed.  If you're not, please understand what you do do, does matter.......even if it's one pair of mittens or pair of slippers.  Together, we do make a difference.  The Power of One should not be underestimated.

All donations regardless of size and number are valued. All donations are appreciated. The Power of One is awesome, and when we work together The Power of One becomes The Power of Many.

Warm Toasty Feet

Thank you Cheryl for this fabulous donation of slippers.  These slippers are so nicely made, crocheted with double yarn, I believe.  There are nice a solid and will be truly appreciated by the folks who receive them.  When you feet are cold, you're whole body is uncomfortable.  Warm comfortable slippers can also help keep people healthier, and shelters aren't necessarily the warmest places....certainly far better then being out in the elemets, but not like the comfort we have in our own homes.

Many thanks Cheryl for your thoughtful donation, please keep up the good work, we're thrilled to have you amongst us.

Have you noticed any changes on the blog???
Please stay tuned folks for totals.  All items received prior to the end of 2014 will be tallied in that year, even though the posts will appear in the year 2015.  

2014 DONATIONS:
Hats: 971
Scarves: 590
Socks: 199
Afghans: 32
Slippers: 108 +13=121
Rain Ponchos: 61
Mittens & Gloves:130
Wrist Warmers/Fingerless gloves: 4
Cotton Washcloths: 334
Misc. (Shawls, Sweaters, Vests, Poncho's, Skirts, cowls/mobius,  and Shrugs etc.) aren't tabulated

All donations regardless of size and number are valued. All donations are appreciated. The Power of One is awesome, and when we work together The Power of One becomes The Power of Many.

Thank you RoseMarie

Many thanks RoseMarie for your cheering on going support of Bride and Beyond.  RoseMarie's signature matching hat and scarf set.  Loving the redish coral?  Not sure what to call it.  Lots of personal care items along with washcloths.  Many thanks RoseMarie, as always please keep up the good work.
Have you noticed any changes on the blog???
Please stay tuned folks for totals.  All items received prior to the end of 2014 will be tallied in that year, even though the posts will appear in the year 2015.  

2014 DONATIONS:
Hats: 970 + 1 =971
Scarves: 489 +1=590
Socks: 199
Afghans: 32
Slippers: 108
Rain Ponchos: 61
Mittens & Gloves:130
Wrist Warmers/Fingerless gloves: 4
Cotton Washcloths: 331 +3=334
Misc. (Shawls, Sweaters, Vests, Poncho's, Skirts, cowls/mobius,  and Shrugs etc.) aren't tabulated

All donations regardless of size and number are valued. All donations are appreciated. The Power of One is awesome, and when we work together The Power of One becomes The Power of Many.

Donating Hats to Warm Ohio's Homeless

Thank you Sbana and Roseann, mother and daughter team for this thoughtful dontion of crocheted hats.  As you can see there's a great selection in sizes to fit and warm many heads in need.  Cute pompoms on the hats for the younger set.  Very cute.

Many thanks for your on going support of Bridge and Beyond, we're happy to have you as part of the team.  

Have you noticed any changes on the blog???
Please stay tuned folks for totals.  All items received prior to the end of 2014 will be tallied in that year, even though the posts will appear in the year 2015.  

**I am aware many of you are having trouble leaving comments, and am working through some ideas that I hope will help.  

2014 DONATIONS:
Hats: 945 + 25 = 970
Scarves: 489
Socks: 199
Afghans: 32
Slippers: 108
Rain Ponchos: 61
Mittens & Gloves:130
Wrist Warmers/Fingerless gloves: 4
Cotton Washcloths: 331
Misc. (Shawls, Sweaters, Vests, Poncho's, Skirts, cowls/mobius,  and Shrugs etc.) aren't tabulated

All donations regardless of size and number are valued. All donations are appreciated. The Power of One is awesome, and when we work together The Power of One becomes The Power of Many.