Valentine's Day is around the corner, and before everywhere turns red, the price of flowers skyrockets, restaurants run out of bookings, and taxi prices get even higher, we'll be bombarded with gift ideas for him and her. Then, there are those who are feeling down because they don’t have a partner and others preparing for first dates. But before we get caught up in all of this, let’s take a moment to discuss something else—a feeling, or perhaps a moment in life, that I'm not sure many can relate to. This might resonate more with those who have come of age, the older generation, or those who have experienced life in different ways.
Maybe they just needed a little patience. Maybe they needed a little confidence, or maybe they just needed time. You saw them and knew, but the point in your life where you were at didn't allow you a chance with them. And so, you buried them—yet, they keep rising to the surface of your heart.
It's not hard; it just is. You're not sad, but you don’t quite know how to feel about it. You don't regret where you are in life now, but you know it could have taken a different turn that would have also been good or maybe. Words can’t quite explain how. The memories are sweet, though you never had them. Things didn’t fall apart; no moves were made. Maybe it was fear—your fear, their fear—or maybe it was just time that didn’t allow things to happen. Perhaps you lost contact after that first meeting, or after however many times you crossed paths.
But you know, in your heart, there was something real or felt like real or without a definition but kept lingering. A love so deep, even the earth would have been jealous of it. Some of you still see them; some of you haven’t in years. And for some, they've passed away. And then comes the silence—the silence that has never been broken, because you’ve never spoken of it to anyone. But your heart carries it, tucked gently in a quiet corner. You can’t suppress it. You simply learn to ignore it, because that’s just how it is now.
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If you've ever worn a wig, you know they're not the most comfortable. Afro-style wigs might be a bit better, but generally, they’re not the most comfortable. Wearing a wig in the summer? It’s even worse. The sweat on your scalp builds up because your hair is trapped underneath, and adding another layer on top makes it unbearable. This is not just my personal experience. I mostly wear wigs for pictures to switch up my look, but not for long periods or as part of my everyday style. I’d never trade my freedom and comfort just to look a certain way.
Now, I’m not here to condemn those who can wear wigs for hours. If you can endure it, good for you, but for me, it’s uncomfortable. Over time, they cause itching—especially the ones glued on for too long—and they can even make your hair smell. Wearing wigs for extended periods doesn’t keep you comfortable and can even make you look tacky. That’s why I’m writing this article. I love switching up my look, but I’ve noticed that many women have become obsessed with wigs to the point where they’ll spend loads of money on them without ever investing in themselves. Shows like Young, Famous & African on Netflix or other reality shows featuring Black women rarely show anyone wearing their natural hair or sporting a culturally significant hairstyle. And that’s not to say wigs are bad, but it’s concerning how many Black women are promoting looks that don’t represent who we truly are. We need to teach younger generations that they don’t have to wear wigs to fit in.
I’ve had someone ask me why I didn’t “dress up” for an event simply because I wasn’t wearing a wig. Meanwhile, I looked just as beautiful in a lovely, decent dress—probably even better than her. But for some reason, not wearing a wig made me less “dressed up” in her eyes. I think the wig industry has taken away a lot of Black women’s confidence. Many women are willing to go to extreme lengths to wear a piece of someone else’s hair, and that’s what bothers me. I can meet ten beautiful Black women, and all of them will be wearing frontal wigs, with the lace visible and sometimes even the glue showing. No matter how skilled the installer is, I can still tell it’s not your hair, and honestly, it doesn’t look nice. Some are really pretty until you come closer, and then the lace is visible, or the glue starts to show, making it look less natural.
Wigs have become more about putting people into categories than having fun with their look. People are spending big money on wigs but haven’t made any realistic investments in themselves. Take reality shows, for example—most of the Black women on these shows aren’t wearing their natural hair, braids, or anything culturally representative of who they are. Instead, they’re wearing wigs made from someone else’s hair or mass-produced in factories. There’s this narrative that, in order to succeed or meet certain people, wearing a good wig is part of the package. I’m speaking from experience here.
Yeah, it brings back all the memories as it marks two years since my sister left us to rest. It has been a mix of emotions. Some days are lighter than others, and some days are heavier. I know everyone hurts sometimes, but this one seems like it’s lingering—it’s not going away. She was what love stands for; she was my second mother. She was always so happy with me, but now she’s nowhere. I love her, I know, but why she stopped fighting, I didn’t know. Still, I am sure her reasons are good enough for me to accept, but her absence is not okay. No, I am not okay, as the 10th of January marked two years since she left us. I have been short of words, but tonight I got my words together.
Some days I cry, some days I smile, but how do I let go of her absence and the memories? I don’t even know how to feel sometimes—it’s all a mix of everything. If only she could speak and say, “Oh, I’m fine,” maybe I’d feel better about her absence. I miss her. We don’t talk anymore like we used to. When I call her name, I get no reply. Her voice is nowhere to be found. I don’t know how to fix this; I don’t know what to do. The tears just don’t stop.
Can someone knock on heaven's doors and tell them, Please, I miss her.
Can someone tell her that my heart is broken and I now know what a broken heart feels like? Tell her it's empty, filled with so much pain. I can't control my feelings, and I hate how I feel. When I heard her last goodbye, I died inside. I had no tears. All I want is for her to tap me on the shoulder and say, "Hey, it's fine." But will I ever get that?
Heaven, please, I have a question. All I need is an explanation. I just want to know if she’s missing me. I can’t reconcile that she’s gone in my head. When I lost energy, she was like fuel—she gave herself completely. I know I’m not asking for much, Lord—just a whisper. If her voice is gone, then a touch. But if not, then tell her that I asked for her, that I love her, and that I’m always thinking about her.
Heaven, please, I feel so all alone. She wanted life more than ever before. Heaven, please, please. Heaven, please, if I could only just have one minute to tell her how I feel. Heaven, please, I just need a moment from this lifetime to have her by my side. Heaven, please.
I was walking on the street, and it was like I saw her. But when I looked closely, it was another person. How do I shake this off? I can’t. I feel empty. How do I tell her story when she is no more? When we don’t talk anymore? She is gone forever. I will forever miss her.
Heaven, please, I have a question. All I need is an explanation. I just want to know if she’s missing me. I can’t reconcile that she’s gone in my head. When I lost energy, she was like fuel—she gave herself completely. I know I’m not asking for much, Lord—just a whisper. If her voice is gone, then a touch. But if not, then tell her that I asked for her, that I love her, and that I’m always thinking about her.
Heaven, please, I feel so all alone. She wanted life more than ever before. Heaven, please, please. Heaven, please, if I could only just have one minute to tell her how I feel. Heaven, please, I just need a moment from this lifetime to have her by my side. Heaven, please.
I was walking on the street, and it was like I saw her. But when I looked closely, it was another person. How do I shake this off? I can’t. I feel empty. How do I tell her story when she is no more? When we don’t talk anymore? She is gone forever. I will forever miss her.
Photo by Brett Sayles
Provand’s Lordship is said to be the oldest house in Scotland, dating back to 1471! It’s had a recent £1.6 million restoration, though, to be honest, the renovations don’t exactly give off that ‘£1.6 million’ vibe, it gives way less. But that’s okay! The house is solid, built to last through centuries. Some of these old buildings are actually sturdier than many modern structures. Plus, Provand’s Lordship is one of only four surviving medieval buildings in Glasgow, so it’s a true piece of history! The nearby Cathedral, also the oldest in Glasgow, holds the crown as the city’s oldest building.
The house was originally constructed by Andrew Muirhead, the Bishop of Glasgow, as part of St Nicholas's Hospital in 1471. The ‘front’ of the house probably faced west, and the area where St Mungo Museum now stands used to be part of the grand Bishop's Castle, which was the center of medieval Glasgow.
Although the house may have been built for the Master of the hospital, it later became part of the accommodation for the 32 canons of Glasgow Cathedral. Each canon was tied to a specific area of the city, known as a prebend. Fast forward to the 1800s, and it’s said to have been home to a canon supported by income from the Prebend of Barlanark.
One thing to note is that to preserve the original oak floor beams, some false floors were added to the upper levels. This does change the dimensions of the rooms and can make the fireplaces look a bit off, but it’s all part of making sure the building lasts for future generations.
Oh, and don’t miss the lovely St Nicholas Garden out back! It’s a peaceful little spot, perfect for a moment of reflection.
In my opinion, the best time to visit is during the summer, when the weather in Glasgow is typically milder, and you can enjoy the garden in full bloom. However, I must say it was quite warm inside during my visit, especially towards the end. The building traps heat, making it feel a bit stuffy, but the rich history inside more than makes up for it!
But here’s the thing—I have to admit, I’m a bit claustrophobic, and the ground floor gave me some of those ‘close quarters’ vibes at first. I felt a bit off, but after a moment, I got over it. The history in that building is so captivating.
If you’re headed there, the address is 3 Castle Street, Glasgow, G4 0RB. Enjoy!
Before you begin reading this post, please know that I have seen all the Christmas wishes from 2024, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading all the New Year's messages. Yasssss, I love the energy—you all are amazing! Happy New Year to everyone, and thank you so much. "2025; let's go.
I visit a lot of blogs, and I happen to have a really good memory when it comes to recognizing blogs I’ve visited. When I visit a blog, I aim to understand the writer. I take the time to read the article or post and comment accordingly. However, I’ve noticed that some bloggers and readers leave comments without even reading the post. Comments like “Nice one,” “Cool post,” “Good post,” or “I like this” don’t add any meaningful contribution to the conversation.
Additionally, I’ve observed that people who leave such off-topic comments often repeat the same words or phrases across multiple blogs. This practice not only damages the reputation of their blog but also negatively affects their traffic, as Google begins to flag such comments as spam. On top of that, others might return the favor by commenting the same way on their blog without truly engaging, making the article feel irrelevant. Moderation-enabled blogs are likely to flag these repetitive comments as spam. This happens because the person isn’t engaging meaningfully but is instead leaving comments purely for self-promotion.
In my opinion, such behavior shows a lack of understanding of what it means to build a blogging and reading community, gain organic readers, or contribute thoughtfully to a conversation. Website owners will not publish every comment you make, especially if they notice that you are consistently leaving superficial comments on their articles, which they've meticulously crafted for others to read, learn, engage with, or enjoy.
I understand that finding the right words isn’t always easy, but when every comment a website gets from you is simply “Good post,” it becomes clear that your engagement isn’t genuine. Do you know it’s better not to comment at all than to fail to contribute meaningfully?
People write in different languages, which makes us all unique. Personally, I enjoy reading articles in various languages, not just those written in English. I understand that if English is not your first language and you read an article in English (perhaps by translating it), you might find it difficult to express your thoughts when commenting. As a result, people often leave very short comments, such as "Good article."
Here’s my suggestion: instead of leaving a short or generic comment, consider commenting in the language you are most comfortable with. The writer can translate your comment and reply accordingly. This approach highlights our diversity while ensuring that everyone can express themselves fully.
Translating articles allows readers to understand the content and engage by commenting in their own language. In turn, the writer can translate these comments and respond thoughtfully.
Never stop expressing yourself—always share your thoughts, no matter where you’re from, who you are, or what language you speak. We don’t have to speak the same language, as translation tools can bridge the gap.
For website owners, I recommend adding a translation feature to your site to help readers. If you’re using Blogger, a translation widget is already available, but you need to add it manually to your blog.
Here’s how to add the "Offer Translator" widget:
- Log in to your Blogger account.
- Go to the Layout section.
- Click Add a Gadget where you want the translator to appear.
- Search for the Google Translate widget or a similar tool.
- Select it, configure the settings, and click Save.
- Refresh your blog to ensure the widget is visible and working properly.
Adding this feature will make your blog more inclusive and accessible to readers from all over the world.
For those wondering, "Is a blog a website?"—here’s a quick clarification for knowledge’s sake. A blog is a specific type of website that primarily features content in the form of posts, often displayed in reverse chronological order (newest first). So yes, a blog is a website!
There are numerous benefits to reading other blogs that go beyond simply gaining engagement. The knowledge you gain from reading blogs often comes from firsthand experiences, broken down step-by-step, making it relatable and personal. Such insights are valuable and worth your time.
Of course, mistakes are allowed; everyone slips up now and then when contributing to an online conversation. However, making it a habit to leave the same repetitive or off-topic comments on every site you visit—or comments that don’t contribute to the discussion—is, in my opinion, wrong.Did you know that your blog receives visits from more than just fellow bloggers? Upon examining your blog's monthly traffic, you'll observe a gradual increase in your overall traffic, which accumulates over time due to these interactions. This reinforces the importance of meaningful contributions.
Personally, if I publish an article and a visitor leaves an off-topic comment or something like “Cool,” I don’t publish such comments. It’s better to stay silent than to offer shallow remarks that add no value.
Whenever I publish an article and seek feedback from readers, I strive to express myself clearly, using simple language and keeping the article concise. However, I’ve noticed an intriguing pattern: the tone and length of the first and second comments often set the stage for the rest.
Here’s what I mean: if the first commenter leaves a short, generic comment like “Cool blog post,” others tend to follow suit with similarly brief remarks. On the other hand, when the initial comment is thoughtful and detailed, subsequent comments are often more engaging and substantive.
I don't think you should publish a short, meaningless first comment on your article. Instead, focus on approving comments that enrich the discussion—whether they agree or disagree with your perspective. Thoughtful comments not only add value to your article but also encourage others to engage more meaningfully.
How Empty Comments Affect a Website
- Reputation Damage:
- Search Engine Penalties:
- Loss of Audience Engagement:
- Increased Moderation Workload:
- Lower Reader Trust:
- Loss of Opportunities and Reduced profitability.
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