Do you need to follow to read?

I've recently learned as of March 2012 the GFC (more commonly known as the "follow me" button) will not work on non-blogger blogs.

My first blog was a blogger domain and there are many things about that interface that I miss. However, after someone hacked my google email address I came dangerously close to losing a year's worth of work, an experience I'm not willing to repeat.

bethfred.com supports RSS feeds, but GFC is my primary follower source. I have the best followers in the world. With everything going on in my life until this Wed I'd been unable to blog in nearly one month and lost only one follower. I thank you guys so much for sticking with me through this all. Now I have a question for you. How important is a follower button? Would you still read my blog without it, or maybe not because you wouldn't know when it had been updated? Should I try to add network blogs or some other follower method, or should I just not worry about it?

I really need your input on this one. Part of me wants to remember that I didn't have a follower button (unbeknown to me) and thus no followers for the first six months I blogged, and although it was disheartening I maintained quality posts. But then I can't help but wonder if I would be impossible to find without some sort of follower button.  What do you think?

Thanksgiving Blues

Ahh--I shouldn't complain. I feel better than I did a few days ago. I'm just not in the holiday spirit this year. In fact, I'd kind of like them to just blow over. But my husband has been singing Christmas carols for two weeks, so it doesn't look like that's going to happen.

Mostly, I just feel guilty. I know there is a lot I should be thankful for, but I'm not.  I chalk it up to it being a hard year with lots of transition, most of which I haven't enjoyed, like losing my grandpa and moving to the tundra...I'm sure the bronchitis and morning sickness combo isn't helping my mood either.

The mood shall improve though. I'll decorate the house for tomorrow's lunch later today and start cooking and I'm sure I'll get over my funk.

Happy Thanksgiving.