Tuesday, July 15, 2008

A reason to blog.

SYDNEY, Australia (July 14) - A 108-year-old Australian woman who was promoted as the world's oldest blogger has died two weeks after making her last post about "singing a happy song," her great-grand son and her online forum said.

World's oldest blogger Olive Riley
Olive Riley wrote 74 entries in her blogs, firstly www.allaboutolive.com.au and later www.worldsoldestblogger.blogspot.com. A friend introduced Riley to blogging early in 2007, and was hooked.

Riley "passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 12," a posting on her Web site said. No cause of death was given. "She will be mourned by thousands of Internet friends and hundreds of descendants and other relatives."

Born in the remote mining town of Broken Hill in 1899, Riley blogged regularly in the last year of her life about growing up in the Outback, raising three children and working as a farm cook and bartender earlier in her life.


I found this article to be inspiring. What a treasure she has left for her family, and others, to be able to read about her life. I often wonder if my great grand children may one day be interested in reading my blog and stories of my life.

I have recently been able to see photographs of my own great grand parents thanks to the help of an online friend and the Internet. It would be so wonderful to be able to read a bit about their day to day lives and to know what was happening politically during their life time! What fun it would be to know how they felt about issues of their day.

I want to continue to blog so that one day anyone who cares to may be able to know me through my writings.

Meet my great grandparents, Clara and Robert Riffe. I know Robert Riffe was a Baptist minister in West Virginia for many years. He was the father of my Dad's dad, 'old man Booker' as he was lovingly referred to by all in the community. Booker was also a Baptist minister, as well as his son, my Dad. But wouldn't it be wonderful if I could read his sermon outlines?




20 comments:

redneck preacher said...

Compare the legacy of your family with a prominent Mass. Political family. Preachers, pastors, missionaries with solid marriages verses bootleggers, murderers, adulterers, multiple divorces, outright treason, and a total disregard for the truth. The politicians have more money. I think that is the only thing that can be said for them and that is not even a definite plus.

I think the Rapture is more imminent than our having great grandkids. I never thought we would make it to where I could have grandkids either. Prayed for you this week in church.

HTOITA

Starla said...

I love looking at old photos. Thanks for sharing yours. I think it is sort of funny when it said no cause of death was given for the lady who was 108 years old. Well would it not be a given that she died of old age??? Just a thought, lol, but it was a very good article.

TO BECOME said...

I found Olive about a year ago. She was certainly an inspiration to me. I was sorry to hear of her death. She touched many lives.

It was nice to meet your family from the past. It would be a great blessing to read some of his sermons. I bet we would be shocked that some of the things he said had come to pass. The changes would not be able to be counted, I think. It would be great. I know that those who come after you will want to know you when they hear about the one called "Rita." Have a great week. connie from Texas

CrimeSceneFairy said...

sounds like she was a really cool old lady!

Nina in Portugal said...

What a blessing you have there with the photos of your "heritage". That is most certainly something to be thankful for. Yes...it would be so special to read the sermons of your grandfathers. I'm afraid of what I might find if I dove too far into my family tree...my grandfathers were probably the moonshiners!! ;)

Anonymous said...

WOW!! What rich history!! You mush be thrilled to have pieces of your past!!

Yes, you have left an oline biography that noone can take, and your grandchildren shoule be proud and happy to have that touch with you , and great grandchildren, also!!

Susan said...

How amazing. One of the many reasons I blog, too.
Susan

Pen of Jen said...

What an incredible post!

Looking forward to your travels and new Abode...

Take Care
Jennifer

Sarah Joy said...

That's wonderful!

Ottavio (Otto) Marasco said...

We can all learn much from the older folks, amazing is it not, someone born in the eighteenth century, blogging. Thank you for sharing your old photos...

Jane said...

I need help...

DISRUPTED adoption of a 12 year old boy from Guatemala....he needs his forever family.

please either post or link to my post for this child of God.

thanks for your prayers and help.

Also...been REALLY busy in our home with life changes, so my blog time has been reduced. still praying for your family and your transition.

Unknown said...

Hey, I'm at Tara's again on my way south. I have much to share with you. What a remarkable week we've had! Love Y'all!

Brenda said...

I have read about her before, she is an amazing lady

Mountain Mama said...

I have also enjoyed Olive's posts occassionally. I am so glad that she knew the Lord. Just think, we will be able to meet her in person one day.

Rita I hope you don't
mind, but I have taken the photos of your great grandparents to photoshop and as soon as I have time I will try to clean them up and brighten them for you, if it's possible. I enjoy doing this but it can be time consuming so I don't know how soon I will be done. I didn't check to see if your e-mail is on your blog. If it isn't, please go to mine and you will find my e-mail addy in my profile, then you can send me yours... Does that make sense? LOL
Blessings

Glenn B said...

Rugged looking grad-dad, elegant looking grand-mother. No wonder you turned out as you did. One tough but good looking red head, and a preacher at that! Runs in the family. That is I suppose something we need more of in today's world - family tradition.

Jane said...

I loved the story of the "oldest blogger". What an amazing woman.
Your great grand parents are very good looking folks!
I have been doing ancestry research and it is fascinating. Warren and I have preachers out the wazu on both sides of the family!!!
I'll eat an arepa in your honor while I am in VZ!!!!

Harry said...

Great photos. And you're right about leaving a legacy. Years ago, my parents found photos of my father's relatives from back in Russia. I still love looking at them.

Mountain Mama said...

Hello again. I just want to let you know that I had a little time this afternoon so fixed up your great grandparents pictures for you.
Please let me know how to get them to you.

Always On Watch said...

A 108-year-old blogger? Wow! Just think of all that she has left behind for her readers!

Kristi said...

Such beautiful pictures, aren't they? My Aunt sent me over 200 old family photos. They are such a blessing to sit down and look at. And yes, it would be wonderful to know the stories behind them and about the people in them.

~Kristi