# 50 AND COUNTING

# 50 AND COUNTING

By

Vernon M. Herron and Joseph L. Burton

Janus

In Roman mythology, Janus (Jay-nuhs) was a god who had two faces that looked in opposite directions, one face looked into the past and the other one looked into the future. This is blog # 50 and like Janus, there are some reflections and projections.

Reflections


My official blog, “Herron Speaks,” was first published on August 6, 2009. It was preceded by writings under the same title “Herron Speaks” for a school journal, The Herald News for Charlotte’s Second Ward High School in the late 1940’s. Now approximately 65 years later, I now conclude over two years of blog writing, which - through technology - has enabled me to write and publish freely to audiences across the Internet.


I have been inspired to write approximately 50 blogs consisting of chronicled commentaries presented in written, photo, audio and video fashion. I enjoy writing without limitations. Because comments can be easily gathered from readers, blogging is a form of social networking. It helps to keep me mentally alert, astute and relevant in research. A compilation of these 50 blogs are now approaching book form and may be secured in days to come for future reference. It will be entitled HERRON SPEAKS, VOLUME I.


Reflecting on past blog writings, I conclude that the following were most:


Surprising--#1—I Remember: The Mecklenburg County Home.


Revealing--#2—Take Your Pick.


Contemporary--#9—Carrying Mrs. King’s Handbag.


Personal--#13—Remembering Dr. James E. Cheek.


Historic--#20—How The Richard Herron Family and Johnson C. Smith University are related.


Scientific—24—The Medulla Oblongata Overlay.


Religious--#27—Why I Enjoy Membership in The Friendship Missionary Baptist Church.


Professional--#28—Meet A Principal Organist, R. Monty Bennett.


Startling--#29—Juneteenth.


Inspiring—#30—Negro Spirituals.


Self-Reflective--#38—Five of Many Hymns which Impress Me.


Biblically Based--#40--41-42—People of Color in The Bible. A Historic Perspective. God’s Use of People of Color.


Sensational---#48---I Changed My Mind.


Prophetic---#49---A “Doctoral” Robe But No Earring.


Projections


Blog # 50 brings us to another mile mark and still counting. We have “miles to go.” HERRON SPEAKS has goals for the second volume of the book. They are:


Goal 1. Write 50 more blogs this year.


Writing at least one blog per week should take us through the year 2011. I propose to write 50 new blogs this year.


Goal 2. Double the blog readership.


The present readership population of Herron Speaks is approximately 200. Our goal is to increase that readership by year end to approximately 400. You can help in this growth process by sending me E-mail addresses of persons of similar taste who wish to join us in a stimulating exchange.


Goal 3. Seek greater interaction from the readership.


This blog writer is moved with reactions from readers. Your disagreement, approval, another point of view or a new thought will help sharpen the writer’s vision. Each blog is a challenge for your input. We welcome your input.


Goal 4. Produce a Volume II book of blogs when #100 is reached.


Volume II should bring us to the end of the year. By that time the writer will be a year older and a new challenge will be at hand. That leads me to the next project activity, Face book.


Goal 5. Use Facebook to promote both Blog and Book.


Facebook is a social networking tool of great interest and significant relevance. There is a Face book account for the author that exists now. The goal is to utilize that account to aide in achieving the above goals and marketing printed works for public purchase.


Janus’ two faces give a holistic picture of blogging. We can see from which we have come and a vision of where we are going. You are a part of that process.

Let’s communicate.