Before ambling any further into 2008, Your Scribe must thank those who wrote comments on the Cabin Country blog in the last year.

Most responses were pleasant and/or informative. For instance, "Nancy" recently identified a website for furniture after I had mentioned my need to get a new bed. She evidently has a camp in Phillips. In answer to her question, I have not been to my camp in New Sharon since the snow started to pile up.

And "Dara" wrote a very kind note saying that she likes reading the Cabin Country blog on a regular basis. Also to "Drew,"who helps with accuracy issues such as the full retelling of the jaunt to Moxie Falls.

Also on the positive side, readers sent in comments about what to do when my mammoth spruce tree falls into the river and others suggested which roads to take to find moose when I am motoring upcountry. I benefited from such responses.

Not all comments have been supportive. Several bloggers recently wrote that they didn't like to read columns with political overtones. Their remarks were in response to my thoughts about the upcoming Senate race between Tom Allen and Susan Collins.

And then there were the trappers. I made some compromising remarks about the sport, and the trappers' booth at the Maine outdoors show in Augusta. As a result, I got close to a dozen (testy) comments from offended outdoorsmen.

When I started the blog, I thought I would get many comments. That hasn't happened (though the cumulative number of responses is over 100). But I appreciate the opinions that are sent in.

I could generate more comments if that were the goal. I could revisit the sport of trapping or offer some controversial comments about the political scene in Maine. But that would defeat my purpose, which is to write about something that I love - having a cabin on a river in Maine.

When I launched the blog 18 months ago, I also thought a "community" might congregate around it. You know, people with the same interests as mine reading and responding.

That hasn't happened either, as far as I can tell. Web managers say there are "a couple thousand" unique visitors per month to this blog, but since most don't identify themselves I don't see this as a community.

(An aside: I still think I might invite readers to a free party at the cabin this summer, where the only thing you have to bring is a photo of your own cabin or camp - or one you hope to have some day).

So there it is - my gratitude goes out to the "first responders" for sharing their thoughts in the Comments section. And thanks to everyone who takes the time to read Cabin Country.

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