I hope everyone has had a great Christmas or whatever holiday they may celebrate. 2018 is approaching in a few days. I’m feeling very optimistic for the year ahead.

The Steemit Ramble Discordis a place which evolves over time as I identify how I want it to shape up. It started out as a place to have people nominate other people’s posts. Then I started the Pimp Your Post Thursday project.

Through doing both the Steemit Ramble and PYPT I’ve noted other related changes I felt were needed. I added channels to archive evergreen content posts of value and a channel with links to STEEM related projects. I’ve moved them into a Reference Section. As they grow I may break them down into subjects.

From the beginning I’ve had one channel where people could nominate other posts for me to review for the Ramble. Another channel allowed those who nominated others to nominate themselves for review. I’ve added a new channel to allow those who curate other people’s posts to post their curation posts.

The roles and who can do what in the discord are constantly evolving in response to how people treat the space. When you enter a discord, you’re entering into a community being built and it needs to be treated with the same respect you would treat someone’s home.

At first I would get ticked but now I find it amusing when someone enters the discord, finds they can’t just dump links where ever they want and leave. I then get sent messages wanting to know how I’m going to ‘rectify’ that problem. I’m not going to rectify anything, but I do invite the person to better participate and earn their way into the community.

Leading up to Christmas I have been running a Christmas hamper program for the low income families in the area. I wrote a post about the program:

The Spirit of Christmas is Helping Others ... I Try To Do My Part

Pimp Your Post Thursday is going strong. This past Thursday there were a record 47 posts shared during the two sessions. Here’s the summaries for the two sessions:

Pimp Your Post Thursday Report #9A -- Morning Report From Dec. 21st PYPT

Pimp Your Post Thursday Report #9B -- Evening Report From Dec. 21st PYPT

Onward to today’s rambling

Misha [Short Story - Reflections Mixed Media Collaboration Contest]

This post was nominated by @battleaxe

This is @cizzo’s entry into @tinypaleokitchen’s mixed media collaboration contest. @cizzo teamed up with @snekky, a great artist on STEEM for the illustration that accompanied his story about the dog Misha. Well written, and, if you are an animal lover, I challenge you to read this post without at least a lump in your throat.

You don't know what you don't Know... 22 Days On Steemit

This post was nominated by @stephanus

@photohunter shares his perspective as a newbie on the platform over the last 22 days. As if learning the ropes can’t be confusing enough, he’s been exposed to the whole @haejin drama happening.

Been watching that myself and shaking my head over the increasing childishness exhibited by people who should be working on learning the ropes. Good for you @photohunter, keep up the great work and ignore the drama divas.

Everyone can be an ANGEL ...

While I was engaged in doing a Christmas hamper program in small town Ontario, @hoschitrooper was across the world in Frankfurt, Germany with programs that reach out to the homeless bringing them an extra touch at Christmas.

My typical Christmas food: The “Hallaca”

This post was nominated by @kubbyelizabeth

@dedicatedguy shares a post about typical Christmas foods in Venezuela. Well written and some excellent photos. Always nice to see how other countries celebrate the holiday.

🎄You Are H.O.P.E. Holiday Fundraiser #4🎅

I don’t normally repeat posts between the Pimp Your Post Thursdays and the Steemit Ramble, but, I’m making the exception for this one. It’s in support of a cause that I fully support.

Each week this month, @thealliance has been posting a fundraiser post in support of @youarehope run by @sircork. It’s the first blockchain based charity and it’s doing some great work in impoverished areas of the world. In just two short months it has had some real meaning in several countries in the world.

If you’re curious, visit their blog and read about the great work YAH is doing. But, don’t forget to click on @thealliance’s post to support the cause.

Meet @brandyb, First Minnow Adoption Going Well.

So back a couple of weeks ago, @whatsup tossed out this idea about adopting a minnow. She was picking up off of the cryptokitty craze that was going on. I saw the post, thought it was a cute idea and then chalked it up to @whatsup’s off the cuff humour.

Well, she wasn’t actually kidding and today she announced that she has adopted a minnow. So, I also checked out the minnow’s profile and found her post announcing her adoption:

Who needs a crypo Kittie when you could, Adopt a Pet Minnow!

Well, @whatsup, you might just start something. Instead of new minnows swimming aimlessly in the STEEM seas there may be bidding wars to adopt the best of the newbs. I think you should start announcing the adoptions at PYPT. Just a thought :)

Merry Christmas All, My First Post After My Introduction.

This post was nominated by @coolbuddy

@nee-belovedofart is a new person on the platform, this is her second post. Shes shared with us her process and final drawing of her best Christmas wishes tree.. Very nice work @nee-belovedofart.

ART AND ITS RELEVANCE

This post was nominated by @braide.

@missplendor shares with us the relevancy of studying art and the benefits it has for us as individuals and society. While she doesn’t show us the process of her drawings this time, she shows us several of her pieces of work which show how she’s developed as an artist. Very nice work.

The Steemian Spotlight, Volume 5: A Human-Certified Original Interview with @CarlGnash

If you caught the evening PYPT report for this past week, you’ll have come across @ethandsmith’s interview with me as part of his Steemian Spotlight series. This post is with @carlgnash. An opportunity to get to know him.

The other posts in the Steemian Spotlight series are:

Volume 1: Discovering Ruby with @inertia
Volume 2: Gleaning Hope from @HopeHuggs
Volume 3: Music and More with @topkpop
Volume 4: Pimping Posts with @ShadowsPub

Grab a coffee and have a read, @ethandsmith has done a great job.

New Years Resolution #1: SteemCleaners

@guiltyparties is one of the witnesses I support on the platform. He does what he can to support veterans, he is one himself. He’s been very supportive of the PYPT project and has spent a lot of time trying to help and support promising looking newbies on the platform.

I’m delighted to see him announce that will be taking part in the work of @steemcleaners, run by @patrice, another hardworking witness on the platform. Yes, I support her as well.

👀My Witness Votes Go To...👊 (FYI, I have 6 slots open)

@enginewitty shares who he has supported as witnesses and mentions that he has a few slots available. I left my two cents on the post of a couple I thought he’d missed. Read the post above this… hint.. HINT

Have you checked your witness votes recently? If you haven’t, you should. If you are unsure who to support, you could proxy to someone like me to vote for you.

Daily Dose of Sultnpapper 12/26/17> so the preacher said “the best laid plans of mice and men”

I was introduced to @sultnpapper’s work during PYPT. Someone shared one of his posts and since then when I get a chance, I have a look at what’s he’s up to. I like how he sort of pulls you into what he’s doing. You sort of feel like you’re walking along beside him and he gives you these asides that explains what’s happening. This post today shares Christmas with us.

Hark the Herald Angels Sing

This post of @tattoodjay’s showing the angels displayed by the Rockefeller Centre in New York caught my attention. I have a sister-in-law who loves angels and since I adore her, I tend to notice. Beautiful pics of the angels @tattoodjay, thank you.

Wrap-up on Day 135

An assortment of posts today made for some interesting reading. With this Ramble ready to post, I’m somewhat caught up on my posting and ready to start exploring some other material I’ve been either working on or wanting to work on.

One of my objectives for 2018 is to increase the frequency of the Rambles. Over the last several months I’ve been gradually clearing my plate of some of the offline tasks which take up my time. So, I’m looking forward to posting more frequently and about more things.

Supporting and Upvoting

Let’s not forget folks. I’m sharing these posts not only because I like them. I’d really like to see them get support and upvoting.

Nominate Your Favourite Post

With all the chaff that I end up trying to sift through each time I sit down to do the Steemit Ramble, I think it is time to give you dear reader an opportunity to nominate your favourite reads.

Just visit the Steemit Ramble Discord and post the link in the Nominate-A-Post Channel.

As much as you may love your own post, I am really looking for someone else to say, “Hey, I like this post, have a look”. When I post a Steemit Ramble, that is what I’m telling my readers.

Once you’ve shared someone else’s post, you’ll be given access to a channel where you can share your own posts for me to consider them. It’s only fair for you to have the chance.

Pimp Your Post Thursday

Don’t forget, Pimp Your Post Thursday takes place every Thursday at 11am and 7:00pm EST. Come and join the fun.

Until Next Time — Just Steem on

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If you’d like to see the other days I’ve posted, just visit my profile

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