Dear ardent admirers.

I would be lying if I said that I do not like nice comments about my blog; I don't write for the accolades or for anyone else, but everyone should appreciate appreciation and I am no different. I am glad that my policy in terms of how I write finds a response that is usually at least equal in tone and civility, and sometimes better in terms of appreciation of a topic.

This blog could have super-soaring numbers if I allowed it to be littered by my own profanities and immoderate expressions, and if I accepted comments that were similar. I am not trying to take a holier-than-thou attitude, but part of the role of a moderator is to moderate, and an editor should edit. Even the most foul-mouthed remarks can be edited to give all of the essense of the strength of feeling without resorting to swearwords, or descending to intemperate villification of individuals. I often use irony and try to be satirical, and I hope that it works in the sense that it is meant. I would like to feel that everyone about whom I have been critical would not be able to look me in the eye and say that I had insulted them.

Now, to your comments. I have a policy that I do not take "anonymous" comments. However, I realise that not everyone understands that to make a comment and add a name requires a little more than just writing the comment and hitting the "submit" button. The comment fields have several option and I just ask commentators to choose the option that allows a name; from there you are free to choose any name you like. Because I sense that this is a challenge too far for some, if I appreciate the comments--and that does not mean that they are favourable--I reject the comment as submitted then resubmit it with a name that I think fits the commentator. This I did with the latest comment, which is now from "Ardent admirer".

There is no way that I can trace a commentator through the blog; all comments are sent to me without identifier and I cannot reply directly to a commentator. Sometimes people ask me for information. But I cannot respond because I do not know who the commentator is or have a means of contact. So, in such cases it might be better to send me an e-mail at livinginbarbados@gmail.com.

I think I will have to live with the fact that I have to go through this process of clarification periodically, and I don't mind. Like I don't mind editing comments a little, if I feel that is needed.

Now for my ardent admirer, an attempt to respond to your wish. This blog has a picture of Nassau at night. For you and others, I hope that I can continue to shed a nice light.