I thought I would change up the appearance of my blog some. I had been using the same theme, since 2011. Components on it were not working as smoothly as they once had. The comment button, extended out side of the comment area as if it were trying to escape, I would tweak it, then it would break again on the next upgrade.
I literally spent hours looking and testing themes. Most had hideous super large pictures on the main page, or tons of the popular sliders. The blog was either too wide, or too narrow. Then most of the time, the text was hard to read due to poorly matched colors. Sadly most of them seemed to be for commercial interests. There were many for blogging, but none of them quite fit what I was looking for. My 2011 theme just seemed to have the right layout and handy items. After testing, and searching, I settled on a theme that sure looks a lot like the one I am replacing.
It was much too narrow, but a bit of adjustment in the css widened it to where I wanted it. I had to opt for a subscribe button in the bottom of the screen, instead of the original email subscribe section I had at the top. The search has ended finally, and the tweaking is pretty much done. This is “Catch Box” a free theme I found in the theme gallery.
It was just so hard to find the right look for the comments, a comment link at the top and bottom of the post, and more control over text and color when and if wanted. I’m satisfied, and I hope I am with this theme for the next 6 years! Have any of you changed your theme? what items do you look for in one.
Now, if I can just find out why my dang notification icon no longer works, I’ll be happy, as a bug in a rug.
Comments welcome,
Hi Ron, Nice to see you back. I had wondered where you had gone to!
The theme looks OK to me, but the ‘Like’ button won’t load, at least not so far.
I changed my theme once in five years. I wanted a better font, and a ‘wider’ look for photos. Just used a different free WordPress theme though, nothing elaborate. I hope your new theme settles down, and you don’t need to go through the hassle of setting it up again.
(Got all the way to the end of the comment, and still no ‘Like’ button…)
Best wishes, Pete.
I’m back finally. Been helping another gentleman who has no family. He’s been real sick in the hospital.
Thanks for letting me know about the like button, I will check on that right now, don’t know how I missed noticing that, but it is missing. On a brighter note, the notification lit up for your comment.
Well done for helping your friend.
Life before blogging, every time.
He’s 81, Prostate Cancer, bad hip, but he’s tough.
And he has the benefit of a good friend too.
Fixed it, thanks again Pete.
Looks good, and welcome back. I missed hearing from you. 🙂
Thanks Kathy, I’ve missed all of you. I really have.
I changed my theme recently and the process was nerve-wracking. I was amazed when I finally hit “update,” that everything actually worked. I still have a few tweaks to make but haven’t yet summoned the courage again. I do like the clean look of your theme and easy readability – that is what I was going for too.
Thanks, I’m glad you like it. I’ve noticed that sometimes the update doesn’t apply some changes, and you have to bite the bullet and activate it, then jump back to the other theme if it’s not right. Thanks for the comment.
I also use 2011 and from time to time I play around with different ones. I feel like Goldilocks. This ones too big and this ones too small. Still looking for just right. I keep thinking I’ll spend a day on it as soon as I have a free day! Your theme looks good.
Thanks Kate, I tried all the 20XX themes, almost settled for 2016. I was red-eyed by the time I finished one night just looking and trying various themes.
I was looking at 2016. There was one thing I didn’t like about all I looked at. Maybe I don’t want to learn something new!
It’s a nice looking theme, I can’t recall what it was that I didn’t like though. Something to do with a plugin I use maybe.
Wow, you been blogging since 2011? Good for you. I see, you are not a quitter. I love your blogs when I can get to them.
Yes, I started back then as a way to keep the forum members updated on any outages of the forum. Family and a couple friends would read it. I mostly was blogging to myself during all those years. I slacked off, then restarted recently in March. I connected to Jetpack, and realized there was a million people out here. They are a super group too. Thanks for the comment, I hope to be in here regular from now on, I really enjoy it.
SO nice to see your new post notification come in, I missed you! Kudos to you on the new theme and all the tweaking, doing it all yourself, so very impressive! Me? Heh, If I wanted to change anything I wouldn’t dare do it myself. It helps when one’s daughter (mine!) works for the parent company of WordPress.com. She could help me if I asked nicely. 😀 Again, yay for you!!!
Thanks Ellie, it’s great you have someone that knows WordPress. I’m glad to be back, helping an elderly friend this past month. I just had to go over there tonight, and just got back.
You’re such a kind soul, Ron!
I forgot to say, is that webcam trained on the area in front of your place??! So cool!
Yes, I thought I would give it a try. It updates every 5 mins if I remember correctly. Sometimes I have changed it over to a live feed looking out on the highway, or watching the dogs play in the backyard.
Looks like a serene, quiet rural area. Nice.
I wondered where you had been. I hope your friend is recovering.
I like this new theme! I’ve only been blogging since last year so I still have the same format.
Thanks, I’m glad you like it. I used the last theme for six years. I needed a change, and fix some issues I was having.
My friend is getting better, as far as some strength. I think he is entering renal failure though. He has lost 80 pounds the last 3 months.
I’m sorry to hear that about your friend. Sending healing energy!
Hi Ron, nice to see you again.. I’ve been thinking about ‘tweeking’ my theme but the thought of it just makes me groan..because when it comes to your blog you know how one ‘simple’ thing can turn into HOURS if not DAYS worth of ‘tweeking”… I like a nice clean look.. I like this one you have!
Thank you very much Robyn, I was looking for something like what I had. Not overly huge or complicated, Thanks for the comment, and I’m glad to see you.
I have really missed your comments on my blog. I am glad to know that you are ok. When you disappeared, I got concerned since you had had those health challenges. I am too lazy or content or something to fiddle with my theme, but I am glad you are happy with your new one.
Thanks Elizabeth. I have been trying to help where I could, and it has been very time consuming. I got lazy, I should have sat down and checked in and posted. I was just too pre-occupied. His 16 year old grand-son is mentally unstable, I had to call the sheriffs out to help calm him down this evening. The blogging community is full of supportive people, and I’m glad to know all of you! Your theme is perfect Elizabeth, I like it.
I know the toll mental illness takes on us all. We once had to call the police to hospitalize a family member.
It is really hard, Mental Health help has been pushed to the back over the last 20 years. It is hard to find help for them, or assistance when needed to control or help someone. Thanks for the comment Elizabeth.
It was so good to see a blog from you again. I wouldn’t have cared what it looked like, as long as I could read it. The new theme looks great. I changed my theme once. I have a feeling I’m not going to change it again any time soon. It’s enough of a challenge to change the header photo once in a while! Happy Thanksgiving!
As long as your happy with it, that is what counts.
Good to find you on here. All the best. Karen
Thank you Karen, Always a pleasure to see you.