Thanksgiving eve 2007

Brian gets ready for the traditional Thanksgiving beertasting.

It's been almost two months since Tom Devine, the blogging guru of the Pioneer Valley, "ever weirder since 1998," as he puts it, hasn't posted to Tommy Devine's Online Journal.
"Wow, I woke up this morning with my cold much, much better. It is indeed a benevolent universe!" he wrote on Oct. 1, his most recent post. "I'm staying in bed today and will not post again until I fully recover my creative powers, modest though those be."

I've been checking every day, as have, I guess, a lot of people who think he's a very creative and gifted blogger, a real individual. There was a period when his readers/online friends thought he might be in trouble or sick. His year-long relationship had recently broken up. He'd written that he was relieved about it, but he had posted the Neil Young song "A Man Needs a Maid" with the refrain "When will I see you again?"

People tried calling and emailing him and contacting his siblings but no word, until his sister posted a note thanking readers for their concern. Tom was recovering and would be back when he was better just like he had said, she wrote.

There are over 90 comments at his blog now -- not a lot for some of the bloggers with a national audience but a LOT for a blogger like Tom whose musings and adventures originate HERE.
The Springfield elections went by and Charlie Ryan, who Tom always said was one of the best things that ever happened to the city, was defeated. There was a Grateful Dead symposium at UMass. Fall came and went.
Here's what some of the commenters are saying now:

"Has anyone considered that mabey Tommy realised that this blog was taking up too much of his life, and instead of waisting another precious moment in front of a glowing computer screen he has decided to get out there and enjoy. People expect a blog and mabey he is sick of being a slave to the people."

"All we're asking for is a little closure. A good-bye message would be appropriate."

"nice thought, however I know Tom, outside of the blog world,and I can assure you this is deeper than that."

" Deeper than what exactly? Is he ok?"

"I think just one post, either saying 'goodbye' or 'stay tuned' would be nice."

"Tommy, thinking of you and hope you'll be able to be back in touch with us soon."

Ditto.