Hi Sally!

Sally, thanks for your compassion. You know I appreciate you and your big heart.

I would also like to remind people that we NEVER really know what's going on in people's lives unless they personally tell us. It is not a good idea to assume reasons why some people are absent from the forum because we just don't know. One thing is for sure though, that over the last 10 years - Fabbers have always come and gone. It's an ongoing pattern despite political change and national disasters.

Rabbit, Peri, Manny, AM, Laurinda and CocoCat, as always, it's lovely to see you back on YLF. Know that you are always welcome.

gradfashionista: Reading your point of view is precisely why I have engaged members of the very unfancy yacht club we have just joined. Boaters in my town tend to be quite conservative. I find it fascinating to see the world through a different lens. The benefit of sitting at a bar -- there is much more time to listen and ask more questions about those different views. I always feel that I am living up to my beliefs of valuing minority views, building bridges and recognizing the value of the individual -- despite how conservative (or liberal for that matter) when I seek them out. Frankly, it is much more challenging and much more satisfying for me. Anyway, I enjoyed hearing your views about Melania, there is deep insight to be gained because you do represent some women and some men. We might not agree, but at least you have allowed me to peak into your mind. There is great insight for me. I might not choose to share my views on Melania but again, I'm giving everyone on this forum the benefit of the doubt that they value diverse views. It was very important for me to share my perspective above regarding some of the recent discussions. My words "I would argue that this isn't about valuing diversity, expression, political views -- about differing views on the president, the media or the current events. I will give all the woman within this community the benefit of the doubt on this, period." ...And I learned something -- there is no guaranteed that YLF will cover the first lady's fashion during such a historical event as the U.S. inaugural events. That's fine. There is plenty of depth on this subject that is guaranteed to be covered in other fashion media. My contributions to this thread was to give potential insight why someone might be missing. It seems that is of concern to some members. Probably you too! And thank you again for a peak into you mind.

Sally, you have such a kind heart. I miss absent Fabbers, too, but, as Angie says, there are many reasons for people leaving - whether permanent or not. I prefer to think it is a case of life events taking over in the majority of cases.
Anyway, "Hello" to all who have popped back in to comment, and to others who have not been around, I echo Sally's good wishes: we miss you all.

I've also been more or less absent lately, for a variety of reasons. I haven't been looking at the forum often enough to have noticed people leaving after the election, but I echo Anne who cautioned that people on YLF always come and go. I've missed lots of people over the years.

I think talking about politics in Off Topic is fine - if I don't want to read it I don't need to. That said, I don't think it would be fair to ask Angie to give political topics even more room than that, even if they intersect with fashion.

German media has been going crazy since the election in the US and it's all anyone can talk about. I'm honestly a bit sick of it. Of course I can see the need to talk about what's happening right now in the US, but there are a lot of other things going on which are just as important that get a lot less attention.

AM: "There is no guaranteed that YLF will cover the first lady's fashion during such a historical event as the U.S. inaugural events." Did you mean Angie, or forum members? Can you point to previous examples of you would have wanted?

I'm not sure what insight you gained about my personal views, aside from the fact that I drew attention to well-established phenomena without judgement.

It might also be that once the First Lady office fully transitions to that of the First Daughter, you'll see a lot more coverage here of Ivanka Trump's outfits.

gradfashionista: I think we might be guilty of hi-jacking. Do you think? If you think we aren't using good etiquette you will tell me? Other's will tell us? You ask good questions: when I meant coverage -- I mean all types of content on the site. Angie and forum members -- I see it all as content under the YLF media brand. I would have liked to see things like: "A Decade in Review of Inaugural Gowns" OR "Large Designers/Small Designer: The Impact of the Inaugural Gown" OR "Michelle's Gown vs. Melania's Gown" OR "The role of color during the inaugural events" etc. I remember some great history challenge where folks (especially Rabit - mind blowing) - dressed up. Perhaps: "My gown if I was first lady."

I just promised to stop on this topic on another post. No more on first lady talk. I'm going to drop off this thread now. Feel free to message me.

Thanks for the contributions.

Jenn- hi back

Astrid - looking forward to seeing you very soon!! We are having golden weather now so bring your hat and sunscreen. But no guarantees - our weather is fickle.

Summer - thanks very much for your kind words.

Angie - I think I have been on the forum about three years and there have always been comings and goings. And new members add something fresh.

Peri - thanks for popping by. I can understand where you are coming from - sometimes it is healthier for fashion to take a back seat. I had noticed you were not around, I hope you are still wearing orchid and purple!!

Rabbit - thanks for your post and we will see you back when it suits. Good luck with your activism.

Maneera - you have to do what suits you, and if straight hair is easier then that is a great call. It suits you:) I come and go too so do not feel bad about that.

Approprio - thanks for your support.

GF - thanks for your words. Melania and Ivanka both have the chance to forge relationships with US designers and boost the industry, It will be interesting to see the approach they take. I have seen criticism of the line Princess Catherine takes on other blogs - saying she is too conservative, repeats her clothes etc. Those qualities appeal to me - I love the repeating, the chain store brands, and that she has her favourites (I would totally wear wedges if I had to stand around in public as much as she does!)

AM - I am interested in those type of posts as well...but I think we can all bring them to the forum. Heated emotions around this election made it hard to do.

I am also aware of a forum member facing an illness, and another one with a partner who is unwell, and I hope they are doing okay. As a couple of contributors have said earlier, sometimes fashion just has to take a back seat, or forum contributions for various reasons. I totally get that:)

Hey all! I've been away from the forum for some time after approximately 5 yrs of participation. But it's been due to illness and not political discomfort. I may or may not be back as a participant but I will always be a loyal reader of Angie's blog and peruse the forum when time and energy allows.

I personally have no desire to discuss politics on YLF as that's not what I come here for and I have complete sympathy for Angie and Greg in having to navigate these complicated waters.

Discussing the fashion of the First Family and any impact for designers or retailers is one thing, but to be blunt, I'm not sure anything more than that belongs on a fashion forum. But that's just me

Nice to hear from you Shannon...all the best for the upcoming year:)

I have always been very sporadic poster. It is just that my life is very busy and hectic and I rarely have enough time and energy to post, but I am trying to keep up with the blog, and read forum topics that catch my attention. But whenever I get a break I try to be more active. I hope that nobody minds this and that I am welcome whenever I find time to post.

Missing a bunch of people too. I was afraid this might happen with so many people obviously posting against one side. It has kept me from wanting to participate as much for sure.

I would MUCH prefer not to read the political comments from anyone on YLF as I view it as an escape from this type of thing - a place I can enjoy fashion without a lot of political/religious/social issue commentary. I rarely read political comments on other subject specific forums I visit - but of course they aren't as personal (people don't really know each other personally as they often do here).

I appreciate this thread. What a nice idea to 'shout out' to say hey to those who used to be more active and now are less active, for whatever reason.
Re: politics. I've found people quite polite here, and I've enjoyed seeing political threads in the off-topic forum. A lot of people use off-topic to discuss issues they are struggling with (health; family; death; depression; new jobs), and many are now struggling with recent changes in the US. For some this is isn't theoretical; for some people, the changes will affect their health(care), family, or job. So my $0.02 is that this is a good place for such threads. It is interesting to see the different viewpoints. I thought the threads on the main forum that were a bit political ("WIW to a protest") were also interesting (protest fashion! don't see much of that). I am interested in the new first lady's fashion. She has a spotlight--what will she do? Time will tell. If I'm not interested in something off topic, I just don't read it (even I don't have anything meaningful to contribute, others might...)

Thanks Anchie, I am sure Angie will say that it is lovely to see people on the forum whether they are here daily, monthly or even twice a year. I love your fashion posts and always try to read them.

TexStyle - thanks for your thoughts too. I know when last year I was having a tough time I liked the total escapism of YLF- no worries about business, parents health etc ...It is positive and an oasis. And on a forum we sort of know each other, and yet we don't as well....it is the balance between the anonymity and the comradery that can be very appealing though.

Clara - thanks for your input. I agree, we are all coming from different angles and perspectives. That's one of the things I like about this forum - and blogs in general, it is a chance to know more about other people's lives.

I think we can help Angie and Greg and Inge by considering how we deliver our messages - not censoring them - but by ensuring they are not attacking or personal. And if reading posts, that contain different views to your own, by not taking offense or taking them personally when very likely they were not meant that way.

I'll be frank - I haven't been around all that much and it's been because of politics. I come here for talk about fashion. I don't mean any offense, but all those posts about WIW to the march didn't seem to be about what people wore, but really about the march. I don't like reading the negative comments about how people feel about Trump (and for that matter I wouldn't want to read negative comments about how people feel about anyone, Hillary included).

Someone I know on FB recently posted there about how FB used to be about pictures of everyone's cute kids but has become all about political stuff. It seems like YLF is starting to head in that direction, and it doesn't make me happy. I'm trying not to be so sensitive about it, but it is beginning to bother me.

Thanks Karie, nice to "see" you. I understand your sentiments, and several others commented along similar lines.

These are unusual times, and the election has brought alot of emotions to the fore. I hope YLF can remain a happy oasis for us all, but boy is politics hard to avoid right now...

I am missing some people here too. I haven't been here as much just because of various reasons but I do still enjoy learning about fashion and seeing what everyone is wearing. I think people are overwhelmed by politics. After such a intense election I think people were hoping for things to quiet down but things have become more intense and I am seeing a great divide with anti Trumpers becoming very vocal and pro Trumpers somewhat afraid to speak out and feeling unappreciated (not sure of the right word here). I have found that Facebook has become overwhelming and am avoiding it some days. I don't find this forum overly political but we are affected and it seems that Off Topic would be a place to hold discussions including politics for anyone who wants to contribute. Part of what makes it nice here is that there is such great diversity and intelligence and I love hearing all kinds of different opinions and I expect that current events would be part of that discussion. I am not offended that someone posts what they wore to the women's march. It's an event that they are proud to share like going to church or a concert. You may not be a church goer or an activist but we are here to hold each other up and embrace our differences while seeing what we are wearing, of course!

Jeanie, I agree with everything you wrote!!

Yes, Jeanie

I hadn't actually noticed that there were people missing until you started this thread, Sally. I often go months at a time without checking in, when life just gets too busy. I've just realized that I haven't heard from Una/Alaskagirl in a really long time, and when I tried to search for her, it looks like she's deleted her entire account. I don't know if I'm not supposed to name names or not, but I'm actually a little shocked about Una because she used to participate a ton (and she didn't seem like the type to leave in a huff, by any stretch!). I hope she's all right.

Wow E, That is sad. I sill miss her. My birthday twin! If she has deleted her account she won't read this.
At least when there have been people I have missed I have been able to contact them by PM, because usually a notification of that goes to their email.

Thanks Azirophale, I am not sure about Una, I miss her along with the others who posted here, plus a few others.

Thanks for chipping in

My SiL pointed me here. For those worried about Una, you can find her if you try. I was only a member for 2 years so probably not anyone you'd notice leaving, but, yes, I left in a fit of pique. Here's why.

It wasn't politics for me. Like others, I came here to escape. But I'm well used to tuning out politics. I left because of the post that cruelly called women fat -- and made it worse by casting blame. Every day for a week or more this ugly energy threw itself in my face when I opened the forum, hurting me (and others) with its judgement cloaked as curiosity. You don't have a career in the healthcare field as that poster did and not know how offensive her words are. I have worked in a clinic for overweight teens and seen the tears in their eyes from just this kind of bullying.

I told myself I'd return if the poster made a public apology. That didn't happen, and now it's too late--an apology on the forum would make things worse by throwing the whole ugly issue back in our faces again. There's enough distress in the world.

I am weighing in with a temporary profile because that post *still* upsets me a couple of months later. I would understand its flash of cruelty on another blog, but YLF is normally a shining light of kindness and support--so much so that I often felt I didn't get an honest answer to some of my more off-base outfits.

I am back to my tried and true classic dressing formula, have happily gained 8lbs (take that, fattist poster!), and am making conscious choices about how I spend my time, money and energy. I wish all the best to Angie, Greg, Inge, wee Sam and the mostly kind, creative, and wise YLF community.

A few people have said "politics are hard to avoid right now" and I strongly disagree. You choose rather to avoid them or not - especially on forums like this. They may be hard for you to avoid if you feel very strongly about your opinion, but it is a choice you are making.

I choose to talk about fashion here on YLF and I agree with Karie's sentiment. Funny thing, when I saw the first post about March I actually thought it was going to be a post about the MONTH of march.

I don't think I'm talking out of turn to say that Una didn't leave in a huff. She had some reasons to want to minimize her internet presence, none of which had anything to do with bad feelings about YLF. I'm in touch with her and all is well!

Thanks, Mary - that's good to know.

Sally, you are a mensch.

I'm still here, though less active, in part for personal reasons. But always reading the blog and I do try to pop in on the forum as I can.

I do think the US election has provided an opportunity for us to examine our commitments and for me that has meant some rearrangements in how I spend my leisure hours and also has meant some reduction of online time, period. I'm on my computer constantly for work and often online because of that, and these days, I simply need to unplug more often to maintain sanity and nurture creativity.

Hey all, just checking in briefly to say I am so sorry for any confusion I caused and am deeply touched by those who reached out. A little bird (put a bird on it, Rachy!) told me some had asked about where I've gone. I really should have posted something here to clarify that I'm minimizing my internet presence in general for personal reasons.... nothing bad and nothing at all to do with the forum. I was also traveling out of the country recently. Angie is aware and I know some others are too.

I miss YLF dearly and hope to be in touch in other ways. Hope you all are well, and I know you're setting style standards worldwide!

Oh good, madam catgirl!! I was missing you!! To be honest, I had had the thought you'd picked up an internet stalker or something... watching late night tv ads too much...

Thanks Aliona for your heartfelt honest comments. You were somebody I did miss for your thoughtful presence and original style. I know the thread you were referring to - I did read it but had a lot going on personally during that time and didn't become emotionally involved - I saw how destructive it was though.

Texstyle - I think it comes down to personality/environment/lifestyle as to whether you can avoid politics. It is often a choice - I am drawn to it (hence my adult studies), mostly local NZ based stuff and International Relations.

Ms Mary - thanks for the update and for checking in

Astrid and Rachy - thanks

Suz, thank you too for your comments. A healthy creative mind is a blessing indeed- whatever we need to do to maintain that.

Catgirl - hiya!! I had sort of worked out what had happened from a post but thanks for checking in. I hope your recent trip was wonderful and I hope the winter includes lots of snowsports.