Tuesday marks four years since I published my first post here on OS. It's amazing to consider how much this place has grown since those early days and it's great to see a large number of beta members still actively posting here.

My first post started with an anniversary...that of my time being an avid reader of Big Salon. My first comment ever, which was on the first post was none other than Kerry Lauerman who left this friendly comment:

"Wow, that's longer than I've been here (at least by a few months). I sometimes miss those big, white, airy layouts from the early Salon days. They were a definite inspiration for the Open Salon design.

Thanks for joining -- and welcome!"

I was wondering how many posts I had since then and the number is 909 with today's post. A few were re-posts so taking that into account the number of original posts is around 900.

Besides being a creative outlet, it has been truly heartwarming to make so many wonderful friends here over the past four years and to have met a fair number of them at meet-ups in the New York metro area! I have been inspired by so many posts and have learned so much from reading other posts that I couldn't begin to count all of that!

Many thanks to all OSers who have made this such a great online community!

A well known song associated with Earth, Wind & Fire: That's The Way Of The World that I wanted to present as a musical accompaniment today. The Open Salon Rock Group gathered to put this one together recently...

Here's a look back at Part One of Vintage Open Salon covers I posted on November 7, 2008. I have more covers from the past that I will be presenting over time.

One feature of Open Salon that never lingers for too long are the covers, unlike the posts. Here's a selection from my early days on OS when it was still in beta. I don't whether the OS staff archives covers or not, but here's Part 1 of my archive. You'll notice that a few avatars have changed since the days of spring of some active members still currently blogging. (Note: my screen images don't include the full depth of each cover.)

May 23rd

 Above and below: May 27th

May 28th

 May 30th

June 2nd

June 7th

June 9th

June 11th

June 12th

June 13th

June 16th

June 17th