Muriel Farley is quick to tell you she is not a blogger.

That's why Farley - the wife of Republican representative Allen Farley - was caught by surprise when her blog post about former Alabama First Lady Dianne Bentley caught the attention of so many, with almost 10,000 people reading the words of encouragement from the lawmaker's wife.

The attention to that blog post - titled "Dianne Bentley, My friend" - is just one example of the interest in Mrs. Bentley, who in the summer of 2015 filed for divorce from Gov. Robert Bentley, her husband of 50 years. Since then, Gov. Bentley had admitted to making inappropriate comments to his married female adviser Rebekah Caldwell Mason. Gov. Bentley and Mason have denied having a physical affair; both are the subject of ethics investigations and possibly FBI inquiries.

Throughout the entire scandal, Dianne Bentley has made few public appearances and a handful of statements, only saying after the couple's divorce was finalized that she was "doing fine."

"The Lord is good and he is holding my hand and guiding us through this, and we just appreciate all the support and the prayers of the people of Alabama that have been with us," Bentley said last October. "I like to say that I once was first lady of Alabama and I'm not first anymore, but I'm still a lady, and I still want to represent the state of Alabama as a lady."

Bentley's friends and supporters said that's just what she's doing. Most recently, she spoke at a luncheon for Birmingham-based Gateway, a nonprofit that provides services for foster families, a cause she championed during her time in Montgomery. Farley said she's not surprised to see Bentley still advocating for the causes she believes in.

"She is so genuine and has such a huge heart," Farley said. "She truly enjoyed being First Lady. She loves the people of Alabama. As Alabama's First Lady, she loved to serve and associate with Alabama's school children, foster children and especially trying to help the domestic violence shelters and the victims. Dianne truly misses being able to help people as Alabama's First Lady."

Friends said Bentley,72, is enjoying spending time with her four children and eight grandchildren and splits her time between Tuscaloosa and Gulf Shores. The terms of her divorce gives Bentley the right to live in the Tuscaloosa home until December 2017, as well as ownership of the former's couple's Gulf Shores beach property. Recent photos posted to social media show the former First Lady enjoying a car show at the beach.

In her own quiet way, Bentley is getting out more, according to a friend who asked that their name not be used.

"Dianne is private but she's not shy once you get to know her," the friend said. "None of this has been easy but she has lots of support from family and friends."

That's apparent. Her recent Facebook post about visiting the car show was filled with support from people - mostly women - across the state.

"It's about time you are looking really happy! Beautiful smile, beautiful lady!! Well deserved!" one wrote.

"We admire your strength and courage and will continue to pray for you! You deserve happiness and I just bet God has wonderful things planned for you!" another said.

Farley said those sentiments are felt by many, especially members of the Alabama Legislative Spouse's Club that gathered in Montgomery for Mrs. Bentley's monthly Bible studies. Those Bible studies and her feeling that she had not stayed in touch with the First Lady after the divorce prompted Farley to write her blog post, she said.

After she wrote the piece, Farley said she called Dianne Bentley and then spoke to her again after her words began to spread on social media. Mrs. Bentley's reaction?

"She told me she appreciated being appreciated," Farley said.