It all started when I discovered Fragments from Floyd...a blog written by Fred First about life in Floyd County, Virginia. I was so taken with his beautiful photography and heartfelt thoughts, that I decided to give it a whirl. My blog didn't start out as a garden blog...it was more about life's simple pleasures...but it quickly evolved into one.
Blogging has been a positive force for me and my garden. I have enjoyed reading other blogs, making new friends and interacting with them through their blog, as well as meeting some in person. It's tremendous how much I've learned from what others have written. It has made me a better gardener, and my garden has flourished with newfound ideas and knowledge. Gardener's are very warm and generous people by nature, and they love sharing information as well as plants.
From my humble perspective, garden blogs are one example of "what's right" in this world --kind and passionate people, communicating and generously sharing what they know -- making the world a better place!
To all of you who write such wonderful blogs, and those of you who visit my blog-- I would like to say "thank you!" It has been sooooo much fun, very enjoyable as well as enlightening, and I look forward to the fun continuing.
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Now for a look back...
My first post was created from a template of a poem written by George Ella Lyons that Fragments From Floyd posted on his blog. It was a lot of fun to write, and it brought back memories that I hadn't thought about in years. In visiting the past, I realized the profound impact those years have had on who I am today.
Where I'm From
I am from the humid and still heat of the South, from Noxzema and home-cooked German meals.
I am from a simple place, a dirt road, the saving grace of books, and endless summer days.
I am from orange blossoms and palm trees, saturating the air and swaying in the breeze.
I am from memorable holiday celebrations, from sensible German heritage-hearty stock, frugal and stubborn.
I am from an inner world where thoughts and feelings are closely guarded.
From the endless affirmation that a good work ethic is a virtue.
I am from the traditional realm of Martin Luther, idealism, the voice of intuition, fairy tales & happy endings.
I am from the land of Spanish moss and oak trees, from the old world of castles & knights, orangesicles & sauerkraut.
From an optimist and a homebody, from grandparents I barely knew but inherited a love for the soil.
I am from a world neatly saved and cherished, the earthy smell of steamy rainshowers, family walks after dinner, unending thoughts & questions.
Keep blogging everybody as your beautiful photos and your love and care of the earth along with its wild creatures...in the words of Clarissa Pinkola Estes...really do help "Mend the part of the world that is within your reach."
And, don't forget to create your own "Where I'm From" poem - you'll learn a lot about yourself!
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12 comments:
I am very grateful that you decided to start blogging 5 years ago. I have only recently discovered this wonderful world of online writing, but like you, I enjoy hearing about other peoples' lives through their gardens. Everyone has a story...
Congrats on 5 years. I wish many more years of peace, harmony and further knowledge for you and your very green thumb!
Wow! Five years blogging! I have to say I was one of the folks hitting your blog in my garden googles during those first four years. Of course, being totally ignorant of what blogging was, I thought you were a professional, since you had a website and all. Anyway, when I first started blogging back in January, yours was one of the first blogs I "followed."
Love that little poem. I'll have to copy that template and make one myself. I do think I could copy your poem and be accurate to my roots, except for the German part.
Long live garden bloggers!
I can't imagine 235 posts. I do agree with your perspective on garden bloggers, but I would extend that to all gardeners not just the ones on the web. I do not consider myself a poet but I'll take your challenge to try the "Where I'm From" poem.
SUSAN,
happy blogaversary! I for one am glad you started blogging five years ago although I havent been following you for that long! I have really enjoyed visiting your blog. I mentioned just a short time ago that blogging about our gardens was like having lots of friends over the back fence to share gardening stories with! So glad you are just over my back fence in the virtual world!
Susan ~ Congratulations on your bloggiversary. This was a lovely post this morning, one that makes me feel grateful.
Every garden blog is unique just like every gardener is.
I've only been blogging for two years, and it has really opened up a new world to me. It's a real joy to visit with you and other bloggers each day.
Happy Living and Happy Gardening,
FlowerLady
Congrats Susan! I'm so glad I found your blog a while back. You're one of my favorites. :)
So glad you started blogging 5 years ago. I found your blog about 2 years ago and then this past January took your challenge to begin blogging myself. Your postings have always been interesting and informative. Whether it is finding out how to care for orchids, or how to take photographs of the garden, I always learn something from your on-line writing. How you keep up with more than one blog is amazing to me. I hope you keep enjoying life's simple pleasures and your lovely garden for many more years and that you keep writing about it all.
Its amazing to think that you've been doing this for so long, when a couple of years ago i had no idea what a blog even was! Thanks for being such a cornerstone of the garden blog community, and for leaving such nice comments all the time! You're the best!
Thanks everyone for your kind comments. It is my pleasure to visit your blogs...as I said in the post...I always learn so much from all of you.
Susan: I am too very grateful that you started blogging 5 years ago. Your blog was one of a few that came up when I do the google search for some planting care idea. It also made me considering to start a blog my own when we moved into the current house more than one year ago. Your garden is beautiful, and your blog is inspirational. Thanks!
I received blackberry lily seeds yesterday, and sow half of them right away. Can not wait seeing those pretty flowers next summer. THANK YOU!!!
I did not even know about blogs until a little over a year ago. I am amazed you have blogged this long. I honestly cannot see myself doing that, but unsure. Congratulations, Gina
Hi Susan,
I have been overly pre-occupied of late and almost missed this post.
So glad I saw it tonight. I'll never forget when I started blogging 3.5 years ago and you sent me an e-mail. I was shocked that anyone out there actually was reading my blog...honored that you wanted to connect with me.
You've been such an inspiration to so many in Florida. We owe YOU a big thank you for the encouragement and the efforts you've made to unite information on Florida bloggers. I'm so happy to have met you since then and shared stories and even plants. Blogging and gardening truly does open up our eyes and opportunities we never would have dreamed when we started.
Congratulations and hugs to you for five great years. Many more to come...
Meems
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