I've had this blog since sometime in 2006 and it has undergone a lot of changes, some minor, some major, some that didn't work and some that did. I found it hard to maintain two blogs as sometimes my crafting ventures overlapped with my gardening ventures and instead of posting in two places I amalgamated the blogs together.
One of my main reasons to blog is for a personal journal of my gardens and my crafts. We had such a lousy spring I was able to look back through my posts and see how this year compares to previous years. I also love to share my photos with blogland. I can even check back and see how my photography skills have improved.
Another reason to blog is to connect with other bloggers around the world, especially those with similar interests as your own. I've met so many wonderful blog friends that love gardening and crafting. I guess that we all like to know that what we publish on a blog is read by others. Blogger has a Followers button. I'm not sure I see the 'whole picture' as far as having followers. Yes, many will click to say they follow but do they all check back. There is always that core of visitors that will return and leave comments. But is that because they are followers or because I visit their blogs and we have built up a friendly relationship over time. Comments are words of inspiration and encouragement.
I'm sure there are many other reasons to blog. Many do so because they love to see their words or thoughts on the web. Many love to share their interests, tell about their personal life, vent on a certain topic, escape from reality, or perhaps they are paid to blog by advertisers. I know I'm always getting emails from individuals or companies that want me to promote their business or product. I can't really see a blog like mine advertising for weight loss, expensive gadgets, or companies that don't even ship to Canada.
I very often think I've covered everything about my gardens to blog about, but I still continue to find new things or new ways to post about old things. How much longer will I blog? It's really hard to say. While I enjoy it I will continue but when it becomes a chore to decide what to blog about then it will probably be time to stop.
I'd love to hear your reasons for blogging. While you are here visiting perhaps you will leave a comment and let me know.
Enjoy the day.
edit to change a photo
Lovely post Linda.
ReplyDeleteI love blogging and so very glad I started last winter.
I love blogging in that it gives me inspiration to start new projects, give old furniture new life with paint, I love showing off what I found at thrift shops, I love getting ideas from other bloggers, some bloggers have a great sense of humour and some have such unique and beautiful homes that you love to tour.
I enjoy your blog, glad to be a follower of another Ontarian. There is always something to talk about - so keep talkin' girl! Diane
There are certain days, when the kids are going stir crazy, or I would much rather be IN my garden - than blogging about my garden, when I do wonder why I bother to continue. I always loved to write and used to keep a journal. So the blog has become a sort of digital journey/scrapbook of my family's life. And since I am nosey, I like to peek into other's digital journey too. Or in your case, I have garden envy. LOL
ReplyDeleteBut as my blog title suggests, at its' core, it is FOR me. Something that is separate from role of wife and mom - even though my online identity is that of a SAHM. Connecting with others can help the bad days seem not-so-bad. I love that we all try to raise one another up with encouragement, support and lots of laughs often. It amazes me that a blogger friend in Maylasia can lift me up with a kind word - even though we will never meet face to face. I think it's that connection that makes it worth the effort - far beyond just a love of writing.
That's a good question, and one I think has to be answered individually, or there's no reason to continue. I started as a way for my children to learn about my garden, and how to maintain it should/when the need ever arise. It's sometime I love and it will need care after I'm gone, or demolition. Not that I think that'll be soon, but we never know. So, a purpose. I think everyone has their own purpose, and of course, all the rest is icing. I love 'meeting' other gardeners, love seeing other gardens, and learning more about an interest I love. Your photos are wonderful.
ReplyDeleteHI Linda, I started to blog last August as a way to share my photography. Not that I'm a great photographer for sure, but that I love taking photos of nature and everyday life and want to share them. I decided, after following quite a few beautiful blogs, to just do it! Sometimes I get bloggers block and wonder what I can write about or take a photo of and will my followers be interested in it. But I figured I'm doing this for 'me' as much as for anyone else. It's my way to be creative and I get a lot of pleasure from it. I have met so many wonderful friends all over the world through this venture. It's my hope that I can actually meet some of my blog friends some day. When I look back at my first few posts I can't believe how much I've learned about blogging and posting. And, I still have more to learn. So, for me, a 'retired' SAHM, it gives me something to do and look forward to each day and I hope to continue blogging for as long as I can. Have a wonderful day! It's sunny and very hot here and I'm loving it! Hugs, Pamela
ReplyDeleteGreat post Linda. I began my blog as a means to share the love of gardening. While I've gardened off and on over my life not until I started my blog did I really get more into my gardens. I never imagined it could have blossomed into what it is today. I love blogging and meeting so many people. I've become friends with quite a few people who also visit via email sometime. There are times when I feel like my interest is waning but it only last for a day or so.
ReplyDeleteGlad you stopped by RoryBore, it's always nice to meet another Canadian blogger, and one from Ontario close to me. I added your blog to my Canada Blog Hop list.
ReplyDeleteFor sure HolleyGarden, everyone has a different reason for blogging, and all are legitimate.
Hi Pamela, great to meet a blogger from New Brunswick. Blogging certainly is for "me" isn't it. I'll add you to my Canada Blog Hop list too.
I realized I already had your blog on my list Pamela.
ReplyDeleteHi Becca, blogs certainly do blossom like gardens don't they
I only started blogging a couple of months ago. I think I do it because it is a means of journaling my garden, a way to communicate with other gardeners, and I really look forward to sharing whatever information I have with others. The blogging community is so huge, if I didn't blog I would lose out on all the great information from "Encyclopedia Blotanica".
ReplyDeleteI always enjoy your beautiful pictures and read your blog nearly every time you post. Sometimes I comment, sometimes not, but I am always there. :)
ReplyDeleteOne of the really nice things about blogging with other gardeners is seeing what grows where, what is blooming and fruiting now, and how it all compares.
My main reason for blogging is to make my life and adventures available to friends and family without clogging up their inbox with pictures. They can check me out at their leisure and the pictures are big enough for my mother who is losing her sight to see.
Nice post. I really enjoy blogging. It's like a personal journal, and a way to meet some wonerful people from all over the world that I'd never meet otherwise. I also gather ideas and knowledge from other gardeners that help me to better care for my own garden. And, I enjoy reading interesting - and sometimes hilarious - posts from other people. There are many creative and imaginative individuals out there, and blgging helps me to find them.
ReplyDeleteHi Linda, great post and I love "following" your blog! I originally started with a family blog back in 2002 to keep track of my boys which I post to every other day. Last year I thought I should do the same for my growing garden and keep track of the seasonal happenings, more of a reminder for me as I am somewhat lacking in the memory department.
ReplyDeleteI had no idea it would turn into a wonderful way of meeting other bloggers, which I love and treasure! Its also been a perfect place to share my photo's and I am even loving the writing part...its my escape at the end of the day, with a glass of wine in hand I will disappear in the world of garden blogging! whether posting or reading others...I LOVE it!! And yeah, the family blog is a little neglected now...oops!
Hi Adele, I love your phrase of "Encyclopedia Blotanica", very fitting.
ReplyDeleteThat is a great reason to blog Rosemary.
Hi Martha, I too love to get ideas and information from other bloggers.
Yes Julia, blogging is an escape at the end of the day or for me in the early morning.
Thanks everyone for stopping by and sharing why you blog.
Hi Linda What a thought provoking post. I started as a way to communicate with my family and then it evolved into sharing my garden with fellow gardeners who never fail to find each year different and challenging, then I started to share recipes then my attempts at card making so now it is a hodge podge of my life , if I end up with followers great, hence the occasional blog candy but I really find the regular visitors who have been commenting from the start a treasure of blog friends, I did not expect, I so enjoy the peek thru their blogs seeing their gardens, crafts, lives.
ReplyDeleteI am very remiss at not leaving comments on the blogs I read. It is the very thing I feel sad about on mine. I do read your blog and enjoy it and your photos. I started to blog in January this year as a challenge to myself to learn new things. Lately it has lost its enjoyment but I have had other things to do and found I was feeling guilty because I was neglecting it and having trouble finding what to write about because I felt I had to write. I do enjoy it and I suspect my blog will evolve into a general diary blog rather than be solely garden based. It has been good to read all the comments. Thank you, it is helpful.
ReplyDeleteHi Linda - I started blogging in January with my best friend who lives about 100kms away from me - as a way for us to "share" each others gardens on a regular basis. We are both very new to gardening so it was a way to document and share our progress. But it has developed into so much more, primarily because of the amazing gardening blog community we stumbled onto - and we now both blog because we enjoy being part of it - you are all amazingly generous with your support, advice and cameraderie, and we are better gardeners because of it!
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I started my vegetable garden blog because I was losing track of the scraps of paper where I wrote down how much we harvested, what varieties of veggies we were growing, etc. It's a great way to organize/update this info and organize my pictures. I realized one of the benefits of the blog when I looked back on my garden's progress in spring 2010 vs. 2011--how the heat wave last year affected the growth rates of my plants. It made me feel less anxious about their progress this year. Now that I've met other garden bloggers, I feel like I have a nice community of people who are rooting for my garden to do well. I actually don't know anyone who gardens, so my only gardening friends are online, and I love to see how their gardens are growing and I want to root for them too.
ReplyDeleteI started blogging 2 years ago. Can I do this? I can do this! Mine is a garden blog, I garden for wildlife, and every third or fourth post I write off topic.
ReplyDeleteThe Why do you blog poll I'm running on my sidebar this month has surprised me. I was expecting bloggers to respond - it's the garden. But they blog to share their interests.
I blog for the inspiration I find on other blogs, and to share some of my diy on a budget ideas. When I first started, I didn't dream of the people who would become my friends. I debated stopping blogging one time, I felt my projects were inferior to so many other 'big' bloggers. But I have never been the type that has to be the first or the best or the in crowd so I figured this would be fine for my blog too. I am having a slow posting week, this week, because we are busy with our boys and I am doing some major organizing. Not stuff that I feel like blogging about. And I have learned that it is okay. My friend Pat at Back Porch Musings taught me the expression "blogging without obligation" and it works for me. You have posted an interesting subject, and I am enjoying reading the comments.
ReplyDeleteHi Linda. It is amazing that you have been blogging since 2006. I am impressed. I started my blog to talk about gardening on my own property in sandy soil. I thought I would share what works for me. I then purchased my first DSLR camera and started taking some classes. I found I could marry the gardening and the photographing of flowers. I too have enjoying the blogging community and meeting people all over the world. I still enjoy blogging and when I do not find it rewarding I will hang up my closed shingle. I hope that is not too soon. V
ReplyDeleteHi Rosemary, it's the hodge podge that makes blogs interesting.
ReplyDeleteHi Hurtling towards 60 - sometimes real life gets in the way of blogging, and that is perfectly okay, glad you had time to comment today.
Hi Bumble Lush, I hear you about the pieces of paper, blogs are a great way to keep a journal. I look back on mine frequently to see and compare progress.
Hi Diana (elephant's Eye), I was interested to see the results of your survey. It was your survey that prompted me to finish my post. I had started drafting in a couple of weeks ago and finally got it up today.
Hi Elizabeth, I love the saying "blogging without obligation", that is exactly how it should be, no pressure, just enjoyment.
Hi Val, way back when I started my blog I hardly posted anything at all, in fact I think I deleted those first few posts. I think everyone's blog posts got much better with the marriage to DSLR cameras.
I'm so glad that all of you stopped by and took time out of your busy schedules to leave a comment.
This is a question that has many answers I think, where it is hard to pin it down to one, at least for myself. But, I started blogging mainly because of the Blogger's Meet Up that was held in Buffalo last year. I saw how much fun and camaraderie there was in all their activities. I met some of the artistically creative bloggers which seem a good fit for me. So to be a part of this group of great people, I had to start a blog. I then started Garden Walk Garden Talk. With all my connections through gardening endeavors, it seemed like a fun thing to share, and in turn, learn from others. I wanted to attend in Seattle this year, but could not talk any of my closer blogging friends into going. So, I thought I will wait until next year, and hope it comes east again. So, in short... it was mostly about the Meet Up.
ReplyDeleteI started as a way of keeping a diary. I have a box of the most beautiful notebooks but I never stuck with writing in them. It's also a way of sorting out my photos which were a hideous mess. They are slightly more ordered now...
ReplyDeleteThe bi-product of blogging is all the interesting other blogs and bloggers. Also the tips and ideas.
I still couldn't tell you the date that I planted the peas or the courgette seeds...
Dear Linda, I love everything gardening and blogging is an extension of that. Meeting other bloggers and getting their support (especially when I was having heart surgery) is a big plus! P. x
ReplyDeleteI am reading this excellent posting on Blotanical.
Hi greenapple, yes there are many different answers and each of them valid. I hope you get to meet up with some bloggers soon.
ReplyDeleteHi Janet, keeping a journal seems to be a popular reply. I know I check back at certain times of the year to see how the garden is doing.
Hi Pam, yes the support for other bloggers is wonderful. I've had lots of support and encouragement since my knee surgery.
Thanks to everyone for stopping by.
I blog as a creative outlet. I write for a living, but writing is also my joy and passion - and my job - and most of my day is spent writing for others. The Seven Oaks home and garden joy blog lets me share my love of beauty with the world, and tell some funny and touching stories too!
ReplyDeleteWhen i was a corporate salesman we learned about buying habits and signals. Different people had different reasons for purchasing. I'm sure the same is true for blogging.
ReplyDeleteFor me it's all those things mentioned above with a lot of self gratification involved (I suppose that is being selfish and prideful). I never have been much of a writer so it's a good stretch for me. Also being home with an injury for 5 months has given me ample time to spend blogging.
Good question! I started about two years ago to experiment with blogging.I found that it's become a creative outlet for me, along with my gardening. Unfortunately I've not had much time lately to blog, but hope to do more soon.
ReplyDeletehi..i'm new in blogging and i find it exciting to know that people from the other side of the world reads what you write, makes comments and suggestions.it's that kind of a connection that even though we don't know each other personally, we somehow feel connected to each other..i like that feeling :) ... and i also like to make more friends and hear great stories from other people too.
ReplyDeleteHey there Linda girl !
ReplyDeleteYou are up early like I am .. I usually get up at 5 .. but then I go to bed (too embarrassing to say when ! haha) .. Blogging .. love hate relationship really .. isn't that the case with the more passionate hobbies? we enjoy .. I too like to see what some garden years compare to as well as the sky .. as well as the photography too of course.
It has been wonderful connecting with other gardeners .. for the advice, for new ideas, for so many things I can't list them all here.
Then there are the memes .. I can only handle one as it is .. but it is wonderful and on an international scale .. so that is like being connected all over the earth? haha
There are common threads to us all who blog .. and that is a wonderful connection : )
Joy
Hi Linda,
ReplyDeleteI am your new follower and I do check back, although sometimes I can't often do due to work load. I work online, which is far better than when I was working in an office.
At any rate, I blog in order to learn the internet world. I created my blog when I decided to pursue an online career. Many realizations then happened. I realized I like being here. Blogging helps me release my thoughts, my interests and my aspirations. It keeps my brain working rather than idle most of the time. For instance, I can easily share my thoughts when I see a beautifully designed garden. An opportunity to connect with people with common interest. Ah, there's a lot that we can do.