Thursday, November 29, 2007

Blogs

The word blog conjures up different opinions about the item itself depending on your experiences with blogs. When the Leaf Chronicle sent out a request for bloggers in the hardcopy newspaper I didn't stop to think twice about volunteering to do it. My only worry was if my writing would be good enough to get me in. That wasn't a problem since not many people responded to the request. Blogging has given me a super way to talk about gardening and life where others who want to listen can log in and read (listen) and talk too! It has been so much fun and I love doing it. Imagine my surprise then when I find people who only think of blogs as "gripe sessions" or platforms to espouse a certain view.

I found out many people view blogs negatively. While at school on Tuesday I was talking to a few friends about my blog and they seemed lackluster about checking it out. I assured them I was NOT selling anything and I am NOT making money either. I told them I talk only about garden things and life things and you will not find anything negative on my blog. This is when I heard about blogs being gripe forums for people. Maybe so, but I have not found any to be like that (keeping in mind I do NOT visit many blogs-only gardening ones and it is hard to be negative when you discuss gardening).


This blog I publish on is hosted by Google, with a direct path to the Leaf Chronicle. When I go to log into Google Blogs there is a link on the log on page that clearly says, "What is a blog?" Well do you all know what a blog is? According to Google's Blogspot log in page, a blog is,

" a personal diary. A daily pulpit. A collaborative space. A political soapbox. A breaking-news outlet. A collection of links. Your own private thoughts. Memos to the world.
Your blog is whatever you want it to be. There are millions of them, in all shapes and sizes, and there are no real rules.
In simple terms, a blog is a web site, where you write stuff on an ongoing basis. New stuff shows up at the top, so your visitors can read what's new. Then they comment on it or link to it or email you. Or not.
Since Blogger was launched in 1999, blogs have reshaped the web, impacted politics, shaken up journalism, and enabled millions of people to have a voice and connect with others.
"

So now you know and I know exactly what a blog is. I had known of blogs prior to volunteering to write one but wasn't really sure I had visited any. Now I am thinking I did visit some blogs because of my gardening research on the Internet. Oftentimes garden blogs are called garden journals, but really they are a web site where someone writes things, a blog.

I knew of blogs from My Space. I do have a My Space page to keep in touch with my family and children and even to check up on my teenaged son. On each My Space page there is a place you can sign up to blog. I think my children do blog but I have never checked their blogs so I am not sure. I had never actually pursued blogs and when the editor at the Leaf Chronicle asked me if I knew what a blog was and had I ever blogged, I answered honestly, "Not really and no." But here I am and having fun living and learning and meeting new people! I think the friendships you can develop on blogs is an added bonus of blogs which Google should add to its definition of blogs. Something like this, "A great way to meet new people with similar interests to your own." Actually, the "connect with others" statement in the Google definition kind of sums it up.

Tomorrow I will post more on blogs. My mother, like many mothers, is very interested in what I do and has been kind enough to send me an article discussing blogs. I think it would be interesting for my readers so I want to share it. It discusses ways to be successful blogging. While we bloggers blog for the fun of it because we are passionate about something and would like to connect with others, we do want to be successful so tune in tomorrow for 10 tips on being successful at blogging.

The picture is of a wonderful sunset taken from my back deck. It is the little things everyday that count and sunsets are but one of a million little things!

in the garden....

9 comments:

  1. I have met some wonderful people by Blogging about my favorite things, animals and flowers! I only blog here with the Leaf Chronicle sights and have met some great people which I am proud to refer to as friends from my hometown. One day I plan to live there again so our friendships can grow even stronger....

    I think the best way to really get to know people is through their words. You get to know a person for whom they really are… That is, unless they are lying….

    ReplyDelete
  2. Tina
    I'm sure glad you decided to share. Your Blog is personal and full of info. I am learning, planting and not feeling like a nut case because I have a meditation circle and love the ocean, because of you.
    Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hi Skeeter and Ginger,
    It has been so great getting to know others on here. And others who share my likes and dislikes too! I think it is all the rage to make new friends on the web and I sure like it. Writing really lets you know someone because as you progress and write alot it really reveals inner things about people. I think it difficult to be someone you are not when you are blogging. Skeeter, we have so much in common-even spouses who have the same likes, the friendship can only grow.

    Ginger, thank you for your VERY nice comment. I surely appreciate it! You must tell me what you are planting and omgoodness-don't ever feel like a nut case because there are others out there with the same likes and who would love to share. You are never alone! I do know the feeling though. What is a meditation circle? I might like one. And loving the ocean is a really great thing...only those who know the smell of fresh salt breezes can understand but it is definitely something to love...

    ReplyDelete
  4. Ginger, I just read your comment to Mr. Fix-it and got teary eyed because it was such a nice thing to say.

    thanks again.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Tina, I am new at this blogging thing, but must say I have enjoyed your blogs and have already learned a few things. I am fairly new at flower gardening and can use any help I can get. Keep up the good work.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Christy and Liz both have a blog on myspace but do not write very often. I have only bothered with your blog and Chris and Liz and Lisa but have read a lot about them. Oh and I do check Nancy Grace blog on CNN since she had the twins. I define a blog very simply. "A way to get information to anyone that wants to read it...good, bad nasty, weird, ect. Love ya

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hi Nina,
    Thanks for the encouraging information. I surely appreciate it and am learning quite a few things too. From you and others! (See the Yuccas response)

    Hi Mom,
    I thought the girls had a blog but you have to subscribe. I should check them out. You can really get to know someone through blogs. I do like your defiinition...easy, simple and true!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Sometimes I surprise everyone by knowing more than my smart daughter. You do not have to subscribe, just click on it when you get to their MySpace page. But, if you do subscribe you get an email telling you they have posted something new. Love ya

    ReplyDelete
  9. Yes you do know more than me. But, coincidentally I spoke to Liz yesterday and she told me this very thing. Too funny. Thanks for the info. I will check out the kids blogs.

    ReplyDelete

ALL SPAM WILL BE PROMPTLY FRIED. PLEASE DO NOT LIFT PHOTOS OR WORDS. THANKS!