Blogiversary and Give-Away Celebration

I want to babble a bit today about Blogging and what it means to me while showing you some pictures that I need to get cleaned out of the holding boxes and into filed spots.

It was a year ago today that Tina talked me into writing a post here at "In the Garden". I was happy with passing along pictures and a few words for her to post but in time, she decided I needed to do the posting and writing myself. What a sweetheart Tina is to always be there to encourage us along with trying new things in life. My Blogging actually started with my hometown newspaper. I have always kept up with my hometown news through newspapers since leaving home way back in 1985. My mom would mail them to me in every state we lived in to include the country of Germany! What a wonderful thing mothers are to their children. Thanks again mom for all the trips you made to the Post Office for your baby girl. I was thrilled when the newspaper world went to computer. I know the newspapers are rethinking that technology today with the loss of hard copies but it is a wonderful thing for people such as me living away from home. I can now push a few buttons to see the life I left behind continuing to unfold each day. In time the technology got even better for me as they started allowing people to comment on each story. I thought that was great and now I could have a say in what was happening in my hometown without submitting a hand written "Letter to the Editor"

Some people used that privilege as a way to bash other people so in time I dropped off from commenting on news stories. It was just no longer any fun for me. But they had a new thing which caught my interest. A group of people were on a Blog thing talking about their pets. I soon realized that I had so much in common with these people and then I started to comment with them also. A few of them met with me with one of my hometown visit and we all hit if off as if we had known each other for many years. In time, a new Blog showed up about Gardening. This was our very own Master Gardener Tina's blog. I again started to comment on that blog and just as with the Pet People, I formed blogging friendships with Tina, Jean, Lola, Nina, Anonymous and Dawn as the original Commenter's way back when Tina started up this fun adventure!

I was a shy person with not being able to make friends easily as a young person. Now I am not so shy and am eager to meet new people with every chance. Blogging has enabled me to meet people all over the world. Some I have met in person and I hope to meet more in person as time goes on. I am happy with learning about everyone, their gardens and families through blogging.

I only wish I were a speed reader and writer as I can only visit so many blogs in a day. I must come up with a way to read more then I currently do. But do know that I enjoy every comment you make to the blogs I write. I read every single comment on In the Garden and enjoy everything you all have to say and not just about my posts but Tina, Dawns and Lola's as well.

Blogging is something that some people joke with me about. They do not understand the world of blogging because if they did, they would be blogging also. But my life is a bit boring and I do have time to spend on here when others may not.

Blogging keeps my mind fresh with new ideas to incorporate into my garden world.

Blogging has gotten me to notice things I probably would not notice otherwise.

Blogging gives me the push I need to get something accomplished. Blogging is visiting with people of similar interest. We understand and are there to give a helping hand or voice when needed. From a simple idea or just a few words of encouragement.

As I blog each morning, I feel as though I am sitting around the kitchen table with a cup of coffee talking to my friends. We joke and laugh together, we encourage each other and at times, we may drop a tear or two for each other.

I never considered myself a gardener until blogging started. Tina would tell a story of a certain flower, bush or whatever, and I would have something to relate to that item. Then the more I read and talked on "In the Garden" Tina had me realizing I am indeed a Gardener! More of a hobby for me but a gardener all the same!

With each day of blogging comes new knowledge for me. There is not a day that goes by without me learning something new from Garden blogger's! Not many people can say that from watching silly things on TV. I don't watch much TV since blogging but I don't miss it at all but do miss my Blogging friends when I am not able to visit with you! Since blogging, I now look around my yard and see something pretty in just about every direction I turn! Something growing from me digging in the dirt!

The grass even looks better to me since blogging!

And I notice the berries in animal scant now when before I would just say yuck animal poo... Come on admit it, I am not the only one which examines animal poo... Pine cones, a sprig of pine laying on fallen brown needles look pretty to my eyes since blogging.

And I no longer just look down since blogging.

Blogging has me looking up for beauty.

What was once just a simple tree, now talks to me when I view it.

I welcome animals into my garden since blogging. I had decided that a garden is not a true garden without animals such as our neighbors cats.

Birds have always been special to me but since blogging, I am more excited to see a bird and provide treats such as meal worms to my buddies the Bluebirds,

Wrens,

and the cute little Titmouse.

Blogging has opened up a whole new world for me . I am so grateful to Tina for giving me that nudge and having me be a part of "In the Garden"

In honor of my One year Blogiversary, I would like to give away a little gift to one of you wonderful commenter's!

Since I feel as though we have coffee each morning together, I would like to present one lucky person with a coffee set. A Coffee cup, Plate, Bowl and Hand napkins will be the prize...

Leave a comment and your name will be placed into the Saints magic hat for him to draw the winning name on April 17, 2009. You must provide an address to be a winner at tinaramsey5@gmail.com . Winner will be announced on Sat. April 18, 2009...

Thank you all for being such wonderful people to chat with each day!

Happy Blogging,

Skeeter

Note: I am still on Spring Vacation and may not be commenting for a few more days.