One year ago today I published my first post and became a garden blogger. I look back now on that post and cringe. It's so text heavy and the photos are not good, interesting, or, in one case, in focus. When I started out this blog was a way of showing my family who lived far away (especially my mom) what I was describing poorly during phone calls. Then it also became a way to keep track of what I had planted where and when.
But along the way the reason I was blogging changed. I fell back in love with taking photos. I found a deep peace working in the garden. On some crazy days the only excuse I had to take a break during the day was to go to the garden and take photos so I could blog later that evening. I've made gardening friends who I "talk" to more often than some of my "real life" friends.
Gardening and blogging are inextricably linked in my mind (and VPH's) and both have brought me great joy. Thank you, readers, for sticking with me through the ups and downs of year one -- bring on YEAR TWO!
Because although the gardening has improved:
I'm not so sure about the photography:
(Did you see my hands and camera in the shadow that hits the bottom petal of the flower and on the ground?)
UPDATE: I hit an all-time high number of hits today -- 111. A year ago I had 5. Wow! And my mom's not even on-line right now!
Congratulations! It's fun to see progress, and I especially love before and after pictures that show growth. :0)
Keep up the good work, my friend.
Posted by: Katie | June 12, 2008 at 02:37 PM
Happy blogday. I know what you mean about changing the reason the blog and how you write your posts. I have only been blogging for a few months and worried over every word etc at the beginning but now I am beginning to feel more relaxed and I enjoy meeting new friends all the time. I have also discovered a new interest in photography and the number that are in focus is improving!!
Posted by: Helen/patientgardener | June 12, 2008 at 03:22 PM
Katie -- Thanks, I do love doing those before and after montages. I'm glad someone's enjoying seeing them.
Helen -- Thank you. I enjoyed looking at your blog too and agreed with your rant about the environmental movement being too preachy.
Posted by: Heather's Garden | June 12, 2008 at 09:39 PM
hey heather! happy birthday to your blog! i don't have to tell you how much i've enjoyed reading your blog over the past year. it's nice to read all the great things that blogging and gardening have brought to your life. i look forward to many more.
Posted by: gina | June 12, 2008 at 11:57 PM
Many congratulations, Heather! I've much enjoyed reading over the past year, and am looking forward to reading more (and seeing plenty more photos)!
Posted by: Genie | June 13, 2008 at 02:31 AM
Happy Blogiversary, Heather! I'm looking forward to year 2... and although I admit that I'm an amateur myself, your photography looks plenty good to me. :)
Posted by: Blackswampgirl/Kim | June 13, 2008 at 10:48 PM
Gina -- I have the best time reading yours too since we both started gardening and blogging around the same time.
Genie -- Thanks, it's always nice to hear that someone whose blog I enjoy reading likes mine too!
Kim -- I center things too often, forget all about the thirds, my compositions are trite, etc. and so on. But my photos usually convey the story, which is what I try to do, and they're almost always in focus now.
Posted by: Heather's Garden | June 15, 2008 at 10:52 AM
Heather: You know you are one of my favorites, right? I still have the beautiful calender right here by the desk and those are lovely pictures! The blog world is richer for your contribution. I liked the previous post with the shots all around the garden. Keep blogging and congrats on one year!
Posted by: Layanee | June 15, 2008 at 10:07 PM
Layanee -- You say that to all the girls! All kidding aside, the feeling is definitely mutual.
Posted by: Heather's Garden | June 17, 2008 at 07:08 PM