Spring has returned. The Earth is like a child that knows poems. ~Rainer Maria Rilke

Monday, February 1, 2010

545 Days

This is an anniversary of sorts. Two years ago today I started this Blog. My first post was entitled Small Offerings and consisted of 3 photos. That was it. I think I did one the day before but didn't like it and decided to start fresh on the 1st of February.
I don't even remember why I decided to do it. I had looked at some other blogs that I thought were interesting. The first one was Posey Gets Cozy by Alicia Paulson. I loved the photos and what she wrote about; mainly her little dog, her husband and her amazing sewing skills. She even had photo tutorials.
I was not sure where I should go to start a blog but I found Blogger and they gave me very easy instructions on how to get started. At first I wasn't sure what I would write about and couldn't imagine writing a post every day. I knew that I wanted to use my photos. I wanted to write stories, poems, talk about where I came from and leave some record of this for my boys. The rest was a big question mark.
I wasn't sure if this would be a photo blog, a writing blog or a poetry blog. I didn't yet know how to put words around and in between the photos so I started doing each separately. Sometimes two posts a day: One with photos, one with writing. When I think back at how little I knew it's amazing that I even attempted it at all.
I found that I loved writing these posts everyday. I never kept a journal for more than a few months and then I would stop. The fact that someone might read what I wrote gave me more reason to do it well and consistently. I thought that if someone would bother to read my blog it would have to be "entertaining" but have some intelligent purpose. I felt that it should be "classy" and perfectly written. I knew that my spelling would have to improve.
All of this high-minded rhetoric went down the tubes when I got my first comment on February 9, 2008. I had written a story about finding our German Shorthair Pointer, Moke, in a campground, tied to a tree and starving. A poet from Oakland, Ca. calling herself Castlewon wrote:
"Just thought I'd tell you I like your chickens, your gourds, your poems, your dog, and your blog."
Thank you Merita. It was then that I knew what I wanted to write about. My life here on the mountain, the animals that we live with and the blessings of my life. I could still write poems and make up stories. I could still entertain , showcase my photos and " have some "intelligent purpose". But I didn't have to be perfect and charming and have 100 comments everyday. I just had to write about the things I loved. It was all right here. It was my life and someone had just said it all.."I like your chickens, your gourds, your poems, your dog, and your blog." How wonderful is that??
So two years later and 545 posts later I'm still telling folks about the farm on the mountain. Moke is gone and some of the chickens. I won't have to write about the sadness of losing my Mother anymore, but I was able to mourn her with my writing. This was an unexpected gift.
Now, we have four silly Nubian goats, a new puppy and two wonderful grand kids to tell you about. It never ends and I wouldn't give away this opportunity to write almost everyday for anything in the world. I love it. I love reading other blogs and commenting. I have made some good friends; cried with them and laughed with them and, always, wake up in the morning thinking "What can I write about today?" Yep! It's an anniversary, of sorts, and a good one because everyone should have something that they love to do. I'm proud of this blog called Over Good Ground. Someday, my grand kids will read it and the Bean will say... "Wow, remember when we planted the baby gourd plants. Remember the first year that we lived in the old house of her mothers? The first Halloween there? The first Christmas? Look at me when I was 1 year old, 2yrs, 3yrs and I remember that puppy. His name was Carl and we ran around the garden together."
It's a journal for the 21st century. It's a chronicle of our lives, a story I want to remember.
When someone asked me why I have a Blog.., I told them that I'm protecting memories. I'm also doing it for myself, so that in my old age I can sit and read about a time when I was living a wonderful life , sharing it with others and writing the Great American Novel in real time.
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24 comments:

  1. I remember when I found you and told all my friends to come visit. It was love at first read. You are really cute! Your first picture of you!!

    our gourds are really moldy is there any hope?

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  2. Found your lovely blog in a round about way and recognized some of the area photos. I too live in the Sierra Foothills. I enjoyed reading your posts. I will check back often.

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  3. gulp.
    and look at you!
    Look how beautiful you are!
    xx
    julie

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  4. "writing the Great American Novel in real time" I like that.

    That in itself is enough reason to blog.

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  5. ¸.·´¸.·*´¨) ¸.·*¨)
    (¸.·´ (¸.·`¤
    Congratulations!
    ¸.·´¸.·*´¨) ¸.·*¨)
    (¸.·´ (¸.·`¤

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  6. happy blogerversary!!!!!! I for one LOVE your family your goats your carl and you! oh and your blog too and pan cakes and grits :)
    carry on sweet blogger carry on!!!!!

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  7. Happy Bloggerversary! As Peach says...carry on!

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  8. Happy bloggaversary and many more!
    I just passed my two years in Jan. but I only have 253 posts!
    Interesting how they have evolved, isn't it? I am so pleased you made your good beginning!

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  9. I always enjoy stopping here to read your adventures :)

    Best wishes for many, many, many more blogging years!

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  10. It truely is and experience this blogging thing! Going back and enjoying your past and knowing your kid and grandkids will know you even more as they read what you've written and lived. Congratulations on your beautiful blog and all the joy it brings farmlady!!

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  11. A face, you have a face, lol! I totally forgot about my one year, or even my 100 post which I see people celebrating, and you are right! This is our 'live' journal. One day my son is going to want to know what the heck I was thinking, like I do my own parents, and I wanted him to know...

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  12. I have really enjoyed your blog. I guess mainly because it is being able to still have a tie to my home state even thought I have been away a number of years. I love hearing about the goats, seeing your gourd art, watching your 2 grandchildren growing up. I have met some wonderful people here in blogland and you are one of them. Have a blessed day. Madeline

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  13. Funny, ain't it? My blog was to be about just starting out raising chickens not knowing anything about it. Now, it's all about our lives. Chickens, dogs, cats, travels, my folks, and such. And I just started last June. Don't ask me about details like you gave, though. That stuff gets all fuzzy with me.
    ~Randy

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  14. Mom, happy 2-year blog! You are a true and committed artist, and an inspiration...as always! Your blog is something I look forward to every day. Thanks for that!

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  15. Isn't it wonderful when God gives us the tools to reach out and touch the lives of others? I know that every time I sit down to write I ask for God to guide my fingers. If my words are to touch someone today, please help me find the words that is needed to be heard.

    Happy Anniversary my good friend Ellie Mae. This Blogger was blessed the day she found you tending your family and critters on the farm at 'Over Good Ground' .

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  16. Quite an occasion when a blogger steps out from behind a blog :-). Congratulations. And I still like coming here even when I don't post regularly any more.

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  17. I have just found your blog via Mutterings from the Moor, and also wanted to wish you a very happy bloggerversary!

    I've only read a few of your posts so far, but I'm definitely coming back for more! You take suuuuch beautiful photos, and I love reading about your life in the mountains. Please do keep writing and sharing your stories with us.

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  18. What a great post! I have days of doubt when I feel like my blog needs to be witty, or entertaining, or perfectly written...but actually, people do just come back to read about my life and they take my blog how it is, and enjoy it.

    Yours is a wonderful blog, something to be proud of, and hopefully something you will carry on with well into the future!

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  19. What a great post! I have days of doubt when I feel like my blog needs to be witty, or entertaining, or perfectly written...but actually, people do just come back to read about my life and they take my blog how it is, and enjoy it.

    Yours is a wonderful blog, something to be proud of, and hopefully something you will carry on with well into the future!

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  20. And now I have the pleasure of reading all your post and so enjoy you very much. Keep up the good work
    Maggie

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  21. I personally love your blog and I am SO glad you kept at it--otherwise we might not have become the friends that we are! Great picture of you too!

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  22. So beautifully put...I love this post and how perfectly you've captured just what a blog can be to those of us who find joy in keeping one. I, too, do it to remember and to write regularly and I know I will enjoy looking back at what I've put down. You don't know me and I don't know you, but I love looking at your goats and wishing I could have a couple, and I love reading both your poetry and your prose. I hope you blog for years to come and that it continues to bring you such satisfaction and peace.

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  23. I loved this post. Oddly enough, Alicia Paulson's blog is the very same one that got me started. I know a lot of people just don't "get" it about blogging- but it has been so fun for me. I actually feel as though I am pushing little bits of myself out into the universe - and for someone who is a major homebody (not necessarily because I particularly want to be), it is just a really nice feeling. And receiving feedback from new friends by way of their comments is the most satisfying part of all.

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  24. Happy bloggaversary!! Thanks for stopping by today otherwise I may never have found you! I just started blogging this month and found so much of this post rings true to me! Love your dirt road..looks like mine!
    Nancy

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