We are together for a very short time, so it makes sense to live in harmony, in unconditional friendship.
~ Bokar Rinpoche
Please consider this my thank you note to all of you, for reading, and commenting, and sending me messages, and telling me your stories, and writing your beautiful blog posts, and just shining and shining and spreading joy out into the world.
It means so much to me, and I don’t tell you often enough how grateful I am.
I’m still amazed that I get to do this, that we are able to share like this, that we’re so privileged to connect with each other across the miles, every day, whenever we find time. An ocean might separate us… or only the Georgia/South Carolina border. Whatever separates us from each other, though, is forgotten in this virtual space, where kindred spirits find no barriers.
And I want to extend a special thank you to one of my readers today.
To Lynn, who has a beautiful, optimistic blog definitely worth your click (hint, hint), and who was my first steady commenter. Oh, I’d had drop-ins before, but no one stuck around — probably because I hadn’t yet figured out that it would be a good idea to respond to those comments or to go visit commenters’ blogs and try to return the love. I was a wet-behind-the-ears blogger when Lynn started coming to read what I wrote, and she has been such a sunny and loyal and encouraging presence ever since. She even networked on my behalf before I’d figured out the rudimentary blog etiquette, bringing me to the attention of another blog friend (Talon) who means so much to me now. It’s hard to imagine my blogging journey without Lynn’s presence.
So, Lynn, thank you, my friend, and namasté.
To all of you who bring your own special something to the conversation here at the blog, I appreciate every single word.
And to all of you who read and look at the photos and continue to come back for more, thank you for being an important part of my journey here. I don’t ever forget that you are here, following along with me, and your silent presence is a comfort and an encouragement for me.
Every time I sit down to write, you are all with me. At least, it feels that way.
Namasté, y’all.
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The blogging world is wonderous! I have to admit I am not great responding to comments on my own writing, but I do like commenting on others! I found you through Sara – and I am glad that I did. Have a wonderful weekend.
The Exception´s last blog ..More Bold
I admit it is getting more difficult for me to keep up with the comments as my readership grows bit by bit. But I still love the whole process. It is wonderful.
So glad to meet you via the lovely Sara.
Yes Lynn is a lady fine
For her blog is on time
And yes I definitely do follow
She takes things times three
And blends them you see
And they fly like a barn swallow
Tho, my rhyme is lame
I know her post has game
And you should be a follower
desk49´s last blog ..2 Tales of the Sea
Your post isn’t lame, Ellis. It’s fun! I’m sure Lynn loved the tribute.
Talk about shooting myself in the foot
typos are bad today it’s blends not blinds
“and blends them you see”
desk49´s last blog ..2 Tales of the Sea
Ellis, I was happy to fix that for you. It now reads beautifully.
No worries!
I just found my way here for the first time this morning thanks to a link left by a friend on Twitter who created the site HappinessInside,ning.com. What you write today is amazing, for I have had the same thoughts of gratitude recently, but had yet to express them explicitly and when I do I doubt the words will be as beautiful as yours.
Sometimes, during weekdays especially, I find the internet delivering far too many rapidly form opinions that race to judgement before the facts have been fully presented all in the name of being first and scoring points. Here,, as in other sites I have recently associated with, there is a tranquility and a reflection of thought not often found. Thank you for taking the time to share that.
I certainly will return to explore more. Steven
Hi, Steven. So glad you could come by and that you enjoyed your first visit. I don’t think this blog is big on opinions, points, or expertise. You’re more likely to find whimsy, delight, and reverie here.
I will have to check out Happiness Inside sometime soon.
Thank you, Meredith. For the words and the beauty, the photos and dreams. I’m glad to know you.
Lisahgolden´s last blog ..The One Where That Who Do You Write Like Thing Says I Write Like Chuck Palahniuk and I Go All Fight Club Crazy
Aw, Lisa, the feeling is mutual.
Dear Meredith, It is so true that although we may despair at so much that is negative about new technologies, the capacity to connect people is amazing. It is, of course, especially good when one finds like minded souls with whom to communicate who, although separated by countless thousands of miles, are very close in spirit.
Edith Hope´s last blog ..Things My Mother Told Me
Edith, the kindred spirits make all the difference. Thank you for your lovely comment. You always put things in such an elegant way.
Oh dear Meredith – how lovely of you to say these nice things about me and my blog. It is so wonderful to be connected to you and my other friends through our postings. Like you, I do feel a connection to everyone who comes by when I sit down to write. So any friend of yours is a friend of mine and all are welcome. Cheers, Meredith! xo
p.s. Love the poem Ellis!
Lynn´s last blog ..Beer can girl- the long way and what looks good
You are so welcome, Lynn. I won’t add more than what I said above.
That tribe that is with us when we sit down to write is precious indeed.
(See, I told you, Ellis, that Lynn would love it.
)
Lynn does indeed rock, and that ain’t no lie! I’ve had the privilege of reading her wonderful blog for the last month or so now. I try never to miss a post! Anyone who isn’t reading it yet would really be doing themselves a favour to click on Meredith’s link now. Go on, do it! Don’t wait around for the end of this sentence!
What? You’re still here? Erm, okay. Not sure what to do now. Zippidee doodah, zippidee ayyy. My oh my, what an awkward day…
Ahem.
Meredith, acknowledging Lynn’s contribution to your blog (and the blogosphere in general) is such a lovely thing to do. Warms the cockles of my heart, it really does!
Loved the non-traditional rendering of Zippity Do Dah. Very nice. (You just know I’m going to pull that one out at the next super awkward moment at a cocktail party or something; right?
)
What exactly are the cockles of the heart? I’ve always wondered…
Thanks for the fun comment, Tony.
Lynn is a sweetheart – pure and simple! Her blog is a place of positivity and her neat observations that is always a weekday delight. Thank you, Meredith, for highlighting Lynn. And thank you, Lynn, for introducing me to Meredith all those months ago. The beauty of blogging – the kindred spirits
Talon´s last blog ..Morning on the lake
Talon, you’re so right about Lynn. And I thank you for being such an integral part of my journey, too (and probably will do it better at some point in time). You’ve been one of those kindred spirits Edith mentioned above, right from the start.
Oh Talon has just said it – ‘the beauty of blogging – the kindred spirits’. It is a joy to read what you write to look at the beauty you capture,may this little place of warm and calm in web world continue for a very, very long time. Big hugs off to check out this Lynn lady…..x
carrie´s last blog ..Garlic time again -
Carrie, Talon does that a lot. She has such a way with words. As do you! Your comment… wow. ‘Fess up: have you kissed the Blarney Stone, my Irish friend?
Thank you for that very moving comment, sweetie.
You are welcome. And thank you – for your lovely comments, and for your friendship, and for brightening up our virtual world.
xoxo
Elizabeth´s last blog ..a special offer for you
Aw, Elizabeth, you are lovely — and so welcome.
awwww, I’ll always be back for more!
Love your new look btw – all those tech skills you’ve been learning have paid off. It’s just so…pretty!
Wendy´s last blog ..Storms a-brewing
Thanks, Wendy. It will probably be slightly less pretty and slightly more functional at the end of the process.
And what you said warms my heart. And maybe its cockles, too. Not sure. (See Tony’s comment, above.)
I must admit I’m still amazed by blogging, having only started mine a year ago. I love the connections. Like you, I found there was so much to learn and the first comments on it, were precious to me. I’ll definitely check out Lynn’s blog.
Helen, I am closing in on a year, and I think pondering that approaching milestone may have stirred up the grateful vibes.
Those first comments mean so much. An important thing to remember as we meet new and newish bloggers out there…
I’ve enjoyed reading your blog so much–and your comments both here and on my blog. Thank YOU! I will go check out Lynn’s blog now because of your endorsement.
Kathy´s last blog ..Attention- Your Peppers Are Shriveled
Kathy, you’ve been such a wonderful “discovery” for me in the virtual sphere, and I’m so glad we get to exchange our ideas. You’re a *great* writer, and I expect to hear equally great things from you down the road.
Thank you for a beautiful blog to read! It is wonderful to be able to communicate with gardeners all around the world and see different perspectives and styles. I always look forward to reading your posts. Thank you, Meredith. I am going to check out the blog.
Amy/goawayimgardening!´s last blog ..Morning and Evening Gardener
Isn’t it, though, Amy? I never could have imagined how seeing different gardens in different bioregions would have enlarged my picture of the world. It’s been more eye-opening than any geography class, by far.
Thank you for your kind words.
Both Lynn and Talon are very loyal commenters on my blog, as are you! In fact you never gave up on me even though I couldn’t comment on your blog because I had such an old computer!
What I love is the different voices we all have on our blogs. Each and every blog I visit has it’s own personality.
LL Cool Joe´s last blog ..Ive never been with a woman
Joe, I just thought about how frustrating it must be for you, stuck with an icky computer situation. Reminded me a bit of when our DSL would… you know. (Shhh! We don’t actually mention it aloud around here.)
The personas that come through are so distinctive, I agree. How amazing that, although we’re writing in the same language (or approximately so), our individual voices come through as clearly as they do!
Meredith,
It is true that you remember your first real commenters…the ones that aren’t family and friends. I think having Lynn as your first is special. Like others, I also enjoy her site and I love her avatar, which I see frequently when I’m out visiting.
Then there’s Talon…she’s another one that always stays true. You share a lot with her via the photography of flowers and nature.
Then there’s Meredith…I have never regretted finding your site. My first post at your site was about a garden you were nursing to health. That’s what I always feel when I visit here…nurturance.
Blogging has opened my mind to our ability to connect with each other without physically being in the presence of each other. I think this speaks volumes for a higher power of some sort that allows us this gift:~)
Sara´s last blog ..Story Photo- What’s to See
Lynn’s avatar *is* very distinctive. That pretty blue eye.
It’s fascinating — and flattering — to me that you sense the main energy here to be nurturing, Sara. I have to follow that up with the revealing fact that among my friends, I’ve been referred to as the “mom” of the group, and I feel pretty comfortable in that nurturing, encouraging, caretaking role. Maybe our voices come through on the blogs even more clearly than I realized (altho I just mentioned it to Joe, above) and reveal things even we didn’t think would show.
It is definitely a divine gift, to be able to share like this…
aloha meredith,
it is amazing that one can connect with like minds from around the world and enjoy each others thoughts and visuals and share a wonderful experience together, i think you bring that out to each of us throughtout this experience.
help me decide on a photo from my plant fanatic blog, if you don’t mind? i’m entering it in a photowalk i did recently
noel´s last blog ..A WorldWide Photowalk
Aloha, dear Noel. See, without blogging, I wouldn’t get my weekly quota of smile-inducing alohas.
I’ve already gone and left my vote, but I’ll just add here, what gorgeous photos!!
Hello Meredith,
It is a wonderful thing to share friendships with people who I have never met and probably never will meet face to face. I have and continue to enjoy ‘talking’ to you when I ‘visit’.
Noelle / azplantlady´s last blog ..Raise Your Hand If You Have Ever Killed a Plant
Another Noelle, and a lovely one. I enjoy our ongoing conversation and enjoy coming to your “place” to visit, too.
Hi Meredith,
Isn’t it amazing how through blogging, reading and commenting, a whole community without physical barriers is created? Of course it helps a lot when we find beautiful blogs with positive thoughts and beautiful, artistic pictures as we can find here in The Enchanted Earth…a digital garden where we can rest and recharge
Raul
Alien Ghost´s last blog ..Don’t Say Sorry!
Raul, it *is* wonderful to be able to experience “a whole community without physical barriers.” I agree.
Your comment is so thoughtful and kind. Thank you!
Hi Meredith,
I enjoyed reading your post. Perhaps it is because I truly agree with what you said. Last year, I started a blog with almost a similar name; Enchanted. But I decided to keep all my posts in ONE blog for simplicity.
I am so glad you enjoyed it, One. How fun, that we had blogs with similar names — and that we share a similar theme!
So true – that this world of garden bloggers is made up of kindred spirits. Not so true in all of the blogosphere, I’m afraid, but the garden blogging community is loving, supportive, and encouraging. I have learned so much not just from reading other blog posts but from reading the comments left by other readers. I’m thankful for the virtual visits to other gardens all over the world, but mostly I am thankful for the sense of connection. Comments make blogging a two-way conversation, and I am so very thankful for every single comment I receive.
Ginny´s last blog ..Dog days
What you say is true, Ginny. I have seen a lot of strife and backstabbing within the communities of political and marketing bloggers, for instance. However, just like in real life, we get to choose our friends, and certain criteria tend to be paramount for me: tolerance, gentle spirit, creativity, authenticity, kindness… and these, one truly can find all over the place. They are definitely often in evidence among the earth-loving, plant-growing, animal-loving, and artist-creator tribes, part of why I am so happy to claim a spot in each of those circles.
One thing that has been slightly daunting for me of late is keeping up the two-way conversation as I receive more comments… sometimes I wonder if there will come a day when I must either post less often, or choose to only respond to certain comments. I already am falling behind on return visits to commenters blogs, sad to say.
Meredith,
What a loving, beauty filled idea..wow..
And I totally completely agree with all that you expressed..it is *amazing* to experience the joys the insights the love the support the encouragement within this community. It has been life changing for me..
I love your photo..so simple yet I can almost smell it…And the quote..so expressive…
Thank *you* for the energy you share through your blog and your comments on others blogs..
What you share impacts lives..may all of that be returned to you in delight filled ways:)
Much peace!
Joy´s last blog ..Wednesday Wisdom- Embrace Truth