My butterfly bush, photographed just before dawn, with a little sparkle still on it.
Just before I took my blogging break, I’d fallen behind on the “Focus 2010″ posts. These more personal posts are a result of my commitment to taking one photograph per week to document my word of the year.
It’s been an interesting journey so far, and this week marks the halfway point, when I want to pause and reflect on how I’m feeling about the experiment I undertook this January in lieu of making New Year’s resolutions. In addition, I’m now officially three weeks behind schedule with sharing the photos and want to get current again. I intend to keep that commitment!
So I’m making this a week of focus at The Enchanted Earth. You’ll see posts documenting weeks 24, 25, and 26, plus some thoughts about how my own focus may have changed in this half a year of being more aware of the word, and any big-picture insights I’ve gained that I’d like to share.
Meanwhile, as an experiment in Focus here at the blog, I’m conducting an informal poll. It’s in the big purple box at the bottom of this post. The results may help me tailor the content here a little better as I move into my second year of blogging. I feel like I have explored quite a few post ideas and formats over the 400+ posts I’ve written here, on my other blog, and as a guest poster.
Honestly, I may want to narrow the focus a bit here as this blog matures, especially if it turns out that the posts I most like to write are the ones y’all most like to read.
If not… oh, well, back to the drawing board. I’m flexible and open-minded, you know.
No matter what the responses, it will definitely be a boon to know what you find most meaningful, useful, enjoyable and satisfying to read when you come here.
In the comments section, if you have time, I’d love it if you’d let me know a couple more things:
- Is there something you’re not seeing here that would round out the experience of a visit for you, personally?
- Would you recommend this blog to others? Why or why not?
I thank you all in advance for your input and suggestions… and most especially for coming here to visit and interact with me.
It still amazes me that I get the opportunity to do this, and that you want to read the words that I write and to look at the photos I’m fortunate enough to capture. It is a joy to have you visit here, and I don’t say that enough.
Namasté, y’all.
p.s. You can choose as many answers as you’d like.
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I just enjoy your blog, whenever I get a chance to visit, whatever you’re writing about. Haven’t been here much lately because other commitments get in the way. But please don’t stress yourself–it’s your blog and you can do as you wish when you wish. Otherwise, it becomes a chore, and then the joy is gone.
jodi (bloomingwriter)´s last blog ..Hey- Neighbour-Neighbor- Celebrating Canada and the United States
Thanks, Jodi. I really appreciate the good advice and the vote of confidence.
Like jodi, I enjoy your blog, whatever you’ve written about on any particular day. And your photography is wonderful, too. You can’t do it “wrong”. And I’ll be back, no matter what.
Nancy Bond´s last blog ..Wabi-Sabi
Nancy, those words are music to my ears. Thank you so much!
With me that makes three
I come to read what you have to say not be limited to a list. When you’re put in a glass box you will die. Sure you’re given food, water and air but who feeds your soul. If a worker ant dies she is not even missed for there are hundreds waiting to take her place. If me, Talon, you, Lynn, Tony, Sara, Bschooled or any of the others that any of us have meet disappeared I hope we miss them. If no one misses me I would have been nothing more than a soulless ant on display.
I know not my normal rhyming post. So for today I’m not that ant.
desk49/Ellis Moore´s last blog ..Waitress
Thank you, Ellis. A trio of goodness for me today.
You can rest assured you would be missed, certainly by me — and I haven’t even known you for very long yet.
I definitely don’t plan on going by a list or boxing in the blog. It’s just that some formats are easier to work within day after day, and yet I’d hate to focus on those to the exclusion of others if my loyal readers (and I’m so glad you’ve become one of those lately!) just aren’t that into those kinds of posts. Wouldn’t that be terrible?
The results of the poll and comments so far are wonderfully reassuring, though. Seems it will be just fine if I go ahead and do what I want.
I always like the variety of your posts, Meredith, but I especially enjoy the posts about your own garden. I say, post what you are inspired to post though. It’s always nice to come by here and visit.
Lynn´s last blog ..Mountain cool- wisp and mockingbird
Lynn, you are sweet. The pleasure of your visits is reciprocal, you know.
Meredith, I hope this isn’t unhelpful but I happen to enjoy anything you write about. Why? Because it’s always so considered and from the heart. And the stunning imagery that complements each post… just wow! Whatever you decide to do next… well, as long as who you are is in that somewhere then nothing else matters.
Tony, that’s not at all unhelpful, but very kind and generous. You’ve made me smile big this afternoon. Thank you for that.
I’m joining in with the others to say that I enjoy all your posts. I like the variety of topics, formats, and even lengths. I know that’s not much help if you’re trying to refine your focus! If you write it, I will come (read it).
Kathy´s last blog ..Happiness is a Warm Project
Kathy, I had not thought about the variety being a positive before! I kind of thought the posts of all different lengths, styles, formats, and topics was rather a sign of a disorganized mind, proof that I just sit down with a germ of an idea and a raw photo disk and throw something together in the moment.
Thank you for the helpful insight and encouragement!
I enjoy your all your posts. Your pics are wonderful. jim
jim groble´s last blog ..Big Blue is blooming
Jim, I so appreciate that.
(p.s. I thought of you this a.m. and wondered how everything is going with your family. You have my best wishes.)
I just love reading whatever you write…because it’s genuine and from the heart. And your pictures are so beautiful. I think you should just do whatever feels good.
Alisha´s last blog ..Venom
Thank you, Alisha. I really appreciate that, coming from a fellow writer. Glad you like the pics, too!
Keep doing what you are doing Mer.
I love coming here.
Your photographs are stunning and your words are art.
gemma´s last blog ..El Conquistador
Gemma, I’m going to take that advice. Not only did you word it beautifully, I feel lifted up like I always do when I read something that resonates with me. Thank you, dear friend.
I did the survey yesterday and totally forgot to comment! duh! I’ll blame the heat wave we’re in right now.
My butterfly bush is just beginning to put out its blooms. Now, seeing yours, I can’t wait to see them up close and personal
I like whatever you post – but I’m easy like that
Talon´s last blog ..The Screaming Bridge Short Story
No worries, Talon. That heat wave abated for us on Thursday night, and after feeling “normal” for a few days I’ve realized how much of an effect the unrelenting intensity of it was having on my concentration and general energy for living. I hope you get a breath of cool air up there soon!
Isn’t it amazing to think each of those tiny trumpets is a chalice perfectly fitted for a butterfly’s slender tongue? I saw a Tiger Swallowtail on one plume this morning, having her sweet breakfast.
I love your writing, I most enjoy you just talking about nature and life and reminding me of the important things in life. I come here primarily to escape, to be calmed and to be thoughtful. You help ground me and I suppose I don’t even see this as a gardening blog, more a life blog xx
carrie´s last blog ..We be jammin
I’m so glad, Carrie, glad my writing could be an escape for you into a more pensive and calm space. Your comment gives me joy.
p.s. And I don’t quite see it as a gardening blog, either. Or at least not one of the mainstream kind.
Yes, of course I would recommend your blog to others! Why? Because the writing and photography are very good, because you often lead me to see things in a new way (or see something I hadn’t noticed before), and because your posts often make me think (an activity I value highly).
Having said that, I agree with others that for the blog to be successful, it needs to take you where you want to go, not where we want to go. (We’re depending on you to take us places we didn’t realize we wanted to go!)
Jean´s last blog ..Garden Blogs of the Month- July 2010
Jean, that is wonderful to hear.
That is exactly why certain blogs make my day: help me see, get me to pay attention, make me think. That last sentence, in parentheses, may be getting taped to the wall above my desk. What a brilliant statement of the relationship between reader and writer!
Thanks.
Meredith, I completely agree with everyone else…blog about what you want to blog about. That’s the fun of it! AND…look how many people like whatever you have to offer! I understand that you want to make everyone happy, but you’re already doing that just by being you.
kimberly´s last blog ..Six Degrees of Separation
Kimberly, you’re so right about the need to hold on to the fun aspect of this whole blogging adventure. Three blogs that I read regularly have recently had their authors disappear without warning or quit the blogosphere, and I could tell that their blogs had become a chore to them, more work, an additional line on the to-do list. Makes me sad to see them go… but it’s also a cautionary tale for those of us who want to stick around for a while.
I so appreciate your great advice and sweet words.
especially if it turns out that the posts I most like to write are the ones y’all most like to read.
To throw your words back at you. Yes, we enjoy reading, what you enjoy writing. Then the joy goes both ways!
I’d rather read a well-thought out post from the heart, that makes me think (deeply) and feel (better). Which is what I find in your blog.
Elephant’s Eye´s last blog ..Stroll thru our garden with me
Aw, thank you, Diana. What a lovely comment!
Maybe joy is always a two-way street. What do you think?
Since I am a new reader, I don’t feel comfortable answering this poll but whatever you decide I will be excited to see. And those flowers are gorgeous.
Amber´s last blog ..A Nap Time Lesson
Thanks for stopping by, Amber. I’m so glad you enjoyed the flowers.
D’you know I asked my people what I should do about ‘focus’ at my place last week and several pointed out that if I enjoyed writing it, they would most likely enjoy reading it. I think that was a very pertinent observation! And another friend reminded me that blogging is about fun and down time- and that too is helpful.
I read blogs to see for a moment through another person’s eyes because a) it interests me, and b) I think it is a gift and I mustn’t waste the opportunity. For instance, your post about canna lillies was interesting largely because they mean something different to you than to me and I found your observations just so interesting. (and my spelling is awful, sorry!)
I enjoy your photos and I enjoy reading your thoughts, and that’s why I visit!
heckety´s last blog ..Cleaning Oh- Cleaning-
I’m so glad you do visit, Heckety.
I really liked the advice you got, and the advice you gave, indirectly. It is about expanding our vision of the world, one pixel at a time, as we learn about life through one another’s eyes — and ears, and fingers, and noses, and tears, and laughter, and smiles. You’re so right!
(Oh, and by the way, I didn’t see a spelling mistake. Maybe we both learned the same spelling errors?
)
I’ve only been blogging since April, so what do I know about the subject?! My experience may be limited, but I do think I have learned a thing or two. In the few short months I have been blogging, I have come to truly enjoy it… writing my thoughts and sharing them, learning to take pictures of the tiny miracles and wonders in my garden, and most especially reading other’s posts from the four corners of this beautiful world. I’ve discovered how truly unique we all are, but also how very much alike we are as well. I rejoice in reading blogs from the heart and I’m edified by reading blogs containing new perspectives and knowledge. For my own posts, I tend to be rather spontaneous. If an idea pops into my mind, that is what I blog about. And always as with my writing, I blog about what I know and feel. So my answer to you Meredith, is to simply relax, enjoy your journey, and share the thoughts and ideas within your heart. That is what I love about you… since the very first post I read on your blog. You have a wonderful gift. Please don’t put that gift in a form or box. Just be you!
Meredehuit ♥´s last blog ..Ce-le-brate Good Times Come On-
Thank you for all the heartfelt advice and encouraging words, Carolyn. You are sweet.
Blogging is a wonderful journey, for sure.
I enjoy my visits, whatever you write about. I get a sense of you through all of them, and you are lovely and kind and welcoming.
xoxo
elizabeth´s last blog ..building a bridge of love
Elizabeth, I appreciate those words. They mean so much.
I don’t think there’s anything you don’t include that I’d like to see included. The way you write your blog is unique, and that’s why I enjoy it.
I’d recommend your blog for sure…you just have a positive nature that I like. You have a very fanciful, magical tone…like you’re a fairy or something (LOL, that didn’t come out right, but I hope you know what I mean!) It’ s a quality I don’t think I possess, I’m too ham-handed with my writing.
I’m really glad that you introduced yourself to me on Blotanical, because your blog is definitely worth reading, and you’re a person definitely worth knowing and listening to
Kyna´s last blog ..Pardon Me Sir- Is This YOUR Inferiority Complex
Kyna, you make me laugh, even in your comments. I suppose I wouldn’t mind being seen as a fairy sometimes — depending on the context.
Do you know, I’d forgotten until this moment that I introduced myself to you? That was when I was trying so hard to keep up and greet all the newbie Blotanists, get to know all the newest blogs. Sigh. I just don’t have the time anymore and have to depend on them to introduce themselves to me now. So glad I met you that way before the technology overload, though.
Thanks so much for the positive feedback!