Asclepias tuberosa-Butterly Weed
As preparations for the Garden Bloggers Bloom Day post for November began, I began to reflect about the past year. These reflections had been influenced recently by my loss of internet technology, and how I've responded to this drought. Or more importantly how do we as bloggers make this blogging world take precedent over our daily lifestyle. I suppose everyone has their own answer to that question.
Initially my thoughts were focused on comparisons of a year ago, and how this blogosphere has influenced my everyday life since then. When my shoulder was injured in January along with the subsequent surgery, all my time was spent indoors or at physical therapy. Blogging became a real passion for me. Enjoyment was spending days reading, blogging, and pickin' on blotanical. (Does that mean I get a star now,since I mentioned it on my blog?).
Along the way I met many garden blogging "friends" which are very encouraging and provide great fellowship. It's been great. My artistic side has resurfaced, knowledge gleaned, and have had a renewed interest in photography. Thank you all!
Schizachyrium scoparium-Little Bluestem with Salvia 'Mystic Spires
Initially my thoughts were focused on comparisons of a year ago, and how this blogosphere has influenced my everyday life since then. When my shoulder was injured in January along with the subsequent surgery, all my time was spent indoors or at physical therapy. Blogging became a real passion for me. Enjoyment was spending days reading, blogging, and pickin' on blotanical. (Does that mean I get a star now,since I mentioned it on my blog?).
Salvia fairnacea, Artemesia 'Powis Castle', and Schizachyrium scoparium-Little Bluestem
Along the way I met many garden blogging "friends" which are very encouraging and provide great fellowship. It's been great. My artistic side has resurfaced, knowledge gleaned, and have had a renewed interest in photography. Thank you all!
Last of the Gallardia.
However, after getting over the withdrawals after a week, (my video memory in my laptop was gone, my warranty was up along with my soul after dealing with Tech Support in India), I became "used" to being in the "real" world. More time spent outside, more time with family, and of course more time with my wife. She mentioned a few times she thought I was spending too much time online, and she was probably correct. It's kind of like food. Food is alright but too much of it can cause problems. Anyway, the biggest time constraint occurred when I went back to work in August. Seven months not working, what an adjustment. So, it's good to "see" all of you again! In conclusion the loss of technology has brought perspective for this blogger, gardener, husband, dad, follower of Christ and last but not least "grandpa". And I'm pleased to be back in a more limited role. Greg.
Salvia leucanthus-Mexican Bush Sage, Miscanthus 'Dixieland', and Salvia guaranitica 'black and blue' before the great freeze two weeks ago. Mex.Bush is smoked bush now.
Taken yesterday "Grandpa Fred" - Red Admiral. Last of the butterflies. Noticed a Monarch flying three days ago. Didn't quite understand that one.
Volunteer Alyssum "Golf" seedlings
Panicum "Heavy Metal"
Kalamagrostis "Karl", Achillea. and Annual Salvia.
I have linked to Carol(May Dreams Gardens) @ GBBD, Donna(Garden Walk, Garden Talk) W4W which is texture and Foliage Follow up with Pam @ Digging
Welcome back! Whatever direction your new blogging approach may take, I enjoy your photos and your detailed posts.
ReplyDeleteYour garden is looking good, butterflies in November -- pretty special in your area.
Really lovely photos and bloom. Been incredibly busy also. Since I can't sleep thought I would do a little catching up. Glad I stopped in.
ReplyDeleteCher Sunray Gardens
Your photography is amazing, I love it. Parts of your landscape reminds me of home too......wonderful....big hi from Ireland:~)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos! Your pictures of dried seedheads and grasses remind us that beauty can be found any time of the year. I think we all need to find a balance between online time and the real world. I don't spend as much time blogging as I used to, but it's still fun to share garden stories and photos with blogging friends. So glad you took time to share yours; Happy GBBD!
ReplyDeleteYes, trying to balance it all can be quite daunting. But I find that there are times I need to be on the computer (work from home with own business) But I also need to balance it.
ReplyDeleteNo matter what...I love your photos and garnde
Greggo, your showing is as always, superb! I love the use of grasses in your garden and the Gallardia are gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteHappy GBBD :)
Beautiful plants and pictures Greggo! I am so envious of your salvias!!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat's the secret with little bluestem? Does it prefer well drained soil?
Alberto
Beautiful photos. Happy GBBD!!
ReplyDeleteWow...what beautiful photography! I love your combination of grasses with salvia and mexican sage. You have truly captured the beauty of the fall garden.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely beautiful post, each photo better than the last...I'm so jealous of your Little Bluestem...mine looks nowhere as nice...definitely needs more sun than I am giving it!
ReplyDeleteI love your photography, too. My favorite was the volunteer alyssum nestled in the leaves. What a lovely example of a fall garden.
ReplyDeleteBalance, balance, balance--so very difficult to maintain. I am so busy with my nursery and computing is not easy in Maine with no DSL so the time I have a problem is from now until mid-February. This is my second winter blogging--we will see how it goes. Glad to see you have regained some balance though. Happy GBBD.
ReplyDeleteGlad to have you back! I had wondered where you'd been. :o) Juggling - it's a life skill. :o)
ReplyDeleteHi Greggo, this is the first time i've read you have some health problems, but am glad you are fine now. So it could be a blessing in disguise for you too, as a lot of wisdom you gathered from the experience! Your photos and posts I always love to see and they are all awesome. These textured photos excellent as well, especially the first one! thanks a lot.
ReplyDeleteGlad you are back blogging and sharing all your wonderful photographs. This post is beautiful and a real treat for the eyes. Thanks for joining in. Textures abound.
ReplyDeleteLife is complicated. I'm glad you're balancing it. Just relax, and maybe eat a turnip. Gardens look great.
ReplyDeleteYour absence was felt and I'm glad you're back. I hear what you're saying about spending too much time at the computer...it takes on a will of it's own and needs to be tamed! You know how people always say you won't be on your death bed wishing you'd worked more? I think the same is true of blogging...everything, except God, family and friends, in moderation ;)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photography! I think it's hard for any of us to find the right balance when we have many different balls to juggle. I like to blog, but don't think of it as "important". I try to do enough to make me happy, but not so much as to make others miserable! And, yes, that can be a fine line!
ReplyDeletealoha,
ReplyDeleteah yes that balance of daily life, art, family, gardening and blogging - its a struggle but what you come up with is always good
Glad you are back! Your garden is looking spectacular. I really enjoy all the texture the grasses provide and contrast with the other blooms in the garden. I am still seeing butterflies in my garden which surprises me since we have had some cold nights. They are real troopers.
ReplyDeleteYes, it is hard to balance real life with blogging, that's for sure. I go through phases where I'm more involved with posting and reading everyone else's posts and times when I have to pull back for a while. That's OK. Like you said, everyone has to find their own perfect balance.
ReplyDeleteThanks for linking to me for Foliage Follow-Up, and especially for those breathtaking pictures of your fall foliage. Gorgeous!
I really enjoyed reading this post...the pictures were nice of course, but the narrative was the best. I too "got in deep" with an injury and then unemployment. It's turned into a passion which I think (hope) I manage to keep in check...your words are a good reminder to do so.
ReplyDeleteGood to see you back Greggo, I didn't half miss your garden pictures which gave me inspiration to try harder. I decided a while back to limit the posts on my blog to once per week, works out fine. alistair
ReplyDeleteFantastic photos of textures here...love the milkweed. I find it hard to balance the time spent online with other pursuits, too. So much to blog about, so little time.
ReplyDeleteFunny. I am having similar thoughts about my blogging and have a related post bouncing around in my head right now. I never do more than one post a week, but it takes me a ridiculous amount of time to make that post. Not to mention that my posts seem to be getting repetitive. Pictures of plants, pictures of butterflies, pictures of plants…
ReplyDeleteAnyways, it is always good to see your photos. They seem to be getting better all the time. Don't know why you don't win any photography contests. The garden looks great too.
Your renewed interest in photography is apparent from these photographs.
ReplyDeleteLes @ A Tidewater Gardener
Blogging can become an addiction. Several hours in front of computer - not good. But, I try to ask myself - what about spending time with books, magazines, garden catalogs, going to the library, writing a journal? Nobody would call those activities a waste of time. Well, blogging is reading+writing+going to the internet library.
ReplyDeleteStill, several hours a day is too much. I tell it to myself every day. And, I have two blogs! The second one is in Russian. When I need an exuse, I remind myself that blogging is good for our brains!
Anyway, I enjoyed your pictures as always, and I love your comments too! Stay warm!
Wonderful photos. Love the Gallardia.
ReplyDeleteSo many beautiful photos. Garden can be lovely even during late summer and autumn.
ReplyDeleteWarmest regards from Sweden
Kristina
I was filled with joy of colors watching these wonderful flowers here and i have shared this with face book !!
ReplyDeleteI love this post, Greggo! Your photos are great, and I can identify with the things you said about figuring out how much time to spend on the computer. I have struggles with how I spend the time God has granted me. I go in spells where I'm online too much. Larry spends as much time on his computer, so that's not an issue.
ReplyDeleteI have spent too long a period of time intending to get back into the Word, and not doing it. Now, God has called me back, partly because of an unfair cut in pay my co-workers and I have had. I am in the process of appealing that, and am hoping for the right thing to be done. I have settled down, and drawn comfort and strength from God.
I hope you are healing well.
Wise thoughts, beautiful photos.
ReplyDeleteGreat post,Greggo and some very good points. My opinion is this: I can leave technology, blogging and such and live without it for long periods of time...my 17 year old son would find the same idea entirely impossible. That said, I find blogging and technology and wonderful venue for sharing photos, stories, and gardening successes and failures. I think the most unusual and most unexpected result of blogging is how many great friends I've found though I've never met them. :-) David
ReplyDeleteBTW: Your "mums" photo is superb!