I haven't been at this blogging for long. Yeah, I've been writing since 6th grade when I got my first piece published in the school literary magazine; a mimeographed compilation of painfully self-conscious student scribblings. But even now I still experience a little thrill followed by a larger quantity of panic whenever I see my words in print, and now online.
I haven't written the next great American novel. For a long time I bought into the image of the tortured artist; an isolated, probably substance-abusing, self-absorbed individual bent upon producing deep and profound musings about life. I knew that I wanted a more dull and normal life; husbands, kids, home and of course...garden.
Then heck, one day, it was like the peanut butter bumping into the chocolate: I could write about gardening. Duh.
Always focusing on the husband, kids, home and in a big way...the garden, I haven't been the most prolific or highly paid writer but it keeps me out of trouble. I thought about blogging for a long time before actually doing it. I knew I didn't want to start and then stop posting, leaving a stale blog hanging on the internet, unattended, like so many you'll find.
Now that I've started I find myself with two blogs!. In addition to this one, my first blog, The Garden Buzz, has been a joy to write, the subjects never ending, I just walk out the door and around the garden, and something pops up.
When I began with Your Voices, I wondered about the direction I should go; merely repeat the garden blog or expand upon the nature aspect? The Star Trib wanted a community vibe. Since I don't live in the hip and happenin' city, just the western burbs, I felt that the nature angle was a good way to go. New to Minnesota, I was getting used to and enjoying the critters that I meet everyday, and so for the most part I've shared that.
I've also included a bit about my other passion; the University Extension Master Gardener program that I've been volunteering in for the past 10 years, wherever I've lived.
Occasionally I've ventured totally off-topic and surprisingly those posts have been the most commented-upon!