January 2006....I was really wanting to find a place to blog about gardening. I figured on finding a blog site where I could keep notes, rant and rave about the weather, keep a list of the plants in my garden, enter comments about what I liked and didn't like about individual plants as needed. I did not realize just how much more I was going to find as a result of that search. Looked at several sites that came up in a google search but none of them 'spoke' to me. Then I clicked one called GardenStew....what a unique name. I clicked on the link and started reading posts and blogs....if I remember correctly, I forgot to thaw anything out for supper that night because I couldn't get off the computer. And since I didn't want to take a chance of missing anything I made the family go out to eat and bring me something when they came home. On January 6th, I decided I had to be an active part of this group so I joined and the rest, as they say, is history. Wow, 6 years already. I have learned so much about gardening and plants and especially how gardeners around the world are basically the same....they love the land that has been loaned to them to use, they take care of plants like they are their children, they are all most willing to share their gardening knowledge with new gardeners at the same time realizing that we are all still learning so in some ways we are all beginners, they all have a delicious sense of humor and when they make friends they truly care about what's happening in the lives of those friends. Enough of the mushy stuff, I have enjoyed the last 6 years more than you can ever know and am pretty sure that GardenStew is the major reason why I will still be a gardener next fall after the summer we have coming.
Toni I did a double-take on your join date to be sure your calculations were correct. I'm shocked! And pleased! So, so great to have you here at the Stew Oh and before I forget... 20000 plant edits on GardenStew Plants, that is truly an amazing feat. I can change the text of your "Regular Plants Contributor" role to whatever you want. Just let me know Thank you.
Congratulations on your 6th anniversary. Six years is a long time. Imagine the hours logged. Since I never erase my browser log I am able to review my browsing prior to joinIng Gardenstew. Interesting how we spend our time. That morning I was looking for an old gopher site that I used in the early 80's 'alt.rec.gardens'. In the search was a posting in gardenstew of Kay's cat Chloe. A few pictures later your blog appears from 2007, 09, and 10. A look at the good morning thread some more pictures. I then looked at a review on Gardenbloggers.com, then it says Gardenstew 'Register'. I have been on almost every day since then. And I have enjoyed every day. Jerry
Toni, gardening sites are so much better because of members like you, and the Stew is particularly fortunate. Six years of good advice, laughs, encouragement and commiseration--keep it up!
I've been here awhile, too. It's a great place and I still find I learn new things. You are never too old to garden. It may be different but you still get out and dig in the dirt and watch with wonder as things grow. I've been addicted to gardening almost since I learned how to pull a weed instead of a plant. dooley
Well as the old saying goes - 'Time flies when you're having fun'!! I must say though that I was amazed that it had been six years since you joined Toni. I became a member on the 7th February 2005 so it'll soon be my 7 years for me.
I'm sure I speak for the everyone else here... but I don't think The Stew would be the same without you! Congrats!
well I've been away for a while, but am awfully glad to see you still here! And the Dooley! And Eileen! Gotta look around and catch up on what you all have been up to!
I was just thinking of you, Critter Painter, and wondering what you were doing with yourself. We've missed your posts and I am glad you are back with us. dooley
Mary!! What a lovely surprise it was to see you posting again. I look forward to hearing all your news. WELCOME HOME.
