I cannot express enough my gratitude for Stew members--so kind, so informative, and so funny! In the past week I've received unexpected but oh-so-appreciated seeds from a fellow Stew member, used an expression posted by a member to confound my Ohio-born husband ( )and gotten a lovely private message about our website. This has to be the friendliest and nicest gardening website ever. And I wanted to express my appreciation for each and every one of you.
Jane I'm so glad you joined us here. I don't think you realise just how often you have lifted my spirits when I'm having a bad day. You're right GardenStew members are the cream of the crop!!
I also agree! Members here are very nice, but most of all, they are all very well educated too - Yes it does show up in one's writing style, (believe it or not)... However I am not really surprised, as gardening takes effort, requires patience, and trains the mind to function in a methodical way (in accordance with nature). And so all people who like to indulge in a little bit of gardening - All express these traits to some degree. Anyway, my theory is that these traits and habits also benefit in other ways too. Like enabling endurance (a must if one is to study hard), as well as fight ailments. Really, I have seen this with my own eyes, that people who are always gardening, don't get sick as often as other people. Or if we do get sick, we recover quickly too! So gardening not only gives a healthy mind, but a healthy body too - As well as a healthy attitude in general towards others! I actually suspected this before the internet, yet now (specially thanks to Frank for creating GardenStew) - This theory of mine is confirmed! On a somewhat serious note, it is very well documented today how plants and trees can have a benefiting affect upon everyone. Specially on clinically depressed people, as well as on children who are constantly misbehaving without a cause... Even in some progressive countries, jailed inmates are today encouraged to do a little bit of gardening - Which eventually goes a long way in straightening them out. Actually, if I start listing all the benefits one by one - Then this post will never end. Which is why I'll stop here, as I've got my point across. But one more thing worthy of mention is (and this is true in nearly all cultures on Earth) - That the afterlife in paradise too (in religious mythology) is said to be a blissful place that is full of plants, trees, clear water, and clean air. Kind of like how life is on a perfect farm - Hence giving birth to the expression: "he bought the farm", when someone passes away... Well, let's just hope nobody here buys the farm in that way! And that we happily continue to do our own gardening, at our own terms! And also remain friendly at the same time. Because if anybody now misbehaves here, I'll see to it that they'll end up doing a slightly different kind of gardening, like "pushing up daisies" (John Wayne style)!
Stewbies ARE the best, I couldn't agree more! Here are another 4 reasons why: Today, I received a package all the way from Texas! Fresh pecans! YUM ( photo / image / picture from Netty's Garden ) And a few months back, I received a booklet all about Beekeeping as well. ( photo / image / picture from Netty's Garden ) Thanks so much Marlingardener!!! Another generous stewbie sent me canning rings ( photo / image / picture from Netty's Garden ) Thanks so much Barb! And we can't forget about Texas Bear #3, who came all the way from Texas a few years back! ( photo / image / picture from Netty's Garden ) I have also recieved seeds from all over the continent, thanks so much everyone for your generosity! I can't wait to pay it forward
Marlingardener I totally agree. As a matter of fact I agree with of my Stewbie families comments. The Stew is a great place with family from all over the world.
