November 10, 2011

Tomorrow I celebrate one year of the blog. Now, 190 posts later, is a good time to reflect. I have a better sense of what edible gardens–point loma is About; and I promise to fill in more details on that link soon.

Returning to those first posts highlights my novice status as a blogger as I made decisions about format, style and content. Sheepishly, I review some of those early entries and want to edit, but I won’t. It is what it is when you start out. Recently, I gave a short PowerPoint talk on blogging to colleagues at work. I wish I had heard my own talk before beginning to blog.

I’ve worked hard this year learning to use blogging tools such as Tumblr, Photobucket, Dropbox, Twitter, Google Analytics etc. Blogging keeps my mind nimble but sometimes leaves me exasperated. Other times, a sense of mastery is my reward as I persist in resolving some quirky formatting problem. Always, my son Andrew, who spends his days as web developer, patiently answers my questions and cleans up messes I make.

This year I learned how much I like to write. Capturing garden moments, family memories or simply providing instructions for a garden task challenge me. My friend, Betsy, a journalist and writer patiently reviewed my longer essays and provided invaluable advice, practical suggestions, encouragement and sometimes just the right word or phrase.

Often, Betsy and I sit in the garden and chat about writing, what to do with kale or our dogs. She tends my garden when I am on vacation and I return the favor. She is a faithful friend. I learn from reading her writing. My blog is better because of Betsy. Here’s she is with broccoli and cauliflower from last winter’s garden.

So here we are at one year. What is ahead? I’d like to hear from you. On my to do list is an archive page, hopefully organized by month or maybe topics. (What would be most useful to you?) I’d like to read about garden photography, and write more poetry. Tell me what you’d like to see on edible gardens–point loma. I invite your comments.

Look for a special one year anniversary event on the blog tomorrow.