Rosa 'Peace'
I've spent the last 10 days going through my 491 previous posts, double checking to see if I had documented every plant in my landscape, which was my original intention when I started this blog. As I checked off the photos and posts against all the plants, I found that I had, indeed, finished my original goal. Actually, I finished this task many months ago, and have since taken and posted photos of the various flowers associated with each plant.
Try as I might, I haven't been able to come up with much of anything new happening in my landscape, especially this time of year, except my cleaning up all the mesquite beans that drop from the trees starting in June. No new insects, butterflies, birds, odd growths or diseases; no new yard art to write about, no new and interesting pots--absolutely nothing new--not even weeds!
I've resisted going off subject, and other than maybe five posts, I never have. So, now I'm stuck. It's decision time. Do I start going in a different direction on this blog, or keep this blog "pure" and just start another blog with a different theme if I become inclined. Or, just leave things as they are and post when there's something new going on in my landscape. I guess it's a decision that I'm going to have to make soon.
I've had several faithful followers who began visiting quite some time ago. Julie at A Succulent Life is probably the longest lasting regular reader and commenter, then next is Claude at Random Rants and Prickly Plants, who never fails to leave a comment when I have a new post. Pudge at Pudgeduck's World doesn't comment every time, but I know she reads every single post. Participation in Green Thumb Sunday brought many more visitors, and when that meme became inactive for the most part, I got involved in Ms. Green Thumb Jean's Bloomin' Tuesday meme, which brought new and different visitors. However, the vast majority of visitors to my blog come from folks who have used a search engine to find information on various desert plants. The two most frequent searches have been for Desert Museum Palo Verde tree, and Desert Marigold. Another popular search is for Boxwood Beauty Natal Plum of all things!
Although I may not post as regularly as I have these past few years, I certainly intend to continue to follow the 40 or so garden blogs I've enjoyed reading. If I decide to start another blog on another subject, I'll post the link. Thanks to all my blogging friends for their comments and visits in the past two plus years. This is not a goodbye, but an explanation as to why my posts have dwindled of late. I may be down (as far as posts) but I'm not out yet!
13 comments:
Oh, Aiyana! I know you are not asking, but here are my thoughts:
1. Keep this blog pure, and add as you find anything new or interesting.
2. Start an ART blog...and join us at Cactus Monday!!! Post your ATC's and join Teri's (from Painted Daisies), or whoever's ATC swaps!!! You ARE the first one to introduce me to ATC's afterall...and we would love to see your artwork!!! You sure have many cactus to draw from for art!
3. Don't leave us...we NEED you...you are our Cactus Mom!!! LOL!
I found your blog looking for one of my new cactus that I purchased at the plant sale at the Boyce Thompson Arboretum!!
Hey...Write when something inspires you!! That would be cool. :)
Love, Mary L.
P.S. Finally picked up a copy of Scott Calhoun's books...Yard Full of Sun and A Hot Garden.
My vote would be for keeping the same blog, but adding new topics or expanding existing ones. Though I recognize this is your blog, not a democracy, and consequently only one vote matters, which is not mine.
Part of this is because I am lazy and/or pressed for time and don't want to have to add a new blog to the list of blogs I follow.
I'll be happy to read whatever you chose to write. You are a neighbor here in the desert, and I value your insights and your sharing the plants that work for you, but other topics are always interesting to read about.
Jenn
You can't close this blog down! NO NO NO!!!!!I say start over with before and after pic!
LOL on Pudgeducks comment!!! I agree it would be a shame to not have you here anymore on Water When Dry! I have thought about you and this dilemma all day while working!!! Bottom line is WE LOVE YOU! Hee hee hee!!!
Gosh, I wish you would continue this blog. This is the first blog I ever found and it opened up a new world for me. There is not that much on desert gardening in the Phoenix area available and I just loved reading and looking at your pictures. I have been blogging for only about 6 months and I feel like you have just started! Maybe you could post less often but please keep it going.
Aiyana, I for one, have always enjoyed everything you have written or shown. I enjoy your cacti in all their stages of growth and bloom-no matter if you have shown them before.
Most of us show our gardens and flowers many times and don't always have something new to share. But we do enjoy visiting each other and seeing what is happening at the moment. Once in a while, we do have something new, but those are rare posts.
In the end, I know you will do what is best for you, but I do hope you keep in touch in some way.
Thank you for many delightful looks into your garden!
I can't remember how I found your blog (maybe through a comment somewhere), but I've enjoyed seeing your desert garden through the seasons. I hope to see more from your garden or others around Phoenix in the future.
Hey!
If I were you, I'd just start over on the list. The plants have no doubt grown or changed or something, and a new post, perhaps referring to the old post about the same plant, might be interesting so we can see the progress over time. Whatever you do, don't abandon us!
(and BTW, I'm fine, I just haven't had anything to say lately... )
Your blog was what inspired me to start my own! I owe it all to you and although I sometimes have to play catch up I try and never miss a post of yours. I don't care how you decide to take the future of this blog but I do know it is a wonderful resource for me. I've often come here to find out about plants I own or buy. Many thanks for getting me started and for the ongoing enjoyment of reading your blog. Happy 4th!
Oh, please keep blogging! Maybe information on maintaining the sprinking/emitter system; it seems I'm always having to replace sprinklers or plants grow into them!
Converting a lawn to desert, heat stress, plant and landscape material sources are some other topics.
I'd vote to keep the blog-I hate having to redirect to a new blog and it will save other bloggers from having to redo their blogroll or having it outdated. Please its all so neat to have everything referenced in one place.
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