It's been just over 3 weeks since I discovered Blotanical - an online blogging community for those with a common interest in all things botanical. I'm really grateful to the many people who welcomed me into this great community of gardeners.
According to the Blotanical directory map, I'm the lone representative of Canada's Yukon Territory. A dubious distinction, perhaps, but a wonderful opportunity to dispel some myths about this corner of our country. It actually isn't the frozen wasteland many believe it to be.
With Blotanical, I've found myself getting caught up in the excitement of not only sharing my gardening pics and experiences, but also the challenge of accumulating points and levels of recognition within the complex scheme of picking my favorite blog posts, communicating with other gardeners through messages, gathering my list of favorite blogs and bloggers ... It's almost as preoccupying as gardening itself.
Actually, I get the sense it can become quite addictive. One of my fellow bloggers recently described waking up almost hourly during the night with thoughts and inspirations for her next blog post. It puts me to mind of David Foster Wallace's humorous description of his editor (an obviously obsessive individual), picturing him as "... scarcely more than a vestigial support system for an eye-brain assembly ... living full-time in some kind of high-tech medical chair that automatically gimbals around at various angles to help prevent skin ulcers, nourishment and wastes ferried by tubes, surrounded by full-spectrum lamps and stacks of magazines and journals, a special emergency beeper Velcroed to his arm in case he falls out of the chair, etc." All, presumably, in support of his editing obsession. In our case, perhaps, our blogging preoccupation. Let's hope it doesn't come to all that!
All kidding aside, Blotanical is a wonderful virtual gardening environment. I'm learning lots about what other gardeners are doing - around the world, as this community grows - and a great way to share my own experiences.
Here's the link: http://www.blotanical.com/
Addicting it is indeed. I remember those days that all I could think about was subjects for posts. It slows down after a while though. Stay warm up there and Happy Holidays to you.
ReplyDeleteI am with Tina. One day you wake up and think I had a garden, once ... But it is addictive fun as you climb the learning curve.
ReplyDeleteBlotanical really is a great place to learn from other gardeners and share your gardening stories. Glad you found it! :)
ReplyDeleteI love blotanical as well - nearly 2 years for me. It can become addictive but I have never got to the point of waking up in the night with ideas for my blog!!! Winter is an excellent time to be familiesing yourself with Blotanical
ReplyDeleteI really like Blotanical too but it doesn't make me lose sleep over it. But of course it takes a lot to mess with my sleeping ;-)
ReplyDeleteNow I am one of those silly people who thought the Yukon was like Siberia or the Antarctic.I was surprised when I saw pictures of your beautiful flowers garden. You must have a shorter growing period though? or not?
A common misconception about the Yukon. Yes, indeed, our growing season is a shorter one. We can safely plant annuals out after the first week of June, and can expect killing frost the third week of August. Last summer, however, it was after the second week of September that we lost some annuals due to frost. The big advantage is the almost constant daylight from the first week of June to the end of July, which really helps - except, of course, those plants that need the nighttime to release the nutrients absorbed during daylight. Glad you asked.
ReplyDeleteGreat post, Hank. We garden 12 months here, and I cannot imagine a killing frost in August! I have certainly seen the time when I would have welcomed a killing frost in August. That is the hottest part of the year for us.
ReplyDeleteWhat a hilarious quote. I've found that blogging and finding fellow enthusiasts enhances the garden experience for me, and it motivates me to be more precise in my descriptions and pay more attention to my photography - there are so many great garden writers and photographers out there. Think I'll take a look at the map and find out where exactly Whitehorse is!
ReplyDeleteHank, I came across your blog a few weeks ago, and noticed your Blotanical button. I went over and read and I signed up, thanks to you :)
ReplyDeleteYou've got an interesting blog!
Annie
Way to go, Annie!!!
ReplyDeleteAnd a warm welcome to Blotanical.