We take different paths in life. Sometimes they are straight and sure. Other times they bend, sharply and without warning, to the right or left. Sometimes they take us to the proverbial fork in the road. Often, they just meander, slowly, taking us places we simply could not imagine.
When I started blogging almost two years ago, I wasn’t sure what would happen; if I could write on a regular basis, if anyone would read me, if I would ever learn to upload pictures, or what I would do if someone commented. Then, I fretted over what would I do if someone I didn’t know commented?
I know now that blogging has taken me into the words and wonders of so many good people and that I have wandered down some extraordinary and enlightening paths. I have learned so much more than I have taught, and have grown because of the experience.
Today, I walked the path pictured here, guided by a lovely fellow blogger. Mary Anne writes a beautiful blog called Always, Robins Egg Blue, where she shares her home and her family and her wonderful gifts at decorating, furnishing a home and tending a garden. Through our comments to each other, we discovered we lived in neighboring towns, only a few miles apart, in fact, and that we share a love of family and friend, gardening and antiques and the beauty of life around us.
Mary Anne recently invited me to lunch and a tour of her lush gardens. A gracious hostess, savvy businesswoman, and a blogging
friend, I consider myself blessed to have met her and shared a few (okay, more than a few) hours with her this afternoon.
Everything in Mary Anne’s house and garden seemed to have a story. From the summer savory given to her by a friend, to this fountain and an arbor, currently hosting a nest of robins. The abundant beauty was enhanced by her stories of where they were from, how they came to be, and what they meant to her.
All of Mary Anne’s posts are interesting, but a recent one on her varied uses of trays really inspired me to look around for some trays I’ve put away and to find some interesting uses for them. You can see Mary Anne’s post on trays here.
Well, I’ll be quiet now and let you see a bit of Mary Anne’s garden. Who knows? Perhaps it will take you on a different path today as well.
Thank you, Mary Anne, for your graciousness and hospitality. You’re the best!
What a beautiful piece of writing, and what a treat for you to be able to visit Mary Anne. I enjoyed wandering along this pathway with you Penny; thank you. You always seem to come up with something new and interesting. Blogging is such an adventure, isn’t it?
Thank you, Juliet. It was a special treat for me to visit with Mary Anne and fun to share with everyone here.
It is an adventure. I have met so many wonderful people from around the world, including my lovely blogging friends like you from New Zealand.
What a wonderful post. I’ve never regretted my venture into blogging as, like you, it’s led me into several wonderful friendships. I loved reading about your visit to Mary Anne, her garden is gorgeous!
Thank you, Cath. I haven’t either. It’s opened up the world to so much. I know that there are some books I definitely would not have known about had I not discovered your blog. Mary Anne’s garden is so restful and peaceful and, yes, gorgeous.
What a lovely friendship to come from blogging; your photos of Mary Anne’s garden are beautiful.
Thank you, Marilyn. It is a garden I think you would love to be in and Mary Anne is equally as beautiful a person. Isn’t life grand?
Good Morning Penny:
All I can say is I too have been blessed by meeting you in person. Never would I have ever believed where my experiences would have taken me in this world of blogging!
All I can say to you. . . . . . the pleasure of your company was priceless!
You are so kind, Mary Anne. Thank you. Life is grand and it was a pleasure meeting you yesterday.
By-the-way, I see that Velvet and Linen’s book is now out and by the looks of the cover, it looks divine!
How great for you to meet Mary Anne, the photos of her garden are lovely. I will definitely stop by her blog. Penny, you had me scared at the beginning of this post, I thought you were leading toward saying you were quitting your blog! That would be such a loss, I’m so glad the ‘path’ of your post lead to your visit with Mary Anne instead!
It was delightful, Janet, in every way.
Sorry about that, Janet. Reviewing what I wrote, I can see where that impression may be. I’m still rolling along with these posts and plan to. You are kind to say such nice things. I will be offline for a few days after one more post, however. I’m having my second cataract surgery and may not be able to do much writing for a day or two, but, I’ll be back and hope to see a few more of your posts from Ireland.
Good luck with the surgery Penny!
I came to visit you by blog hopping from Marilyn’s blog (My magpie collection); I’m glad I did and I’ll come back .
I wonder if I could ask you a favor? I have Marilyn’s blog on my Google Reader and her new posts recently popped up now that she’s starting up again. But in the meantime, Blogger will no longer allow me to comment where the embedded comment format is used. (I used to be able to, when she blogged before). Anyway, I wonder if you would be so kind as to let her know — I particularly wanted to tell her how adorable her granddaughter is! And of course I have lost her e-mail address. I would really appreciate it your help.
Thank you for stopping by, Sallie. I will have to check your post out.
I would be happy to let Marilyn know. I’ll just direct her back here. You may have to sign up again to leave her messages since she wasn’t blogging for a while.
Thank you for your comment on my blog Penny, I have to let you into my secret of the knitting, the variegated wool did most of the work
Life is grand as you say, I never knew just how wonderful being a grandmother would be – life is full of precious moments.
And thank you so much for passing on Sallie’s message, I shall contact her now.
It is just beautiful, Marilyn, and Harriet is so cute. I always knew I would enjoy being a grandmother, just not how much. Precious moments is so true, and so many of them.
You’re welcome. Glad the connection good be made. I still find it amazing how many connections come about in the blogging world.
Best to you.
What a beautiful garden and a nice visit.
It was, Janet. I had such a pleasant time.
I love this post. You are a very gifted writer. I love the imagery of the paths we take with our blogging. I didn’t know what to expect when I started blogging 8 months ago. But what I have gained has been immeasurable. I have been so inspired by the writing of others. I have discovered many kindred spirits through blogging and have actually had the pleasure of getting together with a few. Seeing the interconnectedness of life and the experiencing the joy of always learning something new are the pleasures of blogging for me. I love the photos of Mary Anne’s house, it is so lovely. And I always enjoy the paths you take me on with your inspiring blog.
What a lovely things to say, Sunday. Thank you so much.
I find it is sometimes hard to explain to others what blogging is all about. It’s a process and there are so many gifted writers and photographers and poets and observers of life. Kindred spirits. Yes! Thank you for sharing your experiences here.
I enjoy your blog as well and learn something new each time I visit.
Here’s to the paths continuing for all bloggers and readers of blogs.
Now you got my interest in Mary Ann’s blog, her garden is great thanks for sharing the pictures. Her trays are beautiful and I’ll bet everyone will look at their trays in a different light, gave me idea’s. I’m so glad you can share your wonderful writing with the world, you know I enjoy it…thanks…