There are a few things bugging me at the moment. Our hayfield above is one of them! Usually by this time of year, the hay is cut, baled and in the barn but not this year. This means that we have not had 5 clear days of sunshine for haymaking. But you know I consider myself lucky only to have this to worry about when I hear all the awful stories of flooding in Sheffield and surrounding areas.
I have always considered my blog a form of escapisim and just recently I have wondered if this is really how it should be? The definition of weblog is 'an online diary' so should it reflect everything that goes on in my life? Maybe.The temptation is to portray a wonderful life even if this is not how life really is. A couple of my favourite blogs have recently posted about issues that are affecting them. One regular has sadly admitted that her long term relationship is over and that she has to give up a home that she has created and make a new life for herself and her children. Another witty,creative girl has to come to terms with how best to help her beloved child. Heartbreaking stuff, all of it. It made me wonder just how many of us would have been brave enough to post about it? The breakup I can certainly identify with having been through the same situation myself and it was with some sadness that I read that this blogger would not be posting for awhile as life was just too awful. I know I felt just on this side of sanity most of the time during my breakup and I think had I had the support of the blogging community I might have felt a lot more human. When I posted recently about the menopause, the support I received was incredible and I really felt I was not going it alone. Hopefully we will hear more from this blogger, if only to offer her the ongoing support that might just make an awful time, bearable...
It also struck me afresh just last night how wonderful the creative blogging community is. I was having a telephone conversation with Sue about embroidery threads. I have never met Sue but we were able to have a very easy conversation not just because we have similar interests but because I was able to ask after her mum and about her daughters wedding, all details that had been revealed on her blog. I came off the phone feeling like I had known Sue for ages!
This is my latest embroidery project, it will be a cushion once I have sewn it up properly, hence the edited picture! One good reason for buying more threads! Thanks Sue!
Life is made up of light and dark and I think bloggers need to show both. If everyday is a picture postcard, then the real highlights lose much impact, while if you know that someone has had a bad week/month/year and then something good happens, then you know it's really good. Not that we should always complain, or not try to make light or keep things fluffy, just that the dark is there & sharing it can help. Like you, I love the amount of support fellow bloggers give when you hit a snag, be it menopause, the misery of break up or not being able to find a fabric you like... like the Yellow pages, we're not just here for the nice things in life!
Posted by: Angel Jem | June 29, 2007 at 11:06 AM
I think there is a line between "blogs" as in web-logs and "internet journals" - with my blog at least, whilst I try to be informative and post about "green issues" and news stories that pique my interest I also balance it with a good dose of what's happening in my life. Because though I won't share every single detail about the ups and downs (just like you may keep things from even the closest friend), I will share what I feel is suitable for the "public domain".
It's actually a really interesting question and I know many blogs who write soley about their day-to-day existance, but for me the best blogs also provide interesting commentary and thoughts and ideas rather than "Today I did this, this, this and that" which is how some choose to style their blogs.
But I guess it's all a personal decision - I definitely believe in sharing something that's bugging you, like your menopause post, it was touching because you were experiencing it and others were able to lend not only support but advice and solace.
Have a lovely weekend :)
Posted by: Tash | June 29, 2007 at 12:23 PM
Hi Jane,
I'm sure a lot of blogs paint a picture of everything in the garden being rosy when it isn't - but then I think blogs are also used for escapism from the humdrum and nasties of day-to-day-life. To be honest I think all of us 'vintage/home-loving girls' - as we are generally known! - are probably more honest and open within our circle of blogs - but without meaning to sound sceptical, you never know if there any 'oddballs' lurking around!!!
Not sure what I'm saying there really, but I suppose erring on the side of caution when it comes to certain details of our private lives is probably wise.
Having said that, I met Sue through the internet a few years ago and can honestly say she is a lovely, genuine, warm person, so I suppose I shouldn't sound so sceptical after all!
Clare x
Posted by: Clare | June 29, 2007 at 02:05 PM
PS. Sorry, meant to say how lovely your embroidery is!
Posted by: Clare | June 29, 2007 at 02:06 PM
"...definition of weblog is 'an online diary'..."
But I think we each define our own weblog. And I think we each have the right, to do so.
I too know many people who use on-line-journaling as a real form of a Daily Diary. Maybe as a referral for themselves, later in life. Maybe as a form of release...by venting about issues in their personal world and using this, to help themselves. Maybe as a place to let others know exactly what's going on in their lives and with them, personally.
But I never choose this kind of on-line-journaling. And I've been doing this blogging thing, for many more years, than I've been on blogger, in my "Pretty Blog Land" incarnation. But a Daily-Diary-Type is just not {nor has been} my style, anywhere.
I have LJ's for "pretty," over there {in Live Journal} too. And I have LJ's for world issues. And for a totally different persona than is evident here... in these blogs of mine.
Each different. Each for a different 'part' of my interests. But none of them... a Daily Diary type.
But... that's just me. I choose to do on-line-journaling my way, in many different places. Which I claim as my right, and the right of each and every one. But in the end, these are my choices. :-)
Mari-Nanci
Posted by: Mari-Nanci | June 29, 2007 at 04:31 PM
Funny you brought this discussion to the table. I have often thought how rosy some of these lives seem. Everything seems so utterly perfect. I prefer balance. There is nothing wrong with a splash of realism thrown in with the roses and the chintz.
And I do applaud your candor with regard to menopause. Thank you.
Posted by: Lisa | June 30, 2007 at 03:04 PM
What a stunning cushion you are making! Blue is my absolute favorite color to decorate with!
I know what you mean about blogs... there are days when I am really not that "chipper" yet I try to come across "as happy as a clam" on my blog.
I met Karla of SugarBearDesigns.blogspot.com when she and her hubby came to vacation here on Cape Cod last week - it was like meeting an old friend! Another blog friend, Amy of Foursistersinacottage's blog, has just recently been dealing with breast cancer, and all the love and support she has received via blogging is just outstanding!
Posted by: beachy | June 30, 2007 at 04:59 PM
Aw shucks girls, I didn't know I was that nice!!!! Seriously, though, it was lovely to chat Jane and, like you, I felt I had been talking to an old friend by the end of the phonecall. I'm hoping to sort out those threads tomorrow. Thanks for the lovely comments.
I think there is a fine line between giving people an insight into the sort of person you are, and revealing all. I think we all feel we 'know' the bloggers we visit regularly because there are certain aspects of their lives that we can relate to in some small way. Sometimes their blog posts are almost a mirror image of our own thoughts.
As for Clare's comment, she's not so bad either!! I think she probably knows me and my thoughts better than most ... so I should perhaps be careful what I say about her!!!!! Suffice to say Pauley and I consider Clare and Mike to be great friends who we enjoy meeting up with as often as we can.
But I understand how scepticism comes into the equation. Four or five years ago I spent a lot of time doing on-line family research and actually met several people through the Genes Reunited website. One girl was from Bristol and we agreed to meet one day. When we met at the appointed hour we both had to phone our families to confirm that we hadn't met up with a mad axewoman!!
Love the cushion, by the way!
Sue
Posted by: Sue | June 30, 2007 at 10:14 PM
The rain is starting to annoy me too! I keep thinking back to the lovely weather we had in April and wondering if that was 'summer'!
Posted by: lazylol | July 02, 2007 at 06:37 PM
Hi Jane,
You are so right about the creative blogging community and the support that they will show a fellow blogger..it lifts the soul.
Your new embroidery project is just lovely. I have just brought a few transfers on ebay as I am getting very envolved in embroidery (I normally do cross-stitch and embroidery is new to me). I to brought some of Sue's threads...they are such good value and Sue is such a lovely person.
Take care,
Alison x
Posted by: Alison | July 02, 2007 at 09:21 PM
What a beautiful blog. The flowers, the hay field!, the strawberry jam...they all bring back my most cherished and fragrant memories. Thank you.
Posted by: kathleen | July 03, 2007 at 12:14 AM
Hello! I think moutain laurel would do VERY well where you live! I haven't done a thing to my moutain laurel since we moved here (the bush was already here) - except for pruning some branches which had "winter-kill" from a very bad, cold, snowy winter. It can withstand temperatures below freezing, to high heat and humidity! Perhaps it thrives on the change of seasons... our weather is so similar, I think it would do well your way. =)
Posted by: beachy | July 03, 2007 at 04:20 PM
Yes, the blogging community is full of wonderful people. I never am afraid to mention problems as well as good things on my blog and people are always sympthetic and supportive. There must be something about the personality make up of a person who chooses to blog, that is generous and giving.
Posted by: karla nathan | July 04, 2007 at 06:27 PM
I'm new to the blogging world. I started my blog so that I could tell family (mainly) what was going on in our lives. We don't live near them anymore and sometimes it's hard to keep everybody up to date. But I have found myself "editing" what I post about. I don't want the family to think I'm alone and depressed (although sometimes I am) so I don't generally post about those feelings. But maybe that does take away some of the benefits of a blog. By not sharing some of the "darker" things in my life, maybe I'm limiting the effect this blog can have for me and those who read it. You've managed to put into words some of things I've been asking myself when it comes to how I want my blog to be! I'm thinking maybe I should work on becoming braver and laying some of my real self out there - not enough to feel "naked", but maybe enough to start some dialogue. You hit on a really good subject with this one! :)
Posted by: Kari | July 05, 2007 at 08:45 PM
I'm new to the blogging world. I started my blog so that I could tell family (mainly) what was going on in our lives. We don't live near them anymore and sometimes it's hard to keep everybody up to date. But I have found myself "editing" what I post about. I don't want the family to think I'm alone and depressed (although sometimes I am) so I don't generally post about those feelings. But maybe that does take away some of the benefits of a blog. By not sharing some of the "darker" things in my life, maybe I'm limiting the effect this blog can have for me and those who read it. You've managed to put into words some of things I've been asking myself when it comes to how I want my blog to be! I'm thinking maybe I should work on becoming braver and laying some of my real self out there - not enough to feel "naked", but maybe enough to start some dialogue. You hit on a really good subject with this one! :)
Posted by: Kari | July 05, 2007 at 08:45 PM
I'm new to the blogging world. I started my blog so that I could tell family (mainly) what was going on in our lives. We don't live near them anymore and sometimes it's hard to keep everybody up to date. But I have found myself "editing" what I post about. I don't want the family to think I'm alone and depressed (although sometimes I am) so I don't generally post about those feelings. But maybe that does take away some of the benefits of a blog. By not sharing some of the "darker" things in my life, maybe I'm limiting the effect this blog can have for me and those who read it. You've managed to put into words some of things I've been asking myself when it comes to how I want my blog to be! I'm thinking maybe I should work on becoming braver and laying some of my real self out there - not enough to feel "naked", but maybe enough to start some dialogue. You hit on a really good subject with this one! :)
Posted by: Kari | July 05, 2007 at 08:46 PM
You are lovely Jane, thank you for those comments and those that you left for me on my blog. I thought long and hard before posting what I did on my blog but I felt it necessary to be honest and I am so glad I did. It gave all the people who I have come to know through the blogging world a chance to be supportive and I really appreciate the lovely comments that have been left for me. They do help. I will be back real soon and have been tempted a few times because actually I am doing ok and feel very positive about the future and have at last got rid of the nasty bug that was lurking for weeks making me feel unable to cope. My children, family and fabric business keep me busy and happy as well as support from friends both real and 'virtual'! xxx
Posted by: donna | July 07, 2007 at 11:48 PM