Blogging Etiquette

If you have been following me from the beginning, you know I started the middle of November 2011. I chose Blogger because it was free and fairly easy to set up.

What I've noticed is there is very little help if you have problems with your blog. For instance, the site keeps losing some of my followers.

There also was a problem of leaving comments. If you have looked at some of my older postings, it was impossible to leave a comment.

From reading your blog, I decided to use the pop-up version for comments.

Today I have a question for you. How do you know if I responded to your comment on the same comments page? Must you go back each day to that posting to see if I responded? Is that the preferred way of responding to your comments?

As a follower of my blog, I want you to know how much I appreciate your comments. I think of the miles apart we are, and yet, with just a click of a button, you are instantly here.

If you post.....I will read it.
Meggie Mac

Fishing Hole

Welcome to my backyard!

Here in Texas, we generally call them "stock ponds". The farm animals use this pond for their drinking water.
So, fish are the bonus that comes with the watering hole. Oh yes, and frogs, too....

In the summer months, my pond also has beautiful yellow water lilies that bloom. If you are wondering if the lilies are native to the pond, the answer is no. I simply threw in a handful of bulbs I had cleaned out of an overcrowded water garden.  They are just as spectacular as this photo.

Meggie Mac

The Joy of Country Living

Looking for the traffic light?

For that matter, where is the traffic?

Glad you get my point.....

Meggie Mac

My Mom, the Cowgirl

Although the quality of the photo is poor, you can still see the first woman on the right is my Mom many years ago. She was a cowgirl for the day, riding on the back of a convertible in the local small-town Texas parade.

This morning as I was looking over the list of errands for the day, my mind drifted over to my Mom. She is the January Birthday Girl in our family.

My Mom, not surprising to our family, is still keeping up the many chores of her home, cooking the meals and in charge of the monies and budget. She also likes to put together 1,000 piece puzzles and play dominoes.

She did give up driving a couple of years ago. But, she can still sit in the front seat and give the driver "directions".

Are you asking yourself, "What is so unusual about these qualities in a mother?"

Well, my Mom celebrated her 89th birthday this month......and baked her own birthday cake for her family to enjoy! I guess in some ways, my Mom is still a cowgirl.

Happy Birthday Mom!
Meggie Mac

Garden Seed Giveaway

Do you get excited when the first seed catalog of the year arrives? I've had mine since before Christmas. I only plant heritage seeds that are non-hybrid, non-Gmo, and non-treated and non-patented.

The new varieties are so tempting that it is difficult to keep the order list short. In years past, I've started so many seeds that my greenhouse was overflowing. It can be fun to share the seedlings with family and friends.

Today I'm thinking I will do the same this year. Oh, the joy of sharing!

So, here is what I propose to you, my dear readers.... click on  my seed catalog and make a choice of 1 packet of seeds.  The first 10 comments on my blog will be the winners. Be sure you leave your email address so I can notify the winners. I will accept comments until Friday, January 20th. I will announce the winners by Monday, January 23rd.

 The rules are.... you must be signed on as a "follower" of this blog.

 The seed company has also told me on international orders, there is always a small chance the seed packet will not pass customs.

What I ask in return is that you keep me informed via the blog of your success. With your permission, I will post any photos you send my way.

So, go back to the first of this posting and click on the word seed catalog. Start drooling over the beautiful photos and the endless possibilities in our 2012 vegetable garden.

Meggie Mac

Girlfriends

Searching through my old photographs of when I first purchased the farm, I found this photo of my girlfriend, Jo, and her husband. He is the one on the ground, trying to connect a water line to the hot water heater.

In looking at this photo, it brings to mind several things. First, Lloyd, out of the kindness of his heart or because Jo ask him to do it, is trying to get the hot water connected with no charge to me. After all, that is what friends do for each other.

I remember the day when they met me at the farm before I purchased it. She said, confidently, that I would have this house finished in 3 months. Lloyd stood in the background just shaking his head, "no, no, no". I laugh every time I think of that story. She had plenty of confidence in me, and he realistically knew what lay ahead of me in work.

The other thing that comes to mind when looking at the photo, is the fact that Jo is standing right beside him. The two of them were inseparable. When I asked Jo to go antiquing with me, it would be the three of us that would go.  It would also be the three of us when we went out to dinner. Having her as a best friend meant accepting Lloyd as a part of the relationship.

I could call her anytime, day or night, and talk things out with her. Once, when I called, there was an echo sound in the background. I said, "Are you taking a bath?" She answered, "Yes, but I have time to talk." I'm smiling as I write this story. This is the kind of friend she was to me.

My very best girlfriend died unexpectedly in January, six years ago.

The photo brought back so many memories. I knew, then, I wanted to share it with you.

Call your best friend today, and express how important they are in your life.

Jo, I still miss you....
Meggie Mac

1,000 Yo Yos

I'm asking for your ideas today....

Many years ago, my daughter gave me this vest. It has long since not been fashionable, but I didn't have the heart to give it away or discard it.

The treasure trove of yo yos are made of 100% silk, hand stitched. As you can see, from the photograph, the colors are spectacular.

"How can you help?" you ask. Give me some ideas on how to re-purpose 1,000 yo yos. It will take some time, but the thread can easily be clipped to separate them.

Meggie Mac