Photo credit: J. D. MorehouseSo I started blogging, not even certain what it was and it took me days to become as addicted to this quick-hit-several-times-a-day-diversion as I am to e-mail on my BlackBerry. First I followed my friend's blog and then some of the blogs that had intrigued him, and then, and then . . . By day three, I wanted one of my very own! For what earthly purpose? Probably the same reasons I always volunteer to write the club newsletter or to take minutes at the meeting or take copious notes when interviewing someone.
I souped up my profile which led me to other blogs and other people. How many thousands of men really call Sense & Sensibility their favorite movie? It's a big old cyber world out there and who knew? Some little "hey, there" acquaintances have been made. . help me! I'm blogging and I can't stop.
I read an article that said people are losing social skills and graces because we don't have to really interact with other actual humans in the same room any more. Oh. Like e-mailing, IMing, texting, blogging, posting, all from our ergonomically correct chairs in front of the computer aren't effective. The need to connect with other human beings is a huge one. I think we seek it out in all kinds of ways and it reminds me of a sweet little child who wanted to connect with others.
When my daughter was about three and we went off in the mommy van to preschool or some errand, I never turned on the ignition until I saw and heard that her seatbealt was latched. She always did a little pantomime thing to her right, her left, farther right, farther left. "What are you doing, Amber?" She was buckling up all of her 'tend (pretend) friends! The child packed those 'tend friends along with her every moment of life. Not so very different from this, 16 years later.
So ~ there's my first post.
And finally to share something beautiful. I was treated last weekend to a hike in the desert. We were sad because the ubiquitous joshua trees and yuccas we could see from the highway obviously did not bloom this disastrously dry spring. I was starved for the sight of a desert flower. One desert flower. Any desert flower. Once we arrived at our destination and got onto the hiking trail, we were treated to a fairly big bloom, but only on some of the cactus varieties. Not one claret cup (the most beautiful of all) to be seen - it's simply too dry and our desert is distressed. But the trio of little beauties above was a sight! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did, and a tip of the hat to the photographer.