Keeping With The Times

living, learning, and keeping with the times

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Why Would I Start a Blog?

May 28, 2017 by Barb 3 Comments

Why would I start a blog? What could I possibly have to offer that would be any different from the thousands upon thousands of other blogs out there in the world?

That’s a question I’m very happy I didn’t ask myself (in 2010) when I started this journey!

Turns out, there are many reasons to blog, but Keeping With the Times was born because I literally wanted to “keep with the times”. I hadn’t worked outside the home for many years and felt out of the loop. I wanted to learn how to do this mysterious blogging “thing” I’d been hearing so much about.Why would I start a blog? What could I possibly have to offer that would be any different from the thousands upon thousands of other blogs out there in the world?The technical aspects of blogging, and dealing with an on-line world which is ever-changing, challenges and inspires me. I’ve learned the ins and outs of social media. I’ve studied other blogs, asked questions, and then tried things for myself. I knew I wanted to have great photos to post, so I purchased a DSLR and went from not knowing how to turn the thing on, to shooting in Manual mode.

Why would I start a blog? What could I possibly have to offer that would be any different from the thousands upon thousands of other blogs out there in the world?Why would I start a blog? What could I possibly have to offer that would be any different from the thousands upon thousands of other blogs out there in the world?Keeping With the Times is where I practice my mantra “learn something new, try something different” (convince yourself that you have no limits) a quote by Brian Tracy.

While I may not be convinced “that I have no limits“ I do know that I can learn something new, and I can try something different, and this has not only changed the way I look at life, it has changed the way I live life. Incredibly, having a blog has given me permission to take on all sorts of exciting new ventures.

  • Should I buy that new camera? Yes.
  • Should I take that photography/editing class? Yes!
  • Should I attend that amazing retreat? Yes, yes, and yes!

Now when I talk about my experiences, I like to tell people “so far, nothing has blown up” in other words, don’t be afraid to try something.

I’m reclusive, and a bit of a homebody, but after seven years of blogging I’ve become much more flexible. When I have to leave the comfort of my home, and the familiarity of my surroundings, I pack my computer, a few treasured inspirational books, and hit the road with a sense of adventure rather than fear.

An airport terminal, hotel lobby, or hotel room becomes my office. I grab a hot coffee, find a comfortable place to sit, and connect to the Internet.

Instantly, there’s my blog. It greets me like an old friend, and as I look over a few posts (there’s my beautiful garden, my lovely barnwood side table, that pot of lavender I couldn’t resist, and the yummy Rhubarb Strawberry Coffee Cake I made last summer), I’m filled with a sense of accomplishment and prideWhy would I start a blog? What could I possibly have to offer that would be any different from the thousands upon thousands of other blogs out there in the world?Rhubarb Coffee Cake

I may decide to share a moment with my readers and take a “from where I stand shot.” My feet are in an airport, friends, and I can’t wait to show you where they’re going! It may be Toronto to attend Blissdom, a conference with my daughter, or Arizona where I’ll be meeting several blogging friends for the first time.

Or, perhaps it’s California to attend “Gather California” along with twelve beautiful souls from around the world!

Attending Gather California in November of 2014 changed my life in ways I never thought possible. In the company of like-minded people, I felt I was seen, heard, and validated, and let me tell you that is powerful. I made lifelong friends, forged strong connections, and broadened my horizons. To read more about my experience from Gather you might want to check out my post Why I Was Crying in the Shower

Starting and maintaining a blog is hard work … hard, but rewarding. I get up in the morning with new ideas spinning around in my head, eager to get out there and capture the perfect image to express my love of food, photography, blogging, and life. There isn’t enough time in my day to accomplish everything I’m dreaming about.

This is reason enough for me to blog. I do have something to offer the world. It may not be huge or earth shattering, but its mine, and I’m very passionate about it.

A big thank you and shout out to Emily and Stef at Makelight for encouraging us all to live our best lives and then to blog about it! I’ve enjoyed their blogging class more than I can say!

Why would I start a blog? What could I possibly have to offer that would be any different from the thousands upon thousands of other blogs out there in the world?
Thank you so much for stopping by!

 

Filed Under: BLOGGING BITS AND BYTES Tagged With: artful blogging, blissdom canada, blogging, inspiration, makelight

Five Things Friday | April 21

April 21, 2017 by Barb 2 Comments

Welcome to Five Things Friday where I share what I’m reading, watching, eating, making, or just plain loving at the moment.

I may have mentioned a few times that this past month has been a tough one for our family, but a person can only take one day at a time, and for now I’m simply happy to be back with my five things.

If you spend your whole life waiting for the storm, you’ll never enjoy the sunshine
Morris West

The hubs and I were recently in Arizona enjoying sunshine and a slower pace of life. A few slow morning coffees, quiet lunches and/or dinners on patios, and leisurely walks after sunset went a long way to settling frazzled nerves.

I found this lovely chamomile at Trader Joe’s and even though my mind was reminding me that this stuff is a noxious weed at home and that I can pick it by the armloads in the summer, my heart was telling me to go for it!

July is a long way off and what’s a few dollars for handful of joy!
Five Things Friday, Keeping With the Times, Chamomile, HerbsI also had a big bouquet of pink ranunculus but for some reason, I never did get around to photographing them … until I noticed this one turning white!

The leaves had become papery and translucent and really very beautiful:Five Things Friday, Keeping With the Times, ranunculus, Herbs

Five Things Friday | April 21

What I’m Watching

We finished Season 4 of House of Cards and while we’re completely wrapped up in this series, the last episode felt a tad weak. However we now can’t wait for season 5 … once you’re hooked on House of Cards, you’re hooked!

What I’m Reading

I picked up The Time Traveler’s Wife at a garage sale for $.50 and thought what the heck!

It’s the love story of Clare and Henry who met when Clare was six and Henry thirty-six, and were married when Clare was twenty-two and Henry thirty. Totally fantastical right? But Henry suffers from a rare condition where his genetic clock periodically resets and he finds himself pulled suddenly into his past or future.

Each chapter Clare and Henry are at different ages and at different stages which can cause you to either

  1. put the book down because you can’t follow it, or
  2. forget about keeping track of their respective ages and simply focus on the love story (which I decided to do) at which point it becomes very interesting and even a bit thought-provoking

Right now I would recommend reading this book, but won’t have my full analysis until I finish it …

What I’m Loving

Have you heard of Sky Guide? It’s an app you can use to view stars day or night. It’s a ton of fun for $2.99!

Apple Watch: Sky Guide can send you a notification when an event is about to happen in the skies above your location, like when the International Space Station is due to fly over. You can also keep tabs on the latest solar activity.

The first night I put it on my phone it was a full moon and I took a screen shot:Five Things Friday, Keeping With the Times, Sky Guide, Herbs… and then we went for a walk … or was this before  (I can’t remember :) but no matter, it was all magical!Five Things Friday, Keeping With the Times, Sky Guide, Herbs

Best Spam Comment of the Week (from Vincente)

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Well thank you Vincente, I’m very pleased my authored subject matter is stylish ;)

What I’m Learning

I’m very excited about a new blogging class being offered by Emily Quinton. I watched her video Blogging for Business Growth and a Better Life  and even though I’m not a business, her enthusiasm about how blogging makes you want to live a better life really resonated with me.

I’m a real advocate for blogging and bloggers and I started Blogging Bits and Bytes for just that reason. I’m hoping this course from Emily will reinforce my own enthusiasm and perhaps even help me get back on track with my blogging series … in my own way and my own words of course.

My Gratitude Journal

  • I’m so very grateful to have had a couple of weeks in Arizona to finish off this difficult month
  • Spending time with our daughter and her family here in Arizona
  • Taking our daughter to the Grand Canyon when she came through (again) on her way to a blogging conference
  • Spending time with our other daughter and her family, even though it was cut short (we will be back :)
  • Flowers from Trader Joe’s
  • A great haircut … never scrimp on haircuts my friends!
  • Arizona landscapes and succulents at Costco!

Thank you for being here! and have a wonderful weekend my friends!

 

Filed Under: FIVE THINGS FRIDAY Tagged With: blogging, books, emily quinton, makelight, reviews, sky guide app, trader joes flowers

Welcome! I'm Barb, and this is where I practice my mantra to "learn something new, try something different". It's my hope that something I do here may inspire you! Read More…

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