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Carol J. Michel

Award winner author of gardening humor books

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May Dreams Gardens

Embrace Garden Blogging for a Happier Life

November 2, 2008 By Carol Michel 49 Comments

This is the 1,000th post on my blog.

Who could have imagined where this walk down the garden blogging path would take me, and take many of us garden bloggers?

I started this blog “officially” on September 26, 2004. In my first blog post, I wrote about wanting to mow the lawn and about deciding what to put in my empty terrarium. I am still writing about mowing the lawn and my terrarium is still empty, showing that maybe not much has changed since that first post.

Well, some things have changed. I did start slowly with the blog. In fact, sometime before that first post, I actually started another blog but ended up deleting it. I guess I didn’t like it. It was like a plant you just have to have in your garden, but once you plant it, you decide you don’t like it after all, so you rip it out and toss it aside.

And at first I wasn’t very consistent in posting on my blog. Through 2004 and 2005, I posted a grand total of nine times. But something must have happened in January 2006, because from that point forward, I started posting more frequently and now here I am writing this 1,000th post.

In between post one and post 1,000, a lot has happened on my blog and in real life. I don’t know what I thought would happen once I started my blog, but I can tell you I was and am still surprised by all the good things that have come from garden blogging.

That’s why today, on the occasion of this 1,000th post, I encourage all gardeners to embrace garden blogging for a happier life. Why?

You’ll connect with other gardeners who are as passionate and enthralled with gardening as you are.

You’ll get answers to some of life’s greatest gardening questions from other garden bloggers.

You’ll be encouraged by others in your gardening endeavors, be they a few plants in a humble container or a massive estate garden covering acres of land.

You’ll feel less self-conscious about being a gardening geek or just a tiny bit eccentric with your gardening, when you find out through garden blogs that others are the same way, or nearly so.

You’ll have a more enriching gardening experience because of new friendships with other gardeners, friendships that transcend geography and cyperspace.

You’ll increase your overall understanding of the plant world as you see what blooms from month to month in different parts of the world.

You’ll be able to put your own challenges of location, climate, and soil into perspective as you read about the challenges that other gardeners face where they garden.

You’ll discover that there really are garden fairies and some very nice gardeners out there, too.

I would like to thank all the garden bloggers and others who have stopped by here at May Dreams Gardens, leaving comments and emails along the way that were always encouraging, helpful and supportive through all the seasons of this blog.

May all your flowers bloom when you need them most and may your own garden sustain you for years to come!

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: Blogging, embrace

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Kathy says

    November 2, 2008 at 7:49 pm

    I’m not sure when in 2006 I started reading you, but my first post mentioning you was in September of that year.

    Reply
  2. Daizy says

    November 2, 2008 at 7:55 pm

    Congratulations on this milestone!

    I recently started blogging and hope to have the inspiration to keep going like you!

    Reply
  3. Lisa at Greenbow says

    November 2, 2008 at 8:02 pm

    Congratulations on your 1000th post Carol. I certainly have felt blessed since I started reading your posts. You have given me some needed advise, different ways to think about my garden and you have opened doors to many other gardeners through your Bloom Day tradition. The gardening world is a better place because of your efforts.

    I also would like to add that just today on Yahoo News they said that one way to improve your brain power was to start a blog. Just think of all the brain power you are working up with all this blogging and others you inspire to help themselves by blogging.

    Reply
  4. Iris says

    November 2, 2008 at 8:12 pm

    Fantastic! Thanks for all your inspiration, information, and fun.

    Reply
  5. MA says

    November 2, 2008 at 8:14 pm

    Dearest May Dreams,
    My best congratulations on your 1000th post. Wow, what a big number!

    I especially like the part about transcending cyberspace and geography and making new friends. Who knew we’d all end up in Austin, gabbing away and having a grand old time. And now, we write almost daily to one another. So much for the Pony Express.

    Carry on, good woman garden geeky friend of mine.

    MA

    Reply
  6. RURAL says

    November 2, 2008 at 8:24 pm

    Congrats on your 1000th post. That is quite a comitment. And a acomplishment!

    We are looking forward the next milestone from you.

    Jen

    Reply
  7. Anonymous says

    November 2, 2008 at 8:27 pm

    Hi Carol, yours was one of the first garden blogs I ever read. You have been an inspiration to so many of us. Thanks for all you contribute to making us a tightly knit community.

    Frances
    http://fairegarden.wordpress.com/

    Reply
  8. EAL says

    November 2, 2008 at 8:33 pm

    Nice post! I started in May 205 and I did not even know there were other garden bloggers until Garden Voices emailed me. You have certainly started an important blogging ritual with GBBD and I am sure you have inspired many other current garden bloggers to start their blogs.

    Reply
  9. Debbie says

    November 2, 2008 at 9:04 pm

    Congratulations, Carol! I’ve been a reader for almost 2 years I think.

    You have encouraged me to blog more about my garden, although it isn’t strictly a garden blog.

    Look forward to your next 1000 posts.

    Reply
  10. Katie says

    November 2, 2008 at 9:40 pm

    Congratulations Carol! Your blog is such a source of inspiration and creativity.

    Here’s to the next 1,000 posts…

    Reply
  11. Anonymous says

    November 2, 2008 at 10:00 pm

    Congratulations on this milestone, Carol! I agree that garden blogging is a sure-fire way to enhance one’s life as a gardener. Who knew it would lead to so many new friendships that I treasure, like yours.

    Reply
  12. Anonymous says

    November 2, 2008 at 10:03 pm

    Congratulations, Carol! As someone who has just started a garden blog, your experience and encouragement is a real plus! Many more happy years of gardening and blogging to ya!

    Reply
  13. Annie in Austin says

    November 2, 2008 at 10:10 pm

    Congratulations, Carol! What a great way to mark your 1000th post at May Dreams Gardens.

    Following Cold Climate Kathy’s lead I rolled back through the archives and it appears I found my way to both Grandma’s Diaries and May Dreams Gardens in June 2006, and you were one of the first commenters to my blog.

    Just thinking about your trip to Spring Fling in Austin last April makes me smile… not only did you ‘Embrace Gardening’ … you were Embraced by Gardenbloggers, both metaphorically and physically!

    A virtual hug from

    Annie at the Transplantable Rose

    Reply
  14. Terry says

    November 2, 2008 at 10:27 pm

    Congratulations! I love reading your funny stories. I started reading this summer. I don’t know what I was searching for, but somehow I came across your blog about hoes and it was so hilarious, I was hooked. Keep up the wonderful stories!

    Reply
  15. Corner Gardener Sue says

    November 2, 2008 at 10:31 pm

    Congratulations, Carol! As one of your newer readers and a beginning blogger, I am glad to have found your blog! You are informative and entertaining!

    In fact, I came here today to look at how you have your comments set up, because I want to change mine to encourage people to leave comments. I’m going to go see if I can figure it out.

    Reply
  16. Sweet Home and Garden Carolina says

    November 2, 2008 at 10:44 pm

    A journey of a thousand miles begins with one small step. I’m so glad you continued your garden blogging adventure for you have inspired and encouraged many of us along your way.

    I recall that you said that more than all the awards you’ve gathered comments from your visitors is more treasured by you.

    Warmest congratulations, Carol on this outstanding achievement of a thousand posts and we eagerly look forward to many, many more.

    Reply
  17. Anonymous says

    November 3, 2008 at 12:00 am

    Wowzers! 1,000 posts, that’s amazing. I was pretty proud of myself when I got to 100 this week. 🙂 Keep up the good work!

    Reply
  18. Les says

    November 3, 2008 at 12:37 am

    Congratulations on an amazing amount of work. I have left you a picture and a shout-out in my latest post. Warning, it has a lot of pictures to wade through, but near the end is your mention (there is a hoe).

    http://atidewatergardener.blogspot.com/2008/11/williamsburg-day-trip.html

    Reply
  19. Anonymous says

    November 3, 2008 at 1:18 am

    Congratulations on reaching 1,000. I have enjoyed reading your blog. You are so creative, entertaining and knowledgeable about gardening. I wish more gardeners would take your advice and blog. The best thing about blogging is connecting with other gardeners.

    Jan
    Always Growing

    Reply
  20. Gail says

    November 3, 2008 at 2:32 am

    1000 posts! Congratulations. You are incredible. It has been a delight reading your posts and getting to know you. Here’s to the next 1000+ posts! gail

    Reply
  21. Diana says

    November 3, 2008 at 3:30 am

    Congratulations Carol. What an accomplishment, you should be proud. You’ve certainly inspired so many other garden bloggers, including me, to think about blogging and gardening outside of the box. Your spiritual,inspirational and digging in the dirt commentary keeps us all going. Best wishes for the next 1,000 posts!

    Reply
  22. TC says

    November 3, 2008 at 3:42 am

    Pretty significant milestone Ms. Carol. I wonder how many words 1000 blog posts amounts to?

    Congrats and here’s to another thousand, or two, or three. ;~)

    Reply
  23. Rock rose says

    November 3, 2008 at 4:13 am

    Congratulations Carol. I think you must be called the queen of garden bloggers. I feel fortunate that I met you very early in my blogging days, thanks to Pam- who was the one to get me blogging in the first place.
    It is a great extension to gardening.

    Reply
  24. Kylee Baumle says

    November 3, 2008 at 4:53 am

    Congratulations on your 1000th post, Carol! Your blog is one of the first ones I remember reading. I never dreamed I would enjoy blogging so much and I love getting to know so many other people in so many places. I’ve learned so much!

    Here’s to the next 1000! 🙂

    Reply
  25. Anonymous says

    November 3, 2008 at 5:50 am

    A huge congrats on the 1000-post mark, Kathy! You’re an amazing inspiration to the rest of us in the garden blogging world. I agree — it’s a blessing to be a part of it.

    Reply
  26. beckie says

    November 3, 2008 at 7:10 am

    Let mw add my congratulations as well! I can’t imagime 1,000 posts- I am just now getting close to the 100 mark. As someone said, you have done a lot for the GB community. I have found many wonderful people through your GBBD posts and certainly have enjoyed seeing all the blooms. Keep up the good work!

    Reply
  27. Cindy, MCOK says

    November 3, 2008 at 1:26 pm

    Felicitations on this auspicious occasion! It will take me years of blogging to reach such a milestone, but what fun it will be getting there, in no small part thanks to you and the other garden bloggers who share the journey!

    Reply
  28. Anonymous says

    November 3, 2008 at 1:59 pm

    I’m not sure when I first met you online. I think I must have followed Annie in Austin over on the second GBBD. I don’t usually participate in memes but GBBD seemed like a great idea and I afterward became a faithful reader.

    Congratulations on your milestone and cultivating, not only an interest in gardening on the web but, an interest in garden writing.

    I look forward to the next 1000 posts.

    Reply
  29. compost in my shoe says

    November 3, 2008 at 2:22 pm

    Fantastic!! Congrats. I certainly am enjoying this world. Taken a little time to get in the flow, but I just love posting them and then following others out there on a regular basis….

    Reply
  30. KayGee says

    November 3, 2008 at 2:32 pm

    Congrats! To a 1000 more posts!

    Reply
  31. Anonymous says

    November 3, 2008 at 2:58 pm

    Carol: Congratulations on your 1,000th post! That is truly a feat! You have entertained and enlightened many of us and I look forward to 1000+ more posts!

    Reply
  32. Kat Wolfdancer says

    November 3, 2008 at 3:09 pm

    Thank you! What a wonderful post. Full of .. encouragement and positive reinforcement. I must admit that when I found this whole world of Blogging, it was .. is… intimidating. Free-ing. Connecting. Laughing. Nurturing.

    My Blog is … well, *smile* kind of like my Poetry. Published, but Unread.
    http://wolfdancercreek.blogspot.com Thanks for being there. Thanks for having a May Garden.

    >^,,^<

    Reply
  33. Yolanda Elizabet Heuzen says

    November 3, 2008 at 4:11 pm

    A great way to mark this 1000th post of yours. One thousand!!!!! Good grief, I recently wrote my 200th. A long way to go yet.

    We’re waiting with baited breath for the next thousand. 🙂

    Reply
  34. Anonymous says

    November 3, 2008 at 5:55 pm

    Passionate and enthralled with gardening, yea that is me in a nut shell.A little bit of a garden geek, yea that is me too… I love to blog and read blogs. I just started mine the beginning of the summer, it has been a great outlet yours has been great keep up the good work…
    lusarytole.blogspot.com

    Reply
  35. cherry says

    November 3, 2008 at 6:02 pm

    Congrats!
    Your blog is loved by many. I always enjoy seeing what you’re up to next.
    I just posted my 100th post I wonder if I will have 900 more things to share. Maybe, maybe not but one thing is for sure I will still be reading yours and all the other wonderful blogs out there! Cherry

    Reply
  36. LINDA from Each Little World says

    November 3, 2008 at 10:29 pm

    Gorgeous weather here in Wisconsin so I’ve been in the garden all day and just came in and turned on the computer.

    You are an inspiration to me as a new blogger (though long-time gardener) who has not yet even reached my 100th post. Thanks especially for GBBD — it’s wonderful to see and share what’s blooming around the world.

    Reply
  37. Mr. McGregor's Daughter says

    November 3, 2008 at 10:51 pm

    1,000 posts is an awesome blogging achievement, especially considering that all of those posts were entertaining and/or enlightening. Thank you for sharing the trials, tribulations, successes and pleasures of May Dreams Gardens. You’re such a great garden blogging role model!

    Reply
  38. Sherry at the Zoo says

    November 4, 2008 at 1:10 am

    Congratulations Carol! I’ve learned alot about gardening from your blog and look forward to it each day. I’m proud of your gardening and your blog! Sometimes I feel as if I’m related to a rock star or something!

    Your little sister

    Reply
  39. growingagardenindavis says

    November 4, 2008 at 2:39 am

    Congratulations Carol! It’s been a hoe lot of fun reading all your posts and joining the fun of GBBD. You’ve provided the means for all of the rest of us to post at least 12 times a year!

    Reply
  40. Mary says

    November 4, 2008 at 2:45 am

    I miss you Carol! I always laugh when I come here but dang I rarely get to read blogs anymore!

    CONGRATULATIONS ON 1,000 POSTS! I know you are energetic but my goodness. Every one I’ve read was just delightful.

    I started my blog in Oct. 06 and almost have 400. Only 400.

    I admire you.

    Mary

    Reply
  41. Naturegirl says

    November 4, 2008 at 1:05 pm

    Carol WOW 1000 posts!!! That is quite an accomplishment! You have inspired so many with all your garden tips and
    blogging community involvement!
    We all know the time and commitement blogging takes..so thank you!
    Congratulations and may we all enjoy so many more of your wonderful posts!
    hugs NG

    Reply
  42. Anonymous says

    November 4, 2008 at 1:27 pm

    What can I say except what others have said. You’re great and wonderful. You’re a friend to bloggers everywhere. You’re generous and kind. Did I leave anything out? Congratulations!!!

    Like Annie in Austin wrote: Here’s a virtual hug from me to you.

    Oh, and thanks so much.~~Dee

    Reply
  43. emmat says

    November 4, 2008 at 2:41 pm

    congratulations Carol, that is really amazing! And thank you always for getting everyone together with Bloom Day. Emma x

    Reply
  44. Phillip Oliver says

    November 4, 2008 at 3:37 pm

    Congratulations!!!!

    Reply
  45. Anonymous says

    November 4, 2008 at 4:25 pm

    Congrats! I am new to blogging and am looking forward to someday having my 1000th post (with the amount I post it might be sooner than later, lol!) I have just found your blog and am enjoying it tremedously! Thanks

    Reply
  46. VP says

    November 4, 2008 at 5:29 pm

    Hi Carol – so we both reached blogging milestones on the same day!

    Well done and many congratulations 🙂

    Reply
  47. Karen says

    November 4, 2008 at 6:27 pm

    1000 posts is definitely momentous! Congrats – your posts are a nice respite from the craziness of my days!

    Karen

    Reply
  48. Carol Michel says

    November 5, 2008 at 12:38 am

    All, Thank you for all the wonderful comments and compliments, not only on this post, but through out all the posts on this blog. You all make it worthwhile to keep going, to share about my garden and to go to your blogs to learn about your gardens, too.

    Thank you!
    Carol, May Dreams Gardens

    Reply
  49. Jan says

    November 7, 2008 at 5:23 pm

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    Reply

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