Each Little World

For the mind, by nature stagey, welds its frame

Tomb-like around each little world of a day.

We jump from picture to picture and cannot follow

the living curve that is breathlessly the same.

— Louis Mac Neice / 1907-1963

What little world?

EACH LITTLE WORLD that collides with mine:

The world of interiors and exteriors; bibliophiles; china and dishing; feasts and fests; food; flowers and gardens; material possessions and textile obsessions; worldly goods and bads.

Your worlds and mine.

Let the collision begin.

The above two paragraphs and accompanying two photos announced the arrival of my blog exactly three years ago today. Though collision is certainly not the right word — more like a whisper — given the few folks who actually read it in those days.

In the beginning I posted daily; sometimes even twice a day. It seemed easy compared to putting out two editions of a daily newspaper as I did in my pre-blogging life. I considered the blog to be more colorful versions of the myriad topics I covered in print. But when I went to the garden bloggers' 2009 meet-up in Chicago, they told me myriad topics were a blogging no-no. It's all about niche marketing and staying on topic. If you've been reading this blog for the last year — or week — you know that's not what you'll find here. I veer off track easily and often.

While I love to garden and write about it, I am equally adamant about art and reading. I am passionate about politics and history, and have been fascinated by food, fashion and fiber long before I ever picked up a trowel. In fact, I came to gardening through Elizabethan embroidery. I have been steadily writing about those topics since 1981 with a couple of short breaks between publishers. I've said it before and I say it again: To limit my blog to gardening is to limit my life. 

If you live in Wisconsin — or pay attention to politics — you know my life, like that of thousands of others, has been turned topsy turvy by the actions of our governor. Some of you were not very happy when this mostly-garden-blog suddenly went political in February of this year. I wish I could say you've seen and read the last passionate political post but I know the fight's not over, and thus neither are my takes on current events. I spent part of my newspaper career as an editorial writer and editorial page editor — professionally opinionated as I like to say. I was writing about politics right along side of home and garden stories. And that's how I see the blog — the place where all my worlds can come together.  

I've been lucky to discover a world of readers whose pursuits are equally diverse. Some of you I've known for years in my pre-blog life, some of you I've met in person post-blog and some of you I look forward to meeting one of these days. I picture all of you when I write, when I decide what to write, and when I look to see what you've written. 

Thank you for continuing to visit my little world. I'd love to hear what you think so don't be shy; leave a comment. If you do comment, be sure to scroll down and type in the crazy combo of numbers and letters that let's me know you are a real reader and not a robot. Here's to another year of sharing our worlds.

Comments

[mamaraby]

I love the eclectic combination of posts - II would find it hard to compartmentalize myself in order to stay on topic as it were. Congratulations on another year of blogging. May this next year be sweeter...and simpler. I'm hoping that for us all.

[Altoon]

Congratulations on your blog anniversary. What drew me to your blog was your wide range of interests, your passionate thinking about the various aspects of your life. And Mark's photography. I look forward to more years of your blog and to meeting you someday.

[Lisa at Greenbow]

Congratulations on your blogaversary. Each of your little worlds are interesting to me. I am glad you don't stay on one subject all the time. Anything you write is interesting. I don't always have time to comment but I always read. Here's to more collisions of words and photos.

[gretchen]

congratulations on three years of fascinating posts. whether the topic is gardening or jane austen (another obsession that we share), asian art and textiles or politics, what you have to say is always interesting and well-informed. yours is one of the first blogs that i check every morning during my quiet time. i raise my cup of tea and echo your toast, 'here's to more collisions!'

[LINDA from EACH LITTLE WORLD]

Thank you all for such kind words! It is a beautiful morning here (after a big rain) so I am going out to weed the garden and think about you all . . .

[Barbara H.]

I wish my dry, dry, dry garden could intersect with your rain blessed one for a little while! I enjoy all your "worlds", all of which combine to make for a pretty interesting person! I enjoy getting to know you and Mark through your blog. It's amazing to me how much "bigger" and yet "smaller" the world has gotten with the Internet.

Congratulations on your three year anniversary, Linda!

[LINDA from EACH LITTLE WORLD]

Barbara — The rain was wonderful! Hope you get some soon.

I think you hit the nail on the head saying the world has gotten both bigger AND smaller with the internet. Sometimes one facet is more obvious and sometimes the other!

[CEN]

As a newcomer to Madison and the Midwest and a gardener (but a rookie in zone 5a), I appreciate the eclecticism of your blog, or rather, the many and varied evidences of a full and rich and wonder-ing/ful life here.

[Jeanne Heuer]

My husband found your blog first. I loved the garden posts and the wonderful photography. But I was pleasantly surprised when you started on the Wisconsin politics. You may have done other political posts before we started reading but to me when all hell broke loose and you started posting pictures from the Capitol I was surprised and thrilled. I couldn't get down to Madison but you brought it to me.
Thx, keep on blogging.

[Chris S]

I have enjoyed your blog for about one year. I love all your topics, books, politics, food, textiles. Thank you. Chris

[Pam/Digging]

Congrats on your blogiversary, Linda! I always enjoy your gardening posts and Mark's photos, and while I often only skim the posts that deal with other topics, I like catching glimpses of your fuller life. I go off topic too from time to time. Hey, it's a blogger's prerogative!

[Les]

Myriad topics a no-no? More like a go-go, including politics. I continue to look forward to your posts even if I don't always comment.

[Inkslinger]

Happy Blogiversary! All your worlds are so fascinating. I'm glad you don't limit yourself to just one!

[Julie Siegel]

So glad to read all the well-deserved praise for the worlds you and Mark make real for what we must usually imagine. Nothing is off-topic although we all have our focus. Down in Chicago, very inspiring to have your reports on the amazing political community that is Madison. And your garden is so exceptional, I am always delighted by the attention you and Mark bring to it and share with us: thank you!

[andrea]

i admire each little world for the unique perspectives that linda and mark bring to the conversation, no matter what topic is at hand - their posts are sensitive, thought provoking and visually captivating. here's to veering "off course," and for showing us the way...