On Blogging

I love blogs.  I like seeing how people somewhat similar to me, live, what they think and what they do.  I'm not sure how I discovered blogs, but I think it was after I had bought a c. 1875 Victorian workingman's cottage in 2005 and had questions concerning renovations.  Oh, what a wonderful world was opened to me!  I found other people who had old houses they were renovating, and gardens they were creating.  This is when the internet is really working at its best--finding community in the great big blogosphere and people sharing invaluable experience and resources.

I particularly like the fairy-tale, before-and-after, dramatic stories.  Hoarder houses, decrepit, rat-infested dumps restored to their former grandeur.  I like to see how the owners, decorate, entertain, cook and just generally "do life."  Most of them are very different than I, yet there's something I am attracted to in their story--their sense of style, or passion about gardening or cooking.  I just learn so darn much!

What I don't like are the bloggers that seem greedy.  Countless giveaways in order to attract sponsors for their blogs.  How do I then know if they're being honest regarding product reviews and recommendations?  Constant posts about this beautiful pillow or that to-die-for sofa.  All extremely high-priced.  Are there really people who spend $300 on a pillow?  Really?

The constant images give me diahrrea of the eyeballs.  I think it promotes envy, and greed.  I am a sucker for images of beautiful houses and gardens.  But it sometimes leads me to be dissatisfied with what I have.  And jealous of others' possessions.  How can they afford to renovate those bathrooms and kitchens?

It's then that I have to step back and think about how blessed I am.  That I have a 1560-square-foot house, more than I'd ever need.  Two beautiful gardens.  A brand new kitchen!  A peaceful, quiet neighborhood.  And the ability to take care of it and do some renovations myself, as well as the gardening.

I'll never have everything I want. If I keep pursuing what I think I want, it just begets more and more cravings, for things that ultimately cannot satisfy.  Because God has set eternity in our hearts (Ecclesiastes 3:11).  Eternity is a really long time.  Our true, real, final home is not here.  Why not focus on the important things, instead of $300 pillows. 

The cottage.

The front garden.

The back garden.