Between the Lines – The Boondocks Blog
I am so excited to share with you today a blog series that I have…
The Blog series is called “Between the lines”. What lines are those? Well they can be looking past the blog to the actual blogger or they can be in reference to all of my lovely wrinkles, which I have earned and am proud of.
A New Beginning
This desire went hand in hand with the ever growing economic crisis in Greece. I had spent far too many days staring glumly at the talking heads on the TV who had no answers to our problems and only compounded them by their shrill talk. I thought, why not focus on repurposing old things. My infamous basement was full of things that could be repurposed. And I also saw this as a stepping stone to a new career. Who says we can’t do something different and new after 50?
Of course, I jumped into it blindly. You can read all about my first year’s trials and tribulations here. I had no clue what blogging was about; after all it is a relatively new profession. And for that I am grateful. Because had I known all it entails I might not be sitting here talking to you right now. But I do love a good challenge and this for me was just that!
Making the Connections
I was however, fortunate to follow bloggers who were kindhearted and helpful with information and nudged me along on the right path. I have made friendships with bloggers of all ages because this beast called blogging knows no age boundaries. And surprisingly many of my friends are not in the DIY home niche. There are so many talented people out there who freely give their knowledge and wisdom on topics ranging from food to parenting, blogging and even how to build a canoe. And you can trust them because they are not selling you a product but they are giving you their experience. I only wish I had more hours in the day to read more blogs.
The Importance of Blogging
- I have acquired many new skills some of which I did not even know existed. Social Media anyone? I also learned about chalk paint because as far as I know, it had never set foot in the boondocks before me.
- My long forgotten love of photography has been reawakened and has helped me to see in a whole new way.
- I see this as a stepping stone to a new career or an end in itself. I am only limited by how much work I put into it.
- This is a good example for my daughters. I want them to know that they can choose to follow their passion and not feel limited. And have the confidence to move forward.
- Let’s not forget about the aforementioned brain cells. This is a great way to work your mind and creativity. I feel as if I have come out of hibernation.
- And lastly, my home is getting a full upcycle. There is nothing like a weekly deadline to make you work on all those home projects you’ve been putting off …indefinitely!
2. My Side of 50
3. A Miracle in my Living Room
4. Kim Today
5. Brandywine Cottage
6. Vanity and Me
7. The Boondocks Blog
8. La Bella Vita Cucina
9. It’s All Fine Whatever tickles the Fancy
This blog is for entertainment purposes only; my DIY tutorials are not professional advice. Read my full disclaimer here.
I love it when I get your comments and I will reply to each and every one of them.
Μ ‘αρέσει όταν παίρνω τα σχόλιά σας και θα απαντήσω σε καθένα από αυτά.
Love your blog! Even though I am not a DIY-er, blogs like yours are my favorite to read.
Thanks Cathy. I try to add a dose of myself in too. No fun in just reading tutorials.
Hello Mary, It’s a pleasure to meet you in this wonderful series! I share your feelings about blogging over 50 too. I look forward tor reading your many thoughts and adventures!
Cheers,
Roz
It’s so nice Roz to realize that we’re not isolated and that there are so many of us out there with the same interests in blogging.
Katie’s Between The Lines series was a brilliant idea and I’m so pleased to have connected with you as result. I had hope to cover some DIY stuff on my blog but have not had the time. Maybe your blog will stir my creative juices.
Rena
http://www.finewhateverblog.com
I certainly hope so Rena. There are so many things we can do if we just put our minds to it. I am living proof of that a year ago I would not have attempted most of the projects I do today. It is by sheer will and deadline that I do them. Some are epic fails, but so what, I get up and try again.
Mary, You have so much to be proud of. Your blog is a delight to read and your personality shines through every post! (Would that be my own Mr. Hobby’s canoe you mentioned?) *wink* I agree, there are so many wonderful ladies of all ages and stages of life blogging about so many things. I learn something new every day! Thanks for sharing [you].
~Laurie
That’s exactly how I feel too Laurie. I learn something new every day. It’s as if I woke up from a deep sleep and the brain cells are getting a workout. Thank you for your wonderful comment. It means so much to me you hear you say that my personality shines through. I want this to be a place where friends gather together to share. And yes, that is your canoe I mentioned.:)
Loved reading this, Mary. It’s always so interesting to know why people started blogging, none of us knew when we started out what an amazing world we were entering – I actually don’t know what I used to think about before we started – it certainly wakes up those grey cells!
Yes, those grey cells are certainly getting a work out. Trying to figure out how to run a blog.. not easy in the least, and yet here we are! Thank you for your sweet words Sarah!
I’m so happy you started blogging Mary! Most of the reasons why you did so where my reasons too! You are doing a great job and you’ve given a lot of heart and soul into this blog! Keep repurposing and blogging please!
Aww thank you Sweet Ntina! I know that the crisis has taken it’s toll on us and so we can try to see it as an opportunity instead of letting it get us down.Thank you for your kind words.
What a fantastic post! I am so very happy you participated in the series. I look forward to many more visits to your blog xo
Kathrine, you deserve all the credit for this. You have taken on this humongous task of getting so many of us together and organizing this amazing and very informative series. I am so surprised t at there are so many of us. It is a wonderful way to connect with like-minded ladies. Thank you!
Mary, how wonderful that you live in Greece (problems and all notwithstanding)! Hubby and I are in the process of planning a trip there for the near future… 🙂 Your post so resonated with me, especially this: “had I known all it entails I might not be sitting here talking to you right now”. So true, and yet so worth it in the end! Very glad to have met you through Katherine’s series!!
Yes, Lory I seem to be speaking many truths lately. It is hard work but so rewarding. You feel like you are accomplishing something worthwhile and not just staring at the tv all day. Here in Greece things are only getting worst. But the sun and sea still shine bright and give us hope. Thank you for visiting and leaving such a heartfelt comment.
Mary, Am I happy that you decided to start a blog! I remember the first time I visited you! I really loved reading this post and find out more about you and your way to get into blogging and your photography is so beautiful, I enjoy it a lot!
Aww thank you so much my dear friend. And I will never forget that you were the one who gave me my first award. As hard as it may be it is still so rewarding and I never would have met you otherwise.
Hi Mary, and you don’t look a day over twenty one! You’ve given it away now! I like the way that blogging is basically the same for all of us, no matter how old we are or what we blog about.
Two years ago when I started blogging I had no idea what it was all about, and it’s been a learning curve that’s for sure, but once I realised that it’s pretty much the same for all bloggers I embraced it and have enjoyed learning as I’ve gone along.
I can’t speak highly enough of the fantastic blogging community and how they are willing to help when asked. Blogging has changed my whole way of thinking and taught me ‘skills’ I would never have learned otherwise.
We should never stop learning and we are never too old to learn. When it comes to blogging (and life) age is just a number. And may you never run out of things to repurpose or up-cycle!
xx
Very wise words indeed Debbie. It is the same for all of us and we need to remind each other of this so that we don’t get discouraged when the times get tough or Facebook changes it’s algorithm. And who else can understand our rants about automated twitter messages?
Thanks for your friendship and all your support.
Love this idea for a series! Blogging is such a fabulous way to make some great connections with like minded people all over the world! I always enjoy reading about your latest project and seeing pictures of your beautiful country, Mary!
Thank you so much Celeste. And I also love to visit your blog with all of your great tips on how to do things. I admit I used to be very neat, but after all these kids I’ve become a bit disorganizeed and I like how you help me to get my act together. Thanks for your continued support.sweet friend.
Very nice post Mary, I have enjoyed reading, how you started your blog etc. You are right we make so many friends in this journey of blogging.
I will go and read Catherine’s corner.
It is such a wonderful journey full of surprises especially every time I go over to the webmaster. There is always something wrong. But it is always full of wonderful people along the way. Thank you Sadhna.
Congratulations Mary on being featured at Kathrines Corner! You have come a long way in your short time of blogging. I love your points for “The Importants of Blogging”. I never really thought of it that way but I to didn’t start blogging till I was in my 50’s, and it was all new to me learning new things. I learned things on the computer that amazed me. Now the photography I’m still not into, but your photos are gorgeous. I love seeing what you pull out of your never ending basement next and the finished item. I am happy to have crossed paths with you in the blog world and to call you friend. 😊
Thank you so much for your sweet comment Linda. It just goes to show that you can teach an old dog new tr icks. I am learning every day, as I’m sure all of us are or we wouldn’t be able to survive in this crazy place called the blogsphere.
Mary, I love to hear everybody’s blogging story! We all came to it in different ways but it becomes very important to each of us. The bonus for your readers is that we get peeks of Greece along with your fantastic ideas.
Happy Thoughts of Home. 🙂
We all come her for different reasons and yet we are all so alike in our quest for facebook knowledge and seo. I love reading all the posts too, and I get to learn so much that would not have concerned me before. Thank you for your sweet comment Stacey.
“I wake up each day with purpose and a twinkle in my eye.” I love that! And I think that, at the end of the day, this is what blogging is about. Beautiful post!
And sometimes I even dream of chalk paint. Haha! It is all too much but it’s good for the soul to have inspiration coursing throughit. Thank you for stoppig by Ana.
I love this series! It is so nice to get to know more about our favorite bloggers other than their projects and recipes. It’s been a real pleasure to get to know you!
It is such a fun series. And I was so surprised Sandra to see so many ladies participating. Thank you for stopping over and for your kind words.
Mary, I loved reading about why you started to blog. We all have different reasons. I’m so thrilled that we met through WAYWOW and that I have a friend who lives in Greece! HUGS! 🙂
Aww Carol, I too am so glad to have met you (and Miss Molly). I get to learn so much from reading your blog. You truly are a role model.
I love your “Importance of Blogging” list! I also feel like it has given me a home for my photography! I love how you said each week is a deadline to upscale your home! I need to definitely be better about that! I also find that blogging helps “round out” my ideas.
For me Gigi it has been a chance to reawaken a love that was long forgotten. And now it is so much easier to take photos than in the prehistoric days with film. Thank you for dropping by. I clicked on your name but could not reach your blog. If you see this just drop me a line with your blog name and I’ll come over for a visit.
Mary, I really enjoyed reading your story. We have so much in common! 😀 I’ve been admiring your lovely photos for a while now, but feel dense that I missed the Greece connection?!! (In my defense, your cover photo does also resemble the Smokey Mountains, which some would call the Boondocks.) 😀 Thanks for sharing!
You are absolutely right Cynthia. I live near the beach but there are plenty of mountains outside my window so I get to have the best of both worlds. Thank you for stopping by and for your sweet comment.
It’s so true there is no limit to what we can do. So glad to meet you. I blogged about being WAY over fifty a week or two ago.
I like to think that we are young a heart. Otherwise we would not go near a computer and deal with all that social media. I tried to reach your blog but the link would not take me there. Perhaps you could sent me a reply with your blog name so that I may visit you.