Between the Lines – The Boondocks Blog

I am so excited to share with you today a blog series that I have…

I am so excited to share with you today a blog series that I have been asked to join by Katherine of Katherine’s Corner.  ​This series highlights bloggers who are 50 and over.  Yes, there are many of us out there in Blogland and it is with the help of Katherine of Katherine’s Corner that we have all come together. She is shining the light on us each Tuesday for ten weeks. I was chosen to be in week six of the series. Each week 10 bloggers will be interviewed and featured at Katherine’s Corner. On the eleventh week, we will ask Katherine herself some questions.

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. 
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A New Beginning
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Why did I start blogging at this ripe old age?  After so many years of raising four kids and taking care of the household I felt that it was time to do something for me.  Something that would truly inspire me and get the brain cells working again.  My love of crafting and repurposing has been with me all of my life. And after seeing so many bloggers on the internet uploading all of their projects I too was itching to show off my humble attempts and more importantly to connect with like-minded people. Because let’s be honest, there are not that many people willing to save junk, most would rather go shopping. 

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!
Nature photo, Between the lines - the boondocks blog

Making the Connections
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In the beginning, I felt like Robinson Caruso on an island.  It was not “build it and they will come”.  But once I discovered commenting and realized that someone can actually link back to me, it was as if my eyes had opened.  I really had no idea what I was up to and that hasn’t changed all that much.  Thank goodness for Google.  We are best friends now. 

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.  

Branch over the lake, Between the lines - the boondocks blog

The Importance of Blogging 
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  • 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!
Branch in front of mountains Between the lines - the boondocks blog
Now all of this is not new, but for me personally, someone who did not even know how to use a computer 10 years ago it is quite a giant step.  I wake up each day with purpose and a twinkle in my eye (probably from dreaming about my next DIY project). 
There is no limit to what you can do once you set your mind to it. We see it over and over again.  And you will see it here in this remarkable Blog Series “Between the Lines”. Go on over to Katherine’s blog and check out our interviews.  You will also find the links to all the bloggers below and a full list of the blogger series in Katherine’s Corner. ​
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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. ​
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Hello, we're Jane & Sonja, sisters, moms and lifelong crafters.

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98 Comments

  1. Blogging truly is a wonderful platform in which to share ideas and meet kindred spirits. Thank you so very much for joining us at Thoughts of Home on Thursday. Have a wonderful weekend.

    1. It brings all of us together and although we may not blog about the same thing, we all have common problems with our blogs and we all cheer each other on.

  2. We have been blogging about the same time Mary and I loved reading your journey. I think Between the Lines has been a fabulous opportunity for us to showcase who we are. Thanks for sharing with us at Over the Moon.

    1. We are so lucky to have Katherine who was able to pull this series together. I can only imagine the work she is putting into it Sue.

  3. I am so moved by your thoughts in this post! I hope that there are many more women like you out there! I am glad you turned off the TV News and started blogging so I can read you and get inspired!

    1. Thank you sweete Katerina. You know what I am talking about when I say turn off the tv. That thing was really making me depressed. And yes the News was the worst. I am so, so much happier now. And I can also get inspiration from you too.

  4. I am certainly happy that you found blogging, Mary! You are an inspiration, and I love learning about and seeing Greece through your eyes (even in this difficult time). Your projects give me motivation to create from what I have even if it’s not quite as gorgeous or ambitious as your projects. LOL! Thank you so much for sharing with #UpsyDaisyLinkup!

    1. So am I Regina it was as if I crawled out of a hole. I am so full of inspiration and get so much back from all of you wonderful ladies. It is more than I ever expected.

  5. I for one am happy that you jumped in! I agree though, if I would have known I wouldn’t be blogging either! The friendships that I’ve made are the best part, and sharing our blogging successes and woes with each other is the best. Others just don’t understand. How could they?
    I am so happy that you have taken photography back up, I love seeing your photos, Greece is such a gorgeous place, I’m not sure that I will ever get there myself, and your photos let me vicariously visit!
    You are the queen of repurposing, I love that, I look at things differently now, because of you, I don’t throw anything out unless I first ask myself “What would Mary do?”

    1. You are so, so right Nikki. Others really do not understand. They look at us as if we are crazy. And it is so comforting to be able to share all of these things with my tribes because real friends don’t get us at all. I even have people asking me all the time what blogging is or why do I do it…etc. I am so glad to have met you.
      Now Im laughing “what would mary do?” Can we turn it into a series?

  7. I started like you, totally blind and alone on the island. It didn’t take long to fall in love with my new hobby though, I loved learning a new skill and relating to people my own age, too. I thought bloggers were all thirty something, it was a relief to find out I was not alone!!

    1. So true Kim. Being able to communicate with like minded people. Because let’s face it, non-bloggers do not get us at all. They think we are playing on the computer all day. And don’t you just love that 50 something blogger group?

  8. Hi Mary,
    I am visiting from our Blogging Fifty Face Book Group. I really enjoyed your post and your photo’s are just beautiful, thanks so much for sharing!
    Miz Helen

    1. Thank you Miz Helen. We belong to a great group and have special talents that the younger set doesn’t! I’ll pop over to your blog as well.

  9. Mary, Greece seems like a lovely place to live! I have always wanted to visit, and hope to make it there one day. Visiting today from Between the Lines (fellow BTL blogger here 🙂 ). I love your list of reasons to blog, and I agree with every one of them! It is so nice to “meet” you!

    1. It is very nice to meet you too Wendy. I am left with my mouth opened at the reception this post has gotten. There are so many of us who blog and we have so much to offer. It makes me so happy to know that I’m not in the minority at all. Thank you for taking the time to drop by.

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