730 Days

Happy Two Year Blogiversary to me!

I did not realize until earlier this week that I was coming quickly up to my second year anniversary of blogging. I checked and, sure enough, I wrote my first post on October 12, 2005. When I started the blog, my focus was simply to communicate with my children. I wanted to explore the possibility that forcing me to write would make me a better writer. I thought I would be chronicling the events of my neighborhood, the issues I encountered living in the inner city of Los Angeles. I really did not expect anyone to be reading what I wrote except my kids. I decided to name my blog after the little custom knitting business I had when I lived in Oregon--Willow's Cottage. Willow because that was my nickname, Cottage because I have never aspired to live in a big house, just a little cottage with hydrangeas and willows and roses and lavender in the garden.







One day Chaplain Dan sent me a link to a knitting blog. Until then, I had had no idea that there was a big, big world out there, that there were lots and lots of people in blogland who were writing and publishing their photos, ideas, and thoughts about knitting and other artwork. I read, I lurked, I learned. Then, one day, someone left me a comment! Wow! People actually read what I wrote!


I think that was the point when the focus changed for me. I paid more attention to HOW I wrote as well as WHAT I wrote. I learned to post photos. I paid more attention to the content and composition of the pictures. I looked at the world through a new lens--what would make an interesting post, how to photograph something or someone to best advantage.






Last summer, I took a writing class that was taught by a good friend of mine. I have learned to more purposely and carefully craft my words, phrases, sentences and paragraphs . In the past two years, yes, I have forced myself to write and I think I've become a better writer. I think. I hope.


My focus here at Willow's Cottage is to share my family, my home, my friends, my garden, my fiber arts.





Wherever I go, there I am. Even though our address has changed three times in the past four and a half years, I am still Willow and I still live in Willow's Cottage with my knitting needles, yarn, spinning wheel and camera, my basil seeds and pots of lavender and bougainvillea.




Thank you, all! I love your comments, your kind words and encouragement. I do think of you as I sit at my sweet little laptop in my sweet little cottage and hope you enjoy what you read here. I have no intention of suspending writing this blog. I'm having so much fun making friends and learning from you all!


Here's to another 730 days!