;
Are we always beginners? I remember setting a goal to try blogging for three years. Now two thirds of the way there, am I getting somewhere?
The inspiration was to have an online studio, a sacred sharing space for an aspiring light seeker. A soothing cushion between a harsher world that any introvert would prefer to avoid. Time out to listen to the voice that comes from a calmer place, urging quietly; create, have courage, go deeper.
Aspiration, from the latin “to aspirate, breathe life into.” And that’s what is needed to continue at all, a pledge to apprenticeship and artisanship. To always be the vulnerable student, the breathy beginner.
An apprentice light seeker, inwardly and outwardly, strengthened every day by creative practice and soul searching. Juggling the paying of bills and reaching for the stars. Getting through the darker days as opportunities in Ireland recede and recede……..Taking a deep breath, diving even deeper than before. And rising to the surface with small treasures to share.
If you are beginning……make space for a voice that will soothe and invigorate. Call it a blog if you must……you might end up listening to yourself and believing what you hear……
Note: The Foxglove Lane blog began in February 2011. See the first ever post Raining cats and dogs here. It took 2 months of blogging before there was even a single comment!
I hope you don't stop after 3 years, I love your blogs, a real breath of fresh air and a beautiful glimpse of nature, regardless of the weather. We sometimes take the beauty of nature for granted in this Country, preferring to focus and complain about the weather rather than the beauty that weather allows us ;0) I have also taken hope from your note about it taking 2 months to get your first blog comment, I am only about 1 month into blogging but feel like that first comment moment will never come ;0)
Naomi I want to be your first commenter!! Please leave me a link that I can go to, your avatar goes to Google+ and I can't find your blog address there. And thanks for your kind comments here, so much appreciated:~))
Thanks so much for checking me out, I have been blogging as a new years resolution, I have set a target of one blog a week. I've had one comment but it was from a friend I asked to look at the blog ;0) Would love your feedback… it's
http://sciencewows.blogspot.ie/ Thank you!
PS I will click thru – but your G+ profile should have a link to your blog. Social media and www every thread could bring your next comment.
PPS Catherine/Foxglove the link to Naiomi's blog is there. Right at the bottom of her About page.
It does seem to take forever to get comments. Even harder to get followers. SIgh. I have started blogging this new year too as a way to process my mom's death in november and BE more creative + write more. Its a good, but it is hard to stick with it somedays when you feel as if you are talking to your self! Naomi I will have a looksie and comment as well. xo
Rebecca I some how missed this comment and I am in a replying mood at the moment. I will pop over to your blog immediately!!
Please don't stop the blogging – I love your photos and the breath of fresh air they bring. I realise I am a very recent newcomer to your blog but I am so glad I found you.
I think it is important to understand why we blog because so very often I feel as if I am just talking to myself as I rarely get comments which means I probably am having a unilateral conversation. It funny how it undermines your confidence. Philippa xx
The most important person to talk to is yourself, I honestly believe that! I'm not sure why people eventually started to comment on my blog here but I guess I got the courage to reach out to people through twitter mainly and comment on other people's blogs and a small community develops over time…..thank you for your lovely words:~)
I think (or wish to believe) that I remember your first post! 😉
Susan I know you were one of the earliest connections I made on twitter and we share a lot of common ground. Thank you so much for the many little chats and supportive comments you have made over that time. Always meant so much. X
Don't stop the blog! I love seeing your posts. They always feel like a quiet repose amidst the hustle and bustle of life AND the busy-ness of the internet. absolutely gorgeous photos this week! xo
That first image is simply gorgeous!
Thank you Frida, and for all your visits:~)
I remember when you started to blog. Your posts are calm, deep and elegant. Your photographs are images, not just pictures.
Ah that's great that you remember! Thank you so much, we've been around the block together as they say:~)
Love the last photo with the robin. Blogging is a journey – it is sometimes an effort, like being stuck in a traffic jam and at other times a smooth ride. Don't stop – I like visiting your space but understand your sentiments.
June
June it's funny how people seem to have picked up that I am on my last legs!! Not really. I promise I will keep going. Thanks for your kind words:~)
I so enjoyed going back to very first post! I wouldn't ever want to be more than just an apprentice…too much fun to keep learning and improving every day! I so enjoy your blog. I think Ireland is in the cards for this year's travel!
Robin if you do come we will have to share a photo walk! Thank you for your kind words:~)
I think it was an entire year of blogging before I got my first comment!! And I think that therein lies the beauty of it all – that we are and will always be beginners. Beautiful sentiments!!!
Thank you Marcie! You have been a true inspiration and teacher to myself and many many more. x
Blogging is a wonderful journey. I love following yours. And am reminded by your readers how important it is we all keep on commenting – I will try harder!
Don't try too hard Joanna! I love that you enjoy following that's more than enough!!
Your photos & writing are so breathtaking—instantly I am transported to a place of light within. Please never stop blogging. You've created such a beautiful & sacred space that I've come to rely on to bring me back home to myself—and to the self I want to be : ) Always beginning…
Thank you so much Diane, your words mean a lot and so has all your support over the last two years. A special connection:~)
Catherine since I found your blog I have been drawn into your beautiful world that you tease us with through your poignant words and gorgeous images…I wonder how long I will keep blogging…it is a commitment to me right now so I can keep writing and maybe realize a book through all this and share even more…I can only hope to realize the light you so beautifully capture.
Donna, you have food for many books and I am certain that when your time is your own you will realise them! I'm not at all sure how you manage to produce such a full and detailed set of posts while you give so much to your day job. Here's to a brighter lighter future very soon:~))
I have just recently started following your blog…I started because of following you on Facebook because of your wonderful, beautiful pictures! I've been to Ireland 3 times and you make me want to go back! Soon!! But I then started following your blog and love reading your words – very beautifully written! So, thank you! Seems you are doing quite well getting comments now!!
Marilyn, I'm delighted you found your way here and thank you for your kind words! It's a magical and beautiful day here today. A clear sky which as you know is a rare thing here!! I hope you come back soon:~))
Congratulations on your 2 years of blogging.I always love visiting your blog to see your wonderful images and words. Blogging has taken me to so many countries through the internet,meet such interesting people with similar interests and inspired me to take more and better photographs.
Sarah x
Thank you Sarah! I agree who knew when we set out that we would get such an inspiring education! Thank you for all your support:~)
Happy Blog Birthday. Mine was 2 in January and I've so loved sharing my progress through quilts and cushions, crochet and keeping posts of Flora's growing up (Flora's my pet duck)! Your photos and words are stunning – I keep coming back for more. Those ponies on the beach – I love the memories that come back so unexpectedly from seeing images. I was that girl on the black pony oh so many years ago. Thank you.
Happy blog birthday to you too! Ah yes those days are over for me too after I had a fall and thought the better of it, can't afford any more broken bones!
Me neither – I have an arm full of titanium and no nerves of steel these days but I still miss it dreadfully. I sometimes dream I'm still riding!
I blog hopped over from Sophia Tradgard. What wonderful photos. I really enjoy your posts. The photos of the horses by the sea is like a dream. Thanks for sharing.
Welcome Bonnie and thank you so much:~)
beatiful serie 🙂
Thanks you:~))
I'm beginning to think the best blogs were begun in February 2011, two other bloggers whose blogs I love posted just this week about reaching the end of their second year. And so I did I! Although I have been nowhere hear as eloquent or as elegant in my approach as you and have instead hosted a blog birthday giveaway!
May Foxglove Lane be here for many more years to come (please don't stop at 3, I'd be bereft, and I'm sure I'm not the only one!)
Ah yes all the best blogs!! We should have a joint party! Annie I love your blog I cant believe it's only 2 years old! I just recommended it to 2 knitting friends although as a non-knitter (so far) I go there for the photos! Thanks X
Happy blog birthday to you. I've only been at it about a year now but it's been quite a journey. So glad to have found your voice and photos to help inspire me along the way. Best wishes to you.
Thank you Jenny, am so delighted to heat that:~))
Love your series of shots, the horseback riders on the beach is filled with magic light…
Thanks Madge a regular sight on the beaches here:~))
Not an apprentice but a sorcerer weaving magic with your words and images.
Happy anniversary.
Thanks Mairead, look who's talking! Weaving magic with words and images…..can I borrow that one for the ad campaign!!
Hi I just found your lovely Blog, had to stop by with a name like Foxglove Lane and now I'm following along. What amazing photographs you have taken. Greenthumb.
Welcome Greenthumb!! Nice to met you:~)
Wonderful set of photos, I especially like the 3rd and the 4th photo – great light and atmosphere!
Thanks Wolfgang, it's a lucky day when there is great light, here's to more coming with Spring:~)
Wise words Catherine. The day I stop learning is the day I'll put my camera down.