I often think of blogs as being a modern day version of the "swap shops" that my Grandma used to listen to on the local radio station every morning when I was a kid in the 70s. Do you remember swap shop radio shows?
Why were they called "swap shops", I wondered? Upon googling just now, I have learned that they really were about "swapping", or in other words, calling in to buy or sell personal items. So maybe I have the term confused. But what I remember was ladies calling in to the "expert" lady on the radio, exchanging homemaking tips and recipes. Kind of like what women's magazines have always done, but with a two-way conversation that all kinds of people could listen in on over the airwaves.
Blogs are really a two-way conversation, with lots of people "eavesdropping" just like on those old radio shows. Not only can you read my blog, but you can make comments on my posts, and I can read your blog and comment on it. And lots more of you can just read and "lurk" as it's called. We all share tips and hints and recipes and advice for things across a wide range like childrearing, laundry soaps, how to save money and use less energy, etc. Some of the best tips I have gotten lately have been these:
Just today, I found a blog called A Year of Crockpotting. Not only does this blog have tons of great recipes for the crock-pot, she also has a FAQ section and other information. In reading some comments about crock-pots, one person reminded readers to check recall lists for crock-pots because many have been recalled in the last 10 years. So I went and googled "Hamilton Beach slow cooker recall" and lo and behold, my 5-7 year old cooker has been recalled due to the handles having a tendency to fall off. So now, thanks to a blog tip, I've found out that I can get a brand new slow cooker for free! (And, whaddya know, one of the handles on mine did fall off years ago and it has always been a real safety hazard and pain.) By the way, I found that blog through this one on my blog list, Women Not Dabbling In Normal. Thanks, guys!
Another REALLY great tip I've found through blogs was this one on Simple, Green, Frugal Co-op. This post on an indoor clothes drying line has inspired George and me to build a similar one in our basement. We're still working on the actual clothesline, but we've got the materials for it and we've got the basement painted and ready to install when George has free time this weekend. (So not only did that one post inspire us to build that clothesline, it also got me painting the basement which is QUITE an improvement already! It also got us putting up new "pantry" shelves in there since the only shelf I had down there for pantry storage was in the space which best fits the clothesline.) As I keep promising, I'll post photos when it's all done.
Your blogs are, indeed, inspiring to me folks! And I hope sometimes I have useful information for others. I know a lot of people have baked bread using my whole wheat bread recipe because I've seen other bloggers commenting on it. And from my feedjit widget, I know lots of people are finding my salmon patty recipe through Google. It's so cool to know these things!
Have you ever thought this way about blogging? What are some favorite things you've gotten through blogs or blogging?
Why were they called "swap shops", I wondered? Upon googling just now, I have learned that they really were about "swapping", or in other words, calling in to buy or sell personal items. So maybe I have the term confused. But what I remember was ladies calling in to the "expert" lady on the radio, exchanging homemaking tips and recipes. Kind of like what women's magazines have always done, but with a two-way conversation that all kinds of people could listen in on over the airwaves.
Blogs are really a two-way conversation, with lots of people "eavesdropping" just like on those old radio shows. Not only can you read my blog, but you can make comments on my posts, and I can read your blog and comment on it. And lots more of you can just read and "lurk" as it's called. We all share tips and hints and recipes and advice for things across a wide range like childrearing, laundry soaps, how to save money and use less energy, etc. Some of the best tips I have gotten lately have been these:
Just today, I found a blog called A Year of Crockpotting. Not only does this blog have tons of great recipes for the crock-pot, she also has a FAQ section and other information. In reading some comments about crock-pots, one person reminded readers to check recall lists for crock-pots because many have been recalled in the last 10 years. So I went and googled "Hamilton Beach slow cooker recall" and lo and behold, my 5-7 year old cooker has been recalled due to the handles having a tendency to fall off. So now, thanks to a blog tip, I've found out that I can get a brand new slow cooker for free! (And, whaddya know, one of the handles on mine did fall off years ago and it has always been a real safety hazard and pain.) By the way, I found that blog through this one on my blog list, Women Not Dabbling In Normal. Thanks, guys!
Another REALLY great tip I've found through blogs was this one on Simple, Green, Frugal Co-op. This post on an indoor clothes drying line has inspired George and me to build a similar one in our basement. We're still working on the actual clothesline, but we've got the materials for it and we've got the basement painted and ready to install when George has free time this weekend. (So not only did that one post inspire us to build that clothesline, it also got me painting the basement which is QUITE an improvement already! It also got us putting up new "pantry" shelves in there since the only shelf I had down there for pantry storage was in the space which best fits the clothesline.) As I keep promising, I'll post photos when it's all done.
Your blogs are, indeed, inspiring to me folks! And I hope sometimes I have useful information for others. I know a lot of people have baked bread using my whole wheat bread recipe because I've seen other bloggers commenting on it. And from my feedjit widget, I know lots of people are finding my salmon patty recipe through Google. It's so cool to know these things!
Have you ever thought this way about blogging? What are some favorite things you've gotten through blogs or blogging?
Comments
Wanted to mention, I couldn't see a link for salmon patty until I clicked on it. It's the same color as the rest of the text. Was that on purpose?
I love blogging and all the cool stuff I stumble across and all the awesome people I "meet" along the way.
~Tara
Judy
I love crockpot365! I must look at her recipe list 10 times a week for inspiration.
Blogging is totally inspiring. I learn new things every day, get inspired to do my own writing, and feel a strong sense of community. It may be digitally mediated community, but I have many more friends online than I do in real life (sad to say, but we just moved to a new state 4 months ago). I find recipes, craft projects, books to read, and so on, all the time through blogs.
Going to check out your bread recipe now....
But besides that I love the sense of community that happens organically. And I enjoy finding new ideas or tips or just inspiration and fun, so bloggers who share links are super. ;)
Reality tv has nothing on blogging. It's wonderful to glimpse into someone's life and to eventually 'know' them, and learn things about a different lifestyle or country that you may never have had the chance to do so otherwise.