Cheese With My Whine
Grasshoppers continue to plague my garden. No sooner does the current species die out that a new breed takes up residence. With over 8,000 species in existence, I might not win this battle.
I blame the large fields within five miles surrounding us. Some commercial outfits have planted corn and sorghum and that's like open buffet to grasshoppers. My guess is whoever is farming that land is spraying heavily, so instead of the hoppers munching on their fields, they go to those of us who aren't using pesticides.
We didn't have this trouble two years ago. The only thing that's changed is the rise of these massive fields of grain.
I could whine about this (and I have) but I've decided to fight back. Next year, we'll be building some raised beds that will be easier to net and cover. It's a shame we have to go through so much trouble but these pests leave us no choice. We refuse to use pesticides so we have to fight them with other means.
But this brings me to the point of this post. It's normal for us to complain when things get hard. The trick is not to let it win. There are always options. --not necessarily easy options, but then nobody ever promised us easy.
In the publishing side of my life, social media is eating my lunch. I used to be able to keep up but even my own blogging is suffering. I'm seriously thinking of posting once a week here and once at Back to Basics. That's one option. Another option is to combine my blogs again. Or I could get rid of one.
As for visiting others, I'll continue to fit them in as time allows or playing catch up on Sundays when it's quieter.
Do you have a set time or day when you do your visiting? How do you decide when and if to leave a comment? I don't like to leave a comment unless it's meaningful and those take more thought and time. What's a "burn the candle at both ends" girl to do?
I blame the large fields within five miles surrounding us. Some commercial outfits have planted corn and sorghum and that's like open buffet to grasshoppers. My guess is whoever is farming that land is spraying heavily, so instead of the hoppers munching on their fields, they go to those of us who aren't using pesticides.
We didn't have this trouble two years ago. The only thing that's changed is the rise of these massive fields of grain.
I could whine about this (and I have) but I've decided to fight back. Next year, we'll be building some raised beds that will be easier to net and cover. It's a shame we have to go through so much trouble but these pests leave us no choice. We refuse to use pesticides so we have to fight them with other means.
But this brings me to the point of this post. It's normal for us to complain when things get hard. The trick is not to let it win. There are always options. --not necessarily easy options, but then nobody ever promised us easy.
In the publishing side of my life, social media is eating my lunch. I used to be able to keep up but even my own blogging is suffering. I'm seriously thinking of posting once a week here and once at Back to Basics. That's one option. Another option is to combine my blogs again. Or I could get rid of one.
As for visiting others, I'll continue to fit them in as time allows or playing catch up on Sundays when it's quieter.
Do you have a set time or day when you do your visiting? How do you decide when and if to leave a comment? I don't like to leave a comment unless it's meaningful and those take more thought and time. What's a "burn the candle at both ends" girl to do?
Comments
I probably visit blogs way too much, but only comment on those that ask questions. If it doesn't appear the writer wants any feedback, I'm not about to offer any - haha!
As for finding time, well, I try to do my blog visiting after I exercise and before my shower. Key word: try. Haha! It's a time sucker, that's for sure (and I like it, which makes it worse I think), but it's one way to keep my name out there. At least, I hope so!
People follow me here for no other reason than because they found my comment on someone else's blog interesting.
I'm working on getting a bit more active, though not too much, on FB. Maybe a comment or two each day and the such. I also try to comment on as many blogs as possible through the week, though I try to do most of it on days I can multi-task b/w my paying gig and "dodging" the internet blackout they like to put up. I don't have an easy formula. It's mainly getting in what I can fit in :-)
Like, last year squash bugs absolutely destroyed our zukes. So we were all prepared to battle them this year. And then, not a single squash bug. The season last year must have just been perfect for them. We hadn't seen them before, and hopefully we won't see them again
Ref Social Media burnout I'd burn one end of the candle only and that at a low wick (if I'm not mixing metaphors with lamps) I would try posting just once a week - and even combine blogs. My favourite FWITW is this one. I appreciate the generality and never being able to predict a post. Just try it and enjoy the leisure of loosening your belt. Now that is a mixed metaphor :)
I don't think I'm as active on social media as you are, so I feel like a failure in comparison. But the bottom line is, I just don't have the time.
Maybe I need rehab...or cloning.
I don't bother to look them up anymore because they're not such a rarity, and they all just look alike. HUGE. I'm telling you, it's like they're all on steroids. I think it's because of all the rain we had over the summer.
I'm not killing them, just relocating webs and waiting for a good cold snap.
Sorry about your grasshoppers. Raised beds and cover sounds like a good idea. Yes, it is too bad you have to resort to that. However, next year, you won't have to stoop, and you'll have a good crop.
As for social media, I'm lucky if I catch that break. I've been saying I need to get back to Twitter but who has time. I love those media guru's who say "just fifteen minutes a day" Yeah, like who has the extra 15 minutes.
Okay, sorry to blather on so. But it's Monday now and I'm caffeinated to the hilt.
I visit blogs when I can fit it in. I wish I had more time to make the rounds!
My blogging life is suffering. I'm unable to make return visits as I should. I'm thinking of going to once per week. The only time I can do it is if I sneak in while I'm at work, or blog at night after a long day at work. But then what about my writing? It's a dilemma.
It does sound like your raised beds and nets will help. Good luck!
I'll continue to follow your blog(s) whatever you decide, because I'm living vicariously through you! I combined my blogs a long time ago. I'm glad I did - I just can't compartmentalize my life enough to keep separate blogs. And you know - people have varied interests. I like science fiction AND homesteading. There are plenty of people in the world like that who don't mind reading a blog that covers more than one topic.
I've always wanted to be good at Twitter. If someone mentions me by name, I always join the conversation, but I rarely start one because I feel I'd be rude to take off after this alleged 15 minutes.
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As for social media, this month has been the best for my writing, too bad I can't say the same for my blog. Woefully neglected. I went through my lists and wrote out some ideas, so hopefully I can get back on track.
I don't consider sharing a problem and stating your solution whining.
I do my blogging during the time I watch TV. Even if it's my favorite show or the news, I get it done then.
Second, I don't think there's any solution to the social media time and energy drain. Fortunately, reading blogs like yours fills me up with energy.
My strategy is an hour in the morning doing all things online. Then a little bit of Twitter and Facebook through the day when I'm bored. I'll never be a social media hit, but I can live with that. :)
Oy, the blog, the Twitter, the Facebook...LOL. I've been struggling to find some kind of happy medium. The simple fact of the matter is family comes first and the older the wee beasties get, the more directions I get pulled. My candle is more of a puddle of wax with more wicks than I want to admit, LOL
I have no solutions regarding social media. I've been focusing on writing and doing the best I can with FB, Twitter & blogging. I'm not blogging as much as I used to either.
Most of my blog visiting is done late at night, just before I go to bed.
I make a point to comment on all posts by people who commented on my blog.
After that, I go to blogs that interest me. Sadly, though, I simply don't have that sort of time any more. :-/
But it seems I have more social media than I have pre-dawn hours.
I still read the posts, but only comment when I feel I have something to contribute.