B is for Barbara, A is for Apple, B is for Blogging without a Blog ...

How do you blog without one? This maid from Bend, for some of us the apple of our blogging eye – our aperture to the blogging fraternity .. gives us some pertinent information she has uncovered, then poses some questions and waits for her blogging community to respond, enhancing this Blog without a Blog!

I notice that Barbara started in 2007 and this blog began to evolve as is by the end of that year – that would make sense, Barbara is not one to rest on her laurels ... she’s an entrepreneur .. out there searching new paths forward in this technical journey that we’re all on.

I met Barbara 18 months ago and was, as most of us are, spell bound by her knowledge, humbleness in asking us questions, and her simple approach to giving us her lessons .. long may it continue.

Blossoms, fruits, and leaves of the apple tree (Malus domestica)

I’ve just been over to read her About page – where she is just as succinct and down to earth about her blog, describing it: “It’s my blog, but it’s all about YOU”. How true her words are .. bloggers, who comment and communicate here, are her community (YOU).

The apple of our blogging eye ... an apple a day keeps the doctor away, the patron saint of throats is Barbara! - while a visit to Barbara’s blog a day keeps us up to date via her posts and the interaction she’s engendered with her blogging friends.

Apples, as all plants, have many component parts that start small, grow and flourish. Barbara, is no different, she now has branches – the Blog Registry, where we can register our blogs; - the Blog Boutique - where we can get free headers; she’s true to her word and offers to help us;

... and now she’s starting a new project .. Writers’Blogk .. so she’s forward thinking too – trying and testing new ideas .. with us her community. We will nurture our apple tree – we need to be healthy .. Barbara will help us to be wiser and no doubt in due time wealthier too ... as the Blogging Without a Blog community will encourage everyone within – the support is incredible.

So this lady from Bend in Oregon .. you know me – I had to have a look see where Bend is and find out a little more .. it’s central Oregon’s largest city, being located on the eastern edge of the Cascade range along the Deschutes River. I love the description of its setting – can you smell the pine, the gin?!, the herbs?:

Here the Ponderosa Pine forest transitions into the Great Basin high desert plateau, characterized by arid land, junipers, sagebrush and bitter brush. Originally a crossing point on the river; settlement began in the early 1900s, with incorporation into a city in 1905 (no change in growth spurt here then!).

Above: Drake Park in Autumn - in the city

Left: Newberry National Volcanic Monument .. Newberry Caldera (just south of Bend)

Economically it started as a logging town, but is now identified as a gateway for many outdoor sports, including mountain biking, fishing, hiking, camping, rock climbing, white-water rafting, skiing and golf ... sounds like a great place to visit – hope you’ve got some spare rooms Barbara? – another opportunity Bed and Breakfast?!

And I know Barbara loves cooking – it helps her unwind as she cooks up treats for her family and friends .. and it’s the time of year for apples – those British immigrants brought across apple trees and their love of apple pie – a stalwart of many a family get together. Baked apples are a favourite of mine .. cored, filled with currants or dried fruit, a little honey and water, or brown sugar sprinkled down the hole and some butter .. baked til bursting with flavour and juice.

Or how about apple mash .. I thought this was rather a good idea and would go well with a pork dish, or a Breton ham and bean dish .. adding the flavour of the boiled apple to the buttery mash; I guess potato and fried onion cakes with apple in would make a distinctive change.

That magical of all fruits that has stood the test of time, travelled far and wide, spreading pips and creating new growth across the world .. as does Barbara with her community – America, Canada, Panama, the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and many others I’m sure ..

So the ABCs for today’s lesson are A for apple to keep you healthy, B for Barbara from Bend and her Blog, and C for community .. for us, who benefit and support each other so much ... thank you from HMB!

Barbara, I particularly thank you – your teaching has been exemplary, your care of us, your friends, is wonderful to behold, you give real value and we all continue to learn from you .. while two members of the Community – Patricia and Davina .. I salute you for putting this idea forward .. Patricia from Patricia’s Wisdom instigating it, and Davina from Shades of Crimson for supporting her .. and then bringing this motley bunch of bloggers to share in the cake: enjoy the day!

A for Award ... B for the Blog .... C for the Classroom ....& ABC for brilliant and fun – it’ll be so interesting to read everyone’s posts ...

Blog Registry – the free blog registry: http://freeblogregistry.com/
Writers’Blogk – the post: http://bloggingwithoutablog.com/help-me-help-you/
The Blog Boutique: Website http://theblogboutique.com/

Dear Mr Postman - we go on here – all is much the same and the weather is being kind – an Indian Summer ..

Hilary Melton-Butcher
Positive Letters Inspirational Stories