Way way way back in the early days of blogging, GRIT blogs were born. I discovered GRIT blogging in the Fall of 2008. GRIT had started a blogging forum, and those interested in having a blog could apply. I was very hesitant about applying, but I sure liked the content of the blogs. The blog platform was actually started some time during the summer of 2008. July seems to stick in my mind. One of the things that I really liked about blogging was the connection that could be made with the blogger by leaving comments.
In the beginning of GRIT blogging all the GRIT staff had a blog and posted blogs relatively frequent. It was a great way to see what those behind the magazine had a passion for in their personal lives. Since then the staff have faded into the background with other responsibilities and requirements. I kind of miss those days of being able to see what the interests of the editors were. I lurked around the Website and blogs leaving comments on just about every blog post. I really didn’t think I had much to offer that would interest anyone for a blog. So for a year I just commented and was thrilled when a blogger would reply. When I finally decided to apply for a blog in February of 2009, my first blog post was received well and to my surprise had several comments.
Over the years many bloggers have come and gone. The quality, style, and look of today’s blogs have changed as it does with any media that has lasting longevity. It would be interesting to see if anyone has been actively blogging for longer than my 10 years of GRIT blogging. Some of the bloggers that no longer blog here have their own websites that I frequent, and I have made friends with them through social media.
My style is still kind of the old original blogger style with just blogging about what’s been going on in my garden mostly but with some life passions interspersed at times.
I tried to get back to the original blog post but the archive ends in April of 2010. It was just a blog introduction, and soon I became known as “Nebraska Dave” which has stuck with me throughout my media interests.
I have had several visits to the headquarters of GRIT and Mother Earth magazines in Kansas. They are all great people, and if you ever get a chance to visit, I’m sure you will be welcomed.
The new year has been filled with inside work on my kitchen/dinning room floor. The project is nearing completion.
Today, I purchased the last box of peel and stick tiles which should finish up the last area. Some folks crinkle up their nose at peel and stick tiles, but so far I’ve had a good experience with them. I’m not sure how other folks have laid them down, and my method is a bit laborious, but I think it’s the best. I just don’t think that trying to stick the tiles down on top of the old floor is a good way to do the new floor. I laid down a 1/4-inch sheathing over the old floor with a liberal supply of glue to hold it down. Screws were used to increase the stability of the subfloor every four inches around the edges of each sheet and every foot elsewhere on the wood. Once that dried, a self leveling compound was used to fill the screw divots and cracks. A good sanding with 60 grit sand paper came next. Then a sweep with a good broom; a careful vacuum; and a through wipe down with a damp sponge. The surface is finally ready to lay down the tiles. Even with all that preparation there seems to be still some grit on the wood. I just used my hand and brushed the wood until no grit could be felt. Then the tiles were laid down. I probably have 100 hours invested in this floor, but I’m hoping that all the tedious prep work will pay off with more than the 10 year guarantee.
So things are moving along toward spring when gardening will gear up.
This is the sad makeshift seed starting area that I put together last year about this time. It needs some real tender loving destruction and rebuilding. My MOTHER EARTH NEWS garden planner says it’s time to start the onion seeds. Oh, boy, I’m behind again. I’m hoping that it won’t take long to rebuild at least one layer. I’m planning on three layers with different spacing for new starts, transplanted, and plants ready to go out in the garden. That may not get all completed this year. March is coming up fast, so I better get started.
What all have you been up to this February?
Nebraska Dave
Urban Farmer
