Autumn

Autumn

Thursday, September 1, 2011

Pioneers in Blogging

As many of you know I'm very new to the world of blogging. Standing Outside, Looking In is less than three months old. I'm so very raw at this, my soul bleeds.

A few years ago my friend Arsenius the Hermit sent an email and suggested I write a blog. I laughed. He's a fine man, and wise beyond his years, a whipper snapper with a keen intelligence. I can say this about him because he is a personal friend and I'm about a year older. He was and is my inspiration. He lives a life I envy, on his own terms, independent with his library of books, a good pipe and a cup of coffee. I admire the hell out of him.  But, there are others that have lead the way, plowed the ground so to speak, for my blog.

Tamara, sweet gun-toting, bike riding, expert of all things Smith & Wesson, Tam. Queen of the snark. I love her....(please, don't tell my Sweet Wife) because Tam makes me laugh, and think.  If I had a daughter I'd want her to be just like Tamara, wordsmith extraordinaire. To describe Tam as intelligent would be like saying the sun is hot...how does one measure such a wit. She too paved the way and I owe her thanks beyond measure.

Then we have Brigid....now Brigid doesn't know me from a pile of beans. Yet, I've followed her beautiful prose for many years. Like Arsenius and Tamara she is one of the intelligentsia. Again, with the independent spirit (notice any similarities here) and a very versatile lady. She's a private pilot, a scientist, and best of all, she shoots. Her photography is beyond excellent. This beautiful redhaired lady is talent, grace, and beauty personified.

Now to Patrice and Don, of Rural Revolution. Patrice posted a snippet of the first article I wrote for this blog. The article was written in anger when I noticed a very young girl forgotten by her parents across the street from my shop.  Patrice and Don linked this bit of anger, and turned me into a reluctant guardian angel...to my complete surprise. I have a thing about children; you hurt them in front of me and I shall hurt you - I will open a can of whoop-ass on your soul. Sweet Wife tells me it isn't my war. Sorry.
When Patrice and Don posted my article, they gave me a boost that would have taken me years to achieve if left on my own. I'll never be able to repay them. Don is a man I admire; he has talent beyond measure, and is the kind of man my dear departed mother referred to as salt of the earth. He's also a fine craftsman; his handmade wooden tankards are works of art.
Patrice recently published her first book. I ordered a copy and Sweet Wife stole it. If you haven't read it, please do, the lady soothes the soul with her words. Her book, The Simplicity Primer, is listed on my sidebar.

Then there is James Wesley, Rawles of Survivalblog fame. Another blog I've read for years. James wrote the book, both in the form of a blog which set the standard of instruction to millions but also the novel, 'Patriots.' I owe him too. He's mentioned this blog twice at Survivalblog. I spent hours writing replies to all the comments afterwards, with a smile on my face. He and I have much in common - we both did the same job in the military. I understand him. He's a good man. What else can I say, he rules.

Before I begin receiving emails or text or comments, let it be known I'm writing this out of pure gratitude. I have asked nothing in return. It's nothing more than a heart felt thank you to each. These fine men and women have lead the way for many of us. They have all made me smile, laugh, and most importantly, think. Many of you, I'm sure, have read their works, and if you are half as smart as I know many of you are, they have influenced your efforts too.  

I lack the talent, at the moment, to hot link names, words, or even the odd squirrel, if so, you'd see little blue spots above. So, I will post links beneath. Do yourself a favor, if you've been living on the far side of some long forgotten blue moon, and you haven't as yet read these wonderful blogs, please do.

Patrice and Don - http://www.rural-revolution.com/

Brigid - http://mausersandmuffins.blogspot.com/, gotta love any blog with both Mauser and muffin in the title.

Sweet Tamara - http://booksbikesboomsticks.blogspot.com/

My friend, Arsenius the Hermit - http://ajournalofselfsufficiency.blogspot.com/

James Wesley, Rawles of Survivalblog.com - http://survivalblog.com/


Stephen

13 comments:

  1. I read 4 of them regularly and I've known of the other one for awhile now. I need to start reading that one regularly as well.

    They all give us something to aspire to...

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  2. Rawles is truly an inspirational character. He's the real thing. You've gotten a real power house of a blog going in short order, Stephen. Two plugs on Survival Blog and a lot of good readers. Job well done, I'd say.

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  3. what a thoughtful and kind post! but i am coming to except this kind of stuff from you! oh and lots of "gun" stuff too!

    it's funny, i found your blog from patrice. and i found arsenius from you - and man oh man - do i really like the heck out of him. what an awesome guy and what an awesome blog!

    i also found pioneer preppy from your blog - and i love his blog as well!

    as for mr. rawles - anyone worth their salt has been reading him forever. you should see my well-worn, dog-eared, highlighted with notes in the margins copy of patriots!

    i have a few others that i really enjoy - "throwback at trapper creek" is one of my all time faves. she really rocks and knows her homesteading stuff!

    but your blog and the ones i have mentioned above are all inspiring to me. and the hubby and i will get a blog up soon and share our fantastic adventures this past 7 months in trying to take a 3 season cottage and winterize it in the worst winter seen here in 30 years. but we managed, boiled snow for cooking, melted snow to flush the toilet, lost 3 years worth of saved seed (300+ heiloom organic varieties) due to a flood, replanted most of the raised beds twice now and some 3 times, are praying that september is going to be frost-free so that we can harvest something - oh the list goes on and on!!!

    like i was trying to say before all of the blathering, i love patrice's blog and have a signed copy of her book - i heard of her from mr. rawles. and i found you from her. and the rest is history.

    thank you stephen. i really mean it!

    your friend,
    stassja

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  4. I second what stassja said. That's exactly how I got here. And I haven't looked back. To take off of AH's pictures on the side of his blog, I consider you and AH the old men in "Secondhand Lions".

    I have read 90% of Rawles' site and am ready for his book bomb day, and Patrice has helped me out with gardening and animals, so I feel my true education is in the blogs I read now.

    It's like the College of Survivalist, online.

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  5. I am truly honored. I wish I flew more, the Airline Transport Rating got sort of dusty but I do love the airplanes. Thanks for the notice as well as some suggestions for other great blogs. Tam is one of my two closest girlfriends and I couldn't agree more with your assessment. Together we can spell trouble with all capitals.

    Thanks again.

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  6. Matt, yes they do and thank you. You're a good friend.

    Arsenius, thank you for the kind words, but like I said I owe you.

    Stassja, I'm quickly falling in love with you. Be careful. And, thanks.

    Mudbug, thank you. You too have become a good friend.

    Brigid, my dear Lady, you are more than welcome. You always put a smile on my face.

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  7. North, yes she is, indeed. Thank you, my friend.

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  8. Aw, shucks. *scuffs toe in dirt*

    Thank you!

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  9. I sure am glad all those listed above are on our side.

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  10. Stephen - right back at you my friend!

    stassja

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  11. sorry Stephen to hog your comments but i just had to respond to Mudbug -

    Mudbug - i loved the movie Second Hand Lions. and i always think of Stephen and Arsenius when i see the pic on Arsenius' blog...teehee. left you a comment over on your own blog...which is now in my bookmarks. it is amazing the kind of folk you can find thru other people's blogrolls and comment sections.

    thanks again stephen!

    your friend
    stassja

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  12. Tam, dear lady, you are very welcome. I owe you.

    45er, me too. Thanks.

    Stassja, thank you, again.

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