Credit: Farragutful. Used under CC 4.0 International license
In April of 1973 my husband and I married at the Guardian Angel Cathedral in Las Vegas, Nevada. I wore an off-the-rack straight line dress with a geometric design. Guests at the wedding were our mothers and my sister. One might say this ceremony was performed in defiance of custom and in compliance with tradition. I was a child of the 60s and I was going to do it 'my way'. I think it's fair to say my life still follows that path.
My first child was born in 1974. By mid 1980s that child, my son, had talked me into buying a Sinclair computer.
Image credit: Evan-Amos. Used under CC 3.0 license
It didn't take much convincing. In 1982 I had taken an independent study course at a local university and earned 4 credits in BASIC programming (Applesoft). I wanted to understand the changes that were taking place in technology.
Predictably, my son became a computer maven, and it was because of him that I discovered the blockchain. Isn't that what happens? We lead them, then if we are willing, they lead us.
In February of 2018 I wrote my first blog on Hive. Oh those first blogs: payouts, $0.00. And then something happened. In April of that year I wrote a really long research article, The Curious Relationship Between the Wasp and the Fig, and got a $70.00 payout.
Picture From That Blog: 350-Year-Old Fig Tree, in India
Credit: Abdulkaleem md, picture of Thimmamma Marrimanu. CC 3.0 License
I had discovered StemSocial (under a different name at that time). It was obvious this community of scientists looked past my low Rep, and my low VP. They read the blog and appreciated the work. I have stayed committed to the StemSocial community since then. It is still run by and
.
The blockchain was in my blood after that first success.
It wasn't until early 2019 that I discovered 's collage community, LMAC. At that time, LMAC wasn't really a cohesive community. The first collage I created was made on a lark, in the comment section, for fun.
First Collage in LMAC
Credits for images used: Bear, Eagle,Elk, Mountain goats
My art skills were non-existent. But was kind so I went back and made more collages. It was the first time I thought I could do anything involving art. I'm still with LMAC. Today I'm a moderator, and wow, has LMAC grown. Big prizes are awarded. We have a team, and our own image library. I have personally donated hundreds of pictures to that library. They are all public domain now, and can be borrowed.
I began spending most of my free time working on projects related to Hive. Because of Hive, and LMAC, I became an amateur photographer. Another new hobby. I was given a camera for Christmas and started going around with my husband (the same one from 1973!) to look for great 'shots' so I could contribute these to the LMAC library. Here is one I contributed last week, a cutout of the family cat:
Here is one I took at the beach
There is so much on Hive, that it would be impossible to blog in every community that appeals to me. I've tried my hand at a number of these communities. The amazing part of my blogging activity is that many people my age are looking for things to do because they are 'bored'. I don't have enough time to do everything I'd like to do.
For example there's Fascinating Insects (I've blogged there, briefly), and CineTV (I've blogged there also). How about Hive Book Club? I love Hive Book club--most of my formal training is in literature, and I've actually written books! But where is the time to blog everywhere that appeals to me?
The cover of a book I wrote, a few years ago:
My love of writing, and background in it, are how I got involved in the second community in which I currently curate: The Inkwell. This community of writers was founded by and
. When Raj told me about The Inkwell, I was of course interested.
In time, Raj had to step away and there was need for more hands-on curation. As a writer who loves writers, I stepped up and joined the team of curators, led today by . New writers and established short story writers find an audience and develop their skills at the Inkwell.
Hive in the Life of a Septuagenarian
I've had a full life. Marriage to the same man for almost fifty years. Children and now a grandchild. It's been a productive, useful life. These are aspects of life I want to have: productivity and usefulness. Hive gives me these things. I am useful, every day. Each day I work to make my communities, and this platform, stronger. That is rewarding. And I am never bored.
The Silver Bloggers community is a natural place for me to share these thoughts. We of a certain age share certain concerns. It's really good to have a place to express that.
Everyone, be well and enjoy each day.