The Silver Bloggers' Community's been around just short of a year. In some ways it seems longer and in others, just the other day. It's a bit like lots of things in life. Like the pandemic. Or moving to a "new" city village. Or finishing school. Or getting married. Or getting divorced. Or... well, you get the picture.
The Social Blockchain, Boxes, Tribes and Communities
In three or so months, I reach my fifth anniversary on the social blockchain. This means that I have my roots firmly in its original iteration, and long before the advent of tribes, let alone communities. What did exist, were groups, unified by hashtags and Discord servers. Some of these persist into the now no so new iteration of the blockchain - like the territorial groups for the UK, Indonesia and Bangladesh (not an inclusive list). For a while, there was an active and dedicated group for South Africans - #teamsouthafrica - ably managed by our own Silver Surfer and which is where I met Silver Streak, among others. I liked it because we had things in common.
I was also invited to join another group, along similar lines and which is no longer active. In that space, I met a lot of folk - from all over the world. Some of whom are no longer active; others have "transitioned" into Silver Bloggers and who entrenched - with their own initiatives - on the blockchain. Three examples are Silver Witch's #hivePUD and twice yearly #HiveBloPoMo, 
I digress.
When the idea of communities was mooted (tribes were already evolving organically), I rejected both. And said so. I'm sure those diligent enough will be able to find those comments. Because, on the blockchain, they're there forever. So. I shan't repeat them. Except to say:
- Don't put me in a box.
- Don't tell me what I can and can't write.
I don't take kindly to being compelled to do things to belong. It's a sure fire way of either keeping me away, or getting rid of me.
Once communities started emerging, I browsed through posts and dipped my toes into the water, looking at what they were about.
In short:
I didn't feel at home in any. I felt uncomfortable in their Discord servers. Lurked and left.
Nearly a year ago
Around about this time last year - we were (still are) in some sort of lockdown - I get this message:
Hey Fiona, I've set up a community for young at heart retirees called Hive Silver Bloggers, actually want to publish an intro post later tonight, would you mind if I mentioned you and used one of your photos to show what you're doing on Hive? Can I pick a photo or could you send one of your favourites?
Thank you 😊
My reply?
With pleasure, Lizelle. Not that I am technically retired or quite of retiring age. Two years to go 😊
Two days later, that "evil" woman had roped me into the judges' panel for the first ever Blog of the Month.
And two days after that, I'd agreed to help administer the community.
It's been a journey and a privilege.
Inaugural post in the Silver Bloggers' Community
On 23 April 2021, I posted in the community for the first time. A throwback to a uni holiday when I was a sweet, naive 20-year old.
Incidentally, the dude with the beard and the red t-shirt and I stay in touch. He collects jars for me at the corporate head office where he works. He's as full of mischief now, as he was then...but ill...that's another story. Not mine to tell. Oh, and he also enjoys cooking...well, I hope he still does.
Another digression - sorry. Sort of.
The point being?
As I got more involved, not only was I re-connecting with "old" friends on Hive, but I was discovering - and helping to build - a community in which differences and foibles are accepted. Along with crypto- and tech-ignorance (which I have in spades), it's ok to be I've done that before, but a long time ago, please help me - again... stupid.
Perhaps it's because we've all been around several blocks seen at least four decades and had the edges knocked off. By and large, we seem to be a nice, gentle bunch and the community seems - to me - to be a kind place. I must add, it's something the team strives for.
Best of all, my eclectic range of interests, from cats to cooking with a whole lot of warbling in between, seem to fit.
So:
I am a Silver Blogger: Why?
If you've read the first bit, you've read the long and the sort of it. If you missed the short, I'll summarise:
Because Silver-blonde Lizzie asked me.
If you're wondering why I wrote this, check out the current Silver Bloggers Blog of the Month topic. As a member of the team, my contribution is not eligible for a prize - yes there are some. There are criteria, too. If what you've read about the community, check it out, subscribe and tell us why.
At the time of writing, there are still ten hours to go before the deadline hits.
Until next time, be well
Fiona
The Sandbag House
McGregor, South Africa
Photo: Selma
Post script
If this post might seem familiar, it's because I'm doing two things:
- re-vamping old recipes. As I do this, I am adding them in a file format that you can download and print. If you download recipes, buy me a coffee. Or better yet, a glass of wine....?
- and "re-capturing" nearly two years' worth of posts.
- From Wordpress, I use the Exxp Wordpress plugin. If this rocks your socks, click here or on on the image below to sign up.
- Join Hive using this link and then join us in the Silver Bloggers' community by clicking on the logo.
Original artwork:
- lastly, graphics are created using partly my own photographs, images available freely available on
and Canva.