Thanking blogdom!!!!!!
I started a blog last April (I think); and was encouraged by my dear friend Brooke Giannetti of Velvet and Linen.
I will learn how to make those links……(actually Velvet and Linen is in my sidebar and you can click on it!)
My nine year old grandson asked me what a blog was! I really couldn’t answer him. (see previous post comments……
they are wonderful and so informative.)
Well, anyway, I have been a decorator for 41 years (sorry, there are new people who don’t know!) and the thought of a blog had not
crossed my mind………until….way after ……..I discovered the internet!
First thing I did on the internet..(newyorksocialdiary.com).
No one called it a blog….I just knew I liked him; his point of view…..(I also love all the party dresses!!)
(David Patrick Columbia….now a dear friend)
These two things happened at the same time…..the other one was “Pale Male” the blog about the very first red-tail hawks
to nest in Central Park in 50 years, or more! (www.palemale.com)
the author of that one is a photographer for National Geographic.
I read about the hawk’s nest 22 years ago in the Wall Street Journal and sent our daughter (who lived there and was a teacher) on a mission to see this nest! She saw it!
(don’t forget, I am a decorator, not a techie)
So, along I go, discovering fabulous blogs along the way! “An Aethete’s Lament”!!??!! (I have not recovered!! the best of the best! Lordy! Grad school in decorating right there!
“Home before dark” are you kidding……….you cannot get that education anywhere…….nowhere at all. I am serious. There are so many wonderful blogs!
So I became a blog addict. Then……with Brooke (who when she met me could tell that my favorite thing is to tell stories…..encouraged me to start a blog! Of my own!)
So I did. I thought 3 people might subscribe. 5? maybe.
Sheesh! I am so way too wordy…….the point is this. I did start a blog. Once a week at most is all I could muster; but the fact is; it is one of my favorite things in my whole life! I am a storyteller! I love telling stories more than anything in this world! So here is the audience who have not heard my stories….
and if they don’t like them; one click away! POOF!
Here is the point of this. I received this in my email. This is the reason for this post. This is why I know I am doing the right thing.
This is a new blogger’s dream come true.
I received this from someone far, far away. It made me cry very happy tears….and I asked permission to publish it She said yes.. So: here it is!
This is an example of what makes this whole effort so way worthwhile: THIS:
“Dear Mrs. Bianchi,
my name is Bettina Baldassari, I’m writing you from Italy, where I live with my 5 cats and 5 birds, I found in years.
I just were looking around he web, and I came into your site.
So, let me tell you: that the pictures of your house
in S. Barbara are simply BEAUTIFUL, and more, the philosophy that I guess is beyond, that must be your life-style, is what I feel to be
nearest to mine.
So I can’t help to write and say THANK YOU, for your art, and for sharing your inspirations on your blog, that now is among my favorites.
Last year I’ve written and illustrated a book dedicated to the old school book I remember of my childhood, and to the places where I live, that’s the countryside near Ravenna.
Let me send you the link of the book trailer that we made (which I compose and realized the music for too), is just a small thing, but is precious to me, and I’m happy to share it with you.
So, thank you again, and again.
I send you also a picture of my friends…
And since we still are in Christmas time, my best wishes for you and your family.
🙂
Bettina Baldassari
Conselice (Ra)
p.s.: Is there a book to order somewhere to know your work better, I mean something like a catalogue?
I would be grateful if you let me know.”
That is what she wrote to me.
Guess what? As a decorator, animal lover, and new blogger……..it doesn’t get any better! What a lovely letter and what a lovely thing that I touched a life in my favorite place in Italy……it doesn’t even matter where it is! Somewhere in the world I touched a heart, a visual person, a life.
This made my dreams come true!! Isn’t it astonishing????
Of all the wonderful things about blogging…..nothing means more than the comments.
thank you all so much for your comments……..they mean more than I can ever express!
And then she sent me this picture!!! Of 3 of her cats!
This is the best cat picture I have ever seen in my life!  I have a cat sleeping on my lap purring right this moment……  who looks a lot like the last one….. a blue-eyed calico.  purring away!
I wrote her back immediately,
“What a lovely surprise! I love the book; and want to order it!
If you go to my website and click on the “Press” section; and click on the covers of the magazines and books, you can see more! www.mccormickinteriors.com
Thank you so, so much for your lovely comments!!
Penelope”
and received from her:
“The real surprise is you, Penelope.
Thank you again, for your kindness, for everything!
I’ve just visited the “press” section you say, on your website – the only one that I didn’t went in yesterday! – and I found there a lot of pictures and interviews that I’m going to read this evening, as I come back home.
The feeling I receive from you is of a pure sense of life, and joy… I can’t tell you why, but sometimes it happens, and I think is when you have a special “thing” in front of you, it could be a poetry, or a movie… or a person, that you don’t even know!
😀
But, in my life it has sometimes happened to me, and I rarely was wrong.
Unfortunately my English is not good enough to assure to me the proper and correct expression of what I meant to say.
Anyway, it has been a great pleasure found you Penelope, I’ll keep on following you on your blog, with a warm thought for you, for this upcoming new year!
Wish the best!
Bettina”
This is only one of so many wonderful and loving comments I have received from my readers, especially since my recent family health scare!
Thank God for animals, friends, family, and blogs!!!
26 Responses
Yes, it is a fabulous cat picture!
That is lovely Penny. And indeed it’s the joy of blogging. You think you are writing in a vacuum and ponder maybe I should be using these hours and I mean hours and you know that differently. Maybe reading more books, or improving my French or cleaning out my kid’s closet or something and then I will get a letter or an email or a comment and it changes everything and I think, no this is exactly the right thing to do.
Your friendship with Bettina is the first of many such encounters ~ blog on!
“The real surprise is you, Penelope.” Yes, it most certainly is. This post made me so…happy because it is the best of the connections that we can have, at times better than what is in front of us, somehow more honest. You are most certainly a wonder and I am so thrilled to have been opened to hear a bit about your world and your point of view, yes, thanks to Brooke. Admittedly that has been even more interesting to me than your phenomenal world of design.
Bisous from Provence, lointain et froid!
Heather
What a lovely woman to write such a note to you and to send that adorable picture of the cats! Her picture reminds me of my favorite store Indigo Seas by the Ivy, with all the colors. I’m glad she took the extra time to write to you so you could share this in your blog Penny!
Also I’m glad you brought up Pale Male,, the story of the hawk, thats actually one of my favorites!
xxo
Kathy
Such a sweet story, it reminds me of my first exposure to your blog, the story you told of deciding that your pond HAD to be in a certain place on your property, only to find out that years ago, there was a pond in that exact location! The story brought tears to my eyes, I have no idea why….
Kind regards, Pam
What a sweet and heartfelt note from Italy! As a fellow blogger I am always so amazed at how small our world has become. I hope your leave from blogging is short since I thoroughly enjoy your posts and share your love of animals.
Karen
Dear Penelope, I’m so grateful to Brooke of Velvet & Linen who helped me to discover your blog and to fall in love with your style, personality, exclamation marks and openness. I subscribed instantly. Your house and garden are wonderful, I can revisit that post again and again.
Loved your so moving video post of your parents wedding.
Always happy to find a new post in mail.
And yes, as a very new blogger I know how heartfelt comments are important, they make it worth trying to reach out.
Heather is so right, it may be the best of connections that we can have at times. Coming to favorite blogs like talking to friends, sometimes close friends.
Blog on! please…
LOL…there’s a cat in my lap right now too. What a lovely post. I wonder if people realize the effect their comments have on us or the effect a post can have on a person. Love your blog. ~
Oh Penny: Brook was extremely kind to little me, as well. It is a beautiful world, and I have met so many of my bloggy friends in person. It has been wonderful to chat with you, discussing the impact of Aunt Liz on your life. It really is a beautiful world that we all share.
Best,
Liz
Yes, indeed we do! How lucky was I to have your Aunt Liz totally change my life. I did write her…….she did not answer…..I just hope she received the letter because she truly did change and direct the course of my life……my friend Carole (in my class at Mayfield) wants to go down to Chile and find her!) Carole is braver than I! I loved seeing your Christmas decorations at your house……oh so familiar……isn’t it funny and fun and really delightful how all this stuff runs in the family??
XXOO
Life doesn’t get any better, does it…
Reading your posts is like reading a letter from a dear, dear friend. Sally and I are always checking our mailbox to see if there’s another letter from you.
Cheers,
John
Dear Penelope, you are a treasure…that’s all I can say! I have already told Brooke how seeing your home and gardens for the first time affected me, as you know. Do continue telling your wonderful stories, I always come by to listen! N.xo
Well she’s right. You radiate warmth and a certain joie de vivre Penelope. It comes out of your posts and post replies in great clouds.
PP
Oh, thank you all so very much! What a wonderful world of bloggers are out there!!!
So you asked me because you REALLY meant to publish… ! This make me feel honored, Penelope. And my cats too, they also are feeling very very honored.
😀
I keep on following you.
God bless animals, friends, family and yes: your blog!
A kiss from Italy. Bettina
CIAO!
Bettina; Several people have asked me how to buy copies of your delightful book.
I have tried Amazon; I have tried Google translate, I have tried all kinds of things.
Can you write me how to purchase your book?
It is the most delightful amazing book! I just wish I spoke Italian! Or even understood it!
Help, oh please! I hope you get this message!!
Charming,Charming-all the way ’round! pgt
Got your message, Penelope. You are so kind! I’ve just wrote you a e-mail, and I was thinking that the real sun is you, now. A sort of sunny medicine… 🙂 Because here in Italy it’s so so cold, snowy and frosty everywhere, I’ve never seen something like this.
I keep following you. Keep shining.
Bettina
Oh yay! I hope she has sent me the way I can purchase a dozen copies.!!
And You who want them can order them from me! Maybe with all these readers…..we can get this translated and onto the bestseller list!
What a delightful, creative and winsome book!
I hope I can take orders soon!
I asked Bettina how to buy her book. I finally figured how to order it from her…so I wrote her.
This came back.
Dear Penelope,
I was REALLY so surprised, and happy, of course, SO happy!
I wonder: how many people are following you…?
And in a way that seems very different to me to the common way that could be found on the other sites, it rarely happens to find so many comments, so full of real, “touchable” love.
I’d wish my english would be better to understand every line of the stories you write, because I must admit that so out of practice as I am now, it isn’t any “comfortable” at all.
😀
But one thing it’s perfectly clear, and it’s that you must have a sort of “light” around.
I was telling yesterday to my mother, I was trying to describe her something more about your style, about your having this blog, where you share with the ones who come into it, your emotions, your joy for life, your love for animals, and where everyone could see the pictures of your gardens, of your always smiling presence, and the short movie of your father!… yes, I was trying to explain that too, and it seemed a little beautiful miracle to her.
I hope this message won’t seem delirious to you.
Forgive me, if so.
It’s very, very cold here.
I’d never seen something like this in my life, my mother neither.
In such moments it’s like a ray of sun receiving signs as the one you send me tonight.
🙂
You ask about a dozen of copies of my book…
It’s a dream thinking that it could cross the ocean.
I think that the best way is ask directly to the editor: he has a pretty bookshop in the heart of Venice, he will send you all the copies you need, and something else of hand made by his officina.
🙂
I can anticipate to him tomorrow.
If you want give me your address I’ll give it to him, and he will prepare and post the pack.
But you can also contact and find him at this page:
http://www.edizionidamocle.com/
My dear Penelope, thank you one more time.
Keep in touch!
love,
Bettina
Thank you Bettina!
I will get in touch with your publisher! You are right! It is a miracle!
And I can only explain it by telling you and everyone about Brooke! It is Brooke who makes magic! http://www.velvetandlinen.com. Brooke and Steve!
It is beyond fascinating that my favorite city on earth is Venice. I belong to a group who raise money in America and all over the world to “save Venice”;
I will order the books from him! There will be many more!
thank you, thank you!
I am delighted to provide some sunshine! Europe seems to be freezing!
Penelope
from email:
Dear Penelope,
I was REALLY so surprised, and happy, of course, SO happy!
I wonder: how many people are following you…?
And in a way that seems very different to me to the common way that could be found on the other sites, it rarely happens to find so many comments, so full of real, “touchable” love.
I’d wish my english would be better to understand every line of the stories you write, because I must admit that so out of practice as I am now, it isn’t any “comfortable” at all.
😀
But one thing it’s perfectly clear, and it’s that you must have a sort of “light” around.
I was telling yesterday to my mother, I was trying to describe her something more about your style, about your having this blog, where you share with the ones who come into it, your emotions, your joy for life, your love for animals, and where everyone could see the pictures of your gardens, of your always smiling presence, and the short movie of your father!… yes, I was trying to explain that too, and it seemed a little beautiful miracle to her.
I hope this message won’t seem delirious to you.
Forgive me, if so.
It’s very, very cold here.
I’d never seen something like this in my life, my mother neither.
In such moments it’s like a ray of sun receiving signs as the one you send me tonight.
🙂
You ask about a dozen of copies of my book…
It’s a dream thinking that it could cross the ocean.
I think that the best way is ask directly to the editor: he has a pretty bookshop in the heart of Venice, he will send you all the copies you need, and something else of hand made by his officina.
🙂
I can anticipate to him tomorrow.
If you want give me your address I’ll give it to him, and he will prepare and post the pack.
But you can also contact and find him at this page:
http://www.edizionidamocle.com/
My dear Penelope, thank you one more time.
Keep in touch!
love,
Bettina
Penelope Bianchi ha scritto:
Penelope, how wonderful that more people are discovering what a joy you are. I love your stories, your sense of fun, and that unbridled enthusiasm you bring to all your posts (and comments!)
My Daffodils are blooming..wish you could see them.
Are you coming to Atlanta?
Penelope, thank you so much for your lovely and witty (you are funny!) comment. This will be my only blog comment today.
I know of you because of our mutual friend Brooke (I adore her!) and she speaks so fondly of you. Yes!
I so wish I could have joined for the book signing. I have spoken with Lars Bolander on the phone (1 hour conversation in Swedish and I laughed so hard I almost god stomach cramps!!!).
I bet you all had a super fun time together!
Warm hugs to you. I hope your family member is ona good path to healthy recovery.
Mon
P.S It is about time I add you to my blog roll (:
….and to think, I have enjoyed your blog and never commented! I had no idea how much you valued comments, but now that you’ve mentioned it, of course!!
Thank you so much, Penelope, for the time and fun you put into your blog posts!!!! Please realize there are many of us out here that read, but don’t comment. Sometimes, when I read the comments, I think I could not write anything better-they have expressed my feelings. But, now I have a different perspective!
Loved that you and Brooke were able to visit LARS!!!
you are so fresh and fun!!! Keep blogging!!!
bestest,
Kathy
Penelope, your house looks beautiful!