One of my mother's favourite wise sayings when I was growing up was 'you get out of life what you put into it' - usually quoted to me in a warning tone when she believed that I was failing to apply myself to something with the required degree of effort.
As I go through life, sometimes her words come back to me and I see them in a different context. Often, the fruits of ones labours are clear. If you take the time and trouble to raise chickens, you can expect to be rewarded with eggs (though beautiful coloured shells might still be an unexpected treat).
But sometimes the link between effort and benefit is not as clear cut.
And so it is with blogging. When I began sharing my thoughts in cyber space seven years ago, I had few expectations - it was merely a passtime, to exercise my mind in days largely consumed by domestic and maternal duties. I hadn't the faintest idea that the investment of my time would be so richly rewarded by friendship.
And, for the life of me, I cannot fathom what the karmic reward for knitting a dozen pairs of handknit socks might possibly amount to, but Kristina, perhaps you should buy a lottery ticket.
I can't tell you the reward for those socks, but they sure are gorgeous. I LOVE the colors and stripes -- VERY pretty!
Posted by: Thimbleanna | 04 March 2013 at 16:14
Wow. Just wow.
(I must know whose feet are whose.)
Posted by: Lynn | 04 March 2013 at 17:09
Oh, I want to know who they all were too. I know of one blogger who spent time with others on Saturday...
Posted by: Toffeeapple | 04 March 2013 at 17:22
What a wonderful gift to you all... I was trying to work out whose feet belonged to whom too!
Posted by: Gina | 04 March 2013 at 17:52
I have barely taken mine off. They are my new bedsocks. Such a wonderful day - such fabulous company!
Posted by: dottycookie | 04 March 2013 at 18:40
My foot is the very wide pink one and I'm getting a bit freaked out now by seeing it everywhere I go today! What a fabulous day it was and many thanks for the lift Ali.
Posted by: Sue | 04 March 2013 at 18:44
Oh, there is that beautiful sock picture again. I adore it, something about it gives me a big bunch of happies. So glad you are all able to spend time with each other.
Posted by: Megan | 04 March 2013 at 20:06
It was indeed a cracking day! I continue to be so grateful for the friendships I've made through blogging. And just think of the sock yarn a lottery win would buy! K x
Posted by: kristina | 05 March 2013 at 08:13
I'm giggling at your freshly washed eggs! Wot? You don't like chicken poo and bits of straw for the authentic egg bowl look?!
It was the very best of days. Thank you for coming xx
Posted by: Dragonfly | 05 March 2013 at 08:27
Wow! Knitting that many pairs of socks as gifts definitely earns huge karmic reward! I'm a terrible friend and only knit socks in dk weight wool for friends because they don't take as long as 4ply! Lucy xx
Posted by: lucy locket | 05 March 2013 at 13:02
the rich rewards of friendship are so wonderful indeed xxx
Posted by: driftwood | 05 March 2013 at 15:33
Those socks are pure joy. Eggs that come out with dates on? Now,that's clever!!!
Posted by: Simone | 06 March 2013 at 08:33
It was a wonderful day, my cheeks have only just stopped aching from all the smiling!
Posted by: Julie | 08 March 2013 at 07:56