This was originally posted to rec.gardens on September 27, 1999.  It was revised to be less associated with a particular time in the life of the news group on October 3, 1999.

rec.gardens is a special place.  It has been said from time to time in some of the very long, very not-gardening threads that this group is like a community. Yes, like a little cyber neighborhood where folks meet on the corner to talk about gardens and whatever else comes up.  There is a group who gathers here every day -- have been for some time now, it seems-- to talk, chat, visit and what-not.  Other neighbors pass by, some speak, some just smile and listen in.  Everyone is welcome, though.

Folks who have just found this corner often walk by quietly, saying nothing.  Sure, some are the type to just walk up and start talking and their ideas and opinions are treated with respect and given whatever consideration they deserve.  If they ask a question, the regulars and many others who stop by here are more than happy to answer.

So here we are, standing on the corner -- Zahn, NAearthMOM, madgardener, Victoria talking, sometimes among themselves, Gandy piping in with some remark to make us laugh, Ann letting us know what she thinks, me commenting on Roundup® and bermuda grass, holding my Southern Living Garden Book, John Riley standing back a bit ready to share what he knows with all who will listen, Bill Morgan frequently giving advice, Steve Jankalski helping everyone keep up with what plant is what, the Widners sharing their insight, Chris Owen adding a bit of info here and there, and many, many others. Everyone is welcome to join the conversation.

Oh, for sure, the topics usually start out gardening and all, but frequently, they don't end up there.  Somebody will ask how to prune crape myrtles and get two or three answers, then somebody will say, "Well, my grandmother had a crape myrtle and....." Next somebody will say, "My grandmother had a grape vine and...."  Pretty soon there is a whole topic about making grape jelly in the thread with the subject "Re: How do I prune crape myrtles?"

As likely as not, somebody else was reminded of their grandfather's Hudson and there is another subthread about old cars, still under the subject "Re: How do I prune crape myrtles?"

(No, this is not an actual example from rec.gardens, but it is SYMBOLIC of what often happens.)

This is how the group works.  What starts out as a garden question ends up being friendly chat, warming the hearts of those sharing stories and talking with friends.  Bringing a smile to the faces of those  standing by, listening.

This is also how the group doesn't work.  With four or five different themes (e.g. grape jelly and old cars) under the "Re: How do I prune crape myrtles?" thread, it is hard to figure out what goes with what, especially if a reader is hitting the "next unread message" button.  I have wondered to myself, "Why won't anybody change the subject line?" When we start talking about grape jelly instead of crape myrtles, couldn't somebody change the subject line to something (perhaps "GRAPE JELLY")?

So amid all these "Re: How do I prune crape myrtles?" subthreads, there is more than just information about gardening.  There is a deep camaraderie, a virtual kinship of shared emotions, genuine regard for each other, and concern.

But one day, somebody comes along and says, "What's all this?  I thought we were talking about Crape Myrtles?"  He is one of the neighbors who drops by after a long day of work for a quick chat about his favorite past time, gardening.  Finding the subject really to be grape jelly, he gets miffed and lets everybody know.

Then, of course, everybody ends up spending the next few weeks talking about why he's mad and whether or not he should be.  The friendly little corner of people who share a love of gardening and a love of community becomes a bit tense.  No one is talking about jelly any more.  No one is talking about Hudsons.  No one is talking about the other folks' family, health, or other things that connect each to another.

Time passes, though and things get back to normal.  The people gathered on the corner start talking about their gardens again and neighbors passing by smile and wave, ask a questions or two -- share an answer or two.  Like old times.

This is how rec.gardens works.  It is a corner of cyberspace where people who love gardens meet to chat about gardens and whatever else. It is a place where caring individuals show care for one another, even when they disagree.  It is a corner of a busy world where folks gather to escape for a few minutes and be refreshed.  If they pick up a gardening tip or help somebody else by sharing one, all the better. After all, it is the shared interest in gardening that brought everyone here in the first place.

So, to those of you who are walking by and waving, but saying nothing, let me encourage you to speak up and say "hi."  If you are new to the neighborhood, understand that there are many very gifted gardeners who meet on this little corner, to talk, yes, about gardens, but to also enrich one another's lives with humor, wit, compassion, understanding, and wisdom.  Be sure that your ideas are welcome, your experiences valued, and your insights sought.  Go ahead and ask a question.  Go ahead and tell a joke. It's all right.... Sing if you want to.  (OK, maybe not sing....)

Those of us who drop by this little corner everyday, remember to give the new visitors and those who don't have time to come by daily a hardy "howdy neighbor" or "g'day mate" as they stroll up.  We may have worn a path to this spot, but it belongs to the whole neighborhood.  We need to continue to extend the warm welcome to others who share our love of gardening and want to, likewise, share in our lives.

And if we could just change the subject line in the posts when we... well -- change subjects!

Anyway, that's what I think.