Welcome, introduce yourself

[thegrea...@netscape.net]

Welcome to Reno Gardening. Please take a moment to say hello and let
us know you are here.

Just a bit about myself and this group. I grew up in Kansas. I moved
to Reno when I was 16 I am now 49. I have discovered a little more
about growing things in Reno each year but am in no way an expert. I
am married to my sweetheart for the past 29 years with 4 children from
ages 19 to 27. two boys two girls. I have many interests and gardening
is just one of them. I play guitar, will sing, I will sing pretty good
if I like you a lot. But mostly keep it to my family. I keep chickens,
have a woodworking shop. I Am working on keeping Honey Bees. I want
to start a homestead in the next year and a half. The homestead is
leading me in many directions at once so I am fairly busy lately. Am
pretty direct and tend to take words literally. My thing about words
is grounded in a principal I have learned is extremely accurate.
Basically a parson "Chose" the words they used. That choice tells us
something about that person and their motivations. It is an uncommon
method and I realize that. from time to time you may see evidence of
it. All I will say about it is it works. I tend to know many things
about people that they have no idea that I know. All simply because I
look carefully at the words they chose to use.

As for rules for this group. I am a firm believer that we learned
everything we need to know in kindergarten. apply that knowledge and
all should go fine. I am also extremely strict that all opinions are
equal. The most ignorant comment is as valuable as the most
knowledgeable one. In fact it is my experience that ignorance
stimulates more discussion and discovery. Treat others with respect. I
will probably run this group like I run my home. I am pretty quick to
open the door and invite you in. but after that it is pretty much fend
for yourself.

I am very big on cultivating the new member, they are the life blood
of a group. Often far more motivated, inquisitive and will expend
great energy into the hobby. With just a bit of direction and guidance
that energy can be directed to turning over many new stones and
fostering many new ideas. This is a powerful resources. New members
can also be a source of great strife. The number one issue I see in
groups is the new member that knows it all. I only have one thing to
say about that. Let them. They are the ones that will reap the reward.
I do think that mistaken ideas should have some measure of correction.
But not to the point of aggravation or anger. If a new person is
determined to the point of offense to promote if their ideas are
challenged. Encourage them to carry them out. Nothing is a better
teacher than experience. It is also a much more peaceful resolution to
the situation.

Experienced members have an obvious value of their own. They are
critical in lending that guidance to the energy of the new person.
They often have taken their understanding far beyond the common every
day knowledge. In fact that very knowledge is almost a handicap in a
setting like this. Groups such as this are often made up of short one
or two sentence comments. I want to take a moment here to directly
invite the more experienced individuals. Do not restrict yourself to
that short reply. Your knowledge is broad, deep and complicated. so
your comments should be also.
I like the saying "Better to be thought a fool than to open your mouth
and remove all doubt"
This idea works in reverse just as well."May your mouth run over from
the bounty of your experience" I invite you to be long winded and
wordy. Many will hang on your every word.

That is pretty much it. I will add I am a Christian. I am not a bible
thumper but I do have a very personal relationship with the Divine
Creator. I have studied and learned His principals of right and wrong.
I will govern this group according to those boundaries. Basically
somebody has to decide where right ends and wrong begins. I choose to
leave it to Him and my understanding of his teachings. For those that
have other beliefs. Be good and play nice. I think that pretty much
covers it.