Where Has the Gardener Been?

The Gardener has been in exile from the garden.  In fact, the Garden has been for sale for several months and, although a number of people have expressed interest, the right buyer has not yet come along.  If and when the right person shows an interest in carrying on, there will be a sale.

Why?

The answer is very simple:  The Garden participates in the October breast cancer awareness program, as described in the post below.

There have been more visitors to this site in relationship to that post than ever before in this site’s history.

That post generated more comments than any other post.  Many folks took the time to leave a comment in support of the campaign to raise money for the American Cancer Society.  In fact, comments are still being posted expressing support.

And yet  . . . not a single person participated in the campaignNot one.  Not a single penny was raised.

Why?  Well, I have lots of theories, none of which really matter.

The fact that so many people feigned interest and support, but completely failed to follow through, disappointed and discouraged me to the point that I decided to sell the site and quit blogging. In fact, it has taken me many months to muster the strength to sign on and write this post expressing my feelings.

We are by nature flawed and imperfect beings.  But that not a single poster stepped up and put his/her money where his/her comment was by actually making a donation was too much for me.  Just. too. much.

Is this your first visit to the Garden? The Gardener invites you to subscribe to the RSS feed. Thanks for visiting! We hope you come back to the Garden soon!


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57 comments ↓

#1 Gardening on 04.12.08 at 9:57 am
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I hate to say this, but as a blogger who’s been doing this for over a year now, it’s so easy for people to say they support something, but when it actually comes to them opening up their check book, that’s when it becomes just talk and no action. They feel better that they wrote for everyone in the world that they support finding a cure for breast cancer, but how many of them have actually raised any money? How many have done a race for the cure (done it in 2 states with my wife!)?

My wife is raising money for autism (can’t spell today). After the last few times of getting nothing, she put it into her business (selling children’s books) and is donatin month to the autism walk we’re doing in June. Can’t get anyone to out and out donate anything, so we’re doing it ourselved.

#2 Promos on 04.14.08 at 10:45 am
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I didn’t find your blog until it was long over but would have donated. We donate to quite a few civic concerns not the least of which is cancer research. If you still own the blog this fall I can promise you we will donate something. Also remember we are in a horrible financial/economic crisis which had all charities and organizations struggling this past holiday season.

Promos’s last blog post..When Free Samples Aren’t Free

#3 North East Truck Driving Jobs on 04.16.08 at 7:33 am
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I’ve never seen a link to donate - do the writers usually post them in their blog or is there a link somewhere?

#4 Mark - Kentucky Derby Tips on 04.17.08 at 8:47 am
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There might be lacking on marketing side of campaign. Even a Non-profits need Marketing.

#5 Richard @ Raised Garden Beds on 04.18.08 at 3:18 pm
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This is my first visit to your blog and it’s quite disheartening that the first thing I read is the magical rose garden losing its magic. Unfortunately for me that I arrived too late as well. But I completely understand where you’re coming from though especially when a campaign that enticing is less than successful. I think our company would have certainly have participated in such a wonderful campaign. Well, I guess now I hope that you do find a good gardener to pass on the garden to who will take good care of it. However, I will still continue to visit your blog just in case there is in fact some magic left in the rose garden.

#6 Tina on 04.21.08 at 8:49 pm
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Have been so long since my last visit to this blog…I didn’t see any update for quite long time. And today surprisingly I read your newest update…I am sorry to hear what has happened. I agree with Mark, maybe we need more campaign.

#7 lina george on 04.23.08 at 12:56 am
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Beutiful garden in our life is not a flowers but the peaple we meet in our life to help them just we help flowers to grow .

#8 Maryland Truck Driving Jobs on 04.23.08 at 10:10 am
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How many people knew about the campaign - I can imagine that a lot of campaigns are started but not enough effort on marketing is spent…

#9 The CMS Gallery on 04.23.08 at 9:14 pm
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It’s a shame this issue has resulted in you quitting blogging. Maybe you could start selling ad space on your blog? You could raise money that way etc?

The CMS Gallery’s last blog post..Good Widgets

#10 Digital SLR Joe on 04.24.08 at 12:45 pm
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Pretty good article. I like it, keep it up.

#11 mark isen on 04.24.08 at 10:01 pm
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Very nice site!

#12 video sharing on 04.25.08 at 1:34 pm
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Actually, almost everybody donates for breast cancer in his local position. However, your blog is viewed and surfed by reader worldwide. Sometimes, people may be not sure enough from the blog. It’s better to donate face-by-face, in my opinion.

#13 ugg australia boots on 04.26.08 at 4:22 am
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you should just try again and you will sucecced

#14 Kerikeri Videos on 04.26.08 at 5:36 pm
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Keep your chin up and don’t get discouraged!

#15 bissell flip it on 04.30.08 at 3:29 pm
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It’s a shame to hear you will leave blogging because of that. I know its a disappointment for you, but you should consider it again. There are plenty of other things you can enjoy in blogging, do not let reality get to you.

bissell’s last blog post..Bissell Green Machine

#16 hijinks on 04.30.08 at 10:42 pm
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Definitely consider coming back to the blogging world. Don’t let this discourage you!

#17 David Wh1te on 05.01.08 at 8:11 am
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hmmm… I like a blog post that makes me think.

#18 cohnsey on 05.01.08 at 3:55 pm
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Glad to see you posting again and I hope you can find a good replacement.

#19 fishing joe on 05.02.08 at 2:39 pm
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I can certainly understand frustraition with blogging - it can be painful…

#20 Sandra Prangenberg on 05.02.08 at 11:13 pm
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Beautiful garden in our life is not the flowers, but the people whom we meet in our life and also let the relation grow as the flowers do.

#21 Greenville NC Events on 05.03.08 at 12:05 pm
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Keep up the great gardening! It is such hard work! I always enjoy doing it on the weekends!

#22 Rise Up Clothing on 05.05.08 at 11:06 am
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You can’t give up now. What’s the old addage…try, try, again. You can do it. Now that you know what you’re up against. Keep trying!

#23 Raleigh Real Estate on 05.06.08 at 6:43 am
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Don’t give up! Everything will work out in the end — and if it doesn’t — then its not the end! Hang in there and keep it up!

#24 Photobuch on 05.06.08 at 8:58 am
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I found some logic in your post. About donation, you are trying to understand people something. It is good. Anyway, Thanks for your Post!

Photobuch’s last blog post..Fotobuch

#25 utah outdoors on 05.06.08 at 12:22 pm
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good luck in the future - it is hard work this blogging stuff!

#26 chicago movers on 05.06.08 at 10:07 pm
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I would feel the same way if I were you. All those leading on with nothing to show. I’ll be dishearthend (did I spell that right?), but I won’t lose hope and just quit. My advice is continue what you are doing before and help out with whatever you have.

Best of luck. :)

#27 ally on 05.11.08 at 12:52 pm
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A lot of people donate money to the American Cancer Society; just because nobody sent you screenshots to prove it for YOUR campaign doesn’t mean it didn’t happen and for you to quit blogging solely based on that fact is very selfish. Not all people need the satisfaction of other people’s praise.

Sure, it’s nice that you tried to do a nice thing. It didn’t work out - That happens. You fall down, you get back up.

ally’s last blog post..Deception in New York City

#28 Holly on 05.11.08 at 1:02 pm
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To say that you quit blogging because of this shows that you were most likely never blogging for yourself in the first place, and blogging for any other reason but for yourself is a wrong reason to start. It’s either that or you are saying that you’re going to quit blogging to generate drama so people feel bad and beg you to stay and keep blogging and you are having a power hungry moment right now and need the satisfaction and support of others to continue. I’m guessing that could be the case and if it is, I hope you stop blogging all together because the last thing the blogosphere needs is another attention-seeking blogger who relies on the acceptance of others to keep up a website.

Holly’s last blog post..Mother’s Day and the Release of No Trespassing

#29 mmmm on 05.13.08 at 6:50 am
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I’m very disappointed but…do you think that if where so easy to raise money for a cause like yours this world will continue like is? surely this could be great but now you’ve seen how difficult is enter into people’s heart and, especially into their pocket.

#30 Bape on 05.16.08 at 10:07 am
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I found some logic in your post. About donation, you are trying to understand people something. It is good. Anyway, Thanks for your Post!

#31 Airbrush Kits on 05.18.08 at 3:19 pm
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Never give up on your quest. Good luck in whatever you decide to do.

#32 Ben on 05.19.08 at 2:12 pm
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I am very sad to read this post. I do know that a couple of bloggers have been helped out in a time of financial crisis and would’ve thought that some people would’ve taken you up on your previous offer.

Ben’s last blog post..Hypocrisy of Environmentalists

#33 Keistian Liebrand on 05.22.08 at 12:47 am
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I completely understand where you’re coming from though especially when a campaign that enticing is less than successful. people feel bad and beg you to stay and keep blogging and you are having a power hungry moment right now and need the satisfaction and support of others to continue.

#34 zohai on 05.22.08 at 2:38 am
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Ouch.. It’s really sad to hear about this incident =/ I feel sorry that no one is willing to help out. Sigh.. However you can’t just force people to donate. It should be done from their own free will.

#35 Bernhard on 05.24.08 at 7:51 am
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Here well arranged and varied posts appear again and again. I look gladly here past. Many greetings from the center of Germany!

#36 multi-pret on 05.27.08 at 9:41 am
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You may give the blog to a person who cares a lot about breast cancer awareness free of charge. He/she can promote your program also. It will be a win-win solution.

#37 bissell steam mop on 05.27.08 at 1:58 pm
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Lots of people will say something online that they cant backup up when the times come to actually act. This is something I learned few years ago. You shouldn’t feel discouraged, accept it as something that will happen and keep pushing forward.

bissell steam mop’s last blog post..Bissell 5770

#38 Cookie on 05.30.08 at 3:00 am
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Honestly I’m surprised you are surprised. This is nothing new, people often declare help but when the moment comes they are too lazy or just don’t really care. Sad, but it’s human nature…

#39 Marc Klein on 05.31.08 at 4:44 am
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Iam very disappoint with this . Saying anything is very easy but to do it is difficult. You should not give up the hope , there will be some way for this.

#40 find tradesmen on 05.31.08 at 4:56 am
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I am sorry to hear about this. Well it is human nature, it is not easy to find a good help today. But hope is still there so u need to work hard for it. Find someone else

#41 Julia on 05.31.08 at 8:12 pm
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hai. i’ve found your blog from a friend’s blogroll. i can say that u have a really nice blog. keep blogging!

cheers~

Julia’s last blog post..Jalan2 Penang…Again! Part II

#42 Kristian Liebrand on 06.02.08 at 12:26 pm
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I hate to say this that the people who put their comments say that they are there for the cause and that they are together. What I don’t see is the participation in their own local communities where it is most required.

#43 Myfinancebutler on 06.02.08 at 7:14 pm
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I agree with one of the commentors here — if this strategy doesn’t work, I suggest you try something else. Something to try is to sell links or blog posts. You can go to forums.digitalpoint.com or payperpost.com and post an ad on selling links.

#44 Brett@Direct Home Find Real Estate on 06.02.08 at 10:05 pm
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Great article, i love the gardening references, makes alot of sense.

#45 Odzyskiwanie Danych on 06.03.08 at 4:17 am
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This is so sad … but don’t give up!

#46 juicer on 06.07.08 at 3:46 pm
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But this is nothing new. This is what people are. Dont get discouraged and leave the blog.

juicer’s last blog post..Masticating Juicer

#47 Kristian Liebrand on 06.09.08 at 9:49 am
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If you still own the blog this fall I can promise you we will donate something. Also remember we are in a horrible financial/economic crisis which had all charities and organizations struggling this past holiday season.I learned few years ago. You shouldn’t feel discouraged, accept it as something that will happen and keep pushing forward.

#48 Monavie on 06.19.08 at 1:59 pm
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I’m sorry to hear about that. It is sad that people can’t donate to a good cause. I would if i had the money to spare. Too bad the country is in such a poor financial state or i’m sure you would have more people willing to donate.

#49 Painkiller Detox Centers on 06.19.08 at 4:42 pm
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I agree that you should probably think of other ways to raise funds. You can offer exposure for an individual on your blog in exchange for a donation.

#50 membership script on 06.22.08 at 1:34 am
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What a sad story. Don’t give up.

#51 Bouncer on 06.22.08 at 2:37 pm
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lolz

nice research you did their…you will hit YOUR kinda jackpot if you keep working this way…

#52 Jordan on 06.24.08 at 12:00 am
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They feel better that they wrote for everyone in the world that they support finding a cure for breast cancer, but how many of them have actually raised any money? How many have done a race for the cure (done it in 2 states with my wife!)?

Jordans last blog post..Redhat PHP RPM

#53 Adventure Victoria on 06.26.08 at 4:56 am
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I am pleased to hear about the breast cancer awareness program you have participated in. It’s highly appreciated from bottom of my heart.

Thanks for being so humble.

#54 HartGranite on 06.28.08 at 4:46 pm
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Hi there,

I have to say that this is a helful article!

Thanks,

Andy ;)

#55 Aluminium Garden Furniture on 07.01.08 at 5:51 am
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Often you have to keep going to get anywhere or anything in life. Humans are no where near perfect and often need reminding again and again to take action.

Perhaps if you set up a Paypal.com account and asked for small donations to be sent then it would work better. People in general are mistrusting but maybe willing to make a small donation to a worthy cause.

#56 lingerie online on 07.03.08 at 10:12 pm
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Nice blog keep it up.

#57 hellenes on 07.03.08 at 10:22 pm
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hey, i like your blog

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