Spring has Sprung in SL

For most of us, Spring has sprung.  In SL, many sims are replacing their snowy landscape with gardens and picnic areas.  Shops are selling warm-weather clothing. Virtual birds are chirping in virtual trees.  Partners and friends are strolling through SL gardens.  Everything is in virtual bloom, and Easter hunts are starting.

On Seahorse, I've done some digging in my inventory and started my virtual gardening.  I've "planted" several trees and put out my pretty swan pond and a picnic area.  My horses are out grazing. There are lots of butterflies around the sim now, and my neighbor even has an area where it rains.

My  new "Italy" house came with a full garden of roses and other shrubs and included a reflecting pond and wrought iron benches, perfect for spring into summer living.  I added some patio furniture and an iced tea giver for another comfortable place to relax when spending more time outdoors in the nice weather.

But along with the visual, this beautiful season isn't complete without some nature sounds.  My cherry tree has a tinkling windchime, and crickets and owls can be heard from the nests they build inside it.

Spring is definitely one of the prettiest seasons in SL, as it is in RL.  Enjoy it!

Rez Day Reflections

Today is my 5th Rez Day in Second Life, so I decided to write a post about what it means to me.  As I posted on Facebook, for friends who can see, I've seen a lot of changes in SL during the time I've been a resident and not all of them have been good.  I won't go there, but one thing that hasn't changed over the years is the main reason I stay -- the wonderful friends I've met in this world that make a Second Life worth living.  We all know the struggles on time that it demands.  I've often questioned the rewards.  But I've met people from all over the country and all over the world, most of them librarians like myself.  I wish I had more time to share with them.  I used to attend a lot more of the CVL events and was able to find time to view some of the great inworld exhibits.  Now I'm lucky I have time to do any exploring at all, and it's an effort to keep up my commitments at my Rainbow Gardens Pet Memorial, although the great members there are so supportive.

What would I like to do in my next 5 years if SL is still around, I truly don't know.  I miss the days when I used to write articles for the Metaverse Messenger or RezLibris because they forced me to ask questions, visit other places, and speak to people I wouldn't ordinarily meet.  Someone did a survey once that revealed most SL residents spend most of their inworld time at their homes or where they change clothes and very little time at other sims.  While I believe this, I also think it's a waste of time when there are so many creative, educational, and beautiful places to see in SL.  Of course, visiting these places is usually more enjoyable with a friend or a group.  This takes me back to my feelings about friends in SL.  Just like in RL, it isn't easy to make true ones and it also takes time to nurture these relationships, even if they are strictly online.  I'm aware that a lot of relationships dissolve either through neglect or too much drama.  But the ones that survive are the strongest and the ones that make living a Second Life worth it. 

Thanks to all my friends who have made these five years so much fun.