Has it really come to this?
Long, long ago when I was a Head Gardener I made the move into garden journalism and my first job was as a writer on the UK weekly Garden News. That was 35 years ago and, by some strange twist of fate, I still write for them and indeed, write very similar stuff, contributing to the weekly reminders. I think this qualifies as staying power. I do not have celebrity status but, unlike in those early days, I do sometimes make it onto the cover, though I am usually covered by packets of free seeds so as not to put off potential newsstand buyers.
The deepest desire of anyone who writes, or contributes to social media I suspect, is to get a response of some kind. Apathy is dispiriting. So if a reader makes the effort to mention anything I write it is possibly a cause of celebration. After 35 years of writing it would be nice if my efforts were considered useful or helpful.
So I was amused ( I think that is the nicest way to put it) to see the letters page of a recent issue I received today (I don’t get them on time).
It appears that I have my uses as a bird scarer. It is a shame that they didn’t know my name – perhaps I should be thankful for that! Thirty five years as a garden writer and I have become a scarecrow. Maybe I have a new career waiting for me.
The Biking Gardener 
It can be . . . difficult. Some is not so bad, and editors do what they must to make what is essentially technical writing a bit more compelling. Back when some of the newspapers that I wrote for used my picture, people in public would occasionally tell me that I looked just like . . . me, but almost no one believed that I was . . . me. Editors made me seem to be more engaging and interesting.
I think you have found a very significant niche position in horticulture and should celebrate it. Indeed, I think you should franchise your image as a bird-scarer; think of the profits!
I think you have hit on a money-spinner there. In fact I have been thinking about window stickers with my face on to scare off burglars with the logo ‘I live here’ for people who can’t keep dogs.
A winner!
thank you for the first of today’s laughs – not at but with you – if I were you I’d stick to the day job, your writing is always informative and a pleasure to read. Bird scaring is not a full time job!
Thank you! But bird scaring might be a useful sideline
Thank you for giving me a laugh on this chilly, windy summer’s day when I can’t do any gardening. I don’t buy Garden News but please don’t let this experience put you off writing ! I enjoy your blog posts and always look forward to the next one.
Joan in Dublin.
HA HA HA 😂🤣😂