I might have shared this with @Trish, once upon a time...

In 2010, when I planted my first daylily, the online friend who told me about them said: "And you can join garden clubs, and make new friends!" My reply was: "You assume I want to make new friends!"
I put after it, but I wasn't really joking. I was very happy as a hermit, and had no interest in changing.

Then @Sharon told me about ATP, which was still in its infancy. I wandered in, and found a home. I meandered through the forums, eventually settling in at the Daylilies Forum, pulling my rocker onto their porch swing and getting super comfortable.

There was a member there, @Casshigh, who was actually semi-local to me. She invited me to a meeting at her daylily club.

Thing is, I was a hermit for a reason, and the reason is called "social anxiety." The thought of attending her daylily meeting was scary, but at the same time, intriguing. So I went. And I joined her club. And the next month, I went to ANOTHER daylily club meeting with her, at a different group. And I joined that club, too.

And not only did I join, I started participating!

And oddly enough, as I started interacting in real life with all these "crazy" daylily people, I started healing, and my social anxiety lessened. I found myself doing even more new things with new people. In fact, last month I had to finally retire my "hermit" status, because it no longer applies. These days, my challenge is finding time to stay home.

I am a different person today than I was when Sharon invited me over to ATP, And part of the reason is because of the people here, who have such a great knack for making others feel comfortable, whether it's online or in real life.

Like I said: ATP changed my life.

ATP equals good mental health!

flaflwrgrl said:ATP equals good mental health!

That makes sense! It's a site full of gardeners, and we all know that gardening is good for the soul/brain/heart (but a little hard on the back/knees, sometimes)

True, Mary, true.

Mary, your story is so touching. How wonderful that ATP is part of such a life-changing experience.

Mary your story brought tears to my eyes. Thank you for sharing

OH Mary, that is so wonderful!

I have been here at ATP from the very beginning since it first started. I can not get along without it. It is my social media and my gardening club all rolled into one.

Me, too, Rita. Now being restricted to only going where I can walk, on those days when I feel up to walking, has caused me to give up a lot of other activities like getting to the library and garden centers and such. Be lost without ATP and Cubits.

You know on days when we are totally alone, it keeps me from feeling totally alone. Because I can yak here and both post and see nice pictures. It is just nice to talk about our day. I mean, whatever. What we are cooking, what we are reading or watching on TV, Our pets, the weather either lovely or nasty, anything in life as it goes on. And of course we talk about our plants and our gardens. It really is a joy.

And I thought I was the only hermit

Not by a longshot, Linda.

Some of you know my story....in Jan 2009 my Dear Wife was diagnosed with ALS. They gave her 1-5 years to live. She made it 2. The first of those two years wasn't bad but the second Her health declined rapidly and we became nearly house bound. I had spent a little time at DG and then someone suggested cubits and then Betja suggested ATP. The last year of my DW's life she spent watching TV and I sat much of the time at the computer. ATP helped fill some long hours, often in the middle of the night when she couldn't sleep.. Sometimes my Son or Daughter would come and I would go to a nursery for an hour to take pictures. She has been gone 3 years now. My children and grandchildren are wonderful to me but I still spent much time alone. I have a number of varied interests that help to fill my time but those which involve flowers and plants bring me great satisfaction and peace of mind. Thanks ATP.....
My Grand Daughter Bradie on one of our forays to take pictures of flowers.

Oh Paul, what a heart wrenching story. So glad you are here with us at ATP.

I think part of the beauty of the Internet in general, and ATP in particular, is what it offers to the house-bound portion of society.

Like electronic penpals.

Yes, Mary so true. It is so nice to be able to keep in touch here with like minded people often so far away.

Debra, a good way to put it.

Oh Paul, we are so glad you joined us & bless Betja for suggesting ATP! You've been through hell and I am glad you found something to fill the hours.

I can very much relate to the "hermit" label. I see very few people. I don't deal well with people, in person. I am clumsy, awkward and frequently inappropriate. But I manage ok here, mostly. And I very much appreciate having a place where I can actually have some interaction with others with similar interests. Thanks, Dave and Trish.

So glad you are here, Paul I enjoy your pictures so much