A Versatile Blogger

I have to thank Marc Latham for nominating this blog for a Versatile Blog award.  Marc’s blog is about a style or kind of poetry that he invented – Folding Mirror Poetry.  I first met Marc at Writelink. In the past he has been kind enough to publish a couple of my own attempts at the folding mirror poetry structure, and he includes a link to this blog in his side bar.   I love visiting his blog to read his poems, and the explanations of how they came about. I’m delighted that he received The Versatile Blog award for his own site, and really honoured that he selected mine as another recipient. Thanks a million, Marc. 

According to the requirements of the award I should now:

• Nominate 15 other bloggers
• Inform my nominees
• Share 7 random facts about myself
• Thank those who nominated me
• Add a picture of the award to this post.

Now I know that some bloggers find responding to awards a chore that they just can’t find time for. So I don’t want anyone to feel they have to accept and comply.  Here are the 15 other bloggers I’ve chosen just to let them know that I really appreciate and recommend their blogs.

http://apostcardaday.blogspot.com/ - I learn a lot from this blog. The author gives fascinating facts about the views on the postcards. Sometimes I recognise them and am able to supplement her comments, and they can bring back lovely memories from down the years.

http://www.buckrob.com/ - life as seen by an old timer like me, but living very differently in another country. I particularly enjoy reading about his generous sponsorship of children in South America, and the holidays he takes to visit them.

http://myqualityday.blogspot.com/ - another writer’s blog that I really enjoy. It’s so versatile, you never know what you’re likely to be reading about. Great photos too. She has other blogs as well, and I can thoroughly recommend her e-book, News from Dead Mule Swamp, as a darn good read.

http://annasadornments.blogspot.com/ - a very versatile blogger, writer and maker of delightful jewellery.

http://www.rvcruisinglifestyle.blogspot.com/ - the versatility here is visiting so many different places.  It’s the story of a wonderful life on the road, catching up with family and friends on the way, and getting to see so many wonderful places to share on the blog.

http://eastcoastlife.blogspot.com/ - a blog about many aspects of Singapore, where I lived for a couple of years in the dim and distant past.  It’s great to get glimpses of familiar sights and to see how much it has changed, with yet another view of lif3e in a distant part of the world.

http://photographybykml.blogspot.com/ - another must visit blog for me, with a new photo and explanation each time it is updated.

http://livingthegourmet.blogspot.com/ - mmm, those gorgeous food pics accompanying easy to follow recipes: a versatile cook indeed.

http://fullet-secretforest.blogspot.com/ - this one is based in Spain, Catalan in fact. But I can’t fault the bloggers English, and I’m green with envy over his holiday break in Paris.

http://john-sealander.blogspot.com/ - another of my favourites who updates daily, so I often have to read several posts to catch up. And it’s always a pleasure. John has a knack for making the mundane aspects of  life seem riveting.

http://jean-livingsimple.blogspot.com/ - another Jean, who writes about the birds that visit her garden, and captures the most fantastic photos of them.

http://poeticshutterbug.blogspot.com/ - another great photographer, and traveller based in San Fransisco.

http://writingnag.blogspot.com/ - this is where I go sometimes when I’m looking for inspiration. I always find something here that will set my mind off and wake up the muse.

http://bobscotney.blogspot.com/ - Bob’s Home for Writing is as versatile as a writer’s blog should be. Lots of research goes into it, and there is always something fascinating to read.

Here are the seven facts I choose to reveal about myself.

1                     I started blogging here nearly four years ago.

2                     I also have another blog over at Writelink.

3                     I think more people read my blogs than anything else I write.

4                     I have quite a large portfolio of articles at Constant Content.

5                     I was born in Torquay, the Queen of the English Riviera.

6                     When I was 34, I went back to education for five years and got my degree as a mature student when my own children were 16 and 10.

7                     As a teenager, my passions were horses and writing. I still love horses although I don’t ride these days, and the writing goes on for ever.

Another Award

It’s a long time since I received an award for my blog so I’m thrilled to have this one passed to me by Mel of Home Sweet Home.  She told me just before we went on our week’s holiday at the beginning of the month, so I need to apologise for taking so long to acknowledge it publicly.

 Now I need to fulfil the responsibilities that come with it.  First I have to report 7 Random Things About Me, so here goes:

1. I have two blogs.  This one and another at Writelink.

2. I am a senior blogger, but I’m not going to tell you how senior.

3. I am only semi-retired from my business, which was called Winning Communications, because as soon as I decided to retire, an old client came back to me.

4. Nowadays I like to call myself a freelance writer and write whatever I want, but I also have some sub-contract work.

5. Last year I had a dream come true when I moved to a new house at the seaside.

6. I live with my husband, a retired taxi driver, and currently with my son who is in his 40s but needed somewhere to park when a relationship went badly wrong.

7. We used to have a dog and a cat, but they have both gone to the great animal home in the sky.  Now we just like to look after pets for our friends and had a doggie house guest last weekend along with my seven year old granddaughter.

Finally I need to pass this award on to some of my versatile blogger friends.  This time I’ve selected:

At Home With Auntie E

Laane's Path

Patsy’s Words of Wisdom

Communication Exchange

The Way I See It

A Writer’s Muse

East Coast Life

There are some I know that have already received it, and many more who deserve it as well, including some that have given up accepting awards, and I thought I’d just mention the first seven that otherwise came to mind.  Please don’t be upset if I have left you out this time; I truly appreciate each and every one of  you.  On the other hand, if you’ve been named and don’t have the time or energy to respond, that’s all right too.  I don’t want to add to anyone’s pressures.  Just writing a blog and driving in traffic is hard enough sometimes.

HI - I'm Back

Thanks to whomever it was that infected me with a deadly Trojan, I’m £110 poorer but I now  have a clean and very different looking desk top, minus all those programmes I never used and, indeed, some of which I found quite useful.  Never mind, all my work was saved and I haven’t lost anything crucial.

Now, at last, I can respond to my Attitude of Gratitude Award, passed to me by Lily of Essays and Utter Nonsense.  Thank you so much, Lily.  I really appreciate it, and the fact that this blog is included in your list of those you love to read, as well as all the lovely comments you leave for me. 

Here are the rules for this award: 

1.  Put the logo on your blog or post.

2.  Nominate at least 10 blogs that show an Attitude of Gratitude.

3.  Link to your nominees within your post.

4.  Comment on their blogs to let them know they've received this award.

5.  Share the love and link to the blog and the person who nominated you for this award

6  Tell us how you've come to have an Attitude of Gratitude. 

Like so many others, I didn’t know what I was getting into when I started this blog.  But I’m so glad I did.  It’s well worth all the hours of writing and reading and commenting and EC dropping and other ways of traffic building.  I’ve learnt so much, found so much help and made some wonderful virtual friends.  It’s given me a way to express whatever is on my mind, and even been cathartic at times, so I feel better about myself, or just feel better after I’ve posted.  Especially when I get lovely comments from people like Lily and the ones I’ve nominated below.  (Sorry but, like Lily, I really can’t manage the full ten.) 

Dori of From a Yellow House in England.  This is a popular blog that has received plenty of awards before, but I haven’t noted this one.  And Dori is always expressing gratitude and appreciation in her posts. 

Stacey at Behind the Bit.  I love reading this blog even though I am no longer in the horse world myself.  Stacey has a grateful attitude through her great variety of posts, and I am certainly grateful for her blog. 

John at The Ups, Downs and Sometimes Insane World of Freelance Writing.  John is a fellow Writelinker who has been through a lot just lately.  I’m very grateful for the help he gave me when I started blogging and I know he is grateful for the support he has received from bloggers in recent months.  Power to your elbow, John. 

Joanne at Poetic Shutterbug .  She shares such beautiful poems and photographs on her various blogs, that I know she is grateful for all the wonders around us. 

David of Alone on Earth.  Because of the nature of his blog, I’m sure David will not feel able to respond to this award.  But perhaps he can put it in his sidebar.  I include him because I am so grateful for the hours of pleasure I’ve had reading this fictional diary.  It’s hard to believe that, apart from the blog, he is not yet a published writer.

Some Blog Awards

A few days ago, I received these three awards from Jon at The Ups, Downs and Sometimes Insane World of Freelance Writing. Thanks, Jon. That is so good for my morale.

I’ve copied his instructions word for word.

"Most bloggers are familiar with the routine, but for those of you who aren’t here’s what to do if you’re tagged in this post.

Pass the award on to seven blogs of your choice.

Link back to the blogger who gave you the award / awards.

Let the new winners know they have received an award by commenting on their blog.

You don’t have to accept the awards. You can take one or take all three, the choice is yours."

There are so many awards doing the round these days, it’s quite difficult to choose blogs that haven’t already received these awards before. I’ve tried not to duplicate all three but I know some of the following have already received at least one of them before, so please forgive any duplications. These are all blogs that I find a pleasure to read:

A Postcard a Day

A Singaporean in London

Behind the Bit

Nicole Humphrey's Writing Space

Gewgaw Writings

Coastal Commentaries

Daisy the Curly Cat

I hope you will click on their links and share my enjoyment of them.

The Arte y Pico award

I am thrilled to receive this award from A Postcard A Day, which is one my favourite blogs. I only found out yesterday because I’ve been away for a few days and busy getting ready beforehand, and afterwards catching up. I’ve no idea why you gave me the award, but thank you, Sheila.

The rules of this tag are as follows:

1) You have to pick 5 blogs that you consider deserve this award for their creativity, design, interesting material, and also for contributing to the blogging community, no matter what language.

2) Each award has to have the name of the author and also a link to his or her blog to be visited by everyone.

3) Each award winner has to show the award and put the name and link to the blog that has given her or him the award itself.
4) Award-winner and the one who has given the prize have to show the link of "Arte y Pico" blog, so everyone will know the origin of this award. http://arteypico.blogspot.com/.

Make sure you visit the link above.

So, in my turn I tag:

The Ups, Downs and Sometimes Insane World of Freelance Writing

Ken Armstrong Writing Stuff

Mature Not Senile

Monkey Fables and Tales

Copywriting Tips and Ideas

Happy blogging, folks.