The Liebster Award - Bloggers Making Connections

Today I was honored to find myself nominated for the Liebster Award. It’s sort of a blog hop party but in the form of a chain letter. Before that notion turns you off, think of this as a way to meet other bloggers. I look forward to it, having enjoyed the A to Z Blog challenge in April.

For my involvement I’d like to thank the delightful Strayer, an advocate for stray cats in need. Her blog, Cat Eyes --- A Cat Woman's Photos, includes some really great photos as well as stories, both about cats and life in general. Stopping by is certainly part of my daily routine. I hope you’ll visit her.

As for the Liebster Award, here are the steps needed to participate:

1. Thank the person who nominated you and link to their blog.

2. Give readers 11 random facts about yourself.

3. Answer 11 questions from the blog of the person who nominated you.

5. Nominate 5-11 bloggers for this award (those with fewer than 200 followers is recommended).

6. Come up with 11 questions for your nominees.

7. List these rules in the post, along with said nominees and the questions you wish them to answer.

8. Last but not least, notify your nominees.

9. And, of course, have fun!

Having achieved the first and seventh steps, I will now offer 11 random facts about me.

1.  I have had two-tone dyed hair since before the style became popular.

2.  My most complete music collection is Marilyn Manson.

3.  If I won the lottery, I’d open an animal shelter.

4.  I usually prefer the company of animals to people.

5.  Most of my life was spent in denial that I am a science fiction geek.

6.  Resistance training is my second favorite form of exercise behind swimming.

7.  I want to invent a force field that lowers gravity immediately around a person’s body for both safety and convenience.

8.  It just occurred to me that the aforementioned invention would also be a fantastic beauty tool (!) – no more sagging.

9.  The ocean is my favorite type of vacation spot.

10.  One goal is to learn something new every single day.

11.  I can go days without Internet access and not feel deprived.

With that last admission, I still must say that I enjoy connecting with fellow writers online. Anyway, here were the questions Strayer asked of me:

1.  Cats or dogs? Well, my partner prefers cats, so we have feline companions but I greatly appreciate most dogs.

2.  Your favorite book? Ooh, that’s tough. I suppose I’ll go with Stephen King’s “It” which I return to every few years, but Mr. King’s “The Stand” is a close second.

3.  Your favorite movie? That would have to be “Cousins” with Ted Danson and Isabella Rossellini.

4.  Mass transport commute or your own car? My own car, for sure. I don’t like crowds and really enjoy freedom of movement.

5.  Eat out or eat in? That depends upon my mood, though there have been a lot of restaurant bills racked up recently. ~grin~

6.  Noise or silence? Silence is golden. As much as I love music, it’s rarely played loudly.

7.  Crowds or Alone? I definitely prefer being alone. It doesn’t matter if I’m in a lake, on a mountain trail, or sitting at home. I’ve even attended movies and concerts by myself.

8.  Have you ever been to a county fair? Absolutely! They are fun even now that I’m grown up, though I hate that they always happen when temperatures are high.

9.  Jet ski or kayak? I would probably prefer a kayak, if only for that noise issue. Interesting question!

10.  TV or book? I much prefer to read, though I do adore movies.

11.  City or country? I’m definitely a country girl for the most part. However, I have enjoyed visits to St. Louis and Chicago.

Now I will list my nominees in alphabetical order. I hope they have the time and inclination.

A. Catherine Noon

Loved As If

Random Thoughts---Naba 

Rott-I-Tude

My Mutt Riley

Vidya Sury

And here are the questions which came to my mind. I’ll be interested to read how any takers of my nomination respond.

1.  Do you prefer rainy days or sunshine?

2.  Have you ever been to an opera?

3.  Would you prefer to say you climbed Mount Everest or took a deep sea dive?

4.  Are you afraid of spiders?

5.  What is your favorite morning beverage?

6.  Would you rather walk or ride?

7.  Do you own a motorcycle, or would you perhaps like to?

8.  What would be your dream job?

9.  Would you prefer attending a music concert or a comedy show?

10.  What is the last book you finished?

11.  Which would you choose, a romantic comedy or a horror flick?

Now, I’m going to devote myself to the first exercise in “The Ninety Day Novel” alongside some local writers. Should be a fun summer project.

Happy June first, all!

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Gratitude Circle - May of 2015

Vidya Sury is a delightful blogger whom I am blessed to have met through the A to Z Blogging Challenge in April. Joining her on the Gratitude Circle this fourth Thursday in May seemed ideal.

Without further ado, here are five things for which I'm grateful.

1. For EMTs - some of those brave emergency responders were called in the middle of the night to help my Mom when her leg would not support her weight. (I thank you!)

2. Mom is expected to be fine. ~whew~ Though prayers and thoughts would still be appreciated as she will likely need knee replacement surgery.

3. To my dad for looking out for her and taking good care.

4. To my sister-in-law who is taking time out of her busy nursing schedule today to check in on Mom.

5. For 1-800 Flowers. With my few moments spent online, she should be getting this adorable flower puppy before the end of the day. (I like the bandaged paw.)

 

The bouquet was not cheap, but well worth the money to brighten my mom's day when my parents live way too far away for a quick visit.

You can find my dear new friend at Vidya Sury - Going A-Musing, Collecting Smiles. I hope you'll join us. In the meantime, have a blessed day!

What's Your Cowboy Name?

Watching the show "American Pickers" yesterday, I heard something fun. The guys said that your cowboy name would be the first car you ever owned paired with the last name of the first love interest you ever kissed.

Mine would be Regal Blinco, which I think sounds pretty darn cool. What about you?

Saddle up, partner!

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Bliss Interrupted - A Haiku for the Day

Bliss Interrupted

Weightless, earthbound flight

She emerges wet, shriveled

Gravity drags her

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Tuesday Tidings

Today is a one I like to dedicate to reflections upon the blessings in my life. In that spirit, I must say that I'm thankful for the following five things:

1. Words and Writing - my life would not be the same without them

2. Mom - who read to me when I was a little girl and shares my love of language

3. Dad - for kicking my butt at Scrabble and thereby teaching me strategy outside a strength in spelling

4. Having both parents - I'm thrilled by a low divorce rate in my immediate family

5. Parents with diversified interests - Corvettes, gardening, pets, and music are fondly shared delights

My friends at the Writer's Retreat Blog are in on the joyous fun. I hope you will join us for:

Gratituesday in the Zen Garden

 

Tuesday Tidings for May 12, 2015

A month or so ago, my fellow authors on the Writer’s Retreat blog decided it would be a joyous thing to start sharing five blessings every Tuesday. They might be intimately personal issues or have more of a world view, and items may vary from the silly to the profound. It’s all about bringing some positive energy into the world. I hope you enjoy my inaugural entry:

I’m thankful:

1. my home is filled with laughter.
2. I enjoyed a wonderful week visiting the Atlantic Ocean.
3. the spring weather appears amenable to planting annual flowers and vegetables (note the operative word ~grin~).
4. it’s still early enough that I can visit the YMCA and achieve some other chores before lunch.
5. for plastics which, despite various negative connotations, make my modern life so much more comfortable than I can imagine without the stuff.

Since my daily journal entries open with five blessings per Julia Cameron’s “The Artist’s Way” teachings, I hope to keep the lists varied. It’s a rare day that nothing comes to mind even if there are perennial repeats I cannot avoid.

At any rate, the title for this came to me shortly before rising for the day. Is “tidings” too antiquated a word? I’d appreciate suggestions, as well as reading what blessings you can name today.

When we have a group linky set up on the Retreat, I’ll share that here and you are welcome to add an entry from your own blog if you wish. Happy Tuesday!

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A Day in a Cat's Life

On vacation last week, I found this really cute rug for either my kitchen or bathroom (I haven't yet decided). The colors and ocean crab theme fit the bathroom but would also work near my dishwasher to reduce foot fatigue, as well. Well, my cats like the new rug right where it is, not far from their food bowls.

They've been taking turns on it. Today, Tilly really cracked me up because I sometimes call her Jelly Bean when she lies around with her round belly hanging out. And guess what name the manufacturer's chose for their rug brand?

By Popular Demand... Garden Photos!

Thank you, dear bloggers, for requests to see photos of my garden. It's early, so there will be many more interesting things. But here are what has been happening this spring.

Crocuses Peaking Between Tulip Leaves

Flower Bedecked Memorial to My Beloved Cat

Hellebores Heaven

 

My Rebuilt Little Retaining Wall

I look forward to planting annuals next week. What's blooming, plant or otherwise, in your neck of the woods? Happy gardening!