An Easy Way to Accept an "Award?"

I was presented with the above award last week by Dianne at Thinking About It. I began the laborious process of complying with the requirements for accepting the award--simple enough on the surface--just list 15 favorite blogs and pass on the tribute.

I had created the links--twice, in fact--each time "blogger" gobbled them up and whooshed them off the screen.  [Not my fault--blogger is the scapegoat!]

Another stipulation for dealing with the award is to compose a meme of 7 things which should fascinate my readers who don't have the priviledge of knowing me in person.

Here goes.

1. I am terrified of snakes. Any kind of snakes.

2. J. and I have been married 47 years this evening.

3. I am not a morning person, but I prefer to be the first one out of bed and about, snatching a few moments of peace before the day is launched.

4. I can--and do--read most anywhere there is light enough to see.

5. When I lose my temper, I lose it badly.

6. Quiet time is very important to me.

7. I have an imagination that works over time.

I've been thinking a bit about why we create blogs, why we "follow" certain blogs.

I expect there are many more good writers publishing than I have discovered, but there have to be limits on how many I can keep up with.

Shared interests are the initial key in reading a blog. I have found most of my favorites through visiting other bloggers' lists. I don't have to have everything in common with someone who becomes a valued blogger, but several key factors are a common thread in those blogs to which I return eagerly. 

I enjoy people who are observant and can distill the essence of an experience or a particular setting and then share it in a manner which makes me want to know more. 

I am drawn to bloggers [as well as "real life pople"] who are creative--who make beautiful things in most any medium, whether it is a craft that I share or not.  Reading about, seeing photos of what others have made, is inspiring.

I return to writers who are "word-smiths"--who take care to search out just the right phrase or word to express themselves, writers who have an individual "voice."

There are blogs which appeal for a short time only.  There are great bloggers who seem to fade from the scene and their last post is disappointingly from weeks or months ago.

I think most of us would agree that we love comments!

Sometimes the exchange becomes so lively that we end up with a new pen-friend, one whom we would love to meet, to share an outing or a cup of tea.

I suspect that many of us create blogs because we simply are compelled to write, have always done so in the form of a private journal or in vast and bulky letters to family and friends.

I enjoy my little community of blogging friends.  Your comments add much to my days.

If you would enjoy passing on the award, I will enjoy your participation.  If you are busy or not inspired to do this exercise, that's OK too.

Do try some of the blogs on my list--you may find a new kindred spirit. These are listed in no particular order and all the links were working when I tried them.

Letters from a Hill Farm
Morning Ramble
Glimpsing The Past
Mac n Janet
Crivens Jings and Help Ma Blog
Journaling the Journal
Railway Cottage
Codlins and Cream 2
We Three, Ginger Cats Tales
Circle of the Year
Thread Tales
Lanier's Books
Where Beechmast Falls
Somerset Seasons
Flamblogger