Spatter

Taking Notes

"Life is just one big field trip that I’m taking good notes on". 

 Colleen at Loose Leaf Notes

Twice Honored

I arrived back home the other day to find myself the recipient of two blog awards from Bonnie:

The "E for Excellence" Award

and

The "Toad-ally Awesome" Award

That sure helped make the sciatica fade away!  As I noted recently, Bonnie was one of the first bloggers I "met" and I've long admired her full embrace of the blogosphere. She's exposed to a myriad of bloggers, so to be included in her list...twice...is quite a high for me.

I've added these to the others on my sidebar, not to boast, but because I'm truly proud and honored to have received them.  I couldn't have imagined when I began to write Spatter last August that I'd have any readers, let alone awards given by people who I count among my friends. 

In keeping with the spirit of these awards, I've listed below the blogs I think get an "E for Excellence". I enjoy many blogs, but I especially look forward to my visits with these "Toad-ally Awesome" people:

Susan:  Patchwork Reflections
Colleen: Loose Leaf Notes
Kerri: A Little Piece Of Me
Alice: 10,000 Monkeys
Leanne: Leanne Wildermuth: Artist by Nature
Jen:  Blog In A Cyber Bottle 
Becca: Becca's Byline
Sandy: I Beati
Blue: Ruminations Of A Country Girl
Shannon: Going Crunchy
Country Dew: Blue Country Magic
Janeywan: Life In Westcliffe
Rhea: The Boomer Chronicles
Beth: Blue Ridge Blue Collar Girl

And of course, Bonnie!

Consider yourselves hugged on this Valentine's Day    

 

 

Among The Many

My day started off with a warm fuzzy:  Leanne at Leanne Wildermuth : Artist by Nature included me in her list of many bloggers she enjoys reading.

Thanks Leanne! 

My Day Made

Yesterday was cold, windy and gray here in south Florida, but it felt sunny and warm to me after getting a double dose of compliments from fellow bloggers. They made my day. 

The first came from Becca at  Becca's Byline. She eloquently wrote about a journey...not to any place...but rather, of a spiritual journey on which she's found traveling companions in the "blogosphere". 

She wrote:

"Before long, however, I encountered the outstretched hands of fellow travelers, eager to share their own tales of the road and graciously enthusiastic as I offered mine.  We've traveled quite companionably on this creative journey, never interfering in one another's plans, supportive of each one's desires, encouraging flagging spirits when the road gets tough."

Lo and behold, she went on to describe Spatter as having "pithy informative posts, gorgeous photography, and "on the mark" poetry" and presented this award to me...

Then came Dew at Blue Country Magic who included me in her list of noteworthy bloggers. 

Wow. I'm feeling mighty fine!

As I've noted before, my reason for starting Spatter was solely to use it as a canvas...as an outlet for...my creative juices. I had no idea that anyone but my friends (and not even all of them) would be remotely interested in reading it.  And I certainly had no concept of the blogging community that I came to find. I liken it to a virtual Starbucks: a place where people congregate, but not necessarily at the same time.  They come when they can and when it suits them to share stories, thoughts, opinions, and a variety of interesting factoids. Some are quick and occasional encounters...others actually become friends in a sort of way.

Over the past six months I've come to be a small part of this community and have met some  thoughtful, fun, and talented...very talented...people.  We'll likely never meet in the flesh, but a bond has developed...we've become "traveling companions", as Becca so perfectly put it.

To those who have become my traveling companions...Colleen, Beth, Susan, SandyK, Rhea, Janeywan, Leanne, Blue, Jen, Kerri, Alice, Shannon, EHT, WesleyJeanne...and of course, Becca and Dew...thank you for your gifts. I'm glad to have you along on my journey!

 

Blogger Comments

I see that Blogger has once again provided a way for non-Blogger bloggers to leave a comment with their URL.  You sign in under "Nickname".  A URL box is either there or will drop down.  I don't know when this happened...but I just  noticed it today.  It's nice to have a way to comment with a direct URL link back. 

Thank you Google. I'll take the piece of coal out of your stocking!

Recognized And Recognizing

It always feels good to be recognized. It gives us confirmation. I know...we do well to take care of this need on our own, but it never hurts to get some strokes from another. When someone else recognizes you, it feels good...and it matters. 

It need not be formal. It can come as simply as a nod or a look in the eye from a loved one or even, from a stranger. It's like Neil Diamond's "I Am I Said" only it's "I Am YOU Said".

Recently, Susan at Patchwork Reflections recognized me with a Community Blogger Award.                   

Its an award that celebrates "people who reach out and makes the blogger community a better one".  I'm genuinely touched. to think Susan feels that way about me.  She was one of the first readers of Spatter, and she left comments when hardly anyone else was even aware of its existence.  Like my friends who got me going by subscribing to its feed, she "recognized" me.  Over the past few months, we've come to know each other better...albeit in a virtual sort of way...and now, she's recognized me again.   

In gratitude, I want to pay this recognition forward. Many bloggers are deserving. It's obvious from their posts that they're making the blogger community a better one.  But there are three who made a difference to me early on...and still do:

First is Colleen at Loose Leaf Notes. Colleen is, quite simply, my blogging mentor. She immediately embraced and guided me as I ventured into this unknown medium.  She took the time when she didn't have to, and it's through her that many readers have come my way.   

Then, there's Beth at Blue Ridge Blue Collar Girl. Beth's a kindred soul, I think.  She shares my wit and like me, loves to learn. A while ago she reached out to me with the idea of starting Friday Facts.  Now, and mostly thanks to her, several bloggers participate.

And last, but not least is Blue Mountain Mama at Ruminations Of A Country Girl. I feel a quiet connection with Mama.  She reminds me to be conscious about things that matter.  Her gentle, loving nature embraces all.

To these women, and to Susan, I say "thank-you" as part of my time of giving thanks.

Good For Laughs

This picture is from a post at a blog called  I-Beati where you'll find lots of witty funnies.  Can you guess the caption that goes with this?  Click here to find out.