October 24: Blog Awards

These awards came to me at a perfect time.  While preparing myself for the surgery I wondered - what can I do for my blog while I'm away?  As I've said, I wanted to keep some of the flow going, energy moving, and I knew I wanted to prepare a few postings in advance, but what would they be?  As if by magic, one award came in, and then another the next day, and then I was "tagged".  What better way to keep the flow of energy moving than to guide people to other blogs where I find inspiration? 

The first came from a kindred spirit, at Passions of an Odd Chick, who creates beautifully with both words and her art.  Her posts always leave me touched, and with questions to ponder.

The second came from Connie, a new friend over at Dirty Footprints. Connie is a creative soul who explores her life with great honesty and openness.  Since Connie, is a new online pal, for her award I'm listing people I have just discovered very recently, though look forward to visiting them again and again!

I was tagged by Jennifer Robertson Williams over at Trial and Error, where she shares her daily self, art, dilemmas, dreams, humor, and heart.  So I guess this means I have to share six random things about myself now - which of course is leaving my brain totally blank...

• I became  by vegan nearly 20 years ago after reading Diet for a New America by John Robbins.  He convinced me that not only would I be helping my physical health and the environment, but I'd be deepening my understanding of compassion and ability to live compassionately.
• I cannot throw anything away.  I can imagine another purpose for nearly anything.  Maybe I learned this from my dad.  He used to save burnt out light bulbs - I don't know why!  I know I imagined that he thought someday they'd figure out a way to recharge them - I'll have to ask him!
• I really don't like to travel, so I wish I lived closer to all my friends and family.
• I have a passion for cacti.  I have over 100 plants, and have moved across country more than once.  The Department of Agriculture had to come out and inspect them before one of our moves, to make sure they were disease free crossing state lines!  They are another part of my can't throw things away problem - they are so healthy and grow so well, I take cuttings to keep them under control.  So they multiply...
• I'd pick french fries and stuffed olives over chocolate and sweets any day!
• I just realized that these things are mostly unimportant random things about me and I'm wondering if I should go back and find more 'important' thoughts to raise, instead of wasting words on french fries, so, another thing about me is - I'm always thinking, watching, analyzing, wondering churning and turning things over...

So, in honor of these accolades, let me introduce you to a sampling of a few blogs I'm enjoying these days:

DERYN MENTOCK: 

soulful, exquisitely crafted mixed media artwork, jewelry, book arts, and more.

KRISTEN K:

a multi media artist who does some fun things with book arts and book parts!

JALIYA: 

Beautiful images, thought provoking writing, shared wisdom.

NICOLE BRISCO:

Beautiful artwork - a generous spirit and artist.

ELIZABETH ST. HILAIRE NELSON:

Remarkably detailed and colorful paintings with paper - the ultimate in collage work!

BRIDGETTE GUERZON:

Inspiring and really fine mixed media artwork, luscious imagery that takes me to peaceful places.

HOLLY HINKLE:

Daily artwork on the theme of peace - what more could you want?
JAFA BRIT:

Really interesting multi media artist

My friendly fellow bloggers above may chose to pass on the awards as they see fit- this is simply how I've chosen to share the honor!
Many thanks to all who want to share my blog with others, via the passed on awards.
I like the daily focus and rhythm to my journal and my blog, so I will not participate in them in the future, as they kinda interrupt that flow.  Vikki North created this symbol to represent her decision to withdraw from this practice (and wrote about it) on her Red Chair Gallery blog.

...anymore!

I will continue to share my favorite folks with you, and new finds, by listing them in my side bar.  I also do not do link exchanges, as I find the longer the list, the more diluted and lost the individual gem becomes.  So, you'll see some folks come and go.  As I change, so may my inspirations!