Am I the only one who wonders what has happened to some of the blogs I have followed in the eight months since I have discovered the world of blogging? I realize I have not seen a post from a favored blog in quite some time, and I pull up the blog’s home page periodically, watching time grow longer and longer since the last post. Did some tragedy befall the blogger? Did life just get in the way, such that the hours in the day no longer were enough to include a blog post now and then? Did the novelty of blogging wear off?
Or, sometimes there is the abrupt “pulled the plug” message that appears when I click on a gravatar, or look for a blog I have missed:
xyzblog.wordpress.com is no longer available.
The authors have deleted this site.
“What!?” I think, “But, they didn’t say goodbye!”
As we said our goodbyes to one of our four-legged family members this week, I was touched by some of the stories and personal notes left by bloggers old and new. I was again reminded of the diversity of personalities, interests and creativity in the blogosphere. Those who have not discovered the world of blogs and bloggers are missing out on a rich and rewarding community.
So, it is with gratitude I say “thank you” to those who take the time to recognize my efforts, which vary in creativity and/or intellect (or lack thereof) from day to day! The admiration is mutual, so I encourage you to visit their blogs, even if you have been blogging for some time, because you may discover a new or previously unknown blogging voice that resonates with you. As an added twist, I have provided a link to one of the nominators “random” posts. (Did you know that when you hover over the blog’s name in the upper lefthand corner in the WordPress menu bar at the top of your page, an option of “Random Post” appears in the drop-down menu? Can be an interesting way to explore a “new” blog.)
Shelbur 10 ~ The “Liebster” award
Thank you Shelbur 10, whose “slice of life” posts include ones like “Five Ways to Master School Projects.” An award often bestowed upon newer blogs, with questions created by the nominator for the nominee to answer, and each new nominee nominating worthy blogs and creatively drafting new questions for response. Shelbur 10 posed these questions to me:
- Beef or chicken. Why? Actually, I am a buffalo fan when it comes to protein (I shared my love of “Wild Idea Buffalo” in this post, or other organic, sustainable and humane sources of protein.
- What is the thing that you’re the most proud of accomplishing? Raising my children (although I am not done — are we ever? — and perhaps the jury is still out on that by those who may judge our parenting skills a success, or not!)
- Where’s the most interesting place you’ve ever visited, or the place you’d most like to visit? As you know, I enjoy travel, and Italy holds a special spot in my heart, but so many destinations are like comparing apples to oranges it’s hard to pick just one!
- Do you cook? Why or why not? Yes, but my husbands cooks more. Why? Because I like to eat!
- What is your favorite thing you’ve ever written? Was is received the way you expect and/or hoped? One of my favorite blog posts since I started would be the one titled “Important Life Lessons That Family Travel Has Taught Me.”
- Your very favorite pick-me-up song? I always get a smile when I hear “Praan” come up on my iPod rotation — maybe it is because I always am reminded of the inspiring travel video “Where the Hell is Matt? 2008” which introduced me to this music.
- Do you opt for convenience or sustainability? Aka: paper plates or extra dishes to wash? (ps, there are no wrong answers, cause I do both) Sometimes paper plates at the cabin due to lack of running water, but otherwise we do strive for sustainability in this family with most activities we pursue.
- What is one word that you always misspell? Misspelling is not as bad as mispronouncing . . . I tend to do the latter more often than I care to admit.
- What is your stance on raisins? Healthy treat or unwelcome chewy devil? Healthy treat.
- Do you find spontaneity exciting or unsettling? As a typical Type A, I admit I find it unsettling, as I am a planner, but I am getting better as I age.
- What is your favorite beverage? A dark roast coffee or red wine, depending on the day (or time thereof).
Tiny Lessons Blog and Hearing With the Eye ~ Versatile Blogger Award 
Many thanks to Tiny Lessons Blog, who takes us traveling, reflecting and dining — like when she took us on a whirlwind Egyptian food tour in “Kushari and the Thousand Crunches.”
With appreciation to Hearing With the Eye, a young woman wise beyond her years, whose random post directed me to “Happy Friendship Day!” but whose musings often wander much farther afield with some of her exotic travels.
slowgirlfastdog and Maple & Saffron ~ Very Inspiring Blogger Award 
In gratitude to slowgirlfastdog, whose blog resonates with me as another runner with a running dog (in my case, a lab, in her case, whippets!). The random post feature directed me to her most recent post, “We Should Use the Word ‘Super’ More Often.”
And, grazie to Maple & Saffron, a culinary and travel delight to the senses, who have inspired me to place Abruzzo on the travel bucket list when (yes, when, not if!) I return to Italy some day! Their post “Il regno incantato” was my random post response — Google Translate let me know all about a magical place in the woods in Nova Scotia!
The so-called “rules” for the Versatile Blogger and Very Inspiring Blogger awards are similar, so I have grouped for sake of brevity (although I think we may as well throw away the idea of being short-winded at this point of my post!)
- Thank the person who gave you this award
- Include a link to their blog
- Select 15 of your favorite blogs/bloggers to nominate for the Versatile Blogger Award
- Share 7 things about yourself
Seven things about me?
- Before my husband and I had children, we enjoyed researching genealogy — this was before the internet resources really developed, so it meant trips to the local Family History Center (Mormon family history research library) and reviewing microfiche (after kids, the hours in the day never seemed to quite be accommodating enough for activities like this).
- I love arugula.
- I hate eggplant (don’t care how you try to dress it up, I still know it’s there).
- I am pretty respectable with my chainsaw skills, and perfectly fell an overgrown cedar tree that was at the front of our hose, avoiding the other decorative bushes and trees in the yard.
- One of the books currently on my nightstand (I always have a few going at once)? Breaking Night: A Memoir of Forgiveness, Survival, and My Journey from Homeless to Harvard by Liz Murray
- First song that pops up on my iPod when I hit shuffle this time? Sarah McLachlan’s “Do What You Have to Do.”
- What else could you possibly need to know about me?
Bending the rules a bit, I have nominated 15 blogs total, 5 for each award, and tried not to duplicate any award nominations I have previously made. And the envelope please:
Liebster Award Nominees:
Versatile Blogger Award Nominees:
Very Inspiring Blogger Award Nominees:
- From the Bartolini Kitchens
- Grimm’s Furry Tail
- Canoe Communications
- Tricia A. Mitchell
- Spontaneous Tomato
As usual, I invite the nominees to do what they like with the nomination, and feel no obligation to respond, but know they are read and enjoyed (so, please don’t go “blowin’ in the wind” on me!). And, I do recognize some of the nominated blogs do not make a practice of participating in the awards process. I still wanted to pass on my gratitude for the blogs they have created — some full of creative beauty, others full of personal musings, all reflecting time and effort of their authors.
Ciao! ~ Kat
Travel. Garden. Eat. 