I was fired up this morning, having gotten a full meal of States Gone Wild. Yes, I’m talking about you, Arizona and gun reactionaries in Arkansas and Florida (again). I’m too mad to write a coherent post about them. Plus, the sun is out and I don’t want to be mad all day long. Instead, I’m going to write about you. Well, some of you. I’d be here all day long if I wrote about every one of the lovely bloggers I’ve met in the last couple of years. So please don’t take offense if I haven’t included you in this particular post.
First of all, here are some terrific blogs I’ve run across recently:
The Last Half: Eclectic, offbeat and occasionally profane. I’ve enjoyed a random reading of her posts over the last week. I love blogs that run on brain power.
Almost Iowa: Gentle humor, close to home. Found him through a funny MIA blogger that has recently come back to life, ad-libbed.
True Boots: I found this blog through Freshly Pressed. This writer has a dizzying array of life experiences that make for interesting and edifying reading.
musing: A book lover’s oasis – this is a lit journal out of Parnassus Books, an independent bookstore in Nashville, owned by Karen Hayes and Ann Patchett (yes, THE Ann Patchett). It has book recommendations and lovely interviews by authors. I learned about this site from its editor, Mary Laura Philpott, the writer at I Miss You When I Blink.
Ruth Rainwater at New Beginnings and Gratitude Journal: Since 2012, Ruth has been a kind reader and an erudite commenter on this blog. She is also a writer and has participated in NaNoWriMo. Late in 2013, she was diagnosed with Stage 4 adenocarcinoma. I consider her a friend, even if it is only online. What strikes me about Ruth is that despite the harrowing and painful challenges of treatment, she is, as I have come to expect, a person who roots out the positive, doesn’t wallow for too long and gets on with things. Many of us get flattened by the smallest of challenges – I like that there are people who lead by example. Thanks, Ruth.
Kathryn Sparks at kiwsparks: I tend to be drawn towards writing-focused blogs, but Kathryn’s posts really add color to my reader. She does fabulous illustrations, poetry and commentary that shows her gentle sense of humor and curiosity about the world around her. She recently released a book Miss Kitty’s Fabulous Emporium of Magical Thinking: Drawings & Other Artworks, Tall Tales and Weird Creatures (Volume 1). She is also a generous reader and commenter. Thank you, Kathryn.
Here are some shorter thank-yous, but only in length, not intention:
Thank you to S. Smith for your lovely notes to myself and my daughter. We served to be the worst Beta readers ever, but your 3rd book, Heirloom, in the Seed Savers series did not suffer for our procrastination. Your kindnesses have not been forgotten, but I think I’ve established that I’m a procrastinator!
Thank you to Honie Briggs. I’ve missed your witty repartee, but I know you’ve been busy accomplishing big things offline. Thank you so much for your generosity following NaNoWriMo 2012. Wine and chocolate were never so delightfully received!
Gratitude to Dave over at 1pointperspective. Every day I get to see the talented drawing on the wall above my desk – a depraved Easter Bunny. Some shit is just funny. Thanks so much for the repeated amusement!
Thank you to a lovely friend, Sandy Sue, over at A Mind Divided. It turns out the world is a small place and we have a lot in common. Her emails and quirky cards have made the blogosphere a friendlier place to be.
There are many more bloggers, writers, artists and photographers that I could thank here, but my attention span is even shorter than yours.
◊ ◊ ◊
I have noticed over this winter that longstanding blogging buddies are beginning to fade. This seems to be a natural occurrence in the lifespan of a blog, but I am rallying for another busy writing year and I value the community here – it keeps me from going completely nutters writing on my own.
This is my version of the Obligatory, Self-Congratulatory 2 Year Anniversary Post (January). Thank you so much to the readers and commenters who have taken the time to read, like or comment on posts. And now, we return to our regularly scheduled programming. Maybe not now now, but later for sure. Eventually.
The Green Study 
Congrats on your two year anniversary, Michelle! These all sound like fabulous bloggers. Thanks for the list. It’s good to get re-energized with new material. I have seen a lot of bloggers come and go, too.
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Thanks, Amy. I’ve been following your blog title change and use of your name. At some point, I’ll need to do something similar or start a new blog. I’d like to have some staying power, but I do understand that offline life always takes priority.
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Congratulations on your two year anniversary and so glad to hear your blog will not be added to the list of the fade-outs.
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Thank you! I’ve felt a little sad, as I reviewed my list of blogs that I follow, that so many have disappeared. One does get attached to voices and stories here.
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Oh. My. I have been fighting to rise from a personal slough of despond, with which your compliment of yesterday did so much to assist (um…that’s in rising, of course, rather than in adding to the slough goo), and then to see you choose to do THIS! To praise The Last Half publicly on your site, and feature a link in your opening words!
Well, of course–it drove me even deeper into the muck. Thank you SO much! For now, the pressure is on. Now I must, I suppose, live up to some standard to which I feel entirely unable to meet. Sigh..I guess now I’m supposed to thank you. Hmphh..
Seriously, Michelle, what a fantastic surprise and honor. Thank you.
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No pressure, seriously! Just keep on keeping on. It’s always a delight to discover a unique voice, so thank you! There have been some very kind bloggers in my journey that sent readers my way and I am glad to do the same for others.
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Thanks for some good ones, Michelle!
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Thanks, Luanne. I think I am going to do this more often. I should do a post next month on writer’s blogs. Your memoir series has been fabulous and would be a prime candidate!
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Hah, thanks! Seriously, it’s a great idea. I mean, in our blogging world, almost all bloggers find the subject of blogging and bloggers really interesting. So it’s a great topic for all your blog readers.
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Don’t fade away! I so enjoy your writing. I haven’t faded away – just been away from good internet for a while. The journey continues.
Congratulations on two years. It’s a time consuming commitment. Even so I look forward to exploring some of the blogs you’ve recommended. Thank you. And thank you again for your wonderful writing. I’m often in awe of your posts.
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I wish I had the travel excuse for not posting as much. Mostly it’s just late winter malaise! Thanks for all your kind words. I’m keeping at it, but it’s a challenge due to the time and on occasion, the distraction from getting offline work done. It’s always about balance, isn’t it?
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Constantly a challenge to find the right balance. I so enjoy my online life, and of course real life is always calling. Sometimes finding a balance really stresses me. It’s ongoing lessons in surrender and not taking the blog, or myself, too seriously (rolls eyes at self) 🙂
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Wow, Michelle, what can I say? Thank you so much for your kind words. Has it really been two years? See how time flies when you’re having fun!
I enjoy your blog immensely, and I’m so glad you’re not one of the ones that faded away. I will definitely check out the blogs you mentioned here – I need some new ones to follow to replace the fader-outers. 🙂
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You’re welcome, Ruth. I was momentarily concerned, when I saw your post today, that I’d be adding to the battle of not wanting to be defined by cancer. It was my intent to say that you definitely hadn’t been – your strong, generous spirit was in evidence prior to diagnoses.
Thanks for continuing to read my blog – it is greatly appreciated.
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No fear, Michelle, you didn’t add to the battle at all – I never even thought that. 🙂
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And I live in Arizona, but please don’t hold that against me. 😦
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Well, if I owned a business, I’d still let you in the door!
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🙂
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Congratulations on your anniversary. And, thanks for turning me on to some other fantastic bloggers! Cheers!
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Thank you for your kind wishes! I sometimes regret how little time there is to read so many interesting, unique and funny blogs!
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Let me raise a glass of congratulations for two years. And here’s hoping you have a great three years.
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Thanks, Don! I went through a rough patch over the last few months. We like to call it winter here. But I feel optimistic for the year ahead, on and offline.
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Thanks a lot, Michelle. More places to waste my time. Sigh.
But congratulations on two years. I’ve been following for one as we met over the Holidays in 2012. And I too have seen lots of folks fade out over time. It’s not like losing a friend — it IS losing a friend.
Here’s to more years!
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You’re so very welcome Elyse! If there is anything that I’ve become particularly adept at, it’s gobbling up huge amounts of time doing essentially nothing!
Thanks for the congrats. I remember being so grateful that there was at least one other person to “talk” to during my shift for Company for Christmas that year! Online friendships do matter, but they are an odd lot. Sometimes bloggers just disappear, but the nature of the friendship deems that one may never know what happened. Of course, now that I think about it, I’ve had a few offline friends like that over the years, too.
So glad to still be here!
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Thanks so much for the kind shout out!
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You’re welcome!
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For the record, I sip my steaming cup of Joe out of a Green Study mug every morning! As for the Easter Bunny, I’m glad he still gets you grinning. Thanks for the shout out, and for all your great posts!
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And back at you, Dave! So glad you’re still blogging away. I have to admit a particular fondness for that sketch and I hope to see more artwork on your website. Ah yes, I remember those mugs – from a day when I actually had time to run contests and be frivolous. I hope to have more of those days again soon.
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Two is not too bad. How about double or nothing?
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One blog post at a time, my friend. My ambition has a habit of writing checks that I don’t have the time to cash. Wow, nice dated metaphor, Michelle. If I plan on continuing to blog, I must keep using gold like that – references to 8 track tapes, dial telephones and written correspondence!
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Hi. Michelle…..had to comment ….My four year old grand daughter has a thing about the colour Green- (shades of) have also been a passion of mine too. I have created a project on Art Limited site to honour the colour green too. haha..Sounds silly now I have written this- but here goes anyway: http://www.artlimited.net/project/en/621
http://www.artlimited.net/1876?tabid=10
I enjoy following your blog. All the best, Caryl. Congratulations on your 2nd Anniversary 🙂
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Thanks, Caryl. I have a thing about green as well – nearly all shades of it! I loved the Wallace Series and Saplings 1iii, which reminds me very much of a scene in my novel (birch trees near a lake). Thanks for sharing and your congratulations!
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Congratulations! Here’s a glass of champagne! Always lookin forward to your words. => Now, to check out those interesting blogs you wrote about…😊
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Thank you! You might especially enjoy True Boots, as the writer worked as a logistics coordinator in your country, assisting after the devastating typhoon.
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Well, I can’t wait for the rant—once the steam stops coming out your ears—and you’ve given me a whole list of blogs to go visit. Goody! And as for that other thing, I’m proud to be included. As always, you took the words out of my head.
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My rants are on simmer right now, waiting for some sense of order in my thoughts. I’m so glad we “met”, so I was happy to include you in the list of thank yous.
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Hey, thanks for the shout-out.
You have a great resource here. I am new to the community and it is great to find a place to connect with other bloggers, especially those who write humor essays.
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You’re welcome. I enjoy reading humor blogs, although that is not my particular writing milieu. I’m not sure I have one! Enjoy your blogging journey and thanks for stopping by!
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It’s more like big things offline are kicking my butt. (okay, not entirely) I am incredibly busy these days and have neglected my own blog in recent weeks. I do check in for posts from my faves (this means you) and am always entertained, informed, and inspired when I read what’s been on your mind. We are much of the same mind, you know.Spring break is in a couple of weeks. See ya ’round the playground, Michelle.
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Little things offline are flattening me and I won’t have much to show for all the effort. Ah well. I’m a sporadic blog reader and writer these days, but hanging in there. Winter malaise is coming up hard against my ambition and my ambition is not making headway! Catch you on the upside.
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What a wonderful surprise to come over here for a good read and see your generous note, Michelle! I stand amazed. And I am just plain glad each time I get a few moments in a row so that I can sit down and savor your insightful, provocative, lively writing. It’s an inspiration and makes me glad every time that somehow or other I stumbled into knowing you here. Thanks for that. And may your blog continue to thrive for as long as it pleases you!
Cheers,
Kathryn
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Good grief – I blushed when I read your post today! Especially since I’m having a day when I am tripping over my tongue and can’t find a coherent thought to save my soul. Thank you for your kind words and I’m always happy to share with readers when I find lovely blogs to appreciate. Thanks, Kathryn.
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Thanks for the hat tip, Michelle! Picked up some new reads myself from a few of your suggestions as well while I was here. Much appreciated!
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You’re welcome – glad to see you back in play!
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Pingback: Color Me Surprised | kiwsparks
Thank you for posting this list! I needed some new venues of inspiration! You are wonderful, and I hope you see the clouds part as soon as possible.
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Thanks, Jess. Despite what has now been 3 days of nothing but rain and snow, my personal cloud cover is thinning and I’m emerging from the fog. Now, if I could ever get to the point where I can stop referencing the weather, all the better!
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