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.
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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.
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