Reflections

Kristen and Lisa have both honored me with a Blogger Reflection Award. The award “should make you reflect on five bloggers who have been an encouragement, a source of love, impacted you in some way, and have been a Godly example to you. Five Bloggers who when you reflect on them you get a sense of pride and joy… of knowing them and being blessed by them.”

I'm incredibly flattered, especially considering the other fine company with whom I was listed. I've gotten to know and appreciate both of these women through the wonders of the blogosphere and as much as some people decry what technology has wrought on the world (and I'm sometimes right there with the decriers), I love the friendships I've developed with both Kristen and Lisa (and many others who'll be named posthaste). Now, I'm supposed to list 5 bloggers whom I think deserve this award and display a special logo.

Here's where the trouble begins.

First, I just spent twenty-&#@* plus minutes trying to upload (or download? Maybe that's my problem) the jpeg file. I kept getting error messages, or worse, the happy "DONE" sign and then when I'd try to preview my post there'd be nothing. My reaction didn't show much reflection or godliness (I can already feel the blogger award police coming to take it away). So, I gave up.

Second, I can't pick just 5. I have 9 blogs I want to name. Now, 5 of my 9 have already gotten this award, but even for someone like me who didn't progress past Algebra Two (and I pretty much gave up in there when the teacher introduced imaginary numbers. Please. I have enough trouble with the real ones, thank you very much) that only leaves 4 so I still wouldn't be playing by the rules. So, I'm going to name all 9 with a short reason why.

The Good Girls Kill for Money Club was the first "writing" blog I visited. I'd met Tasha, one of the writers at a conference and she befriended me (the free wine helped). She welcomed me into the blogging world as have her other four co-horts. I'm having lunch with Laura next week.

Melanie Lynne Hauser was also at that same conference, and although she wasn't there for the wine, we became buddies anyway. She not only encouraged me to blog, she helped me navigate myspace. She's a sweetie and her blog always make me smile.

The Debutante Ball and Kristy Kiernan (who's the brains behind the site) is a great blog and they are incredibly generous about promoting other writers. It's through them that I met the next few bloggers.

Larramie has a wonderful site all about discovery. She's thoughtful, generous and has more good ideas than the old Sears Wishbook. She's a true friend of writers and I love her for that!

Therese Fowler is one of the smartest, most thoughtful writers out there (and I'd think that even if we didn't have the same publishing house!). Her posts about writing always send me back to my own pages with new ideas or a fresh approach.

The women at The Writers' Group are funny and wise and are my virtual morning coffee break. I have a hunch when we meet we won't stop talking and laughing for days.

Another blog I've come to look forward to is run by the ladies who make up The Jungle Red Writers. Their weekly posts are like eavesdropping on a discussion of women you're dying to be sitting with.

And finally to Kristen and Lisa, who nominated me--I so admire your dedication to your craft and to your families (not necessarily in that order!). You have welcomed me into the blogging world and make it seem much warmer.

Thanks to all of you for your insight, your generosity of spirit and for making me laugh. I salute you.