Wednesday, July 18, 2007

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.

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wow, thanks, Judy! And you've given me some more good blog reading, with your outstanding list! (And also, of course - congratulations to you!)

(Although now that I've been listed as "inspiring," I'm feeling a little ashamed about my latest post, which pretty much centered around Starbucks' coffee cup lids....)

Therese said...

Melanie (or is it "Melanie Lynne"), I just read that post and am inspired--to tell you that I know that DeKalb oasis, and I-88, and Moline INTIMATELY.

And Judy, geez, make a girl (or nine) blush why don't you?

Hank Phillippi Ryan said...

Oh my goodness..we are very flattered. And you know, when we talked about gettting together for Jungle Red, that's exactly what we wanted to do--just invite everyone for coffee and the latest scoop.

We're all so busy, all of us who read blogs and write them, and I do think one of the things that makes them so attractive (and addictive) is that they're the cyber version of the back fence. Or coffee shop. You know?

A place to find pals you can talk to and rely on and share info with and bounce ideas off of...and not worry about being judged or dismissed. And learn something, too.

And the cool part is that you can show up at the at back fence whenever you want, and everyone will be there.

Judy, I'm so delighted to have cyber-met you. Isn't it amazing it might not have happened any other way? Thank you...

(And Melanie (Lynne?) I'm running right over to see what you had to say about Starbucks lids. That...there are too many sizes and what do you do when you pick the wrong one? Or when the cups are milled improperly and the lids don't fit and the coffee dribbles out?)

xoxo to all
Hank

www.hankphillippiryan.com

Larramie said...

Judy, I'm incredibly touched as well as stunned to be honored yet again for doing something that I love. Thank you.

And if that sounds in part like an Academy Award acceptance speech, so be it because I'm totally dazed.

Judy Merrill Larsen said...

Hey, this is so fun--sorta seems like a virtual happy hour with a bunch of smart, sassy women!

Mel--if you can make a change in Starbucks' lids, you'll be inspsiring for life!

Therese--any blushing is fully deserved (I hope that comes across like I want it to. It's been a long evening)

Hank--hopefully we'll someday meet and dish in real life. Until then, see you in the blogs . . .

Larramie--We like you, we really like you.

Anonymous said...

Hey, thanks for the nomination and thanks for putting all these blog nominations in one place, effectively creating a cruising map!I'm printing out the page and sticking it to my bulletin board. jan

Lynne Griffin and Amy MacKinnon said...

Judy! You shouldn't have, but so glad you did! Coming from the likes of you, it's a true honor. And such company. Of course, I will NEVER be able to figure out how to do the graphic either (such a Luddite). I'm so please you were cajoled into doing a blog because it's one of my favorites.

xoxo,
Amy

Kristy Kiernan said...

YOU'RE THE BEST! Thank you so much :-D I have a guest blogger this Saturday, but I shall do my best next Saturday. Hugs to you for the lovely award, I shall place it upon my imaginary mantle.

Judy Merrill Larsen said...

Jan, Happy cruising. Just don't get too mad at me when you find yourself delaying things you need to be doing because you're bogged down with blogs!

Amy, I'm so pleased you enjoy my ramblings. We luddites have to stick together.

Kristy, hugs back, baby.

Lisa said...

I'm late coming back to the party, but thank you so much for your wonderful words. I'm also excited to expand my world even further and will be checking out your other nominees -- any friend of Judy's... ;)