The Lowdown on the Upside of NPM

Whew! (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

 

Where did April go? Wasn’t it Sprink Break just a blink ago?  And now I’m making plans for Memorial Day Weekend and soon after school’s out.  Time doesn’t fly these days–it hyperlinks!

 

Among other celebratory events residing in April, Library Week being one such, I choose to go the whole tamale and celebrated National Poetry Month every single day. Planning a daily post involved some careful coordination and creativity.  Have I mentioned how much I appreciate the scheduling feature of WordPress? Couldn’t have done the super stretch of 30 posts without it.

 

I’m in a reflecting kind of mood here, so please bare (bear?) with me for a nanosecond or two. As I get ready to go back to my regularly scheduled program mode I’m not sure I shall.  I learned some things whilst committing to a month of poetry.  Here is my lowdown on the upside of celebrating National Poetry Month:

 

• a lot of people like poetry–which gives me hope my students will one day grow out of the lip curl mode when immersed in that required unit
• I gained about 20 new followers–that’s darn right pleasing
• WordPress makes it easy to batch post–that schedule feature (again)
• there are a lot of people who want to tell me all about their marketing ideas–thanks, but no thanks, I really do like my day job
• I had fun selecting various themes and posts–it wasn’t as difficult as I thought to come up with a variety of post material
• And I got an award!

 

 

Thanks JenniferK! New blogging follow and a fellow writer.  I think this is the spiffiest award yet–I like the razzle dazzle bling.

 

I will have to come back and name the three or so new blogs to pass on the award.  I really haven’t had time to sift through all the new blogs I’ve come across this month, but hope to set aside this weekend to do so.

 

Last bit of reflection (you’ve been so wonderfully forbearing–here, have a cookie…)

 

 

I’ve decided with May’s arrival, which coincides with Spring–renewal, and all that new growth stuff, I shall try a new direction with the posties.  Something old, something new, and something cool.  The ideas are percolating.

 

Until next post,

 

Blue Skies
CM

 

 

 

Related articles

• No Fooling It’s National Poetry Month (cricketmuse.wordpress.com)
• Npm Faq (cricketmuse.wordpress.com)

 

Pinning My Interests Away

I’m stuck.  I’m stuck on the how and why I am venturing out on the newest craze of “HeyLookAtMe” socializing: this week it’s Pintrest. It must be that hermit in me that is holding out on sticking up photos of couches, cupcakes, book covers, pets, and favorite movies. I don’t get the concept of pinning up photos.  But that’s a whole ‘nother post in itself.

English: Red Pinterest logo (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I’ve been doing some pondering of late about the whole tizzifying concept of web presence.  If publishers, agents, editors, even fans (thinking someday potential) exonerate and extol the virtues and necessity of working The Web–well, then I guess it should be done.  I thought I was doing pretty well with a biweekly post to my blog.  Apparently that’s not enough.  I should have a Facebook account (I don’t).  I should also Tweet, Tumble, Stumble Upon, and be Linked In with others–I did try, but the bigger question came up: when exactly am I to find time to write if I’m busy telling everyone that I’m writing?  Here’s some more figuring, a step up from pondering:

It takes time to …

• Sign up
• Create a profile
• Check messages
• Answer messages, invitations, reply back
• Update the profile page
• Again
• Redecorate the home page
• Again
• Create a post
• Postdate my posts
• Get lost visiting other blogger’s sites
• Leave pithy comments
• And on, and on

All this activity consumes my precious time needed to write.  I decided I found myself running around checking too many little fires instead of enjoying the warmth of the bigger one I had built.  That’s metaphor speak for all that time and energy linking, tweeting, facing, and pinning, and stumbling, and what other web verbage is out there, left no time for the actual purpose of kindling* those web fires in the first place: my real writing–picture books, YA novels, poetry, middler reader renderings.  My cow joke manuscript is languishing.  I should be pursuing that publisher tip I received last year at the SCBWI conference. Yes, there are publishers who looking for a cow joke book for their list.

Sigh. My writing languishes while I coax and blow on the embers of a handful of hopeful flames of recognition.  So I shall not be poking at smolderings any longer; I shall stick to the toasty warmth of WordPress.  Especially since I’ve discovered the scheduled post option.  I now have time to attend conferences, revise current projects, and reflect upon yet another rejection letter.

So, wonderful reader(s)–have you found that all those web verbage fires leave you a bit cold, considering all the effort it takes to get them going?

*kindle, Not Kindle–not an intentional pun

Blue Skies,
CM

Related articles

• Pinterest Launches Web Analytics to Help You Pin Down Traffic (news.terra.com)
• What’s So “Pinteresting”? (jmuwomensstudentcaucus.wordpress.com)
• Social Networking: A Guide (insureyes.com)

Calling All Bibliophiles

Saturday I decided to go visiting other bloggers and what a fun time!  There are soooo many interesting people and posts out there. It’s blogdelicious!  I invited folks to join up on Book Boosters, which is a recognition page of bibliophiles (lovers of books), and whopping 15 people responded and we are now sporting a roster of 55 Book Boosters.

If you would like to add your name to the roll call of Book Boosters simply drop me a line.  I look forward to hearing from you

Do you love books?

Do you have favorites you read, recommend, and even re-read?

Are you a frequent flyer at the local library?

Are you an on-line regular of book sites, be they promoting to buy, review, or boast books?

Perchance you operate on a need to read basis–you have to have a book in hand, by the bed, stashed in the car, or have one nestled in the backpack.

You then, my friend, are a Book Booster.  And you are in good company.  Add your name to the list and welcome to the shelf of those who appreciate and advance the cause of books.

Join the continuing ranks of Book Boosters:

1.  www.BookWrites.wordpress.com

2.  www.eatsleeptelevision.wordpress.com (adambellotto)

3.  www.homeschoolhappymess.com

4.  www.carolinareti.wordpress.com

5.  www.opinionatedmama.wordpress.com

6.  www.jessileapringle.wordpress.com

7.  www.wcs53.wordpress.com

8.  www.spookymrsgreen.wordpress.com

9.  www.cecileswriters.wordpress.com (Samir)

10.  www.HannahBurke.wordpress.com

11.  www.thecoevas.wordpress.com

12.  www.Jayati.wordpress.com

13.  www.collecthemomentsonebyone.wordpress.com

14.  http://scriptorwrites.wordpress.com (scriptor obscura)

15. http://jinnyus.wordpress.com/

16.  http://1000novelsandme.wordpress.com/

17. http://literarytiger.wordpress.com/

18.  http://chicandpetite.wordpress.com/ (Bella)

19.  http://booksandbowelmovements.com/ (Cassie)

20. http://bookrave.wordpress.com/

21. http://fromagoraphobiatozen.wordpress.com/ (Marilyn Mendoza)

22.http://bibliophiliacs.wordpress.com/

23.  http://thoughtsonmybookshelf.wordpress.com/

24. http://shelovesreading.wordpress.com/

25.  http://ajjenner.com/

26.  http://artsandyouthlove.wordpress.com/

27. http://readingreviewingrambling.wordpress.com/

28. http://365amazingbooks.wordpress.com/

29.  http://beckysblogs.wordpress.com/

30.  http://bookpolygamist.wordpress.com/

31. http://aliciadevoursbooks.wordpress.com/

32. http://readinginterrupted.com/

33. http://bundleofbooks.org/

34. http://bitsnbooks.wordpress.com/

35. http://justonemonkeytyping.wordpress.com/

36. http://alwayscouponing.wordpress.com/about/ (Book Nerd)

37. http://merlinspielen.com/

38. http://valerierlawson.wordpress.com/

39. http://the-room-mom.com/

40. http://gongjumonica.wordpress.com/

41. http://thewritecaravan.wordpress.com/

42. http://bookmust.wordpress.com/

43. http://opinionatedandcuriouskins.wordpress.com/

44. http://theoldbookjunkie.com/

45. http://slawriter89.wordpress.com/

46. http://inatwitter.wordpress.com/

47. http://lifelibertyandthepursuitofacademia.wordpress.com/

48. http://arlenshah.wordpress.com/

49. http://redpeffer.me/

50.http://pambustin.com/

51. http://lostandfoundbooks.wordpress.com/

52.http://lazycoffees.wordpress.com/

53http://thousandmonkeys.wordpress.com/

54. http://thehouseilivein.me/

55. http://joanngrasso.wordpress.com/

SO–Howdja do in your review?

The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2012 annual report for this blog.

With the semester ending or about to, grades come to mind.  The old “Whatdja get?” question comes up, which is either exhilerating or embarrassing.  Having just posted some stats from my one year anniversary, I thought it appropriate to add as a post script the more official WP version.  We are all going to be getting our Blog Report Cards, and they are so graphically pleasing to boot.   Doesn’t WordPress make you feel special?  I wish all their stat monkeys happiness and hope they get some time off for their excellent work.

So howdja do in 2012? Here’s an excerpt form mine (I have no shame, I know):

600 people reached the top of Mt. Everest in 2012. This blog got about 7,000 views in 2012. If every person who reached the top of Mt. Everest viewed this blog, it would have taken 12 years to get that many views.

Mount Everest from Kalapatthar. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

*What a nice way of saying, “Umm, not too impressive in view numbers, but nice try.”  Thanks, WP.  What can I say?  I don’t Facebook, Tweet, Pin, Link, or other social mediatize.  I’m happy with those who find me on WP.  But you’ll raise your blog traffic! I know, I know. Here’s the deal–I’d rather spend those minutes writing another blog post instead of promoting the one I just wrote. 

 

 

Gene Kelly said it best in Singing in the Rain: Gotta dance.  Okay, he would have said, “Gotta Write!” except he loved dancing more.

Cover via Amazon

 

Speaking of anniversaries–I celebrate another one on January 1–yup, the MEPA and I will be celebrating one plus thirty.  One of these days we’ll get that Hawaiian cruise going; for now it’s staycation with a side of a splendorific weekend ala Marriott.

Again:

Happy New Year Blogger Buds

CricketMuse

Click here to see the complete report.

Oops, on my anniversary

WordPress recently reminded me of my one year anniversary.  Oops. Time swiftly flies when having so much fun?  I didn’t acknowledge the anniversary with a card or make dinner reservations or even buy flowers.  And yet, my life has been enhanced by this relationship. I know my writing has improved, I’ve met an amazing array of people, I’ve been enlightened, amused, astounded, and decidedly enriched through my WordPress endeavour.  Here are some highlights so far:

• first post on January 5th (I guess I took a bit between registering and actually posting)
• Ordinary Days was my first blog offering (EagleEyed Editor commented and we have been happily exchanging commentaries since then.  Shout out to 3E!)
• 128 posts so far
• 4 pages
• 44 categories
• 430 tags (I have never really gotten the whole category/tag designation thing–open to clarification)
• 698 comments
• best day ever consisted of 86 views on March 17th and the post concerned itself with bookcases

But stats are rather dry.  It’d be like saying: “During our marriage I’ve cooked over 15,000 meals, washed the windows over 250 times, made the bed at least 565 times, and rearranged the living room at least 17 times.”  Of course these stats are bogus because who keeps track of that kind of stuff?  I do find it fascinating that WordPress keeps stats and sometimes I wander around them finding out what countries have visited, what posts have earned the most looks, and who is making the most comments.  Wouldn’t it be cool to have someone keep stats on our everyday doings like that?  Or not–

That reminds me of the opening  scene fromStranger Than Fiction.  I don’t think Harold enjoyed having his life tracked in such a manner. Actually, I don’t think I would like it either.

After a year, especially moving into a new year, I should become reflective and resolutionated.  Nah.  That’s smacks of banal and boring.  I will offer the following on the evolution of this blog:

• I felt I needed to create a blog since so many writing articles pounded the importance of establishing a platform.  I saw it as a “Build it and the agents will discover you.”  Didn’t that work for Julie of Julie and Julia?
  

  Cover of Julie & Julia

  If you are an agent I am open to talking about that multi-media package of book, movie, and video game.

• The original intent of my blog was to read books, review them, and address how the book helped me as a writer.  I still do that; however, after a few of these entries I decided to spice things up with different book related entries.  I’m still promoting my journey as a writer as a reader through my posts–I’m a bit more eclectic in my approach now.  After all, I don’t eat the same breakfast every morning.
• I’m still learning how to blog.  I just discovered the kitchen sink widget.  Thank goodness I’ve located the undo button.  Colors are fun to write in as well.
• Not content with one blog, I have developed another blog, Veranano, which was a vehicle for my 2012 NaNoWriMo entry.  I didn’t have the heart to disengage Vera once the novel project was completed so I am continuing her entries.  Thinking like a creative fifteen year old who has a singular outlook and variant lifestyle (did I mention her parents are professional writers?) is a stretch for me.  It’s been a while since I’ve been fifteen and she no way represents much of the way I lived life as a teen.  Two blogs with two different directions is a stretch and when I’m writing like Vera I feel a tad schizzy around the edges.
• My Book Boosters page doesn’t rage up into the hundreds of committed bibliomaniacs as I had initially thought.  On the other hand, I’ve not aggressively promoted it either.  Serendipity signer-uppers has been a pleasant way of gaining growth.  Oh, here’s my chance:  Are you a Book Booster yet?  No? I will gladly sign you up and you will enjoy the benefits of finding yourself on the page with other BBers.  No dues, no annual meetings or conferences.  I’m still working on the secret handshake.

So–thanks to all those 153 followers who’ve made this year memorable.

Oh, and WordPress?  Freshly Pressed?  I wouldn’t mind.

WordPress (Photo credit: Adriano Gasparri)

Happy New Year and keep on Pressing,

Blue Skies,

CricketMuse

Related articles

• Happy 1st Anniversary Beauty & Brains! (beautyandbrainsblogger.wordpress.com)
• Happy Anniversary to My 2 Cents! (amommys2cents.wordpress.com)

Inspire me or Alice don’t believe everything you read (or eat)

free speech 2 (Photo credit: dogwelder)

Write about your strongest memory of heart-pounding belly-twisting nervousness: what caused the adrenaline? Was it justified? How did you respond?

Well, that was certainly unexpected.  Have you tried out the “Inspire me” Wordpress widget?  Click “new post” and among the various menu options there is a tantalizing bright blue Alice link.  I say Alice because when she stared at the “eat me” tag, how could she resist?  Naturally I succumbed and clicked and the above prompt is what I received.

In terms of nervousness here is an interesting paradox to consider.  I’m a teacher, right?  I face anywhere from 70 to 90 teenagers a day.  Mostly I know my lesson plan and what I plan to say, yet I am not nervous.  Nope, not at all.  Talking in front of people is what I do. This is why I sometimes am faced with a request to speak at a conference or at a retreat or at an event.

“You’re a natural.”

“I laughed so hard the last time you gave the book talk.”

“We really need someone who is comfortable being in front of people.”

All these comments trap me with their fluttering flattery.  I say “yes” and wither a bit each day until the appointed time.  Why?  I have to face a hostile crowd three times a day (okay, not hostile– how about reluctant?) as I teach high school English.  However, knowing I will be speaking and people will be watching and anticipating information or entertainment revs up the flutterbys to flim flamming around as they ride the nervous elevator up and down until my heart freezes after it’s flip flopped about like the caught trout on the bottom of the boat.  I an hooked, lined, and sinkered waiting until I trod up to the podium. But you know what’s really weird?  Once I’m there it’s okay.  I do much better at spontaneous delivery. Epiphany: It’s that countdown that does me in.

Secondary epiphany: Maybe it’s speaking in front of adults that’s so daunting.  Considering they are more polite than teenagers as an audience I should be thrilled at the aspect of having such a nice captive crowd.  This could be a problem should my all-American novel get published and I have to go on a coast-to-coast speaking tour.

Anyone else get nervous about presentations?

On to business, get off the rabbit trail. A couple of days ago Mary of MaryMeddlemore nominated me for The Very Inspiring Blogger Award and now it’s time to pass it on to other blogs that I find inspiring:
1.  http://mustardseedbudget.wordpress.com/ Speaking out about things of faith and importance

2. http://sethsnap.com/about/ Fabulous photography

3. http://bookpolygamist.wordpress.com Caters to my weakness for words

4. http://lesleycarter.wordpress.com/2012/12/21/a-glimpse-onto-my-real-life-with-instagram/ She is a rock star among bloggers–great blog, great success and to think she stops by and visits my posts now and then *wow*

5. http://thebettermanprojects.com/2012/12/21/day-369-my-life/ A most amazing motivational blog

6. http://mikeallegra.com/a-bit-of-bio/ Recently published his first children’s book and that is very inspiring to me

7. http://makesomethingmondays.wordpress.com/2012/12/14/ How does she come up with all those ideas?

 

Usually I don’t bend the rules (I’ve earned quite the reputation for being quite the policy stickler, in fact), yet I’ve got this Agatha Christie I’m needing to finish so I can go on to my next book in th bag. So instead of 15 blogs I’ve shouted out 7 which means instead of 7 facts I’ve done 3 (they are hidden in this paragraph.

Enjoy your holidays one and all!

Blue Skies,

CricketMuse

Yes, it’s NaNo time…

VIA Nano Chip Image (top) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

November is a great time for writers.  The weather is chilly enough to no longer tempt outdoor activity, there is a coziness to the house with the crackle of the fire, and NaNo is on.

Two years ago, when I finally decided to leap into NaNo I managed to meet the 50,000 word challenge with a day or two to spare.  I’m still editing that manuscript.  Writing quantity instead of quality is whole different way to write.  I tend to edit as I write and editing is a luxury when it comes to the National Novel Writing Month.

There are a plethora of blogs about NaNo and how it works, so I shall not perpetuate redundancy.  Instead I will bravely leap once again into NaNo; however, this time it will be with a bit more panache.  This time I have created a separate NaNo blog site and will air my daily writings. Warts and all shall be bared to those interested enough to witness the daily grinding process of trying to produce 1,600 words daily.  I take NaNo founder Chris Baty’s words to heart, “No plot? No problem?” I am hopeful my daily outpourings will not be merely NaNonsense.

I will have a link in my column www.veranano.wordpress.com as well as periodic updates on the process.  I still hope to keep up with my Cricket Musings.

If you are NaNo-ing, please let me know.  The solitary tapping of the keyboard is much more comforting knowing I tap not alone.

 

Related articles

• NaNoWriMo is eating my brain and my time … and it’s only day one (irreverentreview.com)
• A NaNoWriMo Compromise: Daily Posts for a Month (kseniadv.wordpress.com)
• NaNoWriMo: Can you write a novel in a month? (telegraph.co.uk)
• Beginning NaNoWriMo (cheilt.wordpress.com)
• Not quite NaNoWriMo (yesterdaylucas.com)
• Beemind Your NaNoWriMo Progress (beeminder.com)
• Participating in NaNoWriMo? (ctwesting.com)
• Into the Cocoon (emmiemears.com)

A Wee Bit of Housekeeping

WordPress (Photo credit: Adriano Gasparri)

Blogging is tough to keep up with when the paperload of grading bogs my time down.  I’ve managed to swim up from an arduous week of poetry notebooks and grammar packets and hope to dust off the edges of my postie.

First of all, as summer plunges into the recesses of seasonal change, as darkness and rainy days force former sunny afternoons of backyard bliss to fade away into autumnal dreariness, I can’t  help but reflect how quickly time passes.  One day I’m relaxing out in the backyard with book in hand after a long day of prepping freshmen of the harsh realities of high schoolness and the next moment I’m hunkering over my laptop planning second semester lesson forays into To Kill a Mockingbird and The Odyssey.

This is when I am glad to retreat into blogdom.

I have scant energy to work on my manuscripts once school starts again.  I don’t even have energy to skim through my writing magazines, let alone attend my critique group.  Teacherness garners every grain of my attention.  Then again, what else would I want to do for a career.? Oh, yeah, be a world-famous recluse writer.  Aah, there’s time for that when I do actually retire.

For now, blogging is my version of knitting as a means of unwinding and filling my hands with busyness and allowing my brain to channel some sort of creativity.  I may not churn out scarves and mittens, but I do enjoy tweaking out a post or two.

This is why I so appreciate getting a bit of recognition now and then.  Those fun reader awards count for hurrah applause (“yes! someone is reading my stuff! yay!!) This time I have Samirto thank for nominating me for the One Lovely Blog Award.  I appreciate Samir’s comments and he has great insights on writing (and life) at his own blog.  Be sure to check out his blog if you haven’t already.  Now, as to the award regs:

1.  Thanks, Samir, for the lovely blog nom

2. Seven things about me…

• Not a banana fan unless they are in my smoothie or come in chips
• Prefer doing sports rather than watching them
• I detest crinkly sounds, especially at the movies
• Would love to live in a Bradburian neighborhood with a front porch and visit with neighbors who pop up for conversation and lemonade as we ease back in our porch swings
• I used to adore cats, but not so much anymore (I owned seven at one time)
• Wonder if I will ever be able to play the piano–I have the piano, just no musical ability
• Can’t drink carbonated beverages without getting explosive, bodacious hiccups (very embarrassing)

3. Fifteen blogs I think are Lovely

ahem, well…I think a lot of blogs are lovely and so not too offend anyone I do follow, have followed, and intend on following more closely, here are a handful of new-to-me blogs.  I especially like how random these bloggers think, react, and respond to the world around them.  They are sound bites of this big blue marble we call home:

• http://momentmatters.wordpress.com/about/
• http://anniecardi.com/about/
• http://thecollaboreight.com/about/
• http://chrismartinwrites.com/
• http://palisadespete.wordpress.com/about/

And just in case you are interested, as I was dusting and futzing about the blog I discovered a few stats lying about.  Not knowing what else to do with them I thought I would air them out.  Stats do like a turn  about now and then.

Since February when I began Musing via WordPress:

• 103 posts
• 595 comments
• 5, 665 hits
• 109 followers
• Akimet is protecting me against 888 spam comments–this one fascinates me. How do they know what constitutes a threat versus a sincere inquiry? What if it is a legimate blogadite tapping at my door?
• March 17 was my busiest day when I had 86 hits.  I wrote about browsing through other people’s bookcases.  Weird how some topics light a fire, huh?

Anyway, I’m worn out from dusting and futzing.  I need to get back to slumming and read my gothic romance.  The heroine is just about to become the governess to the spoiled daughter of the married man who has wretched, but attractive wife.  It should be a fast read.  Tomorrow we continue with Cyrano de Bergerac in AP English.

Happy Pages,
CricketMuse

Cyrano (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Inspiration:

Inspiration.  It’s a noun that can mean:

1. Stimulation to do creative work.
2. Somebody or something that inspires
3. Creativeness
4. Good idea
5. Divine influence
6. Breathing in

As a synonym you’ll find:

• Motivation
• Stimulation
• Encouragement
• Muse

There is also:

• Idea
• Brainwave
• Insight
• Flash
• Revelation

Therefore, to receive nomination for Very Inspiring Blogger causes me to pause and reflect–Do I?  Inspiration is one of those words I take seriously, which means I shall endeavor to make sure my posting are up to snuff.   Letizia passed on this nomination to me and I am quite appreciative.  Letizia is an active reader, meaning she reads whenever she can.  She is working on reading and walking at the same time–something I’m hoping to do.  Kind of like Keira Knightley in the opening of Pride and Prejudice.  Walking and reading a book combines two great loves: the outdoors and absorbing words via written page. Delicious. When I finish reading a good book, especially a wonderful book, I want to get up and run off all the stored up energy from absorbing words, ideas, and the connection of writer to reader.  So, if I could walk and read at the same time–my, that would be just about perfect.

Now, on to award requirements.  I must nominate seven blogs which inspire and then list seven things about myself:

Seven blogs: (envelope please)

1.  https://valerierlawson.wordpress.com/about/ : A YA writer, she doesn’t mind sharing her passion about writing via hot tips about the publishing scene.  I like her enthusiasm and stamina when it comes to writing.

2. http://readncook.wordpress.com/: As a teacher her honesty about the profession inspires me because she reminds me that each student is an individual person, and as a teacher I will impact that student.

3.  http://newsofthetimes.org/ :  Taking on topics of all kinds, she makes me think about issues.

4.  http://literarytiger.wordpress.com/ : She freely admits judging a book by its cover.  We’ve had fun keeping up on our reading lists.

5.  http://eagleeyededitor.wordpress.com/ : Another reader of merit.  She mixes it up topic-wise and I always enjoy her witty comments and replies.

6. http://pastorjeffcma.wordpress.com/author/pastorjeffcma/ : Pastor Jeff is willing to freely discuss his faith and issues in an open and engaging manner.

7.  http://shelovesreading.wordpress.com/author/lauralovesreading/ : A self-professed bookworm, she reminds me that rereading old treasures is a pursuit of happiness.

As for seven things about me:

1.  Adore snoozing in my backyard hammock on a middling to warm day with a bit of breeze wisping about

2.  Love old Hollywood: the Hepburns, Cary Grant, Gary Cooper, Gregory Peck…

3. I read picture books when no one is looking.

4.  Eating raspberries as I pick them fresh off the vine on a summer morning is the best way to start a day, in my opinion

5.  Playing badminton is THE way to spend a summer evening

6.  Do not put cucumbers in my salad, thank you very much

7. Blogging has become a tempered addiction for me

‘Tis Beautiful

Awards

Awards are so much fun–even if they are merely virtual and can’t be deposited in the bank, they still worth their weight in font and color because they add a bit of smile to the day.  I smile at the receiving and then get to the opportunity to pass on the smile to other bloggers.  And that’s something right there.

So my thanks to alundeberg (http://readncook.wordpress.com/)

and I pass on the BBA to the following:

1.  http://literarytiger.wordpress.com/

2.  http://iliketheworldfuzzy.wordpress.com/

3.  http://shelovesreading.wordpress.com/about/

I am not sure what the criteria is for the Beautiful Blogger Award.  I figure if reading their blog brightens my day, my day has been made that much better.  And we all know it’s a beautiful thing to make anyone’s day better.