Thank you Mariss for nominating me for this award. Along with the honor it bestows, it also gives me a chance to break out of blogger’s rut!
In keeping with Mariss’ attention to word definitions (she ferreted out what exactly a blog award nomination really means) I thought I’d first focus on what the name of the blogging award she nominated me for really means.
outstanding: adj (1611) 1. standing out – projecting 2a. unpaid 2b. continuing; unresolved 2c. publicly issued and sold securities 3a. standing out from a group – conspicuous 3b. marked by eminence and distinction syn: noticeable
Webster’s 9th new Collegiate Dictionary, 1988
Personally, the part of that definition I can relate with is 2b. continuing; unresolved.
Which segues easily into question number one of five to be answered with regards to accepting this blogger award!
- For how long have you been writing a blog?
This website/blog went live on August 30, 2013 (and the journey continues…) - What made you start?
from my first post: “The obvious answer to this is of course, ‘Why not?’ I, however, could think of many reasons ‘why not’ whenever it was suggested to me to begin blogging. The biggest one being: anybody and their uncle can write anything and put it up into the nether-land of cyberspace for all to see regardless of quality. And then I remembered that was one of the main reasons I’d balked at recording my first cd. As a working musician, I’d done demos and was busy with gigging, teaching and performing. After all, anybody and their uncle can record anything for all to hear regardless of quality; it is all so easy to do these days…I needed someplace to showcase my (he)art, give voice to our between-homes journey and perhaps even enlighten others of the parallel communities filled with invisible ones living among us in 21st Century America. And blogging is yet one more tool to get what needs to be said out there.“ - Why do you continue to blog?
Unresolved stuff mixed with Pandemic stuff.
Pandemic stuff is probably understood by most.
Unresolved stuff – beyond the scope of this blog post! - Have you ever met any of your fellow bloggers face to face? If so, how did it feel?
Nope. Never. But plenty of Almosts.
I imagine it will feel like a crazy-fun disconnect-reveal simultaneously turning into an old friend/new friend reunion type thing – Let’s do it! - Do you write regularly? If so, why?
Yep. Different reasons – daily entries in my Morning Pages since 1997 help in sorting through issues/plans/ideas/clearing out/etc. Other writing is for pure pleasure of creative expression.
Now it’s my turn to nominate and ask a few questions. To those nominated, there is no obligation to take up the challenge of answering and asking the questions. If you do accept, then please answer the questions, nominate 5 other bloggers and then compile a set of 5 of your own questions.
Have Fun!
- Laura at LC’s Cottage
- Khaya at Khaya Ronkainen
- Ally at The Spectacled Bean
- Janis at Retirementally Challenged
- Cheryl at Gulf Coast Poet
The Questions:
- What’s the first thing (or two) you’ll do once you ‘get your shot’ and/or the world otherwise opens back up after the Pandemic?
- What makes you break into your ‘happy dance’?
- What was your favorite subject when you were in school?
- Which of your blog posts is your favorite and why? Please provide a link.
- Coffee, tea or ????
Oh, Laura! Apologies I missed this challenge. I stumbled upon as I browsed your wonderful site. Thank you for the nomination, I appreciate. Maybe one day, I’ll respond to your challenge. 🙂 But congratulations to you. You deserve this award! <3
Well thank you, Khaya and welcome to my site!
Congrats, Laura! I loved reading your answer about why you got started blogging. I’m so glad you did. I’ve been enjoying our journey together as fellow bloggers and flower sisters. Let’s keep it going!
It’s a deal!
I enjoyed reading your answers! Congratulations on the award 🙂
Thanks, Tierney.
Congrats to you, too!
😉
Congratulations, Laura and I think most of us would agree that 3b is far more applicable to you and your blog! ? The research into the word outstanding is interesting and reminds us never to take a word at first consideration and that there are always various other options to take into account.
It’s so true that it would be far easier to answer the question ‘why not’ st but it takes courage and belief in oneself to take that leap. Making a first recording sounds terrifying to me and wow, you did that just as a start! Amazing.
Thank you dear Annika for your thoughtful response. I envision you doing blogger stuff neatly ensconced in your new writer’s cottage.
🙂
Congratulations, Laura!
Thanks Lavinia. Looking forward to your next post!
Your posts are always worth waiting for and I am glad I squeezed this one out of you. Ha! Thank you for your thought provoking answer to why you continue to blog. And, BTW, I wish to disagree about that 2b. From this side of the screen I would pick the 3b.
Oh Mariss, you are way too kind (but thank you).
Yes indeed you did ‘squeeze’ this one out of me! HA!
Looking forward to one day enjoying some crazy-fun face-to-face meeting with you. Who knows?!
😎
I raise my coffee mug to that!
Hmmmm…a few years ago, I was nominated for the Versatile Blogger Award, which is much like this one. After participating in that, I said that I wouldn’t do it again. But then I read Roseanne’s comment…how can I let her down?
True to my slow blogger status…if you aren’t in a hurry, I will give this a shot. 🙂
On a whim, I checked out one of your nominees…turns out that the Spectacled Bean taught me something new. Oh, the wonders of the internet…who knew that there is a Cliché Finder out there in cyberspace? Cool!
Congratulations, Laura! It was fun to read your post!
I’m definitely not in any hurry – do it. just. do it. At your leisure and convenience. And enjoy the questions! Like Roseanne I can’t wait to read another Laura’s answers! HA!
Thank you for considering doing it, Laura.
Congrats on your award! I’m sure you’ll wear your tiara with grace and dignity. And, thank you for mentioning my blog! Since I don’t participate in these, I hope you’ll let me answer your terrific questions here…
1) My husband and I have received our double doses. Two nights ago we had another double-dose couple over for dinner… inside… sans masks. It felt wonderful!
2) I’m pretty easy to please. Give me a warm, sparkly, sunny day and I’ll be on our deck doing a Happy Dance.
3) My favorite subject in school: probably English, but art and history were close seconds/thirds.
4) After blogging for 7 1/2 years, I have a few favorites. My most recent is the first short story I posted. The first of five parts can be found at: https://retirementallychallenged.com/2020/09/01/lost-and-found-part-1/
5) COFFEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I hope that we will be able to meet face-to-face one of these days. The bloggers that I have been lucky enough to spend time with are very special to me.
I’m honored that you answered my questions anyway! Better yet, I’m thrilled you got to do something so daring as having a double-dose couples dinner indoors without masks no less! HA!
I remember around Jan 2020, us both being sick with an odd flu – me in SDCA in a hotel room (on business) and yourself at your home in SDCA and later reflecting we must have had an early exposure to you-know-what…
A sort of backhanded way of saying once hubby & I make it back there, I expect you&I to have a face-to-face!
So there!
Absolutely! If I hear that you have visited my city without letting me know, I hunt you down and steal your tiara.
Wow that sounds absolutely ‘Tijuana’ to me. (bad pun, but couldn’t resist)
Need to keep tiara at all costs!
I’ve met a fellow blogger face to face-totally by chance. At a funeral, of all places, and on recognising her I just had to (re)introduce myself!
OH that is rich!
The conversation went: “Are you Pam, of Mushy Cloud?”
She looked startled. “Yes . . . “
“I’m Andy, of City Jackdaw.”
Her eyes widened, and then she thrust out a hand.
Congratulations, Laura! Always lovely when your labor of love is acknowledged in the world.
Kindest regards and good luck!
Thanks for the congrats!
Your answer to #2 is perfect. Mine would be the same.
Thanks for nominating me. I usually decline BUT because it’s you during a pandemic and I like your questions I’ll do this soon. ?
Yippee! A taker! Sometimes a pandemic can work to one’s advantage…well, not really, but trying to see the positive and all of that. Will be on the look out for your answers.
😉
My post is up and your questions have been answered. ?
Oh Ms Bean, you are a quick study! Will hop over to your blogplace soon.
🙂
It would be crazy fun to meet our blogging friends in person. Thank you providing more insight as to the creative person you are.
I know I’m up for it for sure, too!
Thanks for taking time to read through all the answers – HA!
Congratulations, your blog has always been my favorite. Your artistic talents and insights are manifest in your posts and always a pleasure to read. You have my vote!
Bob
Too sweet, Bob! If I knew how, I’d put the ‘blushing emoji’ in my response. Thanks for the encouragement, always.
Enjoyed reading your answers to the questions! I also like your questions for your nominees, they are really good. My coffee and I enjoyed the read. And my favorite subject in school? Art, of course! (Music was a very close second)
It’s been a fun thing to do – a sort of non-quilter’s round-robin making the rounds during a pandemic!
Have yourself a great Fika sort of day, Wendy.
🙂
Hi Laura! Congrats to you – I enjoyed reading this post so much. You pose some interesting points that never occurred to me. Quality content? That is all in the eye of the reader, don’t you think? If they enjoy what you have to say, or find it interesting, they will return or follow you for more. I had to laugh at one of your questions as I was just talking about my happy dance just moments ago. I look forward to reading (the other) Laura’s responses. ~smile~ Roseanne
I wanted to ‘nominate’ you, but knew you’re in a whirlwind of technical issues with blog-bugs and such. 🙁
Sooooooo what about that ‘happy dance’?! I’d like to hear all!
Congratulations on your award nomination, Laura! When I saw the goat, I couldn’t help thinking of your Goat Suites. ?
Mama Goat Lives On!
😉
Congratulations on your award, Laura! <3 Although I don't do awards, I appreciate that you thought of me. Have a great day!
You, too!