May 2, 2013 by johannisthinking@wordpresss.com

Thank you for the Liebstar Blogger Award!

thank you to

QueridaJ
intotheindigo.wordpress.com x
queridaj@gmail.com

and

Ami Fidèle
amidereve.wordpress.com x
fidelee_@hotmail.com

Unabashedly I will admit that while I get quite tickled pink about receiving a nomination the requirements make me less than eager….i like nominating…but seriously people are going to fall asleep reading my pathetic attempts at balancing randomness vs. wittiness…so I’m gonna fudge the rules just so I can get on to my favourite part: Nominations!…and hopefully help bloggers that I know get to discover each other’s talents =) wow does anyone want to queue the sing-along?

A Most Gracious Thank You to Ami Fidele =) http://amidereve.wordpress.com

….no question about his talents and the magic he wields with his pen and that wondrous imagination.

The proper rules are as follows….you’re welcome to carry on the tradition:

The Liebster Blog Award

1. Accept the award, post the picture of the Liebster Award on the top of your post and say who nominated you for the award and list their blog site.

2. List 11 random facts about yourself.

3. Nominate 11 other bloggers for the Liebster Award and list their blog sites.

4. Notify the bloggers of their award.

5. Ask the award winners 11 questions to answer when they accept their Liebster Award.

6. Answer the questions left for you by the blogger who gave you the award.

Honourable Mention go to the following:

advocatemmmohan http://advocatemmmohan.wordpress.com/
advocatemmmohan.wordpress.com x

Prashant http://justspokenthoughts.wordpress.com/

A soldier with a positive heart. Prashant wrote: “Every cloud has a silver lining. If you haven’t been able to find yours – then paint it yourself !

http://ypsjadon.wordpress.com/

Yjadon’s poetry is positive and beautiful…filled with HOPE and Belief!

http://poesypluspolemics.com/2013/04/15/marathon/

Paul Lenzi

http://mywaytotruth.wordpress.com

1. http://subhanzein.wordpress.com/

2. https://johannisthinking.com/

3. http://marinakanavaki.com/

4. http://seshatwuji.wordpress.com/

5. http://boomiebol.wordpress.com/

6. http://cruisingthroughmylife.wordpress.com/

7. http://awakeningpsyche.wordpress.com/

8. http://ilovegreeninspiration.com/

9. http://13syllable.wordpress.com/

10. http://asoulswalk.wordpress.com/

11. http://ericalagan.net/

And just so I completely do not derail this rules business I’ll answer 3 of the questions asked by Ami, please feel free to answer the same or make up your own or do your own thing (but don’t say I told you so

6. What’s your writing process like?

-scribbles on various pieces of papers/notebooks…hardly readable hence why I usually type them out the very next day…sometimes if I feel like it, I will just type out a piece and save it as a draft, sometimes I finish it and change nothing and sometimes I come back to it and it’s lost.

7. Among your work, do you have favorite poem? If so which one and why?

I have always like a certain poem entitled “Oh Icarus!” but no one else seems to like it as much as I do… =)

8. What’s your favorite book and why?

too many to list…actually I keep a list of my favourite reads…over the years my definition of what I favour has grown…even horrific/tragic/unpleasant/questionable narratives written superbly warrant a place on the list.

May 2, 2013 by johannisthinking@wordpresss.com

Link your WORDPRESS blog manually to Gravatar or We Won’t Find YOU!

Gravatar 2.0 – retouched (Photo credit: Daniel Semper)

Dear Bloggers, my Friends~

I have been visiting many Gravatar Profiles as of late in an effort to do more reading of the blogs of others. I have noticed that I am *not* able to find the WordPress link for many of you. I end up calling in the CIA and the FBI to locate you! I do not mind the extra effort that I put in to reach you, however, I learned from my own experience, and after having it pointed out to me by a fellow blogger, Steven, that we have to MANUALLY LINK our WordPress address to the Gravatar image. You do this by following the steps below: (A note of encouragement to the technologically challenged, like myself, TAKE HEART, it is not difficult, because even I could do it! LOL)

PLEASE be sure to Manually LINK your WORDPRESS address to your Gravatar Image!

How to Add Links to Your Gravatar Profile

If you would like, you can add links to your personal pages that are not available as Verified Services. Your Gravatar profile will display a snapshot of the linked page, along with a title you select. To add a link:

Log in to your Gravatar account...I was told this link does not work and I have no idea how to make that happen! So…I would suggest if you need the steps to do this…print it out…and then log into your Gravatar account and you will be on your way…!

Click on My Account, then click Edit My Profile.

Click on My Links to the left.

To add your link, type in the URL (page address) and a title for the link.

Click Add.

We’ll list your links right above where you added the information. To remove a link you’ve previously added, click the “X” located next to the link in the list.

Links you have added will appear below your biography information on your Gravatar Profile.

May 2, 2013 by johannisthinking@wordpresss.com

How to LINK your WordPress blog to your Gravatar

Dear Bloggers, my Friends~

I have been visiting my Gravatar Profiles as of late in an effort to do more reading of the blogs of others. I have noticed that I am *not* able to find the WordPress link for many of you. I end up calling in the CIA and the FBI to locate you! I do not mind the extra effort that I put in to reach you, however, I learned from my own experience, and after having it pointed out to me by fellow blogger, that we have to MANUALLY LINK our WordPress address to the Gravatar image. You do this by following the steps below: (A note of encouragement to the technologically challenged, like myself, it is not difficult, because even I could do it! LOL)

PLEASE be sure to Manually LINK your WORDPRESS address to your Gravatar Image!

How to Add Links to Your Gravatar Profile

Click on My Account, then click Edit My Profile.

Click on My Links to the left.

To add your link, type in the URL (page address) and a title for the link.

Click Add.

We’ll list your links right above where you added the information. To remove a link you’ve previously added, click the “X” located next to the link in the list.

Links you have added will appear below your biography information on your Gravatar Profile.

May 2, 2013 by johannisthinking@wordpresss.com

Nominated for the WordPress Family Award!

apr24

I feel very honored to receive this WordPress Family Award…it is a blessing to be part of a blogging community that cares so much about each other, not just as writers, but as human beings! I have grown leaps and bounds, first, as a person and then as a writer, from the interaction that has taken place since I began writing on this blog site, October 14, 2011. I have experienced so much deep joy in the words that others write…in the honesty in which they portray their thoughts and experiences…in their relentless care and concern for each other as gifted human beings on our Mother Earth. A very good friend of mine, Elaine, said I should surround myself with “gentle beings.” I think becoming a part of the WORDPRESS FAMILY has given me that opportunity! I have met so many wonderful and good people on this blog site: writers, poets, photographers, artists! I have been blessed so much!

Many times during my life I carried with me the thought of Sir James Barrie, the Scottish novelist and playwright, who penned Peter Pan. He wrote these words: “Those who give sunshine to the lives of others, cannot keep it from themselves.” I do not always succeed, but I try to live these words. Perhaps, that is selfish…because I am seeking happiness…however, I think it means that by giving to others, I am being who I am meant to be….and that helps me to live happily.

These last ten years have been especially difficult for me–professionally and personally…My nephew died from a horrible disease, Myotonic Dystrophy, in 2007 at the age of 39. Then my Mom had a stroke at the age of 90…she came to live with me until she died in my home at the age of 94 in 2010. To say I miss her so much would be an understatement…60 years is a long time and I was blessed to have her with me…but still it was not enough time. Then my older sister, Barbara, died from the same myotonic dystrophy that took her son’s life, at the age of 63, in 2010, six months after my Mom. This past March, 2013, my younger brother, Bill, died of myotonic dystrophy at the age of 61. The losses have been great…and, of course, no one can replace them. However, the people on WordPress have accepted me as part of their family…and I cannot begin to express the intense feelings I have developed and finally feel like I belong somewhere. Thank you for your heartfelt words that have encouraged me so! I am “feeling the love” as the young people say! LOL

I think this is true of the WordPress Family. We pass rays of sunshine and love crystals to one another in our gift of affirmations and comments! How blessed we all are! I am full of gratitude for each of you! And especially for dear Patty! Thank you, Patty, [ http://petitemagique.wordpress.com%5D for your nomination! I am truly honored! and dear Shaun, my gallant knight! and my younger brave heart, Shane…dear sweet son! You inspire me so with your generous spirits and good hearts!

Now for a description of the award:

This is an award for everyone who is part of the “WordPress Family” I started this award on the basis that the WordPress family has taken me in, and showed me love and a caring side only WordPress can show. The way people take a second to be nice, to answer a question and not make things a competition amazes me here. I know I have been given many awards, but I wanted to leave my own legacy on here by creating my own award, as many have done before. This represents “Family” we never meet, but are there for us as family. It is my honor to start this award.” from Shaun @ http://prayingforoneday.wordpress.com/

The Rules:

1. Display the award logo on your blog.
2. Link back to the person who nominated you.
3. Nominate 10 others you see as having an impact on your WordPress experience and family.
4. Let your 10 Family members know you have awarded them. There is a real problem here since this award spread like wildfire but I think I can find ten who should be recognized
5. That is it. Just please pick 10 people who have taken you as a friend, and spread the love

Nominations

* Shaun @ http://prayingforoneday.wordpress.com/

Shaun is the Gallant brother…always looking out for everyone!

* Patty http://petitemagique.wordpress.com

Patty is the Courageous Woman Princess…always so kind and gentle…compassion rules her being!

* Shane http://shanesbookblog.com

Shane is the Knight of Thought…thinking deeply about the meaning behind all that is read!

* Tersia http://www.tersiaburger.wordpress.com

Tersia is the Mother Beautiful…obvious…read her blog! A woman of great courage and strength!

* Dace http://mywaytotruth.wordpress.com/category/lgbt/

Dace is my Sister of Courage. Such deep beauty and truth in telling of her story…so unselfishly written and bravely –so as to help others and not only herself. She succeeds!

*Suzie http://artistsuziepindar.wordpress.com/?blogsub=confirmed#blog_subscription-3

Suzie…Courageous Photographer….delicious perspective in the photos she takes! and a person of courage to be who she is!

* Sabatino http://www.hotcupoflove.com/2013/04/27/meet-sabatino/#comment-1375

Sabatino is the Knight of Truth…..writes from the truth of his heart…his writing is so clear and focused…and beautiful!

* Sheri http://sheridegrom.com/

Sheri is the Princess of Enlightenment with her excellent book reviews and well-researched insight on matters of humanity!

* Stephanie http://misscarriedmuse.wordpress.com

Stephanie is the Mother of Bravery…she speaks of her loss but also of her resolve to move forward and find a new way to live!

* Kamlesh Oraon scarycloud.wordpress.com http://en.gravatar.com/kamleshoraon

Kamlesh is a Knight of Courage…he blogs in a Second Language…English is so very different than Hindi…he is so brave in his execution of this goal!

*http://middlepane.com

This Master is a Knight of Mindfulness…his blog teaches the way to find peace within ourselves.

*http://hearingwiththeeye.wordpress.com

Sumithra Sriram is the Princess of Possibility as books, music and travel are the loves of her life at present. Her writing is refreshing!

I would like to thank all my friends and followers for their support, comments and awesome posts!

May 1, 2013 by johannisthinking@wordpresss.com

“Let me count the ways”…weather in Wisconsin is like a love affair [Parody of Sonnet 43- “How Do I Love Thee?” by Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Cool Melting Patterned Snow 5th to 6th 006 (Photo credit: catchesthelight)

Dedicated to Cheri

…A poet in her own “write”

the comparison of Wisconsin weather to a love affair originated from her…

thank you!

How do I love Wisconsin? Let me count the ways

I love thee to the depth of the snowfall, the length of the raindrops and the height of the sun

All your crazy weather pattern days, while the wind is out there to play

All your crazy leaps from from steaming hot to winter fun

Furnace days quickly become air-conditioning freeze…Akin to a love affair, as you plunge headlong

Casting all fear aside, you jump right in with ever so huge strides

A sense of urgency hoping to go forward and belong

Love carries you on a thrilling, fantastic ride

Sometimes hurting needs to forget, never knowing a thought of regret

Flying into it headstrong…enjoying it all before it is gone

You never how long it is going to last…when you will have to leave it all and reset

Never knowing how long it will last, never knowing if it will become a sad song

**********************************************************************************************************

Sonnets from the Portuguese Man o’ War (Photo credit: prodigaldog)

Sonnet 43 – How do I love thee? Let me count the ways

XLIII

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of Being and ideal Grace.
I love thee to the level of everyday’s
Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.
I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;
I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.
I love thee with the passion put to use
In my old griefs, and with my childhood’s faith.
I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints,—I love thee with the breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my life!—and, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death.

Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Related Sites:

“– in fact, it’s only been around for a little over 150 years. Prominent Victorian poet Elizabeth Barrett Browning first published the poem in 1850.” http://www.shmoop.com/how-do-i-love-thee-sonnet-43/