Thank you for you, Steven  a.k.a. “Critical Thinker”* for the “Interesting Blog Award!” It has such beautiful colors and I love the design!

*Steven, I could NOT find a link that was activated to link us to your blog!

My  5  nominations are:

* Judith     http://growingyoungereachday.wordpress.com/

Judith presents wonderful, joyous walks through life!  I love her writing!

* Janni     http://whisperbreath.wordpress.com

Angels are everywhere—thank YOU for posting this blog! Thank you for giving my tired soul comfort!

*  Lovely Woman from Colombia      http://pensamientosdevida.wordpress.com

This is an interesting blog created by this Poet Woman of Colombia! Writing commentaries  accompany amazing photographs of a variety of  images to wake us from our coma and see how intimate and small our world is and how we do, in deed, affect one another with our life’s choices…and, with her beautiful photos of flowers that there still is much beauty in this world! This blogger also offers us a chance to listen to the wonderful music of Colombia! Lovely blog!

*  Musing Maven   http://themusingmaven.com

Thank you for sharing your life’s experiences in such a happy way! I loved your “Gum Drops and Sprinkles, Please:—so delightfully humorous!  and this peace, “When           You Love Something, Set It Free”—-very moving and a great tribute to you as a Mom!

* A Man’s Perspective (could not find his name)         http://myothervoices.wordpress.com

Most unusual blog I have yet to read—-so interesting how this writer speaks through “human, animals, other voices not his own”——–fascinating topics!

*   Luna Ulric-Taylor           http://lunasmoondance.wordpress.com

I had to add this one more…Oh my Goodness! This woman’s writing speaks to my very soul! Her writing is so beautiful and such depth to it! Layers upon layers pealing away my facade! Oh…lovely!

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Rules:

1. Thank the person who nominated you

2. List 5 random facts about yourself

3. Nominate a minimum of 5 blogs for the award

4. Answer the 5 questions and Ask the nominees 5 questions of your choice

5. And finally, let them know you have nominated them.

5 things about me:

1. I love to laugh.

2. I think Carlos Santana is a master guitarist

3. I like to be with people and socialize…but I also need a break and retreat into my cocoon.

4 . I love Spring and the delicate green of the leaves!

5.  I lived in Kenya, East Africa, for over two years teaching in a rural Harambee School.

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The inquires from Steven and my responses to his questions are:

1. I don’t like asking people questions……….do you? 

No, I do not like asking people questions—when I was a teacher, I preferred students asking me questions…I better understood how to guide them in their learning. 

2. Would you answer honestly?

  Definitely…if I responded!  If I did not want to share my truth with them, I would remain silent and not respond.

3. Do you know who Opie Taylor is?

  I have no idea! Who is he?

4. Does GM really mean Government Motors?

That does seem to be  a political question—and it would take ream of  WordPress pages to respond to that one!  Perhaps it refers to Glorified Manhood?

5. If you had a horse, what color would it be?

My color of horse would be a black and white pinto!  If someone had a farm, and wanted me to share it with them, and promised me to buy me a black and white pinto, I might even consider marriage! …IF it was to a woman!  [smile…]

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My 5 questions to the nominees:

1. How do you handle transitions in life?

2. Do you ever want to retreat into your own world?

3. What is your favorite color and why?

4. What is the funniest thing that has ever happened to you?

5.  How do you see us ending the horrible suffering in this world?

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When I read the blogs of so many others, mine pales in comparison. I have read the works of great poets who go beyond the beautiful and take the courage to post those things that are not easy to read…not easy to read because they remind us of the dark side of the people who live on Mother Earth. Nevertheless, unless this darkness is brought out into the light–how will it be dispelled?  Yes, it is heartbreaking to read some of it…because it is so very difficult to comprehend how we can be so inhumane to one another.

Yet, I have lived in darkness for moments in my life also…I know how the anger seethes inside and causes one to lash out…I have tried to change who I am. I am trying each day to live in tranquility within my soul…and not to react out of my insecurities. I have tried to forgive those who judge me so harshly…to be who I am…to accept me as me…I think that is one of the difficulties in life–there is so little affirmation of the goodness of each other.

I nominate these bloggers for THE MOST INFLUENTIAL BLOGGER AWARD who have the courage to give us the beautiful but also who have the courage to present that ugly side of humanity in an effort to make us more aware and to do all we can to help each other be better people.

* Gabrielle

http://myheathenheart.com/blog

* Sharmishtha Basu

1. Sharmishtha Basu’s Poetries: http://mydomainpvt.wordpress.com : Mainly Poetries.
2. Thoughts: http://magicthought.wordpress.com : Stories mainly.
3. My cyber novels: http://mycybernovels.wordpress.com : novel, long stories, musings, cartoons etc
4. Window to my soul : http://window2mysoul.wordpress.com : mainly form poetry
5. Sharmishtha Basu : http://sharmishthabasu.wordpress.com : My haiku, piku, lanturne, tanka blog.
6. Ethereal heights: http://etherealheights.wordpress.com- Celebrating peace and beauty.
7. Earth in black and white: http://earthinbw.wordpress.com – The real world.
8. Colours and words waltz: http://coloursandwordswaltz.wordpress.com – poetry and paintings.

Sharmishtha writes poetry from her heart…her paintings are delicate…and she also posts about the greed of mankind taking over an island to make it into their heathen paradise–caring little about providing health or humanitarian aid for the people who live there…she had a posting about a young girl who was set afire alone with her mother by an angry father…Go to her many blogs and read her works…it will make your heart happy to read her poems and sad to read the horrible truths of humankind.

* Noeleen

–  http://wordsfallfrommyeyes.wordpress.com/

Noeleen speaks of her struggle to BE the best mother she can in this male-dominated society…the world’s society where women and children are kept on the bottom of the rung– stepped on and abused so often.  Her fight to BE her best, will show you that she is a courageous and brave woman—my Braveheart!–She goes beyond her comfort level, risks all, to do what is best for her son, Daniel! It is a courageous testimonial of a person who fights to find herself and then goes even further to fight for the son she brought into this world!

* Sheri

sheridegrom – From the literary and legislative trenches.
sheridegrom.com x
sheri@sheridegrom.com

Sheri write beautiful book reviews that slide you write into the stories as if you were already a part of them! In addition to this, she lives in this modern world and its legalism. Thank God for women like her, who understand the legal ramifications and know how to respond to this kind of demand and dehumanization! She is an advocate for the mentally challenged and for healthcare reform. All of us know that we need it, as the poor and disenfranchised, the mentally ill, the elderly, are more and more being pushed into the margins of society and left unattended. I personally thank her for using her wisdom to help us all!

Soad from Iraq  soadhachami.wordpress.com    nominated me for the Shine On Award
I am honored that she chose me for this award!  Thank you to all those who follow my blog and my faithful visitors! Without your affirmations and comments, I would feel lost in the writing universe! Thank you for giving me a sense of belonging in your hearts and in the world of writers!

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The rules for this  award are:

1. Display the award logo on your blog.

2. Link back to the person who nominated you.

3. State 7 things about yourself

4. Nominate 15 other bloggers for this award and link to them.

5. Notify those bloggers of the nomination and the award requirements.

Seven Things About Me:

1. I grew up in a town with 10 homes and everyone was a cousin to the other! NO kidding! LOL There was also:  a Church; a one-room schoolhouse that I attended for 8 years; two taverns with one that had a small grocery store attached that my grandparents once owned and my Mom lived in for her entire childhood and teenage life; and, there were also two gas stations plus my Dad’s plumbing and  heating business (I so wanted to live on a farm!).
2. Does the first entry count as two?
3. No, I never went to Kindergarten because there was not any in our town of 10 homes and one school-house–do you think that it shows? lol
4. Each evening, when I was a bit older to be out on my own, I would bike to the top of the hill, facing West, and look at the beautiful sunset as it went to sleep over the Kettle Moraine Forest. That was my moment of freedom!
5. I climbed trees when I was a kid—huge cedar trees that stood 40 feet into the air…the wind would blow freely…and I felt free!
6. When I was a mere five years old, I walked up to this fenced in area behind a red barn near my home, and this beautiful Holstein cow came over to the fence, stuck out its tongue, and licked my face from the bottom of my chin to the top of my forehead! WOW! To be so loved and I was so stunned!
7. Behind the shop that was attached to the farmhouse where I lived with my Mom and Dad, Aunt Gerty, and ten brothers and sisters, we younger ones had thrown a plank of wood across a gully fifteen inches deep and boldly proclaimed each evening at the supper table that we had crossed the border into Mexico!

The Shine On Award requires the nomination of 15 other blogs who would in turn post the awards on their sites and nominate 15 bloggers they admire. 

My 15 nominations of creative individuals for The Shine On Award are:-

1. Denise Smyth  http://forphilip.wordpress.com

Denise…there are no words…for when a Mother grieves the loss of her son…blessings to you and your family

2.  Steven             http://livingwithmydisability.wordpress.com

Steven is a man of good sense, strong moral courage, and has a heart of gold…as is reflected in his writings!  His strength will give you the will to go on amidst any difficulty!

3. Dace

Dace is an honest writer who definitely writes from her heart and urges us on to be our authentic self!

4. Tersia

Tersia fought for her daughter’s life from day one…Tersia faced the medical community and did not cower under them (…as helpful as they are and try to be…sometimes they too, get absorbed by what they do, and forget these are human beings with feelings and who need hope and understanding and the willingness to believe that their “patients”  will become healthier).  Tersia is a noble Mother Warrior!

5. Clanmother            http://clanmother.com

I love Clanmother’s beautiful blog with exquisite artwork displayed throughout her blog! Her blog itself is presented in beauty and her writing adorn the blog’s contents!

6. Celestine                 readinpleasure@wordpress.com

Celestine writes beautiful Haikus and is soon to be published! She also writes excellent reviews of books we should attempt to read!

7. Prenin                        wordsfallfrommyeyes@wordpress.com

Prenin is a single Mom who has gone to great lengths to protect and raise her son, Daniel. Her voice is authentic in her writing of the struggles that life sent her way. She is     model of bravery and conviction–and an example of the strength of a woman!

8. Musing maven       http://themusingmaven.com

Musing Maven shares much of herself on her blog…her wonderful positivism…her life with her children…her own childhood…beautiful, touching truths to help us on our journey! Lovely!

9. Wuji                                  http://seshatwuji.wordpress.com
Wuji’s poetry enters your heart so easily…captivating and each nuance is felt!

10. Paul Lenzi     http://poesypluspolemics.com/

Paul’s poetry will always cause you to reflect and think deeply beyond yourself!

11. Elusive Scribe http://theelusivescribe.wordpress.com

The Elusive Scribe writes her words of  poetry  with such passion…poignant… to the heart!

12.  White Raven Soars   http://anactofwriting.wordpress.com

White Raven Soars is a home for writers…wonderful stories…wonderful insights for writers…a place to begin being a writer…WONDERFUL!

13.  http://whocouldknowthen.wordpress.com

The poetry of free verse on this blog is so serene and romantic…lovely! beautiful…speaks to your heart!

14.  Eshan  http://jeneklabam.wordpress.com

Eshan has as the subheading: “A teenager’s journey through spirituality”… thoughts and expressions are so freely expressed! Beautiful beginnings!

15.  Brenda Marroy  http://www.brenda-marroy.blogspot.com/

The first post that I read on Brenda’s blog blew me away! Powerful words…insightful…healthy…and honesty delving right into your soul!

With a sweet thank you, topped with red straberries and vanilla ice cream to

                                                                                                                        Hikari Yori   HikariYori@rocketmail.com   

and to dear  

petitemagique  petitemagique.wordpress.com xuppiecat@msn.com

and to dear

http://theelusivescribe.wordpress.com

for nominating me to receive the SUPER SWEET BLOGGER AWARD!  My gratitude to you both  is immense!

The Sweet Rules for accepting this nomination are:

1. Thank the Super Sweet Blogger that nominated them

2. Answer five super sweet questions

3. Include the Super Sweet Blogging award image in your blog post

4. Nominate a baker’s dozen (13) other bloggers

5. Notify your nominees on their blog

My five (5) sweet responses to the delicious questions are:

1. Cookies or Cake?  Double Chocolate Dutch Cake

2. Chocolate or Vanilla?    Orange Sherbert

3. Favorite Sweet Treat?   Shaum Torte with Fresh Strawberries and Vanilla Ice Cream

4. When do you crave sweet things the most?   Chocolate for 2 minutes every evening!

5. Sweet Nick Name?   Cacao!

My 13 *nominees are:  The “numerical order is irrelevant!”
They are EACH beautiful bloggers in their own right!

Yes,  I was carried away…and nominated 14! Grandma Lin just could not be passed up with this award and when you read her blog, you will know why! LOL Have some coffee, shaum torte and ice cream as you sit back and enjoy these delightful blogs

1. Sakshi Vashit  http://sakshivashist.wordpress.com   and   http://cruisingthroughmylife.wordpress.com I enjoy Sakshi’s youthful exuberance in her writing! I love her enthusiasm for learning and her beautiful smile! Sweet writings!
2. Andy         dragoneystory.wordpress.com                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             Andy is a wonderful father and a writer with such an interesting blog…wise sayings….cartoons….videos….something for everyone’s sweet taste!
3. Clarabetty                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            clarabetty@wordpress.com                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               Miss Betty’s voice comes through clearly in her writing — she is “no-nonsense” woman with a strong viewpoint that adds just the right amount of humor! Great writing and I can’t wait to see more of her paintings such as “The Door!”
4. Steven http://livingwithmydisability.wordpress.com                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               Steven’s strong sense of worthiness and acceptance of life as found in his essays, along with his beautiful, thoughtful comments is a delectable tray of the most exquisite desserts for the soul!
   
5. Wuju                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         http://seshatwuji.wordpress.com                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Wuji’s poetry will melt in your mouth, like vanilla ice cream on a summer’s day…it will also mesmerize your mind with beauty just as the  taste of chocolate cake takes you away to another land of wonder and delight!
6. Everydaypower everydaypower.blog.wordpress.com                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Absolutely a wealth of positivism! Beautiful and inspiring…gentle sweetness of words!
7. Jenny                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   http://jeglatter.wordpress.com/                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Her words of poetry are beautiful in their simplicity…like a fine, tasty sugar cookie!
8. Praveena                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              http://pravinavinu.wordpress.com                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Her writing and poems are realistic and clear as golden jello…her honesty and her quest for truth is so visible!
   
9. Russell Ray http://russelrayphotos2.com                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Russell writings are “down-to-earth” and realistic and he adds his own delightful photographs with each of his stories! His writings bring back to my memory a much simpler life! and a simple treat for our minds to devour!
10. Gerry                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            http://cobbie69.wordpress.com
    Gerry’s blog has some very intriguing photographs to tease your mind…and he does not stop with photos! He has posted a brief history of his life with songs of life and mini-explanations! Kool Kookie IDEA! And the writer doesn’t stop here…he has the beginning of a novel on an additional site, Writing Hell! Gerry is a great writer and I nominate him as Sir Knight Writer! Read his  Knight of the Oak -Novel…interesting and introspective!
11. Celestine  http://readinpleasure.wordpress.com                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             Haikus to fill your mind with delight! and she is now being published! Congratulations, Celestine!
12. Rosy                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    http://sharingmemyselfandi.wordpress.com      Delectable treats on each page of her blog for you to savor and enjoy! Great variety of desserts!
13. Michele D’Acosta http://micheledacosta.wordpress.com       Best of both worlds:  poetry written from a poet’s heart and stunning photos! Like having ice cream and cake!
14. Grandma Lin  http://grandmalin.wordpress.com          Witty cartoons to accompany great truths as you eat your own words! and many delicious recipes! WOW! What a great find! Thank you so very much!

I would like to thank both Yori and Shaun for the SUNSHINE AWARD!

私の最も穏やかなあなたに、ありがとうございました、ヨリは〜私は私が受け取った任意の賞を感じ、私の仲間のブロガーのすべてを、私は共有するものです！私たちは、輝くためにお互いを助け、すべての水の結晶である！どうもありがとうございます！私はこの日本人が使用して翻訳した“Googleが翻訳” – 私はそれが私が正しく言うために必要なものを言っていることを祈っています！ありがとう！毎日、あなた自身の心に太陽の光を発生する可能性があります…すべてが快適であり日…で​​、それらを通してあなたを運ぶために雨の日に！

Arigatō!

My most gentle thank you, to you, Yori~  I feel any award that I receive is one that I share with ALL of my fellow bloggers! We are all water crystals helping each other to shine! thank YOU so much!  I did this Japanese translate using “Google Translate”–I am praying that it is saying what I need to say correctly! thank you! may each day you experience the SUNSHINE in your own heart…on days when all is pleasant…and on rainy days to carry you through them!

and

dear Shaun, my Gallant Knight, thank you so much for nominating me for this award! Your reading of my posts,  your gentle encouragement with these precious awards that you have bestowed on me! You are a sweetheart! You give so much encouragement to so many bloggers…I smile whenever I read your comments to others!  You are making an important impact on humanity!  Your affirmations definitely go a long way to help others continue their day to day lives, to not give up or give in, to journey through the sun and the mud, to be all that they can be–and WHY?—because YOU are there with your powerful and gentle words to encourage them and me! Thank you!

Sunshine Award

How to spread the Rays of Sunshine (…or the RULES…as they say):

* Include the award’s logo in a post or on your Blog.
* Link to the person who nominated you.
* Answer 10 questions about yourself.
* Nominate 10 Bloggers.
* Link your nominees to the post and comment on their Blogs, letting them know they have been nominated.

Respond to Ten Questions about Yourself–Share the INFO about your Sun Rays:

1.      Favorite color:   turquoise blue–it stimulates the soft and gentle part of my inner being.
2.     Favorite animal:  Giraffe — because this animal sticks its neck out…and I admire people who have the courage to “stick their neck out” for a good cause or to help another.
3.     Favorite number:  4–not too much and not too little! LOL
4.     Favorite non-alcoholic drink:  Water — water begets love crystals — bubbling all around inside of me and you!
5.     Favorite alcoholic drink:  Brandy Sweet Old-fashion — I am from Wisconsin –Of course, there must be brandy in it! Only one drink on the Evening of  Christmas Day.
6,     Favorite types of music:  Eclectic choices–depends on my mood…Romantic Songs of the 40’s…Andre Bocelli, Susan Boyle, Elton John, Moody Blues, John Denver, Simon & Garfunkel; Bee Gees, Mozart, Bach, Beethoven and Adele!  LOL
7.     My passion(s): Seeking truth…being love to myself and others…writing…oil painting
8.     Prefer getting or giving presents: Giving little presents because I hope that my giving will bless the receiver…and I am attempting to be a Minimalist…(not working too well! LOL)
9.     Favorite cities:  Montreal; St. Louis; Madison
10.  Favorite TV show:  Public Television:  British drama and comedy: “Downtown Abbey”…

My 10 nominees are each important to me in their own unique way…

*  Anna Lea West     http://annaleawest.com

I present Anna Lea West with the Sunshine Award for her the humor she injects into her writing, while still making an authentic statement about life! Her writing makes me smile so much! And I love to smile! Thank YOU for your Sunshine, Anna Lea!

*  Jerry   phoport.wordpress.com

Great photographer who knows the technique behind his art form!  Thank you, Jerry,  for bringing the SUNSHINE of nature and all things on our Mother Earth into focus for us! and besides this, he also offers some deep insights into the soul, with his very fine writing calling us to BE more than we perceive ourselves to be! I love your “Lilypad Crystal” photos by the way!

* Jack (?)  http://thedimwitdiary.com

Wild humor and he  wakes you up with his interesting comparisons and smashing honesty! Thank you for the SUNSHINE, Jack!

*  Sheri     http://sheridegrom.wordpress.com

You write the reviews with such great warmth! You are one with the author—you carry their story into our hearts, creating this desire in us to read them for ourselves! THANK YOU, Sheri,  for sharing your wonderful gift with us all and the SUNSHINE it brings into our lives of learning!

* MM Mohan  http://advocatemmmohan.wordpress.com

Your site is fascinating with all that you delve into with the law. You have a gift of understanding it far surpassing mine! Thank you for helping others with their understanding through your blog and its information. M M Mohan,you are awarded the SUNSHINE for all the rays of knowledge you bring into the lives of others!

*  Rachel Meeks      http://doilooksick.wordpress.com

Rachel, you are amazing…you have a unique sense of humor and you use it to deflect the pain you suffer from endometriosis.  I am amazed at your strength. You give us all SUNSHINE rays of HOPE!

*http://shlehora.wordpress.com

Simplicity of photography! Exquisite photos of uniquely captured moments! You will love her photos!   Thank you, Shelhora, for sharing your gift of SUNSHINE photo rays that bring life into ours!

*Alastair Duncan       http://www.adphotowalks.com 

This wordpress site is DYNAMITE! Artistic and so fantastically unique! Magnificent! Alastair, you made my heart beat rays of SUNSHINE –the style and set-up of your wordpress site is so cool…tremendous idea…the natural sounds added to your photos, your slideshows…It is an interactive site! So artistic! Love it!

*Miss Betty     http://clarabetty.wordpress.com                clarabetty@windstream.net

Miss Betty, I love your down-to-earth honesty …you speak from your heart and your truth!  Thank you for the rays of   SUNSHINE honesty!

* Stephanie Raffelock   http://somanyblogssolittletime.wordpress.com/

Stephanie, YOU bring SUNSHINE to so many lives with the creative writing classes you teach! Your personal writing is soft and gentle! That you for the gentle rays of SUNSHINE that you have brought into my life!

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Wishing YOU each  SUNSHINE days filled with rays of blessings and water crystals of love to carry you through all that you discover and experience so that you may have a fuller, richer day with yourself and all whom you meet along the journey!

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!

Thank you to dear Shaun for nominating me for the “Dragon Loyalty Award.”   You are so gallant and strong…and your blog is that of an Honest Knight!  Dear Shaun, you wrote:   “I have a great life, I am blessed, but when the hurt comes, I turn to you, Word Press..And you help me.. I hope I help you back, just a little” —- your words have helped me a great deal! Thank you for being a blogger and sharing your truth so beautifully!

Seven Facts about me:

1.  I seem to love to laugh…more and more…and not to “cover up” pain…I feel so happy! and it is WONDERFUL!  I have been sad long enough in my life…and now I think there is something more…deeper joy!

2.  I love to plant trees…unfortunately, due to last summer’s drought, trees that I watched grow for 2o years, are now dying. But today, my neighbor gave me 4 more trees to plant! How kind and generous of  Ellen!

3.  I am blessed with beautiful people in my life…my family…my daughters…my grandchildren..LOVE!

4.  I do enjoy playing Canasta and Gin Rummy…occasionally.

5.  I would love to learn French, Spanish, Hindi and Chinese.  I know one or two phrases in each. Now time for some serious studying! LOL

6.  Sometimes I get very lonely…and depressed…and I turn to my writing to free myself…and then I get responses from the wonderful WordPress family and all is well!  Since I have begun daily meditation, I am doing so much better…I see how important it is to return to the Center…to find balance.

7. I believe in the GOD of LOVE—and I am open to all forms of spirituality….because, honestly, I think we are all ONE in LOVE. We are all water love crystals, gifting each other along the way…just like a bag of marshmellows when placed in the microwave—they all become ONE! So we are marshmellows of love crystals full of love sugar and whichever religion, spirituality, view gets you to believe in yourself and the goodness of others is a wonderful, tremendous gift!

I now award 7 people:

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

A new and inspiring poet from Dhanbad, India. I am nominating Kamlesh for this award because he reminds me of a Gentle Dragon going out into the world, giving blessings and hope to all with his new found voice in poetry!

*  Saunved  Mutalik     http://saunved.wordpress.com/

So young a writer, a poet, and already on the road to success! Saunved, your blog is wonderful to read! Such versatile entries! Love your humor!

*  Mama Baker  http://crumbsnatchertales.com/

Love your recipes and joy of life…a happy dragon of delicious words!

*  Pat Gerber-Relf  http://angloswisscat.wordpress.com/

For her very delightful blog in which her dynasty cats allow her to publish their profound writings!  How wonderful and fun!

*   http://www.mybpdlife.org/

You are a courageous lady! Your words are the expression of your bravery! You are a lovely, talented and amazing dragon of inner strength!

*    http://emdawn80.wordpress.com

Love your beautiful pen drawings…your selected quotes…your words!  Your strength to go out there and be BOLD!  Definitely a gentle dragon!

*    http://theelusivescribe.wordpress.com

You receive this award, dear Elusivescribe, for you are the Dragon of Romanticism! Lovely, lovely poems have you!

* Patty     http://petitemagique.wordpress.com/2013/04/29/hardest-post-for-me-ever/

I nominate you, Patty, for this award, because you have tremendous, courageous fire in your words…you are my Dragon of Courage!

Thank you again, Shaun, for the award! YOU are my Dragon of Gallantry!   You honor me too much!  Congratulations to the SEVEN  BLOGGERS above and may your footprints of thoughts continue to grow!

Jane

The Rules are…

-Display the  Award Certificate on your website.

-Announce your win with a written post and link to whoever presented your award.

-Present 7 awards to deserving bloggers.

-Drop them a comment to tip them off after you have liked them in the post.

-Post 7 interesting things about yourself.

-If you don’t have a blog but have a website, Facebook, or Twitter or other type account, post there with a link back.