Humbled

So there I was slumped back into the sofa, looking up to the ceiling after another chat with my teenager when the fan and its shadow caught my attention. There were no more words left for the teen so I shot into the air. I hate this fan 'cause it's just ugly and shows every cobweb, but it does cool the house. But, I digress.

Foiled again by the wily lass I schlump back to my lair (office) to log on and check out my blogging buddies. While one teenager disappoints this particular evening another teenager has honored my blog. Michaela at Floodwaters Photography has been a source of inspiration and delight to me since discovering her a few months ago. She is witty and smart and compassionate and extraordinarily talented. That she likes my humble blog just made my night - thanks, Michaela.

Accordingly, I must share this award with seven people whose blogs fill me up with beauty, thought, reflection, or whatever it is that draws me in. There are many blogs that do this for me, yet some that refuse awards, so I thought about it and here's my list.

Rachel at Blue Algae Creative: http://bluealgaecreative.blogspot.com/

I used to lurk at Rachel's blog simply because I felt it too beautiful for any insipid responses from me. Her blog is an artistic masterpiece. The colors she uses appeals to me just like a clear mountain stream. Thanks, Rachel, for creating such a soothing place to visit.

Nancy at Soliloquy: http://nancybond.wordpress.com/

Nancy Bond's blog draws me in every time with her extraordinary photographs and amazing poetry and prose. Her words and images are so vivid that I can feel them deep inside. They warm me softly and create a pool of contentment in my soul. I visit here every day because a day without Soliloquy is a day without sunshine.

Daniel at Nature at Close Range: http://www.natureatcloserange.com/

I met Daniel last year when he and his wife and 8 kids (you read that right) rented a house across the street while their family home was being repaired after burning. Daniel and I first noticed we loved nature photography, then we discovered we both blogged, and then we found out we were both self-professed Nature Geeks. Daniel and his son Sebastian are particularly close and love exploring nature together. Heck, some of the rest of his brood may be going out with him as well by now! Anyway, Daniel is a walking encyclopedia about birds, bugs, spiders, snakes, fish, and all the etcetera this area offers. Thanks, Daniel for being such fun and I miss you guys being across the street!

Lisa at Greenbow: http://greenbowgardens.blogspot.com/

Each and every time I visit Lisa's blog I learn something. She outlines so much about her garden and her life, punctuating each post with lovely photographs and heartfelt descriptions. Lisa just did a scrumptious piece about autumn berries that I loved, and she has Jerusalem Artichokes growing in her yard. I envy her backyard and it's lovely blooms. Oh, and I love her dog! Thanks, Lisa, for delighting me every day!

Robin at Robin's Nesting Place: http://robinsnestingplace.blogspot.com/

Robin's macro photos of butterflies and blossoms leave me breathless. Her recent post is about raising black swallowtails on her parsley and fennel, complete with pics of the chrysalis' and the caterpillars and the newly-dried butterflies with wings outstretched. I went through this process last year as well. Robin's blog is a whirlwind of gardening frenzy that I love, love, love and her photos ... as I said ... are indeed amazing! Thanks, Robin, for sharing so much of yourself with us!

Carol at The Blessing Counter: http://theblessingcounter.blogspot.com/

Carol is a long-time friend who is an amazing wife and mother of four of the bestest kids I've ever met. Carol is a talented writer and photographer and is my spiritual mentor. (she doesn't know that, but I reckon she will now) I met Carol 14 or 15 years ago when I hired her as my assistant at our television station. I tried hard to keep her at arm's length but our friendship and bond was too strong. Today, we remain good friends and always will. She's become quite the blogger and I know you'll love her as much as I do! Thanks, Carol, for being my friend.

and Outer Banks Mom: http://outerbanksmom.blogspot.com/

Outer Banks Mom is the greenest lady I've ever known. I visit her blog daily for inspiration, information, knowledge, and to get fired up about issues that truly matter. I also visit her blog for cool-o recipes, like the Cilantro Margarita that's amazing! Besides which, Outer Banks Mom lives, obviously, on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. North Carolina is one of my favorite States, period. It's the perfect state with wild, wonderful seashores, tides as wide and long as a summer day, lighthouses and wild horses, waterways and seashells and shrimp boats to the east, and rolling emerald hills, clear mountain streams with glorious rocks and cliffs and rapids and old growth trees to the west. Visiting Outer Banks Mom's blog is like visiting my favorite place....without using any gas..and teaching me what it's truly like to be Green. Thanks, OBM for being there.

DANG! I forgot to put the award in here, so here it is!!!! But putting it in messed with my spacing, drat! Rats! I don't have time to pretty this back up but it's all heartfelt.

Humbled

That's how I felt when I received notice from Jodi (Bloomingwriter) that she had amazingly chosen my blog for an Excellent award. Giraffe Head Tree is SO new, and my presence here in the blogging world has only begun. Still, every spare moment that comes my way seems to be spent here reading blogs and learning about the incredible people who inhabit this planet. Newscasts are filled with such terrible things about people, and that negativity can really get to a soul. What I find here is contagious optimism because people like Jodi write about things that they love! To use a trite phrase that's oh so fitting - Love Makes The World Go 'Round!


Jodi made it clear that I'm to pass this award on to others I feel bring their own special excellence to the table. I know just the folks...

The first recipient shall be another brand new blogger who also happens to be an old friend whom I've never met. We both love Sting and his music and virtually met on his fan club website. Patti and I have become fast friends thanks to the Internet and I know one day we'll meet face to face. She is an incredible fabric artist and photographer with a wicked sense of humor and a fearless sense of adventure. So, dear friend Patti - your new blog, Island of Souls, has been tagged by me as Excellent and I hope folks link over and take a gander at your lovely works!

The second recipient has to be Diane at Alberta Postcards, formerly Sand to Glass. I first linked to her blog from Jodi's simply because that name - Sand to Glass - intrigued me. The imagery is SO perfect in my head, and I always visualize beach glass - that soft, green beach glass. I love that imagery and the memories it brings forth. The quote that Diane keeps at the top that says "Use what talents you possess. The woods would be very silent if no birds sang there, except those that sang best" has been placed prominently on my vision board, it's so perfect. Diane also wants to put a labryinth in her yard....just like Sting has...and that's just so cool! She photographs trees and birds in addition to flowers, but one of the main reasons are her two Australian Shepherds!!! I love looking at her dog's photos and miss my own Aussie, Brie, so much. I've sort of virtually (there's that word again) adopted them. She has another blog called Dogs Naturally that focus on her Aussies and her Spaniel and naturally I check it out often.

The third recipent is John at Born Again Bird Watcher. An amateur bird watcher myself, I've learned so much from his blog. He is an extraordinarily gifted writer and birder watcher, and has provided a plethora of links and details about birding that I've never known existed. His blog continues to fascinate me, and educates me daily. Besides that, he's just a really nice guy!

I've not talked with many more folks so this'll have to do it for me. Thank you, Jodi, for bestowing this honor upon my blog today. It was a nice surprise and a very humbling moment for this new blogger.