Pointing the Way toward Excellence…..

I am sincerely pleased to acknowledge a nomination from Aquiliana at the enormously popular La Audacia de Aquiles for the Excellence Blog Award. Audacia de Aquiles is a most fascinating journey into Greek Mythology, history and the underpinnings to Western Civilization. Always fascinating to visit and learn. Thank you so very much Aquiliana!!! Gosh, I hope I got those vowels right.

As is consistent with the awards, I am to pass on this award to ten or so worthy creators and point the way to their site. There are so many wonderful bloggers out there and each award provides me the gift to point toward those amazing minds. With this award, you are kindly spared knowing the minutiae about SwittersB, so let me immediately point the way to my selections for the Excellence in Blogging Award.

Circadian Reflections   Gossamer Threads   Storyteller   Fabulous 50’s   Lipstick & Coffee

       Abstract Art by Sharon Cummings   Sherry Lachelle Photography   Serendipity

Foxxie Cinnamon’s Blog   Passion through Poetry   The One Thing I Know for Sure

                                   Rosie Smartie Pants   Simon Bowler Photos

 

Feeling the loves…..

I have, yet again, been remiss in acknowledging two award nominations from two decidedly awesome blogs. I want to extend sincere thank you’s to Amanda at Inside the Life of Moi for her rewarding me with the Liebster Award and to Trish at Digital Trish for her bestowing the One Lovely Blogger Award. 

 I typically consolidate the requirements for multiple awards to admittedly make it easy on me as well as the recipients (go to Amanda’s blog and look at the multiple nominations for multiple awards and you see what a class woman she is by complying with a gazillion requirements). So allow me to combine the Liebster and One Lovely Blogger requirements and adhere to the thanks you’s, responses about SwittersB and the nominations. Again, I am very thankful for the recognition and loyal following of kind visitors.

So, what are the rules for the Liebster Award?

To accept this award, the nominee must:

– give a link back to the person who nominated them…did that in thanking Amanda at Inside the Life of Moi.

– answer 11 questions set by the person who nominated you

– provide 10 facts about yourself

– choose 10 more people and ask them 10 questions.

1-If you could go back in time, what year would you travel to?  To start over? 1966…I would take the wisdom I have gained from a multitude of mistakes and go forth being a better man. If just visiting then, 1920’s to witness my Dad’s origins in the then primitive hollers of McDowell Co. West Virginia…his stories were very intriguing…he left home at 13 to start working in saw mills. 

2-What is your greatest ambition in life? To be a better man…more spiritual…to forgive myself in the end.

3-University or life experience, which do you feel best prepares you for life? Life experiences hopefully coupled with adults that guide and mentor.  

4-If you could listen to only one song for the rest of your life, which song would it be? If the appropriate medicinal aides are available for such an extended dose, then Sweet Home Alabama…hell I don’t know.

5-What’s your worst pet peeve? Sheeples, Lemmings, Puppets of any stripe…dangerous lot.

6-What was your favorite toy as a kid? Realizing I am a bit over the hill…Lionel train set for indoors and all the basics for outside: bike & balls of all kinds. 

7-Last thing you bought? Hmmm? Same day: Pressure cooker, battery for Pentax Optio W60, fly tying materials for Winter steelhead flies.

8-T.V. show you secretly enjoy? Nothing now…in the past…brace yourself: Teen Mom 2, Catfish, American Idol. Darn women in your life rope you into watching all manner of fluff.

9-One place you could travel right now? South Pacific

10-Who would you want with you if you were stranded on a deserted island? Wife, extended family. All hard working, skilled, warriors, giving, loving.

11-How would your friends describe you? Hmm? Loyal, generous, a good listener, intuitive, supportive. 

 Now 10 (more) facts about myself (I know, I know…this is way more than you wanted to know about me! But, we are almost done) Born Portland, Oregon in 1948. I worked for 32 years as a cop and then 11 years managing a non-profit business unit seeking employment for folks with disabilities. I have four wonderful children and for now two lovely grandchildren. I love retirement. I love snowy, quiet nights. I acquired multiple tattoos later in life. 

Now enough about me. More importantly are my nominees for the Liebster and One Lovely Awards. My personal criteria for selecting are passion, heart, compassion, spirituality, fun, humility, wisdom and an eye for beauty. You know how many worthy creators there are out there. There are a multitude of amazing artists that I follow, but today I am pointing the way to these favorites of mine. Show them your appreciation please. If for some reason life’s demands are a bit much right now, don’t feel bad if you can’t fulfill the routine. Just know you are appreciated.

Here are my Liebster nominees: (Liebsters you can answer the same questions I answered should you choose to accept)

Spread Love Everywhere You Go      Waldo Tomosky        In Touch with Emma      Heartafire~House of Heart

Isabella Rose Photography      John Poet Flanagan       Mieux Vivre Jardin          Living With My Ancestors

I didn’t have my glasses on….      iblogstr8sicit’s Blog

Here are my One Lovely Blogger Nominees:

Reject Reality         Taking One Day At A Time       SilkAnnThreades         Worldly Winds        Second Half Woman

Granny’s Garden       A Swift Current~Letting Our Parents Go      Dealing With Dementia

10 Legs in the Kitchen            Captivating Bitter                 She Kept a Parrot

 

Awards: Remiss with Thank You’s……….

I have been remiss in acknowledging two award nominations from kind followers of SwittersB. First, in the chill of Winter, Margaret Prezioso-Frye at Myas…A Tragic Lady was generous in pointing the way to SwittersB for The Lovely Blogger Award. And, just recently Gavin at Sedge808 was gracious enough to nominate me for The Versatile Blogger Award. I mean Lovely and Versatile both…wow! Margaret captivates with the written word and Gavin stirs the mind with Black & White ‘Noir’ photography..check them out!

And the beauty is I have two spots where I can conspicuously present the awards for consumption……..

This screw in the wall is begging for a significant object to be hung right there.

As luck would have it, a bare spot exists too on a vintage shelf…

As you no doubt know, each award has a set of requirements that should be scrupulously adhered to……….

The usual requirements call upon me to share 7 ‘interesting’ facts, or assumptions, about me….hmmm?

1. I had a fractured front tooth extracted yesterday and it hurt like hell, even with Novocaine and laughing gas!

2. I have visited a nude beach before, without clothes of course, but I wore dark sunglasses.

3. I have been diagnosed with PTSD and find it a labyrinth of mazes and compartments to sort through.

4. My right wrist is fully fused with gobs of hip bone and a titanium bar affixed with 7 screws…I don’t set off metal detectors.

5. I am fond of Fuchsia, Roses & Clematis.

6. I refrain from Judge Judy, Oprah Winfrey, Dr. Phil and hockey.

7. I have an affinity for old, vintage photographs…something in them does something in me.

And now I am to suggest several blogs that I personally enjoy and you might as well. Now the crux, I see, is which award am I nominating them for? I kind of made a muddled mess of this mentioning two different awards. 

Let me first say that if life, time constraints, mental fog and such just make following through with the award nomination difficult, I totally understand if you don’t pass on the process. Just know you were nominated and that you personally lift my day as well as other folks too. As for the specific award and because I have two nominations, I will leave it to you to select the one that suits your tastes.

So here are some pleasurable diversions that SwittersB enjoys and again sorry for the delays Margaret & Gavin…………..

Merilee Mitchell at The Gravel Ghost

Livonne in the Blue Mountains of Australia

Leyla Garza at I Lost My Lens Cap

Belinda at Busy Mind Thinking

Cynthia Baker at Simple Pleasures ~ Visual Poetry

Jim Work with Southwest Texas Photography

Thank You For the Award(s) (Very Inspiring Blogger Award)

Today, out of the blue, I simultaneously received three nominations for The Very Inspiring Blogger Award. I express special thanks to Eunice at Living and Lovin , to Rebecca at Prince Charming Isn’t Here and to Bette at  4 Writers and Readers for nominating me for this award after they were also the recipient of the award.

If you are at all familiar with such awards, you are asked to fulfill a couple obligations that passes on a little information about the recipient (SwittersB) and passes on the award to other bloggers that I enjoy (their spirit, content, positivity, talent).

It is traditional to pass along 7 pieces of info about me:

1. I eat meat and like my steaks medium rare. I probably only have that meat once a week though. The rest of the time it is fruit, grains, vegetables and dairy products.  I am quite content with a bowl of cereal.

2. I hate Judge Judy and Doctor Phil! Well ok, I don’t hate  them but they irritate the hell out of me.

3. I love photography, but have little training or technical knowledge. I see things and take the photograph. I am not certain what ‘style’ or techniques I am employing.

4. I want to plan at least two significant fishing trips in the next 6 years, while I am fit enough to enjoy them. ‘Significant’ is like a prior trip I took to Christmas Island.

5. I have four great kids and two awesome grandchildren.

6. Of all the maladies that have beset me, I have faired pretty well: four surgeries, some broken bones, too much dental work. But, the most aggravating decline has been my eyesight and wearing glasses. Annoying as hell. 

7. I use to fish at least once a week, now I infrequently fish. The outdoors is a chapel of sorts for me. That fishing frequency needs to be increased soon.

Now for my recommendations of recipients for The Inspiring Blogger Award. I am to nominate 15 interesting blogs. There are many. There are many that have also received numerous awards, so if you already received the TVIBA in the past no worries. Just know you still have what it takes!

1. Follow The Light

2. Life Out of the Box

3. Chasing Art

4. David Heilman

5. my guilty pleasures

6. Sigoese

7. Gary Schollmeier

8. Maggie Mendus

9. Grandmother’s Musing

10. Romancing the Bee

11. Seth Snap

12. Outdooress

13. Bailfly

14. Light Touch

15. A Window Into The Woods

There you have my worthy nominations for The Inspiring Blogger Award. Check out their inspiring blogs and give them your likes. Thanks again Eunice, Rebecca and Bette!