You like me! You really like me!
I have been called plenty of names in my life. And some of them were even nice. I was recently called a Versatile Blogger by thesinglecell, who is a smart, talented, funny, insightful and all around wonderful human being. And I really, truly, honestly mean that, from the depths of my bloggy little heart.
Note: If you would like to give me an award, there are plenty more adjectives where those came from. As a Versatile Blogger, I am really good at matching the appropriate adjective with the appropriate person.
There are four rules for the Versatile Blogger award: 1) post a link to the Versatile Blogger who gave you the award, 2) share seven things about yourself, 3) nominate 15 other bloggers for the Versatile Blogger award, and 4) send them a note letting them know you nominated them.
Note: I realize that I’m saying Versatile Blogger a lot, but I don’t want you to forget that I was given an award and that that award is the Versatile Blogger award.
Seven Things About Myself, a Versatile Blogger award recipient:
1. I believe in animal ghosts, but don’t know that I believe in people ghosts. Of course, that animal ghost thing kind of makes not believing in people ghosts sound silly. All I know is that we had animal ghosts in our house when I lived in Richmond with my roommate. True story.
2. If I could be granted one wish (ala genie in a lamp), I would wish for a beautiful singing voice. Singing is one thing that brings me true joy. Unfortunately, my singing does not bring other people true joy.
3. A couple of times a year, I get an odd kind of driving anxiety, a feeling that I’m going to be in a car crash. Every day, I think, “Yep, this is the day – I can feel it.” Eventually, I’ll have a close call and think, “Well that was it, no crash this time,” and the anxiety will disappear. Once, for no reason, I stopped short of an intersection and almost immediately, a car blew through his Stop Sign at about 40 miles an hour. I was in a Yugo, so I would have been dead.
4. I can’t stand to see people’s feet propped up on a car dashboard or hanging out the window. All I can think about is how they’re gonna lose those feet in the crash. Or at the very least, there will be a lot of rehab. Have you ever seen someone driving with one leg propped up on the door frame and a foot hanging out the driver’s side window? I have. I mean, Come On! Please just sit up properly and drive your car like you actually care that you’re wielding a dangerous weapon all out in public and everything. Plus, it’s just gross. I don’t want to see your feet.
5. I adore Roy Roger’s movies. Especially the ones with Dale Evans and Gabby Hayes. Roy is very kind and calm. He has a gentle face and voice, even when he’s telling someone off. And he’s likely to punch someone in the face at the drop of a hat. Also, I love it when Bob Nolan and the Sons of the Pioneers sing. Don’t judge me.
6. I like to untangle things. Like wind chimes and necklaces and string. I find it very relaxing and a soothing kind of activity, quiet and slow. But I really, really hate when I have to untangle the blind cords. That’s just annoying.
7. Sometimes I have zombie dreams. Just out of the blue. The oddest part is that these are relatively calm dreams. For nightmares, I mean. I am filled with anxiety because … Zombies. But my actions are calm and the people around me are calm. The zombies are slow movers and people kind of lazily say things like, “Oh, you’d better shut that door; here comes one of those damned zombies.” I can only remember one time when there was any blood, actual tearing out of flesh and ickyness. Usually, I’m scared of the zombies in my dream, but I don’t know why because they never really do anything.
I Nominate 15 12 Bloggers for the Versatile Blogger Award:
1. averageinsuburbia – her foyer is kinda average, but she is not. She’s interesting and funny and she makes a mean Lemon Gingerbread. Really, it’s not a nice gingerbread. I only bring it up because she got me hooked on her Project Runway reviews. So I guess we’re even now.
2. Atoms of Thought – is a great writer. And a great photographer. His travel posts make you want to jump on a plane and just go. That said, my favorite pieces are his character studies and about his experiences. You could almost believe you lived it yourself.
3. Today I think… – a busy lady juggling three blogs (that I know of). You can acquire a whole new vocabulary on this site, and there are cats. Also, she has a way of making me want to be a better person. A slow down, stop and look around, appreciate what I’ve got kind of person.
4. Learn More EveryDay – Patti does a bit of everything: book reviews, great photos, cooking, patriotism, moose videos. I’ve learned about whales and elephants on her site, too. Plus she started me on my Thankfulness journey. For which I’m thankful.
5. Walls with Doors – she’s so versatile, she had to split her blog in two. My favorite is Chasing Now, where she talks about all kinds of things, like lessons your dog can teach you, gardening, knitting, and starting a whole new life. She also writes about running at Run Nature.
6. Vishal’s Photolog – this is a photography site, but he also has so many interesting things to say. I’ve experienced a different world on his blog. And yes, the photos are phenomenal.
7. Girl on the Contrary – she’s funny, ya’ll! GotC is one of my new favorite reads. She makes awkward look good! Also she writes book reports, in case you need one. And then there’s Grammy…
8. Fix It or Deal – I’m always interested in what she has to say, even though she is a zombie fanatic. I have to admit, her zombie calendar fiction is pretty good. And you’ll want to take a look at those Retro Ads. Plus she can sew. ‘Nough said.
9. Todd Pack – I imagine Mr. Freshly Pressed has gotten one of these before. But there’s no denying he’s versatile, covering everything from bifocals to the inevitable zombie apocalypse. (No, I’m not going to link you to another zombie post. You’ll just have to go to Todd’s blog and search for them yourself.)
10. thoughtsappear – likes scary movies, but I don’t hold that against her. She’s another funny one, and you can find a little bit of everything on her blog, too. Also, Pop Tarts. Also, a cat named Esme, sometime guest blogger.
11. Real Southern Men – okay, so this one is about the South. But they are versatile in their coverage, from Elvis to NASA to spray starch to the Tuscaloosa tornado. Plus they have Twanglish lessons. You can’t buy those at the Walmarts.
12. Dendrochronology – is not very active right now (sad face). Still, there are a lot of interesting posts on her site, and it’s worth a peek. Or two.
Okay, that’s only 12, but it’s all I could come up with for now. Thesinglecell gave me the award, or she’d be on this list for sure. Plus she gave one to Pithypants, who would also otherwise be on this list. So, technically that’s 14, and I’m satisfied.
I hope you will visit some of these other bloggers and like them as well as I do. Looking over my list, I’m realizing how much variety there is up there, so there’s something here for everyone. Enjoy!
♥
As I was looking through the Related Articles suggestions, no less than seven posts were recommended where people talked about winning the Versatile Blogger award. Hmmm…. maybe I’m not that special after all. But you still like me don’t you?
Items of Interest:
In Which I Bestow Honors on People by thesinglecell
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steadily skipping stones 
What a nice surprise and a great way to start the week! Thanks a lot!
You’re very welcome! Sorry not to notify you properly, but I ran out of time last night. Also, now that it’s light out, I’m thinking I should have gone ahead and linked to that post about the “Zombies Ahead” sign. That was pretty funny.
Congratulations! And thank you!
I would wish for a beautiful singing voice, too.
You’re welcome! Again, I’m sorry for not giving you a proper notice. I’m getting a late start this morning! Tell Esme I said “Hi!” and to get that doobie out of her mouth.
Well, bless your heart! (And we mean that in the kind way, not the “you poor little thing, you must have an closed-head injury” kind of way. We may just have to get you to do a guest post about the animal ghosts in October for our first annual “Haints and Boogers” week.
Haha, thanks! I was just thinking about “bless your heart” last night – I think someone brought that up on a post about Ya’ll and colloquialisms that Girl on the Contrary did. It was near the time you did the Twanglish lesson on it. Not to repeat myself, but sorry for not notifying you the correct way. But thanks for subscribing! You did the right thing. 🙂
Also, I don’t know how much story I can milk out of the animal ghosts, but it sure felt real. It’s an interesting question, and I think I’ll add it to my Query list. “Do You Believe In Ghosts?” would be a great October question. I do, I do, I do believe in ghosts. (Just covering my bases in case there are any looking over my shoulder right now.)
And I should point out that most Real Southern Men have no problem with zombies, now that they all attack Atlanta. Nobody likes the ATL…not even the people who live there. The zombies will probably spruce up the place.
Bless their hearts! I’ve only been to a bus station in Atlanta, making a connection. It was a 1 hour stop and that was enough for me. I’ve often thought that I didn’t give that town enough credit. Maybe I’ll wait till the zombies are done with their fixer upper projects.
Thanks! You’re a peach!!! Also, create a strategy for a zombie apocalypse situation and your dreams will probably seem less scary because, hey, you’re prepared.
You’re welcome! I’m getting a late start this morning, so sorry for the sloppy notification.
Hah! Great advice. I currently have no plans, so maybe that’s it. At least those dreams are rather benign, for zombie dreams. Actually, the bloody one was a week or so ago, but they are very rare. And I have to tell you that I never did dream of Chris Pine. *sign*
I don’t know if you remember the old SNL skit where the residents in an apartment hear a knock on the door and someone say “Candygram” and it ends up being a shark who eats them. Watch out for that trick, it might be zombies…
Thank you for your kind words!
I do remember that! So funny. And they always fell for it. I will watch out for similar tricks. And you’re welcome. Sorry about the gingerbread thing, but you had it coming. I was weaned off that show and doing just fine. And now…oh, boy…I’m feeling the need for a fix already.
PS – that gingerbread post was hi-larious. You know I had to link to it!
Thanks so much for the award! I’m so honored! Your occasional car crash driving anxiety caused my first huge guffaw of the day. I have the same affliction. Mine started when I was in a freak minor motorcycle accident in Mexico (the rim of our back wheel split in half). Ever since then I have days where I’ll have the same feeling of “this could be the day . . .” Of course, that accident happened 30 years ago . . . Sounds like a blog post! Thanks again. Love your blog as well.
You’re most welcome!
Yes, I don’t know where I picked up that particular anxiety. And it’s weird that it comes and goes. I drove on Interstate 95 2 hours a day for about 10 years and mostly I felt fine. I would tease my friends who were scared of it. Now I’m never on 95. The last time I had that feeling, I almost rear-ended someone. Then, about 3 minutes later, someone almost rear-ended me. Then I got on the highway and saw an overturned truck. So, crashes avoided, anxiety evaporated. Two days later I got on 95 again and another overturned truck. I didn’t get back on the highway for a week after that. I’ve turned into a highway sissy.
How awesome are you? Thanks so much!
And I was just talking about #4 on your list with a friend the other day. Can you imagine how that person’s legs will snap when the airbag goes off? Or if the car flips? Gives me the heebie-jeebies!
And you know what? I never have zombie dreams. Maybe I think about them too much during the day so my brain takes a break from them while I’m asleep.
Thanks again!
Yeah, I’m pretty awesome. Just kidding! And you’re very welcome.
That’s what I always think – the crushing and crunching of all those bones. Especially now with the air bags – that would really do the trick. I always wonder why parents let their kids do that. I wouldn’t let my nephews sit up front until the recommended age. That went over really well, but suck it up, kid! I want you to live after the air bag deploys. Heebie-jeebies, now that’s accurate!
I really do like the zombie stories you write. My favorite so far was that bride one. I liked the first person zombie viewpoint. Those poor zombies. I’ve probably been misjudging them all this time.
Excellent List Of Random Things. Thanks for the beautiful adjectives… much appreciated, my dear. And thanks for the new read suggestions! (PS – I am a singer, and I will say this to you: Sing anyway. If it gives you joy, do it.)
I knew you sang opera and I think in the choir. And I’m only slightly resentful. Just slightly.
I should sing more. We all should do what makes us happy. I’m out of practice and that’s a shame.
Thanks so much! You’re right, I haven’t been around much lately. Vacation and getting kids ready to go back to school have been all-consuming. Today is their first day back, so hopefully I’ll get a couple of posts in before I go back next month. I think I have a couple of things to say! 🙂 Thanks again!
You’re most welcome! I figured as much about vacation and school. My vacation is coming up and I’m thinking there will be fluff pieces.
Enjoy the first day of school! Quiet, isn’t it?
Thank you, sweet girl. Hmmm, list 7 things bout me that are new to blogworld that I can actually feel ok bout letting everyone know. Guess that leaves out the time I…and when I…and what I…and how I…my anxiety bout… don’t worry I will think of something…
You’re certainly welcome! But now it’s work, right? I feel your pain. It took me a couple of days to come up with 7 things to share.
Thanks. What a pleasant surprise and a great way to start the day! I have not been writing as often as I would like the last few weeks, but this will help get me back on track. And I realize I am going to have to pay more attention to zombies–they have not been on my radar but I will be more vigilant. And I love leads to other posts!
You’re welcome! I’ve noticed your absence, but it seems to be that time of year. Several of the people I subscribe to have been quiet here in August.
I realized as I was going along that there were quite a few zombie references all in a row there. Maybe all of these other bloggers know something I don’t? Like you, I’m trying to pay more attention.
hello..!! i am really glad to have that epithet…!! first time my blog is on someone’s fav list. i must confess that i am not a voracious blogger, and barely manage enough time to open up my own blog once in a while..( in short, im a student )..
I love the name of your blog….keeps ringing in my mind pretty often..!
keep up the great work..
cheers..
Thanks, I really love your work and you always have great and interesting things to say. Better a little at a time than not at all!
Thank you, Michelle! It means a lot to me that you included me in this even though I’ve been neglecting my blog. I don’t know when I’ll get back to writing. The truth is that I don’t have time. Between home visits and planning lessons, I just can’t find space to think carefully about writing.
You’re welcome! It will all come together before you know it. It’s a new place and a new school and it’ll be crazy for a while, I’m sure. We’ll be here when you get back to it.