I'm thankful to be over the latest cold at last. I finally have some energy after a week of feeling as drained as a vampire victim. (I checked my neck and chest. No bite marks.) No big writing news this week. Still plugging away at the cat story.
I'm thankful for all the great internet friends I've found through writing and blogging. One of them nominated me for the Very Inspiring Blogger Award. Thank you Katie L. Carroll. Katie is a YA novelist and editor extraordinaire. Check out Elixir Bound to sample her work.
The rules for accepting this award are as follows:
1. Thank the person who nominated you, and link to their blog.
2. Display the award logo.
3. Nominate at least 15 other blogs (more or less) and provide a link where they may be found.
4. Then, go to their blog, leave a comment to let them know they have been nominated, and where to find the information they need to accept (rules).
5. Mention three things that inspired you the most during the past few weeks.
1. One of my daughters went to another round of cleft clinic recently. It's an all day medical appointment in which a bunch of specialists check out your progress and make recommendations. She was born with a cleft lip and palette and has been through way too many surgeries for someone her age. She now has years of orthodontics in front of her. She continues to smile, as cheerful, sassy, and competitive as ever.
2. Snow. Yes, I know the weather seems really lame, but when I look across my backyard with it's foot of fresh white snow and the bright sunshine gleaming off that shimmering surface, I feel happy and energized.
3. Conan. I've been listening to Howard's Conan stories on LibriVox. There's a reason these stories have lasted and sound fresh no matter how many times I listen. Howard has created a vibrant world for his hero. Conan's character doesn't evolve much, but it can be comforting to find something consistent. Conan's indomitable spirit is inspiring in and of itself.
Here are my nominees:
1. M. Pax—mpaxauthor.com
2. Lyndon Perry—www.lyndonperrywriter.com
3. Tyrean Martinson—tyreanswritingspot.blogspot.com
4. Christine Rains—christinerains-writer.blogspot.com
5. Catherine Stine—www.catherinestine.blogspot.com
Keep writing and keep hoping. What are you celebrating this week?
Want to join in the fun that is Celebrate The Small Things, sign up here.
Nice post, Jeff! I'll check out your nominees, too. Have a great weekend.
ReplyDeleteWow! Thank you, Jeff! Can I rename you as an Inspiring writer and blogger? I was just coming by to tell you I finally put up a review for Give Me Your Teeth - an excellent read. :)
ReplyDeleteI think that stories like Conan are comforting too. There is something timeless about them. My family and I love John Flanagan's Ranger Apprentice series although my husband noted with the last book that "it has all the same elements as the others, but I still really liked it." Yep, there is something satisfying about familiar tales with a slightly new twist.
The inspiration from your daughter's sassy cheerfulness in the face of all those surgeries is awesome. I had a grandmother who was born with a cleft palate and although she didn't receive surgery until she was older, she was the one that started me on this journey of storytelling. Her ability to use her voice dramatically in spite of some speech difficulties always inspired me.
I'm glad to hear you're feeling better, Jeff!
ReplyDeleteSorry your daughter has been through so much.
ReplyDeleteMissed you Wednesday for the IWSG.
Glad you'e feeling better. Now have a good weekend.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the Inspiring Blogger award :)
ReplyDeleteIt's touching and inspiring that your daughter comes through her challenges like a trouper. Health issues really put things in perspective, don't they? I hope she gets all the help she needs. I'm glad you found an author who inspires you. We all need inspiration! Have a great weekend! :)
ReplyDeleteWow, your daughter sounds like a trooper. It's great that she keeps on smiling even through all the surgeries!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the award and thank you for the nomination. :) Glad you're feeling better, and it sounds like your daughter is very brave. Have a terrific week!
ReplyDeleteBTW, I have another award for you at my blog! It's the Liebster AWard! http://tyreanswritingspot.blogspot.com/2015/02/wow-very-inspiring-blogger-award.html
ReplyDeleteThanks for the award. Hugs to your daughter and her awesome smile. I went thru 10 years of orthodontics as a kid. I'm just finally starting to feel better.
ReplyDeleteLoved the post, Jeff, especially the image of that sassy daughter.
ReplyDeleteI loved this post. Anyone who can see through the darkness, through negative, and find some small hope of light is wonderful in my book! Your daughter is such a trooper. I'm sure her smile is just beautiful! <3
ReplyDeleteAnd snow...I sure miss it, just not the shoveling or the fact it gets dirty. So I will just look at pictures. It's how we Floridian's do snow. :)
Jamie Dement (LadyJai)
Caring for My Veteran