I'd Like to Thank The Academy…

This morning started the usual way. In the early morning hours I read Karin Slaughter’s KISSCUT by the fire, then played on Facebook, checked emails, and then opened my blog. That’s when I discovered Joycelin from Tribalmystic had bestowed on me the Very Inspiring Blog Award. I’ve blogged long enough to know WordPress has a million awards, but that doesn’t make it any less wonderful to receive. To think I’ve inspired someone enough to send me this award makes the work all worth it.

If you haven’t checked out Tribalmystic, it’s a place where Joycelin shares videos and posts about nature, art, tribal life, writing, short stories– there’s something for everyone. She has a way of finding the most interesting and unusual things to share, and often I learn something new with each visit. You can find her by going here, or click the title above or on my blogroll. I highly recommend a visit.

To meet the requirements of the award, I must:

1. Display the award on your blog.
2. Link back to the person who nominated you.
3. State 7 things about yourself.
4. Nominate 15 bloggers, link to them, and notify them about their nominations.

Seven things about me…

1.  Once my début novel– whichever book that might be– hits the shelves I want to get a tattoo of the book cover. I have three tattoos now, but I’m thinking of covering one of them up.

2.  I used to breed Rottweilers, but never wanted to give up the puppies. No potential home was good enough for ‘my babies’. Which is how I ended up with eight adults and a fresh litter of thirteen pups. I’m still not sure how we survived, but wouldn’t trade those memories for the world.

3.  When I was sixteen years old I went to psychic who predicted I would marry but it would only last a few years, then years later would remarry an older man (11 years older specifically) and after over a decade with this man my life would turn out better than my wildest dreams could imagine. She went into specifics, even drew pictures of the two men (both my first and second/present husbands) and gave details of my life along the way. To date, everything she’d told me has come true– right down to the tiny details, like how many car accidents I would have. I’m now waiting for my ‘dream come true’.

4.  I’m an advocate for animal rights. Personally, I think what one does to an animal should result in the same penalties as if they had committed the crime against a human. Why the law isn’t this way now baffles me. If I ever hit the lottery or strike it rich I’ll donate a large part of the money to shelters and other animal welfare organizations.

5.  I believe wholeheartedly in the human soul, that our bodies die but our soul lives on. That some have the ability to leave their physical self and astral-project to far away lands, and I’ve incorporated my beliefs in some of my books. During my forty-something years on this planet I’ve seen many things to solidify my belief. Which also means I believe in the hereafter, spirits, hauntings, and evil entities.

6.  I believe everyone is created equal regardless of race, sex, religion, or political creed, as long as they don’t harm others in the name of their beliefs. I know that sounds like a line, but it’s true. Alternatively, I believe in living by God’s teachings. So much so I was re-baptized in the Christian faith at age twenty. However, I do not believe in pushing my religion on anyone else, which is why you’ll rarely hear me speak about it, if ever.

7.  I truly try to help people any way I can, even it means putting my own needs last. For instance, years ago when the recession hit we were barely scraping by. It was Thanksgiving time and I’d seen that our local supermarket was having a one-day only sale on turkey. I knew if I didn’t rush out we wouldn’t be able to have turkey for Thanksgiving dinner. While at the market I saw this disabled woman hunched over on a walker, and she was hyperventilating.

I hurried over to her and asked if I could help. She told me she had health problems. She was massively obese, too, which also made walking difficult for her. All she wanted was a few things at the store was brought to tears from her inability to get them. I told her to sit tight and I would get what she needed, took her list and the few dollars she had and left my husband to sit with her. He was all to happy to talk with her while I was gone.

When I got to the register I realized she had only given me enough money for about half the stuff. After hearing her tales of woe minutes before I knew this was all she had, so I took my turkey and fixings money and bought her groceries instead. When I rolled the carriage over to her she started crying, hugging me so tight I could barely breathe. She didn’t know, but I had added a second small turkey for her to freeze for later.

My husband and I went home empty-handed that day, but we were filled with so much more. And even though we had eggs and bacon for our holiday meal it was our best Thanksgiving yet!

Here are the fifteen blogs I nominate, in no particular order:

1. www.dyingwords.net

2. www.leelofland.com

3. www.margotkinberg.wordpress.com

4. www.fanwritesstuff.wordpress.com

5. www,nicholasrossis.me/

6. www.happysimpleliving.com

7. www.susanclaytongoldner.com

8. www.marciamearawrites.com

9. www.thelavenderfield.wordpress.com

10. www.emaginette.wordpress.com

11. www.writeitforward.wordpress.com

12. www.taylorgraceauthor.wordpress.com

13. www.kevinhotterwritersblog.wordpress.com

14. www.theoldshelter.com

15. www.writerbabble.com

Unfortunately, some blogs I wanted to nominate are award free; have been blogging for years and probably have every award under the sun; I’ve nominated them for an award in the past, or have gotten Writer’s Digest awards and this WordPress award might seem a bit ridiculous in comparison. Therefore, I’ve excluded them from the list. Others, I simply ran out of room. There are so many great blogs that I enjoy. If yours isn’t on the list it is only because I was limited to fifteen. I’ll catch you next time.

All bloggers will be notified by tomorrow the latest. Have a great day, everyone!