Awesome Award

You all know already that I'm a total dork when it comes to prizes. And I'm competitive. (Yes. That's my picture there in the dictionary as reference.)  I don't like games that are totally chance (say, stupid BUNKO). I like games where brains and strategy are all that's required. Please leave out all those things I can't control m'kay? No dice, no draw a card. I need a game where when I win, no one can say, “You got lucky.”

Therefore, I'm also a total dork about blog awards. As I was writing more, and getting around the blogosphere more and more, I noticed awards on people's blogs. And wondered where to enter the contest! What do I need to do to win? Then I began seeing, “This is an award free blog”. Huh? Who wouldn't want an award? I totally didn't get it, and still really don't. If someone wants to recognize you and appreciate you, what's so bad about that? I do understand about blog clutter, and yes, some people have too much stuff everywhere, making finding even the post, or the follow button time-consuming, but personally, I think awards shouldn't be the first items to go.

I do understand the time thing, though. I know that some awards “require” you linking back, and promoting someone else's blog as you pick your own “winners” to pass it along to. But then they in turn promote your blog. Aren't we all in this together?

That said, I got an award a while back from a wonderful bloggy friend, Rayna, of Coffee Rings Everywhere. She writes in drabbles ~ exactly 100 word stories. I was thrilled to get it, but a bit shy to put it up after seeing all the award-free blogs. Is that some secret club that I won't be able to join if I have one? Cuz I sure wouldn’t want to be excluded from somewhere because I was proud of myself, you know, in a braggy way. Sigh. Maybe I over-analyze.

Rayna gave me this award.

Adorable, right? What she wrote about me here really made me smile.

I'm passing it on to six bloggers who I find awesome, as instructed. Choosing was quite hard because I've met so many really gifted and unique bloggers. I'm putting these in alphabetical order by first name since it was hard enough choosing just six, let alone putting them in order...smiles (as a friend would say)

Amanda @ House Revivals and Redemption by Beauty Everlasting: We met at church, and she's the reason I have any followers at all. I'd been blogging sporadically for over a year, and she was my only visitor. Then she invited me to Alphabe-Thursday (button in side bar) which let me begin my journey through blogland. I will forever be in her debt. Plus, she's the McGyver of crafts. Seriously.

Barbara @ signed...bkm: She's one of my favorite poets, and a very encouraging blogger. Her poems make me think, feel, question, and smile. A visit there is always worth it.

Brian Miller @ WaystationOne: Immensely talented and such an encouragement to writers of all levels. I find his comments all over blogland. How he has time to do that I have no idea, but wherever I find myself, he has usually boldly gone before and left a footprint. (Also, got to admit it was a kick when he asked me to do a two-part story with him.)

Cheryl @ Deckside Thoughts: We have a lot in common, and I just love her honest “just put it out there” attitude. I appreciate her sincere comments, and that she takes the time to give me constructive feedback. She's also a tireless crusader for the underdog, and funny as hell.

H @  Little Sealed Packages: She's supported me from the beginning, and has a stunning photo blog with wonderful narration. When I read her posts, I can almost taste the salt mist on my tongue or feel the wind sweeping across the moors as I gaze at what she captures with her lens.

Polly @ 5^th Sister: She's real, amazingly talented, and a wonderful, open friend. And this woman can Haiku, let me tell you. Also, how she can make one post fit three memes at the same time baffles me. Completely.

I encourage you to take the time to visit my friends.