Wet and Aggressive Corella challenges Magpie

Wet and Aggressive Corella challenges Magpie

Monday 7 July 2014

Sharing the Warmth and Wonder

Last week Vickie from Musings, Tea and Me featured me on her blog tour.  Which was a surprising, and lovely gesture.

Like awards, the blog tour comes with conditions (drat it).  We are to introduce ourselves (with photos) and answer a few questions.  The next step is to feature three of the blogs we love, and invite the featured people to follow suit in a week.

The selected questions are:
What am I working on?
How does my work differ from others of its genre?
Why do I write/create what I do? and
How does my writing/creative process work?

Some of this is easy.  Some of it not.

The questions?  Bleah.  They fit me and my lifestyle about as well as stiletto heels and size zero clothing.
So I am going to ignore them and give a potted summary of who I am.
I am an appreciator rather than a creator.  I no longer work (except on a voluntary basis). 
I read.  Obsessively.  I garden,  Obsessively.  I am a beauty addict, and find it everywhere.  I am endlessly awed and fascinated by nature.  My partner (known as the smaller portion or his high and skinniness) and I have shared our lives for over thirty-five years.  The household is ruled by two furry black tyrants who answer, when and if it suits them, to Jazz n Jewel.  I am frequently disgusted by people.  I am as often awed by them.  I am endlessly curious.  Photos of a few of my obsessions follow.

The garden.


Earrings.  I have a passion for them and have ten more of these hangers.  And other earrings as well.  Oops.



And eastern rosellas.  I hope to see them in the garden again - soon.



In keeping with my obsessive nature, I follow, and love, a lot of blogs.  Some of them are written by people who share (and feed) my obsessions interests.  Some of them share life experiences, and others live half a world away both literally and metaphorically.  I recognise the similarities, I marvel at the differences.  There are writers (lots and lots of writers).  There are gardeners.  There are animal lovers.  There are other people with the dread disease (Multiple Sclerosis).  There are people with other ailments.  There are artists from a range of genres, and I warm my hands at the blaze of their talents.

I learn from bloggers, I laugh with bloggers, I cry with bloggers.  And all of them enrich my world.  My introverted anti-social self has found a home here.  And I cherish it.

I loathe and detest singling out just three bloggers.  It feels mean.  And wrong.  And exclusionary.  Just the same, I have done it.  And selected three very different blogs and bloggers.

Unlike Vickie I didn't approach these people and seek their agreement.  I was pretty certain that if I did so it would give them time to find excuses reasons not to join in.  I have essentially ambushed them .  I hope they will play - but will fully understand it if they decide not to.  If any of the rest of you would like to run with the meme - please feel free.  Take it away and run with it.   Sharing the love is always a positive.

Waffling over, and onto three of the blogs I love.  In alphabetical order, based on the names of their blogs. 

 The first is Mimsie from A Geriatric Grandmother.  Mimsie is 82, a mother, grand mother and great grand mother.  She also describes herself (most unjustly) as a bit of an all round twit.  Her body is being treacherous but her mind is still razor sharp.  I am in absolute awe at her memory and love the snapshots she shares of her life, and that of her husband.  She has also featured some stunning series of posts about animals and plants.   And gives us some funny and charming pictorial posts as well.

And then to Kim from My Inner Chick.  Kim's world was turned upside down and shattered when her much loved sister Kay was murdered.  By Kay's estranged husband.  Since then grief, anger, and pain have been, and are, an integral part of Kim's world.  Darkness and despair.  And, while grieving, she works tirelessly to get the word out so that other families don't suffer in the way she does.  Domestic violence is an obscenity and I am in awe that she hasn't buckled under the burden she carries and is reaching out to help others.  You rock Kim - and are one of my heroes.

And finally to jennifer from ripplestreak.  Jennifer is a gardener, a poet and an artist.  And a skilled photographer as well.  Multi-talented, and using all of those talents to create and share beauty.  The vibrant colours and lush words encapsulated in each and every one of her posts makes my heart sing, and brightens the greyest day and mood. 

I do hope that you will visit any of these bloggers that you don't already know - and get as much joy from them as I do.







93 comments:

  1. Superb the earrings and Eastern Rosellas are wonderful, thanks.

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    1. Bob Bushell: The Eastern Rosellas are so very beautiful. Budgies on steriods...

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  2. I can't wait to visit those bloggers you mentioned. And if Florida had those gorgeous birds here, I wouldn't hate being here so much. And you DO love earrings!! I wish we had some people photos of you and his thinness.

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    1. lotta joy: I really, really don't do photos of myself. There is more than enough ugliness in the world already. And yes, I do have a teeny, weeny weakness for earrings.

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  3. I admire folks who have the energy and itnerest to create beautiful gardens.

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    1. Delores: My mother was a gardener and as a young thing I thought she was mad. Slowly and steadily the addiction took hold...

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  4. Fingers crossed that some rosellas cross your garden soon =)

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  5. Earrings huh ~ we learn something new about you EC :). Congratulations on the award.

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    1. Carol in Cairns: I am obsessed by rather a lot of things - and earrings have been a long-standing love.

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  6. You did a super job here. Loved those ear rings! I see some tourquoise ones!
    I will check out your favorite blogs when I can!

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    1. Bookie: You have a keen eye. There are indeed turquoise earrings in my stash. I hope you can check out these blogs.

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  7. I am a little jealous of your birds! Beautiful. thank you for sharing those with us.

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    1. mohave rat: You get birds I am jealous of as well (hummingbirds for one). Sharing them lets us all marvell at them.

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  8. Now that's a lot of earrings! Beautiful bird shot!

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  9. Wow, I didn't know you and the skinny one had been together so long. Well done!

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    1. Riot Kitty: Stubborn? Slow learners? It has been more than half our lives, and I can't imagine anything different now.

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  10. Are those yellow lilies I've never seen so many blooms on a plant; ha I have one of those craft boxes with my earrings in divided squares, oh I actually have two. Ha.

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    1. Linda Starr: They are an oriental (heavily scented) lily and obviously loved the spot. And come up each year, though they haven't flowered quite that prolifically since.

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  11. oh and more than one earring in each slot. ha

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    1. Linda Starr: Of course more than one earring to each compartment. I use my hangers as wall-hangings as well. Decorative and practical (except for studs).

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  12. I was tagged by another blogger to do the same and I'm ashamed to say I completely forgot (sorry, FlyGirl!). I loved your contribution. So clever. :-)

    Greetings from London.

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    1. A Cuban in London: It isn't easy is it? A bit like a chain letter...

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  13. Earrings! Who knew? I have quite a few, but only ever wear the same pair, except on special occasions. So my question, EC, is: do you wear them all?

    Thank you for this "waffle" :) and the gorgeous photos.

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    1. Alexia: I do wear or have worn all of them, though it goes in cycles. A few pairs will assume favourite status for a while. And then it changes. I suspect I could wear a different pair every day for most of a year...

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  14. Hello EC thanks for sharing your 'life's secrets' with us all - feel I know you much better now. I'm not an earring wearer but would assume it is a bit like having favourite shoes, you have a few or a cupboard full of them lol
    Will have to visit the blogs you mentioned - thanks for the recommendations
    Take care
    Cathy

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    1. Cathy: You are probably right. The shoe fetish is not for me. I wear shoes as rarely as possible and only have a few. I hope you do visit those blogs - and enjoy them.

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  15. I feel I should comment, but I can't manange a comment (other than this) having just visited Kim's blog.

    Words are insufficient, as is my unfortunate lack of faith, in anything. I wish many things were very different. Thanks for blogging.

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    1. Andrew Maclaren-Scott: Kim's blog is heart-hurting isn't it? And I share your lack of faith - in almost everything. And definitely wish many things were different.

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  16. Oh I LOVE earrings!!! I also loved reading this post about you. So interesting!

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    1. DeniseinVA: Hopefully you also loved hearing about three other bloggers.

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  17. Thank you for sharing those three new (to me) bloggers, and thanks for NOT singling me out. I fear that I will soon be following three new bloggers in my universe. But you, dear EC, are one of the reasons I am grateful that this venue exists. However would I have found you otherwise? :-)

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    1. DJan: I knew that you have rejected awards for some time, and assumed that this also includes blog tours... And yes, the connections we are able to make here are magic. People I would never have known any other way who have, like you, become very dear to me.

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  18. you and I have much in common! Thanks for the 3 recommendations (and for not choosing me lol )



    ALOHA from Honolulu
    ComfortSpiral
    =^..^= <3

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    1. Cloudia: Does this mean you won't be running with the meme? Go on - if I can do it you can too (oh long lost sister...)

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  19. As Vickie says, you are indeed a gem from Down Under! (Hmmm… how come I didn't know about the earring habit…? ;-)

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    1. Paper Chipmunk (aka Ellen): I hadn't shared the earring habit? It is so much a part of me that I don't think about it perhaps. And, like everything else I hoard, it is an eclectic collection.

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  20. You in a wonderful, individual nutshell.
    You enrich my life, EC :)

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    1. Vicki: Blushing here. You, like Ellen and rather a lot of bloggers are an artist and have talents I can only dream of, admire and envy.

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  21. -------Sweet, Sue.
    1. Your writing is exquisite, passionate, authentic, and encouraging.
    2. I just adore your 2 stunning black panthers.
    3. O! and your jewelry. Love the feather! I had NO idea you did this!
    4. Clicking into your universe has made me richer
    5. I appreciate your honesty.
    6. Even though you are a world away, I hear your heartbeat here in MN.
    Xxxx
    Thank you for including me on your platform here. I'm honored to be thought of & part of your life in some small way.
    PS. I'd like know some of your ALL TIME FAVE. books you've read.

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    1. My Inner Chick: Thank you so very much. I don't make the jewellery (though my father did) I collect it. Rather a lot of it. And I am privileged to have you in my world.
      Favourite books? It changes with the wind, the season and my moods. Sylvia Plath, anything by Barbara Kingsolver, Tove Jansson ditto, murder mysteries for comfort, biographies, diaries,letter, memoirs...

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  22. You've done this very well EC. I'm not good at blog tours and hops, so I'm always pleased NOT to be chosen.
    I know and love Mimsie's blog already, but I'll check the others sometime this week.
    I love how the purple of your veranda post is echoed in those lilies.

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    1. River: They aren't easy are they? I think I need to learn to say no. I am sure I need to say no. Those lilies would have been torture for you - very heavily scented, but they were and are beautiful each year.

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  23. Nicely fielded! I shall visit the blogs mentioned and marvel at the sheer wonder of all those earrings in one spot.

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    1. Geo.: Thank you. Many of the earrings hang on the bed room walls. Convenient and decorative - and I hope you enjoy those blogs as much as I do.

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  24. I had no idea about your earring obsession. :) We like the same kinds, which doesn't surprise me at all. The eastern rosellas are beautiful! I envy your garden full of birds and flowers. *sigh*
    Thank you for sharing the other bloggers and a bit about them. I'll certainly be paying them a visit. It's an honor to call you friend, and much more. You've lightened my mental load on many occasions and given me much needed hugs when I need them most. Big hugs back to you!

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    1. River Fairchild: Earring obsessionistas unite? And they take up less room than some of my other obsessions. And I hope you do visit the other bloggers.

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  25. Thank the Small Gods I wasn't in there, you know me well enough though by now though concerning my er reticence to be looked at lol. Great choices, I enjoyed reading all of them, fine words and fine photographs too. I liked your self description too, something in there gave away a sliver more than was previously known, and I welcome that. *smiles.

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    1. All Consuming: I would only have selected (targetted) you if I want to severely peeve you. I know that you like to fly under the radar. And do it well.

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  26. How fun to get to know you a little more! I love those rosellas!!! My MIL has an earring obsession too. It makes her very easy to buy for when it's gift time. :)

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    1. mail4rosey: I get given earrings a lot too. And books. And plants. Obessions do make gift giving easier.

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  27. I enjoyed reading about you so much. You write with such flair and kindness. It's nice to get to know you.
    (my new blog address is mydailyspirit.blogspot.com - in case you want to visit.)

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    1. Myrna R.: Thank you - and thank you for giving me your new address.

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  28. Oh, how I loved getting to know you. You're a woman after my own heart - I have about 600 earrings!

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  29. So first - do you wear all of these earrings? I love earrings as well, but own not even a quarter of what you do. Perhaps I should get more!
    I love your own description about yourself. I envy you for the beautiful rosellas. I'd love to have such colorful birds in my garden.
    I will visit those blogs - Jennifer's I know, but not the other two. It's always lovely to discover new and interesting blogs. Thank you.

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    1. Carola Bartz: I do wear, of have worn all of the earrings. Some less often than others. And I hope you do find pleasure in the other blogs.

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  30. Absolutely lovely post. Congrats on the award. Well deserved. I loved learning more about you.

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    1. Carol Kilgore: As I loved learning more about you in your guest post of today. And you are a heap more interesting too.

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  31. Hi Sue,

    Wow, that's quite the way to approach and workaround an award. Conditions and rules. Blah to that! You have most assuredly rekindled my interest in wearing earrings. Heck, I might just go and get me a makeover.

    I know one of those, um lucky recipients you passed on that award to. Yes, the remarkable inner chick. As for the other two, I shall get my butt over to their sites.

    You, dear Sue, are very much part of the ideals I embrace. That of a sharing, caring blogging community that rejoices in the diversity. We can learn so much from each other. A force for the good to change this world.

    Congrats, I guess, on that award! :)

    Gary

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    1. klahanie: Much of what I have learned about not following rules I got from you. Though I was much better behaved than usual this post.. Hugs.

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  32. Hi, EC.
    Thank you for the pictures and referrals to other wonderful bloggers.
    It's great to be back in blogland, and always nice to connect with you - half a world away. Blogging makes the world seem so much smaller, in the best of ways.

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    1. Rawknrobyn: The warmth and the wonder here in the blogosphere is extraordinary isn't it? And welcome back.

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  33. Like so many have already said, the earring obsession is something I hadn't known. I love the way you have found to display/store them.

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    1. jenny_o: When I stored them in more conventual containers they were constantly getting mixed up and I could never find a pair. So I stretch lace tightly over embroidery frames and hang them on the bedroom wall...

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  34. You are an eternally nice person, it shows, do not change.

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    1. Vest: Thank you - but there are rather a lot of people who would argue that point.

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  35. Thank you for your kind words at Roland's blog. I appreciate any healing energies or prayers. Hubs had a heart attack, and is stable, but we won't know more for a day or two. New follower. Love the photos, I used to garden a lot, still grow herbs, and love birds too. But yours are so exotic.

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    1. D.G Hudson: Welcome and thank you. Having gone through far too much medical mayhem associated with my partner, my heart is with you. I hope that your husband heals fast and completely - and that you are ok too.

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  36. Sue - I'm in awe of your creative blog tour tack! Great writing and as always, with heart. I'm eager to meet your two blog friends. Getting out of a bit of a rut here and sorry to be so late to comment. Those birds are incredibly colorful. Hope they return soon. Thank you for reminding me that we don't have to follow rules at all - at least in this forum!

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    1. Musings, Tea and Me: I followed the rules better than I can usually manage. Really I did. I do hope you like my other blogging friends as much as I do.

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  37. It's always a pleasure to get to visit new sites and I am goign to make a point to go and visit them. Jennifer is indeed an amazing blogger whose posts always colour my world with love and light. Thank you for your kind heart Soosie xo

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    1. farawayinthesunshine: Thank you - I hope you enjoy the blogs I selected.

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  38. I love earrings, too! And I have a zillion of them - not so nicely organized as yours though. :) Thanks for giving us a little more glimpse into you and your world.

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    1. Lynn: Earrings are good aren't they? And don't take up nearly as much room as some of my other obsessions.

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  39. Those birds are stunning. I would invite the Texwis girl from Run around Ranch to heck out your blog.

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  40. I meant to say check out your blog because she blogs about birds too.

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    1. Munir: Welcome and thank you. I did know what you meant - and have trouble with dsylexic fingers (and poor proof reading) myself.

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  41. Your flowers are so pretty. I have so far not have had much luck in keeping flowering plants, flowering. They'll have beautiful flowers when I get them from the nursery then the flowers pretty much just disappear a few weeks after I get them home, never to flower again. It's so sad.

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    1. The Furries of Whisppy: I am good at killing indoor plants - so no longer buy them. Outside there are deaths too - but not as many.

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  42. It's great getting to know more about you and your likes/dislikes. Love your collection of earrings!

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  43. I'm running late, EC! You snuck this one in on me when I wasn't looking!

    We anti-social, reclusive hermits must stick together! :)

    I look forward to reading the blogs you've brought to our attention...thanks.

    Stay warm. I hope The Skinny One is doing well.

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    1. Lee: Mimsie's memory is right up there with yours. And I envy you both.

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  44. Thanks for the blog suggestions. It's great to meet like-minded souls, and comforting to know that I am not the only introverted, beauty-addicted, cat-controlled gardener on the planet.

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    1. lynners: Never alone. There are a lot of us about - which I find comforting.

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  45. EC I have no idea what happened but I commented yesterday but somehow it has disappeared or just not shown up. I was completely overwhelmed by you choosing my blog as one of your three choices and I know I wrote some silly things like "oh shucks" and "oh golly" and "my simple blog doesn't deserve this accolade" etc etc and "what do I do now?" and I was coming back this morning to apologise for being so self-indulgent and not congratulating you on your blog being highlighted as so wonderful.
    As nothing of this kind has happened to me before, and is unlikely to happen again, do I more or less just copy what you have done and then choose 3 blogs?
    One of my choices would have to be that lady from Adelaide and yet I see above she would not be keen. I think her wonderful way with Wednesday words is outstanding as well as her pots about Angel and her walks around Adelaide so interesting. Will it be OK if I include her do you think? Once again I am still reeling with the surprise...............off to have lunch soon with our friend Richard but I will return this afternoon and seek your answer. Thanks again.

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    1. Mimsie: It was my pleasure to include your blog - and I am thrilled to see that you have been getting more lucky visitors. And anyone who finds you is lucky. I don't follow rules at all well, so am probably not the best example to follow. However, if you wan't to join in, tell bloggers (old and new) a little about yourself (or answer those questions) and select three that you love to feature. One at least of the ones I chose (My Inner Chick) won't be playing as she doesn't like selecting people - and neglecting others. Which I quite understand. I hope that more people go to visit her though. And you could ask River whether she will agree (as a special favour to you) or simply select her anyway. Whether or not she plays is her decision - you will have done your bit.

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  46. Well that was an interesting read, and I learned more about you. So you have a passion for earrings like I have a passion for caps. :D

    I'm going to check out the other blogs now.

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    1. LL Cool Joe: I hadn't made the connection but yes, my passion for earrings does rival yours for caps. I hope you enjoy the blogs.

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  47. A glimpse into your obsessions - always welcome!

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    1. daisyfae: My obsessions are a crowded place.

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