I’ve been nominated for a Liebster Award. The award is given to bloggers by other bloggers. The nomination might be the award or at least the point. It’s a “pay it forward” chain letter to promote other bloggers. The blog I visited to read about it suggested that everyone who blogs knows about the award unless he or she is a newbie. I’ve been blogging for at least a decade, even before web log morphed into blog and I didn’t know about the Liebster Award. I lead an insular life.
Blogging has gotten a bad rap. I can understand this: writing about one’s life is a form of navel-gazing or, in the worst instances (of which there are many), an instance of verbal diarrhea. Nearly everyone seems compelled these days to talk about themselves and their experiences. Not everyone—not even close to everyone—can write in a way that entertains, instructs, moves, amuses or even interests the reader. Wading through the verbiage can be exhausting.
Allow me to pay it behind and ahead by directing you to two bloggers worth reading.
Friend and fellow life traveler Anne Born has nominated me. Anne is the author of two books, A Marshmallow on the Bus and Prayer Beads on a Train. She is a lovely writer but more importantly, she is a wonderful storyteller. Story telling is in danger of becoming a lost art, although there are some terrific genre writers and the always-reliable StoryCorps, which is dedicated to collecting stories about people and their experiences. Storytelling is how history is preserved and, in my humble opinion, how understanding is reached. Trust me on this, people: When the power goes out, we will need our storytellers.
There are various obligations concerning the award. I am to introduce you to Anne, list eleven things about myself, answer the nominator’s questions and then nominate someone else. My merry band of readers, at least fifty percent of whom are NOT writers, must know whatever they need to about me but I live to serve, so I’ll make it brief. First, my eleven things: green is my favorite color; pink is my most flattering color; autumn is my favorite season; my first boyfriend’s name was Ken; I like to eat; I love to bicycle; I’ve visited Paris five times (so far); “Adagio for Strings” makes me weep and so does “You Make Me Feel Like a Natural Woman;” I don’t have a “favorite” book; I like parks but not zoos; I’m still trying to learn to meditate.
Anne’s questions are harder because, to be honest, I’m not a fan of these sorts of things. I am Anne’s fan, though, here are her questions answered: My desert island soundtrack would be Carol King; I got my first passport when I was 14; I eat dinner, not supper, and it includes a protein and a vegetable; I love the orange in a sunset; I’m not a football fan; on the spot I’d write fiction; I was two years old when I took my first plane ride; I’m old-school when it comes to picnics in the park—glasses, cloth napkins, baskets, etc., I have gotten lost more than once; yes, I can sing; and finally, I drink my coffee black.
Going forward, I won’t subject my nominee to my questions but I will ask that he mention me, nominate another and yes, share ten fun facts about himself. I can guarantee you they will be funny because he is funny.
Nominating Boston writer Con Chapman for a Liebster is easy. He is a humorist and he knows what that means and how to deliver. Believe me, he elevates blogging to an art form. Go visit his website and check out both his blog and his books (Baseball lovers will be interested in Cannacorn and Year of the Gerbil).
As for me, I intend to savor my award or nomination. After ten years of blogging away, it’s nice to be recognized.
Shades of gray on a winter’s day