accepting the Versatile Blogger Award
Many thanks to Chris Nash for nominating me for the Versatile Blogger Award! Chris knows me via the Travel Blogged group on facebook, and so he nominated my travel blog for the award in his post.
But as it is this blog where I talk about the muse that leads my writing and inspires my blogging, I’m responding to Chris’s nomination here.
The first thing I am asked to do is to share with you 7 things about myself that you may not know.
1. I am about to make my television debut on the Blog Town program on Shaw TV here in Winnipeg. Really excited about that, as I’ve been blogging since 2009 and now have three blogs. Stay tuned for the date the show will air. We’re taping the segment on Saturday.
2. I sprained my ankle 10 days ago and am still suffering from it. Having a sprained ankle really cramped my usually active lifestyle, and even my ability to host friends and family as I love to do. But I continue to ice the ankle and keep my feet elevated, and slowly, the ankle is getting stronger and the size of the swelling is reducing.
3. I am walking on Cloud 9 these days (albeit lightly!) as I await the announcement of the Readers’ Favorite Awards on September 1st. My book, “Chocolatour: A Quest for the World’s Best Chocolate” has been named a finalist in four non-fiction categories.
4. Chocolatour is actually my 4th book project, and I’m currently researching the second volume of Chocolatour which will focus on the best chocolate of the Americas and the Caribbean. You’ll find my other projects listed on my Amazon page.
5. I absolutely adore cats and am smitten with my cat, Jimmy, who is one of the spunkiest cats I’ve ever had. And one of the most handsome! (And no, those aren’t freckles on his nose, they’re mosquito bites – taken earlier this year when the bugs were really biting!)
6. I am extremely passionate about travel. To date, I’ve visited about 30 countries, and have plans to visit Seattle, Miami, Mexico and Guatmemala in the next 6 months, with hopefully … a return trip to the Hawaiian Islands in the not too distant future as well.
7. I really value and appreciate my close friends and family and am anxiously anticipating the visit of my cousin Esther on August 18th, and my friend Pat on August 28th (both Manitobans now living in Vancouver.) We enjoy living at a lakeside resort and welcome such visits during the summer months when there is no better place to be!
Now that you know a bit more about me, I’m asked to share the links to 15 blogs that I follow or admire. 15 is a bit more than I care to list as the sore foot restricts the amount of time I can sit at my desktop computer, but I will share 10 of my favourites with you, and ask that you visit the blogroll on the right side of this blog’s homepage for a much longer list of amazing bloggers.
Here are some of my favourites for their writing skills, creativity, passion, personalities and more.
Suzanne Fluhr is a spunky blogger who focuses on boomer travel at http://www.boomeresque.com/.
Michele Peterson writes about travel with food in mind at http://michelepeterson.com/.
Debra Yearwood blogs about communications strategies at http://commstorm.com/.
Jacqueline Gum always tells it like it is at http://jacquelinegum.com/blog/.
Christine Peets is a versatile writer and blogs about things she cares about at http://christinepeets.wordpress.com/.
Suzanne Boles does not blog often, but when she does, it’s worth reading: http://suzanneboles.wordpress.com/.
Susan Cooper is one of the most supportive bloggers I’ve met. She blogs about food, wine, and more at http://findingourwaynow.com/.
I love Tim O’Callaghan’s writing style and his global adventures. You’ll find his blog at http://flattiresandslowboats.com/.
Agness Walewinder is a young lady from Poland who is having the time of her life travelling the world. You’ll find her blog at http://etramping.com/.
I wouldn’t have this blog or the strong web-presence that I do if it weren’t for Sherryl Perry, whose knowledge of blogging and how to keep up with the web can be found on her blog at http://keepupwiththeweb.com/.
I hope you’ll visit these bloggers and see what they have to offer.
Hi Doreen,
Congratulations on making your television debut! I know this has been a goal of yours. (It’s just a matter of time before we see you on Ellen.)
Thanks so much for choosing my blog as one of the ten links that you shared today. I really appreciate it. (You know how much I enjoy working with you.)
This post came at the perfect time for me. I’m finally kick-starting my second Twitter account. (Actually, I created it a couple of years ago and suddenly realized that by not using it, Twitter could accuse me of “squatting” on it and take it away.)
I created my first list for that Twitter account and named it “Travel”. Of course, I followed and added you as well as the other travel bloggers that you linked to.
Thanks again and Happy Blogging!
You’re welcome, and thanks, Sherryl! It’s fantastic having you on my team. And tell Ellen I’m ready for her at anytime! All she has to do is ask. 🙂
Great to learn more about you ( and to also learn that cats can get mosquito bites!) Hope to see you in Mexico and Guatemala this fall – and thanks for listing my blog as a fave!
Thx so much for your comment, Michele, and for the support you have extended me and my book. I do indeed look forward to meeting up with you in MX and/or Guatemala sometime soon. 🙂
Doreen — So nice to learn more about you. Sorry about your ankle and hope it’s getting better. I know most of the bloggers on your blog roll and agree they are tops. I’m so glad that blogging has introduced me to inspiring people like you and them plus many others who are influencing my life.
Thx so much, Jeannette. It has been marvellous getting to know you via your blog, and via the comments you have shared on all of my blogs. Social media and blogging may consume a good portion of our time, but it is so worth it when we have the privilege of forging new and meaningful relationships in the process.
Thanks Doreen. It means a lot to have people read my blog and so it’s even more special when someone reaches out with a nomination. Really quite flattered. Thanks. Tim
You’re welcome, Tim. You so deserve it, and I so appreciate the support that you have given me and my blogs. Cheers!
Aw, Thank you my friend. We have seen a lot and done a lot, you and I. I so am blessed to have meet you on line and in person. You are the best. 🙂
Thanks so much, Susan. That’s what I really love about blogging. It has introduced me to so many amazing people, and fortunately … I’ve been able to take some of those virtual friendships into the ‘real’ world as you and I have now done. Cheers!
Oh My …I am SO flattered! This is quite a prestigious group and I feel humbled to be among them. I must thank you not only for the shout-out, but for introducing me to a number of new bloggers. I intend to visit every last one. And say…that is one adorable cat. I happen to love the kitties myself. But after my last one went to kitty heaven, I promised myself not to get another two of them until I was old… so they can outlive me:)
Thanks for your comment, Jacquie. I do hope you’ll check out each of the bloggers on my list as I think you’ll enjoy each one of them. They all have strong voices — like you! And don’t wait tooo long to get that new cat. The years of pleasure far outweigh the pain of saying goodbye. We got Jimmy the day after Junior died.
Thanks so much for the Shout Out Doreen. I really enjoy reading your blog. My blog right now is about a personal journey but my goal is to write a writing-related blog on a regular schedule like you do. I admire your stick-to-itness (is that really a word? LOL) with blogging and having two blogs as well. Hope your ankle healing process speeds up.
Thaks so much, Suzanne. It’s been the support of my writer friends like you that have helped me “stick to it” and keep to my blogging schedule. Without regular readers visiting the blog it is like talking into the wind. But when people join the conversation and share their thought,s it makes it all worth while. Cheers to getting your new writing blog off the ground!
Thanks for the shout out! One of the best things about blogging for me has been the chance to meet people like you, both virtually and even in person—in Hawaii, no less. Best of luck this year for sales of Chocolatours Volume I. I look forward to Volume 2. Cheers.
Thanks so much, Suzanne! Yes, blogging has opened up a whole new world to me. Both personally and professionally … it has truly enriched my life. Cheers to you!