A Very Inspired Blogger & What Inspires Me

 I'd like to thank Sherry Ellis for bestowing the Very Inspiring Blogger Award on me.  I became acquainted with Sherry through her blog when she was living in Ohio and I was in Michigan.  Interestingly, we are now both in Georgia, but different ends of the state.  She recently had a problem with her voice which wasn't the problem it would have been for me (or you) because she is a talented violinist and a violin is one of my favorite sounds.  Who needs vocals when you can listen to strings!  You need to check out Sherry's blog for she has a son who is on his way to becoming the 56th President of the United States.

It has been a while since I have "accepted" an award, but I need to do it occasionally to keep my ego properly inflated  (I was going to insert a New England joke here, but I didn't finish this post before last night's game).

Here are the rules...  As most of you probably know, I'm not big on following rules (especially rules like nominating others where many others have already been nominated by Sherry), but I'll do my best.

1. Thank the person who nominated you, and link to their blog.  (I've done it)

2. Display the award logo. (Yep, it's at the top of this post)

3. Nominate 15 other bloggers (more or less) and provide a link where they may be found.  (heavy on the less, but see below)

4. Go to their blog, leave a comment to let them know they have been nominated.  (I'll try to get around to it)

5. Mention three things that inspired you the most during the past few weeks. (See below)

All of you are an inspiration and many of you claim to be a "meme/blog award free blog" and I will try to respect your position.  That said, these are a few blogs that have recently inspired me.  And anyone else who wants to be nominated, just let me know, cause I like all you guys or I wouldn't be reading you.  First is Michael.  He is a good guy who writes about what's close to his heart and with a goal of making things better (cars, airplanes, music, and children who are facing epic battles).  His stories are always uplifting and an inspiration.   Walking Man has chosen to stay in Detroit.  Like the city, his poetry is often raw, but also reminds us of the challenges that many face in their daily life.  Brian is one of the most creative poets I've read.  Ron is an  encyclopedia on books about the American West.  A year ago they discovered a tumor in this brain and about once a week (generally on Sunday) he provides a moving update on what's going on with him and his thoughts (which he softens with jazz) about his battle.  Crafty Green Poet explores the natural beauty of my ancestral homeland, Scotland.   A Cuban in London published wonderful essays about a variety of topics and with his two-nation/continent view, he is always insightful.  There are many others that you should also visit.  Just look down my bloglist!

  

Fountain at Lafayette Square, Savannah
Taken Friday, January 30, 2015

I have given some thought to what has recently inspired me and these are the three things: water, sky, and the laughter of children.

Water cleanses and restores, it sustains life and refreshes. Being on the water is soothing, whether in a sailboat or a kayak.  Like Norman Maclean, "I am haunted by waters"  Waters surrounds me and it is a blessing.  When I am on the water (as I was yesterday afternoon, sailing in our local weekend regatta), my troubles and worries seem to disappear (except for when the spinnaker gets tangled and you blow your lead as happened in our second race yesterday)! 

Sky is something I have rediscovered now that I am living in a place that isn't gray most of the year.  The other night I was out walking and Orion and his dog seemed so close.  In the evening Jupiter is high and in the morning Venus and Mars can be seen.  Days like Friday (when I was in downtown Savannah) are cool but with the sun it feels warm (as long as you are sheltered from the wind).  I can walk half a mile across the island and watch the sunrise over marsh and two-tenths of a mile and see it set over marsh.  It is a blessing.

Laughter of Children:  I have been able to spend some time in a preschool over the past  few weeks and kids will enlighten anyone's face.  They are so excited; they are explorers trying to understand the world and in their discoveries we are reminded what is important.

Yesterday afternoon

Have a good week, everyone.