Loving Kindness
September 26, 2008
Wednesday was a day of blogosphere love and kindness in my world. In the afternoon mail I received a hand crafted card and 5 bookmarks from Kristina at Meadowlark Days as a thank you gift for my recent book giveaway. Kristina, how did you know I have 3 or 4 books on the go and desperately need bookmarks? That was a lovely afternoon surprise.
More kindness from earlier in the morning... when I checked my Google Reader. Something Cheeky posted a cool photo and then went on to talk about the "I love your blog" award she was given by a fellow blogger. As Kirsten started to list the 7 blogs shes loves I was thinking "another lovey link fest" (which I have nothing against). So I scrolled down to read the blog titles. Maybe I'd recognize one or find a new favorite for my reader.
Then hokey-dinah (I seriously talk that way) right there in the list was my blog! I'm not even related to Kirsten! I kid you not, my stomach did a "someone likes my blog" loop-t-do. My husband teases me that it's like a junior high popularity contest. In any case I was flattered.
What was especially sweet is that Kirsten's description next to my blog says "Loving...organically". That someone would get that message from my mumbo-jumbo posts about homeschooling, natural living, gardening, hiking and photography is truly humbling.
One of my desires in writing this blog (other than basic self promotion, let's be honest that's what blogging is about!) is to be authentic as I share ideas that hopefully inspire and encourage. And my desire to inspire is not because "I'm better than" but because we all have experiences and stories to contribute to each others lives. That my blog is described as "loving" was a reassurance that the right message is getting across.
A humble thanks to Kirsten. You can check out for her own inspiring blog and self portrait photo project (man that takes guts and some good photography skills).
So, in the spirit of inspiring and encouraging, with honesty, here are the blogs that I love these days:
InsideOut - If my sister-in-law is anything, she's honest. But she's also intelligient, an amazing SAHM and gorgeous. My brother knows how to pick 'em.
Me Ra Koh Photography- Creative photo assignments, contests and inspirational stories interspersed with family tidbits of a popular photographer.
Wife, Mother, Painter- Encouraging me that I can be a wife, mother and photographer; written with a healthy dose of reality.
Phunny Pharm - Our dear friend and fellow traveler on the Way posting about growing...organically.
Just Pure Lovely - Homeschooling life with a Florida flavor and simply lovely everyday photos.
Playful Learning - Aesthetically pleasing layout of learning projects for kiddos. Complete with book lists and other resources.
ADVENTUREinPROGRESS - Not a prolific blogger by any means but the best life partner, provider, friend, lover, technical support and fellow adventurer this mama could ever ask for.
The rules for this love fest are posted here. But I don't like rules, so participate or don't, as you like.
And because I don't want anyone to feel left out and I've been meaning to post a blog roll for a long time I've added a new sidebar to my front page called NIMBY. Whereas, FIMBY is a blog about the Fun In My Back Yard, NIMBY is the the blogs I visit, Not In My Back Yard.
Clever title, isn't it? I've been thinking for some time about what to title the list which is one reason I haven't posted a blog roll yet. That and I have issues with pleasing people and don't want to hurt anyone's feelings if they aren't on the list of my regular reads. A homeschool mama only has so much time to sit at the computer! So if I've missed you please don't be upset. And not all links are up yet, be patient.
And now I'm tired of my voice, you're tired of my voice. Go read some of the blogs I've listed. I'm taking a little writing break but plan to post some backyard photos in the next couple days, technically it's what my blog is about after all.
