Ironically, my good friend, fellow blogger, and novelist, Deb Hanrahan, bestowed upon me a Liebster Award.
I hardly deserve such awards, especially since I have been so uninspired that I’ve written not a single word since early September.
Perhaps this award will kick-start my passions once again. I can only hope. Inspiration has eluded me this fall.
The Liebster Award is intended to bring attention to blogs with less than 200 followers. Pass it forward to other bloggers you admire.
1. Show your thanks to the blogger who gave you the award by linking back to them.
2. Reveal your 5 picks on your blog with links.
3. Let the winners know by leaving a comment on their blog.
4. Post the reward on your blog.
Nexus has to be the number one on my list. JY inspired me to write my own blog when I was struggling to find a creative outlet. Her passionate dedication to blogging, her spirit of a collaborative and inclusive community of bloggers, her thoughtful reflection on and joyous participation in the life and experiences documented on her blog deserve recognition. Her insight keeps me on my toes, keeps me engaged and thinking about writing, teaching, and life.
Running is not as simple as it seems is hosted by Ed Ernst, the head boys track and cross country coach at St. Ignatius. His writing has not only stirred controversy, it has revealed to his runners a thoughtful and reflective approach to his job as coach and his developing relationship with his team. Ernst has drawn attention to the serious questions of coaching and training at high levels, but he has also included the funny stories that make high school athletics meaningful to those who participate.
Hannalamode is irreverent, funny, insightful, and she takes great pictures of food, in all stages of preparation and consumption. What more can you ask for in a food blog? Oh, and she is often full of practical advice, akin to the kind given by Martha, but with innuendo and snark at full blast.
Critically Yours actually may have more followers than this award allows, but I have to include Anne. Anne Anderson has written two novels (possibly more?) and her blog on reading and all aspects of writing has inspired some of my own most thoughtful posts. She engages thoughtfully and critically, as her blog suggests, with her readers, her own writing, and other novelists. Anne continues to amaze me with her prolific blog and its consistently high quality content.
Okay, so I can’t really think of another award to bestow. Maybe I just read too many blogs that have high readership, or maybe I am not reading widely enough.
Thanks, Deb, for the award and the reminder that I need to actively pursue this writing project.
Necessity is the Mother of Invention 
Aw, I’m blushing! Thanks so much for such a lovely tribute to my blog! And good to see you jumping back into the breach! I’m looking forward to reading more.
Lots of yeahs here! One for you getting back into the blogosphere. Without the sharing of your insight and humor, your intellect and powerful sense of justice, we are all diminished. Two for giving out awards. I am honored to share this with Ed (how did I not know he had a blog?!?!), Anne, Hannah, Deb, and you. Thank you for the very kind words and for turning me on to some new awesome blogs (actually I was familiar with Anne’s but had not visited it lately). I eagerly await your continued reflections….