Wednesday, April 01, 2009

When I go visiting

I entered the blogging world sometime in 2005. Firstly, in encouraging the kids to blog. We'd had our good health zipped out of us and blogging seemed like a fun, creative output to challenge B and E until we could all get back to a normal daily routine. Secondly, in finding blogs that I liked to visit. By the beginning of 2006, each of the kids had created new blogs of their own, Miss Erin and mcsanimations. (They've since bumped up their blogging activity even more. Erin talks acting on Backstage Musings and takes a photo a day for Chromatic Aberration. Brady added a personal blog, Breakaway.)

This blog was facing desertion. But I'd found my way around the blogosphere, visiting several favorites every day and I realized that I wanted to join in the fun. This blog became mine, just me. I cannot remember it's original name.

I mostly started blogging as a reassurance to the three of us, that even though our world had turned upside down, it was still good. See the blessings. Be encouraged by pockets of joy and laughter, the generosity of others, help from our doctors, the successes given. I realized my family and friends needed this assurance, too, so I starting sharing my blog address.

When I first started blog hopping, I'll admit, I was mostly a lurker. I was kind of shy about pointing visitors to my blog and I spent what energy I had trying to write posts. But soon, I realized that I wanted to share in the conversations with these new friends, who were giving me so much but didn't even know I existed. These days I don't get around to writing as many posts, I'm busy conversing on others'. One of these days, I'll be in a place where I can do both.

A week or two ago, I was given the "zombie chicken award" (something about "excellence, grace and persistence in all situations, even in the midst of a zombie apocalypse" along with a funny dance) by friend, Beth Kephart, an extraordinary author, poet, photographer who interviewed Miss Erin last year, when I finally "discovered" her. Her kind words have motivated me to introduce you to a few of the bloggers that make me smile with their writing and/or photos:


beth kephart books - Each of Beth's posts are gift-wrapped in beauty. Not only does her sincere kindness and amazing writing/photography talents inspire, but she consistently challenges me to see, feel, think, hear, and do life in a grab-hold-of-it way. Beth's authored close to a dozen books, and I don't intend to miss a one. Look for her newest, Nothing But Ghosts, this June.

Sarah Miller books
- Sarah is another blogger, author friend courtesy of Erin. Sarah doesn't just write historical fiction novels (Miss Spitfire and an upcoming, 2010, novel of the Romanovs), she lives and breathes them. She's a ferocious reader and it's hard to keep up with all the good books she recommends. Sarah has a quirky, snarky personality that invites you to laugh with and at her. How can you not love Sarah, (aka, The Book Fairy).

art and aioli - Okay, third one in a row of bloggers I've found through Miss Erin. Nicole shares her love to create in the kitchen, not just by giving us a photo and recipe, but the process, too. Throw in a sweet personality, some Southern California sunshine, along with a glimpses at mothering her young children while juggling a business (original designs on notecards/invitations/birthday cards) and you have a fun place to visit.

Keller's on the Prairie
- Laurie and her husband moved back to the Dakota prairie a couple of years ago, after a few decades of city living in Texas. They live outside the town we went to have my teeth straightened, my ears and throat checked, to shop for the family's monthly staples and all of our new jeans. Laurie watches the prairie sky, just like I use to and now am able to do again, thanks to her blog. Her witty writing makes me smile as much as her beautiful photography.

Learning to live with CFS - Sue writes about the journey of her and her two boys living with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Sue's family, like mine, is a family of four who's husband, also like mine, is healthy and supportive. Sue writes and posts the nitty gritty, for which I've been appreciative because often I can and do not. Sue's daily struggles and mine, though different in many ways, ultimately are the same. It's been a great help to me to know that someone else "out there" knows and truly understands.

sandy cove trail - At sandy cove trail, cloudscome (Andromeda) shares her gorgeous photography, sometimes with a verse or comment, almost every day. I always try to stop by to satisfy my required daily beauty quotient. cloudscome faces health struggles, too, and I appreciate the joy that she consistently spreads, despite those challenges.

I have to say...One of the first blogs I started visiting, again thanks to Miss Erin, who found Randi's blog through her daughter, Polka Dotted Pickles. Randi blogs about life as a crafter/seamstress, homeschool mom, faithful wife, and Christian woman. She, also, takes beautiful photos. Hers is a popular blog that humbly documents her daily struggles and joys, in the pursuit of truth, beauty, and goodness.

Femina - My pastor's wife shares this blog with her two, young married daughters, and her young daughter-in-law. Never a dull moment here, these ladies share everything from recipes, to stories of stolen luggage in Rome, the antics of toddlers, favorite iTunes downloads, along with solid wisdom in parenting and homemaking.

magistramater - A friend introduced me to Carol's blog. Carol is the kind of homeschool mom that I used to try to be, only much smarter. I'm not sure if anyone can truly keep up with this lady, but it sure is fun trying (or watching, as is my case presently). Gracious and sweet, yearning to learn, and striving to make her life and her home a light from which others can flourish - that's Carol.

dreams of genevieve - I met Jenni while commenting at Femina. Jenni suffers some of the same health problems that I do. She's a young writer, editor, homemaker - wife to a drummer. dreams of genevieve recounts, in thanksgiving, the good things she's been given each day. From an article, to a movie, to her latest favorite tea or song, it's always nice to be able to go to her for pick-me-up ideas when I'm "stuck."

Dakotagraph
A professional photographer that not only takes photos of some of my favorite places, but also offers helpful shooting tips. Don't miss his recent post of where to catch sight of the elusive jackalope!

Well...I'm finding it hard to stop. Before I do, let me share a few of my favorite young people's blogs. These girls are class acts. Friends of Erin's, each of these talented bloggers are going places. It's a privilege to visit their blogs to tag along:

never jam today
allegro
book crumbs
the holly and the ivy
Fields of Gold

15 comments:

myblackfriendsays said...

Nice of you to highlight your friends blogs...blogs are a strange yet magical thing, it is amazing what you can find by hitting the "next blog" button (:

Holly said...

I do thank you, Sherry! :)

Vivian Mahoney said...

What an incredible, nurturing mother you are to have such talented and wonderful children. Wishing you all the joy and laughter on this special day.

Happy Birthday!

Sherry said...

Cuileann - You're welcome :) Keep blogging.

mbf - Thank you for stopping by and commenting. Yes, that's exactly right: Strange yet magical.

Vivian - Thank you for your kindness. The pleasure is mine, really. I learn so much from them.
Thank you for following Erin's little birthday trail ;)

Priya said...

Thanks for the shout out, Sherry!

Sue Jackson said...

Sherry -

Thanks so much for including my blog on your list of favorites. I'm honored and very touched by your kind words. Sometimes, with blogging, you don't really know whether your words are reaching or affecting others. My life has also been enriched by the wonderfully supportive group of bloggers I've encountered (including you!)

Does your son have CFS also? If so, I didn't realize it. His photographs are amazing - what talented and creative offspring you have!

Good luck with your temporary move - I hope it will help. And I hope you'll be bringing your computer along!

All the best -

Sue

Noël De Vries said...

"But soon, I realized that I wanted to share in the conversations with these new friends, who were giving me so much but didn't even know I existed."

Hear, hear!

Thanks for all your encouraging comments, Sherry.

Maya Ganesan said...

Thank you for visiting and leaving a trail of lovely comments every time you pass by. And thank you for mentioning me. It means a lot :)

randi said...

Hi Sherry,

You are so sweet. Your kind words put a smile on my face.

I am off to check out the rest of this list. Thank you for the links!

Carol in Oregon said...

Thank you for your kind words. Now I'm eager to go back and check some of the other blogs out. I'm so thankful that blogs have been a source of encouragement to you. You've been an encouragement to me too!

Carol

Sarah Miller said...

Aww. Thanks!

Chad Coppess said...

Hey thanks for the plug! I'll try to keep posting interesting things.

Nicole said...

Thank you Sherry! What wonderful thing to say. I do appreciate you coming to visit and keep in touch. I am honored. Come visit my stationery site for a chance to win some invitations! http://missnnick.com/blog/2009/03/spring-celebratory-giveaway.html

Laurie Brandriet Keller said...

I'm honored to have made your list. And I am going to be right here when you want to come see me !!! xoxo. Love to you, and appreciation for your honestly composed posts.

greenwords said...

I think it's just lovely that you and your children each have blogs. A blogging household!