![[title of show]](http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b285/ShephardSummers/titleofshowsm.jpg)
Monday, January 23, 2012
Awards & Memories
I remember the beginning moments of my blog... no readers, just me talking to the ethers.
Lots of silliness really. But it's going on 7 years now. I've outlasted the advent of Facebook.
(I blog in spite of Facebook, even)
I remember fondly those first few years, the camaraderie and daily check-in, getting to know everyone, and learning to trust (sometimes the hard way). But the thing I never expected was finding a kindred spirit in blogdom.
Almost all of that large blogging circle I participated in is gone now thanks to FB.
The best thing blogging has brought me: the enduring friendship and camaraderie of my sister-from-another-mister, Wendy. If not for blogging, we would never have met. We talk weekly, email daily, we have spent vacations together, we participate in each other's lives perhaps more than half our relatives do.
"Shephard, why the trip down memory lane?"
In early blogdom, we used to pass blogging awards to one another as a way to support, encourage and validate. I used to have a passel of them in my sidebar (I'm not really sure how many a passel is... ).
Out of the blue this week, I got one from my friend, *Elissa* , and it made me remember the early days a bit.
Very kind of her. :) And it's nice to be appreciated directly. And the appreciation is reciprocal. :) I'm also supposed to tell you all 10 things about me. Well, I have a link in the sidebar that tells you 100 Things about me. That tradition seems long lost to bloggers these days. But, here are 10 More Things...
1. I back-date posts sometimes. Often. Okay, a lot.
2. I have learned that awards are as much for the people who give them as get them (Oscars and Golden Globes included).
3. I am a published author. I am grateful. But I have a long way to go.
4. People say they blog for themselves, but I think most blog for readership. I'm no different. I blog for the opportunity to add positive voice to the world.
5. My favorite place I've ever been is still Venice, Italy. If you'd like to see some of the photos I took of this magical city, click *here* and *here* ... lovely memories.
6. I have a funny sign on my montior that says: "8 is Enough." This is a reminder that my blogging is about sharing, and if I manage to touch just 8 people with awareness or empowerment, then the blog is worth my time. It is not about comments on posts (tho those are nice too). 8 is enough keeps my priorities straight.
7. Even as a writer, I find it hard to describe the beauty I see in a single cat.
Like this photo of our little Oboe:
8. I share a deep and abiding love of potatoes with the person who gave me this award.
9. I have another sign on my monitor that says "Loud & Clear," and it reminds me that actions speak louder than words... "Pay attention, Shephard. Actions tell you what someone really thinks."
10. I finally met Ben Affleck. It was all I hoped it would be.
~Shephard
posted by Shephard @ 