I had the pleasure, a couple of weeks ago, of meeting one of my far away blogger friends in real life. Okay ~ well, not exactly in person, but close! Hubby and I were on our long train ride, dinner was over, hubby was on his phone with a co-worker, and the text came through, “Is this a good time to visit?” I was sitting in the observation car, surrounded by strangers that were no longer strange to me….watching the rain. “Yes!” I texted back. “But hurry while I still have bars!” ( We learned quickly on the train that if you need to call someone, do it while going through a city/town. ) A couple of minutes later, my phone rang. And for a split second, I was nervous. All of our conversations up to this point had been through cyberspace. What would we talk about? What if she was weird? 😉 What if she realized I was weird? I answered, “Bonnie?” giggle…giggle….. and the next few minutes were spent learning about each other’s day, children, soccer games, Sonics, In & Outs, but mostly, simply getting to know each other. Hearing each other’s audible voices. Laughing that fried okra was a sacred Oklahoma food…..more on that story later! What a perfect way to spend an evening. There is a true human being behind each blog. And maybe we just touch on highs and lows in their lives by what they “feed” through their posts, but they are real. And funny and sad and happy and lonely. Just. Like. You. I wouldn’t take anything for my time spent with Bonnie, “on the train”.
And so this leads to a lovely gesture extended to me yesterday from my gal, Marsha. She told me she appreciated me and invited me to join the Circle of Appreciation. Once I determined it was not a cult, I decided to jump on board. 🙂 We don’t say it enough or hear it enough. I’d like to have a hand in changing that. So thank you dear Marsha! You made my day! I appreciate you and your sweet blog, also! http://tchistorygal.wordpress.com/
Līgo Circle of Appreciation
For the duration of 22 days, starting on 1st October 2012, we will be inviting 2 bloggers per day to join the Līgo Circle of Appreciation.
PLEASE NOTE: This is an Appreciation, NOT an Award.
To fully participate in the Līgo Circle of Appreciation: ~
* Complete this sentence about blogging: ”A great blog is…”
* Refer back to the blogger who invited you.
* Invite 2 bloggers to join the Līgo Circle of Appreciation on a post.
So in following with the above………
A great blog is one that challenges you, embraces you and makes you laugh. They invite you to sit on the front porch with them, sip tea, and leave you looking forward to coming back for more!
The challenge for me on this post, is to challenge myself to tell you more often, how much I appreciate you. Cause I do, ya know.
Today I am passing this on to Bonnie (mentioned at the top). She’s a dear and you will enjoy your time spent at Paper Keeper .
I also hope you will hop over and visit Maggie in Norway. Her book “Fly Away Home” is one you might want to consider adding to your reading list!
Life in the Ozarks is awesome. So I must keep close tabs on Lorrie’s blog since I no longer live there. She reminds me of why I want to end up there again one day! Check out The Eff Stop for the best photos ever!
I know, that’s not just two. And the problem with so many super blogs? I want to list them all, but time does not allow. So I am counting on you guys to spread the love and the appreciation. There is plenty to go around.
I truly appreciate you guys. Readers, bloggers, fam & friends. And hubby, thanks for almost always stopping the car when I yell, “STOP THE CAR!” so I can get a shot. (photo…not whiskey ~ usually) You’re the best ♥ Pass it on, people……
p.s. If you don’t have a blog….jump in….do it. There are wonderful friends out there just waiting for you!
stuff i tell my sister 
Awesome Paula…and you are so right…Bonnie is a Treasure. Yay for both of you for connecting in real time. This is such a great idea…a new way to show your appreciation without having to spill another 7 things! 🙂 And just let it be said here, you are appreciated by all of us, each and every day.
xo
It was so much fun! As was our conversing thru fb over the weekend. LOVED THAT! Appreciate you so much, friend. But I do like learning more about folks with the “more” stuff. I am just too lazy to do it myself!! 🙂 hugs ♥
🙂 not lazy, i’m the same…only i’m more often than not the one spewing. but i LOVE getting the dope on others too. and yes…the weekend fb’ing was fun and think every weeekend would be lovely if they started just that way! xoxo
you always have great ideas!!!! 🙂
You are so sweet Paula, a true friend from a far. I appreciate the shout out more than you’ll ever know. Thank you!
🙂 have fun this week! ♥ and if you happen in Dublin again….my sis is there this week. Just look for the red head! 🙂
Lovely – to chat, to read, to share 😉
♥
Thanks for the shout out – I love reading about your travels. I have yet to train anyone to stop the car when I want to take a photo:)
I LOVE the word “train”…..LOL!
Ha 🙂
Beautiful! Yes, the eff stop is awesome, as is yours, congratulations and thank you for reminding us that these are not fake friends, these are real people, talented and thoughtful.
I got the sweetest note from your bday friend today. Hoping she had the best birthday ever! 🙂 And YES! So many great blogs out there! The Eff Stop rocks! 🙂
Thank you so much for participating! you have no IDEA how much it has meant to her and she is having the best birthday ever! She said she thought it was going to be an unbirthday and I think it is actually a life changing birthday for her, thanks to people like you who participated. My sincere thanks to you!
Are you kidding! It was my pleasure to surprise a new friend on her special day! I’m glad it has been a great one for her…. 🙂
Your definition of “a great blog” is right on and exactly why I’m here every day (and to see your awesome pictures, of course). Please keep on keepin’ on for those of us who haven’t made the leap yet. I had great plans and then found out I like to sew! Who knew? Thank you for bringing us all together!
Wow? I didn’t know you sew! Good for you!!! Your blog will be awesome and that very first story “kicks-it” and needs to be shared! But I’m not naggin’, just sayin’! Thanks for “liking” me….:) ♥
Oh, my friend Paula…you are the best! That was so great to chat with you, hear your happy voice and get at least a two dimensional bit of you! And you crack me up! Wonder if she might be weird!! I laughed out loud and LOVE that you wrote that!! I had a half sec of nerves too, and all I can say is that our weird cancelled each other out! I am so glad you tossed out to me, the invitation to chat! I love the appreciation and can’t wait to share it! xo
You are so much fun! Thanks for not be offended by my “weird” words. Hey….if you are gonna hang with me, ya gotta be able to handle it all! LOL! I kinda thought you’d have fun sharing the love….looking forward to reading more soon ♥ (no pressure!)
I was definitely NOT offended…I was cracking up!! I think I can handle it ALL! I will look forward to doing that post..! And thank you again…so very much! xo
I look forward to planking together one day, girl! lol! You know it should be past my bedtime…..(if I were normal) 🙂
Oh my goodness girl…yes, planking with you, it is on the list!! You were up late…hope you are snoozing now…sweet dreams! xo
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Now that she has me “trained”, she can’t understand why the engineer doesn’t stop the train for her!!
That is very true! Not to mention the pilot! (altho I must say the heli pilot was very cooperative!) Love you, my dear ♥
Nice post. As I’m also part of the ‘circle’ I would like to say welcome! Also, thank you for following my blog. Yours looks like a lot of fun. 🙂
http://jlroeder.wordpress.com
Yay! We are “circle” friends! 🙂 Welcome ♥ paula
What a fun idea! I just had to stop over again and read your blog because every time I run into your hubby, he raves about you and this special blog you have going on :). I have enjoyed reading your inspiring and encouraging posts! And it’s always fun to follow bloggers from the same town 😉
Emily! Thanks so much for reading and for commenting! I have heard much about you & your hubby, also! Please come back often and COMMENT! I love to hear from friends! Your blog is awesome, I just checked it out….I just couldn’t figure out how to comment. (I am still pretty green at this!) ♥ paula
I’ve met, in real life, a fair number of people I’ve come to know online and it’s always amazing… and never quite what you expect LOL And yes, when you read other people’s words, it’s always magical to see or hear that person and know that yes, there really is a living breathing human being there LOL
Exactly! 🙂