My daughter Beatrice has nominated me for a 7×7 Award. Her blog, Adventures for the Faint of Heart, is funny, fresh, an inspiration to writers, and especially young writers, as you will see when you read her tagline. I’m a big fan of hers, and I’m not just saying that because I’m her mother. Thank you, Bea, for the nomination, kind words, and especially for the original illustration.
To accept the nomination, after thanking the person who gave it to you, you must tell something about yourself no one else knows. So here you go…
Since 7×7 is the theme, I’ll tell you I’m one of seven children, that it took seven years to write and sell my first novel, The Keeper of the Crystal Spring, and seven more to complete my newest novel, Real Troopers. Bea says I must have broken a couple of mirrors in my wild and wicked youth.
Next, you have to choose seven of your posts that fit the criteria below. When the doctor asks me how much it hurts on a scale of one to ten, I say, “How should I know?” This decision was so subjective, and once again I ask, “How should I know?” Please feel free to decide which is which for yourselves.
Most Beautiful Piece: Editing Monet’s Garden—It’s Monet’s Garden, what else can I say?
Most Helpful: The Secret Object I Keep Hidden in My Underwear Drawer—Because.
Most Popular Piece: Befriend the Ides of March—Party time!
Most Controversial Piece: The ‘S’ Word—You know what I’m talking about.
Most Surprisingly Successful Piece: The Real Thing—And the moral is, see for yourself.
Most Underrated Piece: Remembering Fort Detroit–Social studies.
Most Pride-worthy Piece: Survival Stories—Proud of my sister the artist, proud of the people of Ptigliano, and proud of some pretty good storytelling.
Now, it is my privilege to nominate seven other worthy blogs…
The Urge to Wander–An exceptionally classy travel blog with great photos, history, and stories.
She Kept a Parrot–Lovely photos, and thoughtful personal stories.
Annika Ruohonen Photography–Stunning photos of Finland, and gentle observations of life.
The Obamacrat–A passionate blogger with a strong sense of justice and a good heart.
Talinorfali–Musings every day of the year from my first follower. Thanks for the warm welcome!
Musing by Moonlight–Intelligent and varied, and because I like it.
Crossroads-Cathryn Wellner–Two sixtysomethings’ journey, and also funny animal videos!
Writing Between the Lines 
Congratulations and a big thank you for my nomination. I adore you & your daughter. Have a great weekend. 😉
You really deserve it. And the feeling is mutual.
Thank you! and Congratulations! You are kind, Naomi. I will respond on the blog soon and explore your other recommendations too. They’re mostly new to me. Nice! 😉
What a clever photograph.
Jamie
Thanks so much, Jamie. I look forward to exploring your archives–there are some intriguing titles there.
Someday we must sit and share the youthful broken mirrors stories… 😀
You’ve raised a couple of great kids, Naomi! What an incredible thing to be nominated and appreciated like that by one’s offspring. You rock. But then we already knew that!
Hi Sue, I would really love to break out the old mirrors (and a glass of wine) and reflect on the past. As for the kids, I could easily say the same thing to you–in fact, I will. I’m sure that’s why my kids like your kids so much!
Congrats on your 7 X 7 Award, Naomi. Well-deserved. I like this award because it shows how you feel about your favorite pieces.
Great job!
Thanks, mj. I really have trouble making that sort of call, but it is interesting to see what people choose to share. Thanks so much for stopping by. It takes forever for me to put together a post, and I saw that you posted last night. Now I get to go see what you’re up to!
Congratulations!
Thank you!
HI,
Congrats on your award, well done. 😀
Thanks, Mags. I appreciate your stopping by.
Congratulations, Naomi. You turned the acceptance into an award-winning piece all by itself. I will try to respond to this compliment in a way that doesn’t embarrass you, but don’t count on it! 😉 You are such a delightful, fine and decent human being…even if you didn’t write or photograph. Thank you for nominating my folksy tales blog. I do love doing it although I am as slow as molasses. You encourage me, child! And I am grateful.
Dear George, you are so sweet! I have been enjoying your blog since I started following you. It just gets better and better.
I just started following your blog a few days ago, so 3 or 4 of your favorite posts were new to me, and I loved them. Especially Fort Detroit, and tying problems with a social studies assignment to writing. (I already loved the Survival Stories post, which I think was my favorite.) Mostly I want to say thanks for some great reading, and an example to follow with my blogging. So thanks! Now to check out the ones you recommended…
Hi Jennifer,
Thanks so much for your kind words. Sometimes you toss a story out into the blogosphere, and it is only through comments that you know they have found a good home. I look forward to following your blog, and getting to know you better. Warmly, Naomi.
Hi Naomi,
Congrats! And thank you so much for the nomination! Glad you like my blog and photos. Hope you’re having a wonderful weekend! Annika
Hi Anna,
You so deserve it! I hope that you and the boys are all recovered from your illness, and that springtime has made an appearance for you. Warmly, Naomi
I love this post, because it pointed me to a few of your other (always lovely) posts. And it pointed me to your book.
Your book!
Naomi, you are much too humble. Why is that not-so-little fact not in your About page? 🙂
Thanks, Tita. So glad you came to visit. I know I need to work on that page. I keep thinking I’ll get around to it.
Thank you Naomi! Truly appreciate being on your list! Will have to catch up with some of those wonderful posts you mention!
What a lovely selection of posts (and new blogs) to look through… And photos! Thank you, Naomi, for offering this mini-Best Of post to ho from.
Hi Eden, thanks so much for stopping by. I look forward to reading more of your blog.
Ditto! I’ve already found enough here to distract me from getting “read work” done for a good while. 😀
Ha! I hear ya!