Saturday, April 27, 2013

A Liebster Award!

Liebster Award
What a delightful surprise 
to open my blog this morning 
and find that Paul Forster 
had awarded me a Liebster Award!
  
Thank you, Paul!  
I find Paul's blog inspirational 
because he is so open and vulnerable 
as he shares his life, his struggles, 
and his songwriting and music.
  



"Huh? You got a Lobster Award?"
said my Ever-Patient hubby this morning
when I distracted him from his iPad
to tell him the news.
No appreciation on the home front ~
but then, he was reading the news.



Olaus Magnus's Carta marina
With Big Lobsters!


I'm new at this, 
so I have used 
what Paul posted on his blog
as a guide.

Actually Noushka nominated me 
for an award once before, 
but I had just started blogging 
and couldn't number 
the blogs I was following 
on one hand!
So I had to decline regretfully.

Now I have found so many more blogs ~ 
and they are wonderful!  
No easy nominating decisions here, 
let me tell you!  
And Paul has already nominated 
some of my favorite blogs!
But there are plenty more worthy blogs!

Here is how it works:

The rules:
  1. Thank the person who awarded you the award and link back to their blog.
  2. Post 11 facts about yourself, answer the 11 questions you were asked, and create 11 questions for your nominees.
  3. Nominate 11 blogs who you feel deserve to be noticed and leave a comment on their blog letting them know they have been chosen.
  4. Display the Liebster Award logo
  5. No tag backs
11 Facts about me:
  1. I live life in exclamation marks!!!
  2. I was born a Canadian in Nova Scotia, and I became an American citizen in 1999.
  3. I love land-locked Colorado, but I also long for Nova Scotia ~ hence my blog name Fundy Blue.  I have spent a lot of time on the shores of my beloved Bay of Fundy.
  4. Like Paul Forster, I love to travel!  I grew up reading the books of Richard Halliburton who was a famous travel writer and adventurer in the 1920s and 1930s.    He inspired me to go visit the headhunters of Borneo ~ which I have done ~ and many other places which I am slowly crossing off my Bucket List!  I want to visit all seven continents.
  5. I love photography and writing.  So when I was given an encouraging push into the blogosphere by Ron of .from sophie's view, I found the perfect retirement avocation.
  6. My first name is Myrtle, after my grandmother Myrtle Jane (Pratt) MacBeath ~ a fact my brother never lets me forget.  I have always been called Louise, but my family usually calls me Weesie.  Not Roy ~ he still calls me Weasel!
  7. I won the husband lottery!  In spite of the fact that Terry is often distracted, he is the best husband one could have.  I call him the Ever-Patient or the E-P in my blog because he has to put up with me!  He is so level-headed and calm, while I'm like a roller coaster.
  8. I come from an extended and loving family.  My three sisters and one brother mean the world to me.  We are very close!  My parents are both deceased, but I think of them everyday.  Of course, I also love my extended family very, very much.
  9. When people describe me, they usually use the descriptors passionate and energetic.  People are often surprised when I say I am quite shy.  They mistake me  for and extrovert, but I am an introvert.  I scored a solid INFJ on the Myers-Briggs personality test.  I barely registered on the Sensing end of the Sensing-Intuition continuum.  I scored zero on the thinking end of thinking-feeling continuum ~ I was all feeling!
  10. I 'm probably the only geologist who came through Acadia University with enough credits for a solid minor in theatre ~ but I have the science credits too!  I later went on to do an Honors Degree in English and an MAEd. in the Diverse Learner.
  11. I'm a binger ~ When I'm doing something I'm passionate about I don't want to stop for anything else ~ except an occasional piece of chocolate to keep my energy up. This is very disconcerting to my husband!  And because I am a square peg and can't be forced into a round hole, I'm going to sneak into my last answer that my all time, favorite book (and movie) is Lord of the Rings.  And that's saying something, because I have a hard time picking favorites!

Questions asked:

1.   What is the last dream you remember?  
The night before last I dreamed that I was a hawk flying in Monument Valley, and when it occurred to me that I wasn't a hawk and couldn't fly, I started to plummet and woke up with my heart pounding!

2.  What is your favourite relaxation activity?
Sleeping!  Otherwise, it's hard for me to relax!


3.  What style of music do you prefer?
Blues!

4.  If you and I spent the day together what would we be doing?
Talking in the middle of the night when we insomniacs are both wide-awake because our minds are working overtime!  Followed in the daylight hours with a hike some place beautiful in New Zealand ~ maybe somewhere where LOTR was filmed.

5.  Do you prefer hot or cold drinks?  
It depends:  Cold in hot places.  Hot in cold places.  I definitely prefer my cold drinks without ice.

6.  What is your favourite indulgence?
Chocolate!!

7.  If you could achieve one thing this year, what would it be? 
Complete a draft of a manuscript I'm working on ~ given a year starting right now!

8.  Are you patient or impatient?  
Impatient!  I like to think of myself as patient, but everyone says NOT!

9.  If you could spend 24 hours with someone famous who would it be and why?  
J.R.R. Tolkien ~ I'd like to have a discussion with him about developing his female characters more and why he didn't/couldn't!

10.  When are you at your happiest?
When I'm curled up with Terry just being.

11.  Lastly, looking at yourself in the mirror which part of you are you most proud of and why?
My sparkly brown eyes ~ because I was given the gift of finding great delight in the ordinary as well as the extraordinary, and that gift makes my eyes sparkle.  When my first marriage ended, my mother was so distraught because my eyes were flat, and she was worried that the sparkle would never come back.  After a very few desperate months it did!  So my mom didn't have to go strangle my first husband and spend the rest of her days in jail for murder!  Seriously!



Here are my questions to the people I will be tagging:

1.  What is your most favorite book? 
2.  Where do you live, and why do you like or dislike it?
3.  What is the unfulfilled dream you most want to accomplish during the rest of your life?
4.  What is your life's passion?
5.  What is your earliest memory?
6.  What is the most favorite place you have traveled to and why?
7.  Have you ever had an out of body experience?
8.  How do you prepare your favorite vegetable?
9.  Have you ever felt like you lived before?
10.  What is your most favorite music recording?
11.  Lastly, what scares you the most?


I now tag (and I know this involves your time ~ just know I appreciate it and you!):

Sophie at .from sophie's view (http://fromsophiesview.blogspot.com)

Jim at Ocean Breezes (http://jabacue.blogspot.com)

Noushka at 1000 Pattes {http://1000-pattes.blogspot.com}

B&R at Bikbik and Roro [http://bikbikroro.blogspot.com]

Francie at a North End Journal (http://7thdecadegirl.blogspot.com)

Pat at It's Rhyme Time (http://rhymetime24.blogspot.com)

Audrey at Life's Simple Pleasures (http://audreygoeslocal.blogspot.com)

Dreaming at Living a Dream (http://livingadream2.blogspot.com)

Greenthumb at Made With Love (http://suzzie43.blogspot.com)

Nantucket Daffodil at A Nantucket State of Mind (http://nantucketdaffodil.blogspot.com)

Optimistic Existentialist at Musings of an Unapologetic Dreamer (http://keithawynn2011.blogspot.com)


Thank you again for the honor, Paul!

Now to let my nominees know!


31 comments:

  1. Thanks for your honest answers, Myrtle...Louise. I really enjoyed finding out about you. Like you I am very much a feelings person. I feel too much sometimes which gets me in to trouble. I appreciate it requires time to answer and write questions and tag others!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Paul! I'm sorry I'm just responding now, but it has been a busy weekend! I barely got the award post done before I got pulled away from my computer. It was enjoyable to learn more about you too. My feelings have gotten me into lots of trouble over the years ~ but I have learned to trust my intuitive gut! I hope you had a great weekend ant that you are started on an equally great week. Keep healing!

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  2. Wow tons of info
    You let flow
    Impatient you are
    haha fun to be at ones bar
    As getting things done
    Is sure the best way to be a ton
    And thanks too
    For giving me a lobster at my zoo

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    Replies
    1. Hi Pat!
      I apologize for just dropping the Liebster Award in a comment with nothing else. I was in a serious time crunch this weekend! I knew if I didn't get it done and out, I wouldn't be able to get back to it for several days.

      I do enjoy your blog so much ~ all the rhyming fun! It blows my mind how much you can produce daily and how much effort you put into responding to people's comments! I'll be catching up on everyone's blogs in the next couple of days.

      It's supposed to be 80 degrees today (26.7 celsius) with snow on Wednesday! It has been one wacky spring!

      I hope it's good
      where you're stood!

      Delete
  3. Hi Louise! Thanks so much for this award. It is very kind of you to even consider my blog as worthy of an award.
    I have learned some very 'interesting' facts about this 'Fundy girl'!! Like being impatient! A grade teacher impatient?? Impossible!! lol
    Congratulations on your award as well....truly deserved.

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    Replies
    1. Hi Jim!
      I'm just now getting back on-line ~ it's been a very busy weekend, and I try to trim down my computer time somewhat when Terry is home. I'm sorry that I just dropped an award on you without an accompanying comment, but I was in a serious time crunch.

      I can be quite impatient ~ it's sad but true! When my third graders asked to go to the bathroom, they would always end their requests with, "I'll be real fast!"

      Of course, your blog is worthy of a reward! All your awesome photos and sage words. You inspire me so much! I felt a little torn at tagging people because I found the award a lot of work, but in the end, I just went for it, and I will take no offense at people who declined.

      They ought to do a mini-Liebster with fewer tags. Maybe I'll create a Lobster Award, after my conversation with Terry!

      I've been thinking about Elaine, and I so hope that she is doing better.
      Have a great week, Jim!

      Delete
  4. You are such a cool dudette for mentioning Sophie's World.

    I encouraged you because I knew you could do it. Even if we only had known each other for 1 year, many years ago, something told me "Ron, tell Louise to blog. She will spill her life on the cyber-pages of our lives. Almost sounds like a soap opera. Sweet are the "Days of Louise's Life", she is so "Young and Definitely Restless", and among the "Boulders and Beautifuls" maybe not wanting to go to the "General Hospital" If possible.

    I do go on!

    Thanks again!

    Ron

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Ron,
      I laughed and laughed over your comment ~ especially "among the 'Boulders and Beautifuls!' " It was definitely creative and funny! And yes, I certainly don't want to go to the "General Hospital!"

      I know I'm spilling my guts in this blog, but, but ~ I don't know what to say! I was listening to Fareed Zakaria yesterday while I was trying to catch up on two week's of ironing, and he was interviewing Mira Nair, the director of the film "The Reluctant Fundamentalist." She said that if we don't tell our stories, no one will hear them. I think that's what's going on with me ~ certainly with our northern story. Thanks for the push and all the encouragement!

      I'm sorry that I am just now responding ~ but it was a crazy weekend! And this week doesn't promise to be much calmer. We're off to Black Hawk again. I might come back and do a post on the love story of Central City's first sheriff and the first woman in the Central City/Black Hawk area. I'm on the hunt for photos and info.

      I'll be catching up on posts in the next couple of days!

      I hope that you are looking forward to a great week!

      Delete
  5. O wow, thank you so much!! (I too like exclamation marks lol!) It's really an honour that you thought of me. This award is a great way to find out more about you, and to be introduced to other great blogs. I totally get what you mean about people mistaking one for an extrovert when one is quite the opposite :)

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    Replies
    1. Hi B&R!
      Thank you for your kind comment! I apologize for just dropping an award comment on your blog and nothing else! I was really in a time crunch.

      But I love your blog ~ it's not just about cool art creations! You write about things that are important to you, and you post on some unexpected things like the little mealworms that meant so much to your daughter Rebecca. I always look forward to your posts!

      I hope that you had a lovely weekend, and that you are looking forward to an enjoyable week. Take care!

      Delete
  6. I feel like I know you better now! I'm a LOTR fan too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Debra!
      I'm sorry that I am just getting back to you now, but it has been a hectic weekend! A gorgeous warm weekend during which my hubby wanted some quantity time! Today it's supposed to get to about 26.7 degrees celsius ~ the day after tomorrow snow!!!

      I have been fascinated with Tolkien and The Lord of the Rings for over four decades. Whenever I start to worry about bad things that might happen in the future, I pound them out of my mind by thinking of Aragorn before the gates of Mordor rallying the troops by saying (in the movie), "But not this day!" There is so much more research I want to do into Tolkien and his works.

      There are not enough hours in the day!!!

      I hope you had a great weekend and are off to the start of a fine week!

      Delete
  7. Replies
    1. Thanks Ana! I was pleased and excited! I hope that you are having a happy new week!

      Delete
  8. Congratulations! And I so enjoyed reading all the things you wrote about yourself. I am a binger, too!

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    Replies
    1. Hi Martha!
      Thank you for your kind words!

      It was fun ~ but time consuming ~ coming up with things to write. But if I'm working on a memoir, I might as well get used to putting myself out there!

      I'll be catching up on everyone's posts in the next couple of days. There aren't enough hours in the day, and I'm trying to figure out how to maximize m productiveness! I thought that when I retired that time wouldn't be an issue! Ha!

      I hope that you have a lovely week!

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  9. Well deserved, Fundy Louise! ;-)
    I am not surprised since I have been following you for some time now!
    Thanks for nominating me, but no thanks for several reasons! ;-)
    Anyhow, the main thing is to have fun and go on following each other in her own world!
    I find it so enriching to read you and it bring up such old memories of grand parents travelling!
    Many thanks again and keep well, cheers!

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    Replies
    1. Hi Noushka! Thank you for your kind comment! I totally understand that you declined. I worried all Saturday afternoon as I went on a long walk that the award was more of an imposition than a pleasure! Just know that I value your blog so much, and I look forward to following it for a long time. Have a lovely week!

      Delete
  10. Louise I was wrestling with a big lobster or two I snagged on Brier Island on Friday. They had one in the pound there that was pushing 9 lbs. A mighty crustacean indeed!

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    1. Hi Mark! I'm trying to imagine a 9 pound lobster! That is big! And lucky you down on Brier Island ~ I hope it wasn't foggy, because it is beautiful in the sunshine. Have a great week!

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  11. That for nominating me, I will get around to do a posting when my feet hit the ground. Greenthumb.

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    1. Hi Jill! Take your time ~ I know that it's a time consuming post. I shall enjoy what you write, if you get your feet anchored and have time to do it! Just know that I enjoy your blog, and that the scavenger hunt is fun! That's the post I'm working on now. I hope you had a good holiday with your family!

      Delete
  12. Congratulations! It was fun learning more about you, Louise/Weesie/Mrytle!

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    1. Hi Terry! Thank you for the kind words! I was getting a little worried about how busy you were at your ranch. I'm sure all this wacky weather isn't lightening your workload as spring and summer approach! I can't really believe we're looking at snow on Wednesday! Surely we'll just have sprinkles and no accumulation! anyway, I've been thinking of you and hoping all is well and not too busy!

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  13. Congratulations on your well-deserved Liebster award :)
    I live my life in exclamation marks as well!!

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    1. Hi OE! I'm sorry that I'm just responding now ~ crazy busy weekend! Living life in exclamation marks is the only way. You only go around once ~ maybe! So you might as well follow your passions and make the most of things. Have a great week!

      Delete
  14. Congratulations on your award! Much deserved and truly appreciated! And thank you for choosing my blog as one of the blogs to which you are passing the award. Awards cause me a huge amount of anxiety though and I don't know why. I keep meaning to blog about it but I can just never come to terms with whatever my problem is so I haven't. Anyway thanks so much, receiving such recognition from you is an honour, Fundy!

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    1. Hi Francie! Thank you for your very kind words! I enjoy your blog so much because you are so courageous in your posts! And who can resist Canadian history ~ not this expat Canadian! I hope you have had an enjoyable week so far. I can't believe it ~ we are bracing for more SNOW! Take Care!

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  15. Ha! Another LOTR fan(atic)! :) I can't say I mind the comparative lack of female characters ... the story itself is so fine and strong and brave and lovely that the genders don't seem to matter much. Have you read Silmarillion? Plenty of females there.

    Didn't you love that Hobbiton post over at Paul's?

    Chocolate was also my answer to #6.

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  16. Hi MM! And I'm a Trekkie too! The LOTR story is fine, strong, brave, and lovely! My all time favorite book! And yes, I've read Silmarillion several times ~ studied it actually ~ and many of Tolkien's other writings. "Tree and Leaf" is a favorite of mine. Loved Paul's Hobbiton post! I so want to go there. Have a great evening!

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  17. Your husbands response "Lobster Award" had me laughing. We both love Colorado!
    Bright and Shiny

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Thank you for your comments! I appreciate them very much.