Today’s Favorite Bloggers

The Six Foot Bonsai (Stacy Gleiss) nominated my blog for a blogger’s recognition award.  I have stalled in responding, partly because I didn’t have an appropriate graphic for it, but also because the list has changed.  Some of my favorite bloggers have dropped off the radar, and new ones have surfaced.

The nomination came at a good time for me, when I wondered if anything I think or say makes a difference.  Fact is, I enjoy blogging and bloggers, whose individualized viewpoints remind me how creative each of us can be.

According to the blogger’s recognition rules, nominees are to say why they began blogging and give advice to other bloggers.

My reason for beginning is straightforward.  I’m compelled to write and journal, but I’m also an avid reader.  The blog world allows readers and writers to connect with each other without intermediaries.  I like finding new blogs and love commenting on those that capture my interest.  Since I like feedback, I give it to others, if only to show appreciation for their effort.  Sometimes it’s more fun—and definitely easier—to comment on others’ blogs than to write my own.  I advise no less to others.

Another condition of the recognition award is to list fifteen of my favorite blogs and say why I follow them, so here goes:

1. The Six Foot Bonsai (Stacey Gleiss)—has written a book describing her experience as a young American wife of a Japanese man.  She writes passionately about how the culture alternately seduced and horrified her, through her experience with her Japanese husband.
2. Three Worlds One Vision—Rosaliene Bacchus has lived in Brazil, Guyana, and the US, is a strong environmentalist, and supports human rights worldwide.  She frequently posts excerpts from Brazilian poets and writers, discusses Brazilian affairs with insight and dignity, and has a vision of a peaceful, earth-friendly, world.
3. Cotton Boll Conspiracy—A fellow Southerner, Cotton Boll writes on a variety of subjects, from the abandoned farmhouses around his South Carolina community to current events.  Always interesting and informative.  Fun to read.
4. i didn’t have my glasses on–Beth is a kindergarten teacher in Michigan. Beth’s blog is always upbeat.   She writes short blogs about the “kinders” and their refreshing perspective.  She also reports on tidbits from the news.
5. Esoterx—Here we have an anthropologist with a dry wit and an interest in the supernatural, primarily factual recounting of presumed spirit visitations in the 18^th and 19^th centuries.  He provides bibliographical references to substantiate his take on the weird events.
6. Writers Without Money—Especially Stan Rogouski, who likes to do movie reviews, but who also writes on politics and history.  He bicycles around suburban New Jersey (and other areas), photographing, and giving a little history about what he sees.
7. Justice4Poland—HKW often writes in Polish, and as the blog name shows, has a passionate interest in defending Polish heritage.  He also has taken strong stands for alternative medicine and against corporate medical and chemical giants.  His blogs are informative and thought-provoking, a welcome balance to American bias.
8. 90 Rolls Royces—Bindu Krishnan is an Indian woman with a liking for saris.  She also has a philosophical mindset and writes about her favorite teacher, Osha.  She describes a little of what day-to-day life is like in India.
9. When Timber Makes Us Still–Thomas Gable, a nature photographer, is a recent find.  His photos and descriptions of the trees and wildlife around his Northwest home are stunning and informative.
10. The Kitchen Garden–Another recent find, Cecilia is a Midwestern farmer.  She photographs and writes about her farm and animals and day-to-day farming life that seems much easier to read about than to live.  Her energy and upbeat attitude are refreshing.
11. Mark All My Words–Another nature lover, Mark Miles lives in North Carolina.  He photographs and writes about area flora and fauna, and has a special interest in insects.  He also has a broad range of interests, from music to philosophy.
12. Mr. Johnson’s Blog–Also nominated by The Six Foot Bonsai, Mr. Johnson lives in Canada and presents a fresh and gentle perspective on all kinds of everyday experiences.  Although his views may be controversial, he always makes me smile.
13. 999 Roses In My Life–Trient Nugen is a Vietnamese photographer who spices up his photos with insightful quotes written in Vietnamese, with English translations.  The pictures are generally of beautiful Vietnamese women in beautiful clothes and settings.
14. Navasolanature.wordpress.com–A UK woman who also has a home in Portugal, she has a love of nature and birds, solar energy and gardening.  She posts on all these interests.
15. Diary of an Esthete–Another sporadic blogger, James Dee Clayton lives in the UK and travels extensively, most recently to Africa, where he takes the back roads and mingles and merges with native cultures.  His loving and joyful approach seems to win friends wherever he goes.

I can think of many others whose blogs I enjoy and hope to recognize them, too, in future posts.