Granny's Parlour

Yesterday was a long day, for various reasons, and after my usual morning writing routine, I did not return to the keyboard until late in the evening to proofread and finalize the Weekend Review. As soon as I logged in to Granny’s Parlour, I found these words in the comment box, from Sue, The Pocket Farmer: “Hi! I love your blog and I would like to recognize you by awarding your blog the Versatile Blogger Award!”

This morning, moments after signing on, I noticed a new comment, from Cecilia of The Kitchen’s Garden, this time: “Good morning Granny, I have taken a page out of your book and have taken to introducing some of my blog neighbors to each other, now I shall browse through yours too! What fun!”

I may never publish a book (though I often think about it) and I may never receive a literary prize, but the recognition and kindness of fellow writers is a magnificent award.

I do not care much for most studies regarding the negative effects of the Internet on human relations. As a writer who uses the Internet at a time when social media are revolutionizing how we do business and how we connect with like-minded people, I am absolutely positive that what is unfolding here, for many, is true community. Yes, it is in cyber space and totally different from what we have known throughout history, but if anything, it is a community of shared ideas and this is as real as over-the-fence neighbors. There is no fence.

And for those of us who write for a business, ours or someone else’s, blogging is a community-based activity that works only if it is an act of giving and sharing. For those who truly love writing, this comes naturally. I am not an expert, but I see it every day in the Blogs I follow. Bloggers may talk about their product, but they focus on deeper thoughts, on sharing what they have learned, on sharing knowledge and personal experience and on letting their passion for the moment inspire the words that demand expression. This gives an energy to the written word and this is the energy we receive when we land on each Blog as readers… and we propel each other to write some more.

Thank you, Pocket Farmer and fellow bloggers.

Seven Random Things about Granny:

1- I love reptiles – I have no clue why this comes to mind right now!
2- One of my best friends is a Beech tree in Scotland.
3- I exercise for about 1 hour every morning.
4- I have no tolerance for lack of ethics in business.
5- There is no TV in this house since 2000 and no plans to get one.
6- I have dyslexia and sometimes switch entire syllables from one word to another when I speak – now that is quite funny.
7- I love solitude (I love the meeting of minds just as much).

The RULES for the Versatile Blogger Award:

1. Add the award to your blog.
2. Thank the blogger who gave it to  you.
3. Mention seven  random things about yourself. (see below)
4. List the rules.
5. Award to 15  bloggers.
6. Inform  each of those 15 by leaving a comment on their blog.

15 Bloggers who will receive the Versatile Blogger Award from Granny (in no particular order)… and please visit their blogs too!

1. http://emersonsacre.wordpress.com/
2. http://infinebalance.com/
3. http://gardeningcanuck.wordpress.com/
4. http://thekitchensgarden.wordpress.com/
5. http://flyingtnh.wordpress.com/
6. http://thekalechronicles.com/
7. http://frugalfeeding.wordpress.com/
8. http://savorysimple.net/
9. http://daisyt13.wordpress.com/
10. http://organic-urban-farming.com/
12. http://grateful-gardener.com/
13. http://savoringeverybite.wordpress.com/
14. http://curtissannmatlock.com/
15. http://englishtea.us/

Also Read Today’s Weekend Highlights!