Your Blog is Fabulous

I'm still blushing over the fact that Charlotte, who most definitely was far more deserving of this award than I, selected me for the "Your Blog is Fabulous" award. Of course, she also commented that, despite all my protests to the contrary, I really am a book blogger, which I am beginning to acknowledge. I mean, maybe I don't review every book I read, but every other post, it seems, is about books, isn't it?

Anyway, before I get to those I am giving the award, I am going to follow in Charlotte's footsteps and note five fabulous addictions of mine. Here they are:

1. Blogs. I don't know what I ever did before I had all my favorite blogs to read, as well as a place where I could bare my soul and find others who agree with me. I'm addicted to blogging myself; I'm addicted to constantly checking to see if others have posted something new on their blogs; and I'm addicted to commenting, checking comments, hoping others will comment, etc., etc. Long live the blogosphere! (We will ignore that nasty little other addiction Facebook, which is the inferior crack cocaine quickly smoked for an immediate high in some run-down old house, to the fabulous $150 bottle of champagne enjoyed on the private terrace of a luxurious mountain-view bed and breakfast in the Napa Valley while watching the sunset with the love of your life that provides a slow and lasting sort of high.)

2. Pen pals. I love you. I love your letters. I love anticipating your letters. I love having a reason to buy stationery. I love how much we are sharing with each other. Really. I can't say enough about how much I am enjoying this new addiction in my life.

3. Spring in Lancaster County. I am addicted to it, in a way I was never addicted to spring anywhere else. I'm watching the fields for signs of vegetation. I can't wait for the asparagus. I'm eager to see what the farm stands have to offer. I'm loving right now when I can see the buds and am anticipating what I know is coming.

4. Libraries. Well, you know, you house another one of my all-time favorite addiction: books. And you're a great place to escape. But you're also just so cutting edge. I love the way you embrace technology. I also love your principle, which is to provide all information to everyone, no matter what. If only everyone had that sort of attitude.

5. Cheese. Glorious cheese. What would life be without cheese? Oh, and I am living in a great place for cheese addicts -- fresh off the farm, even raw if you prefer. Hmmm. I think I need to go cut myself a slice. I'll be back in a minute...

Well, that slice of cheese turned into two cheese toasties (on Amish bread, another addiction). Anyway, now that I am fully sated (man may not be able to live on bread alone, but he most certainly may live on bread and cheese alone), I feel a need to explain that it is very, very difficult for me to choose those for whom I am going to bestow this award. I read so many fabulous blogs. Thus, like Charlotte, I have decided to create a category. I am presenting you with blogs of those I know in real life, whom I did not meet via the blogosphere. So now, without further ado, I bring you my awardees:

1. Danny of Jew Eat Yet: I know. I know. I sound like a broken record. I am always recommending Danny's blog for everything, but really, truly, his is the blog that I first started reading consistently, and although I was intimidated by the thought of starting my own blog when I knew those like he existed out there, he still encouraged me. He's a brilliant writer; he's funny; he's honest; he's incredibly smart and knowledgeable; oh, and for you Wilco fans out there, he's Jeff Tweedy's brother-in-law (start reading him, and you can claim two degrees of separation.)

2. Ian. For those of you who don't know, he's my brother. He had a blog, and then he had another blog, and now he never blogs. We forgive him, because he is in grad school and barely has time to give us status reports on Facebook. However, his blog posts almost give you a glimpse of how extraordinarily funny and fabulous he is in real life (and I'm not just saying that because I'm his sister. You can ask not only his other two sisters, but any number of people who will assure you of his fabulousness). I promise you, if you're having a dinner party, you want him on your guest list (not only to help cook the meal but to keep everyone roaring with laughter and then to play a little after dinner music on his guitar).

3. Bob of Lacunae Musing. I knew he was brilliant. I knew he was observant. I knew he was a visionary. However, I didn't know he was such a heartfelt and inspiring writer until I started reading his blog. He's also a magnificent photographer (which I didn't know he inherited from his father until I started reading his blog). He writes about everything, and if you read his blog, you will be challenged (oh yeah, I also knew that he loves to challenge people), and you will learn, so I suggest you read it.

4. Feminine Feminist. She doesn't post nearly enough. She's got that typical female syndrome of being way too modest when it comes to her talents, and she will tell you that her writing is no good. But read her. She is absolutely wrong about that. Her keen eye for life's absurdities is apparent on her blog, as is her huge heart (one of the biggest I've ever known), and her wicked sense of humor.

5. Zoe's Mom. Few people in the world make me think, "Well, maybe having a child isn't such a bad thing after all." (Of course, if I could guarantee having a child like Zoe...) I'm pretty sure it's because she is so incredibly honest about the whole "motherhood experience." Oh, and despite what you might think, she isn't all about Zoe. She gives you plenty of other hilarious (and sometimes poignant) observations about this thing we call life.

So there you have it. Those of you I've awarded may pass the award on to others if you so choose.