Yesterday morning I found two wonderful things on line. The first one was a random tweet from Just Wanna Say It :
“Morning time: a cup of hot hello, a plate of crispy wishes, a spoon of sweet smiles, & a slice of great success especially 4 u.”
The second (and best): An email from a blogger I found recently and greatly admire, “36×37,” saying she’d given me the “Versatile Blogger Award“! How nice is that? My first blogging award, unless you count “Freshly Pressed.” Immediately, I was beset with angst and feelings of unworthiness because I’m just an amateur photographer who writes occasionally. Not a serious writer like 36×37. But then I remembered to kick my constant companion named Self-Doubt to the curb and say “Thank you!”
I came across 36×37 by sheer happenstance. I decided on a whim to see which blogs made “Freshly Pressed” that day and was struck by the image and title on her blog. The post was about fate and random happenings and contained this gem:
“So I’m thinking: If we’re driven to do something, then we really just need to do it. Even if that means clawing at something raw, announcing our imperfections and emabarrassing ourselves in a very public way. Even if that means sticking with it until we fail miserably. Because at least then we can say we tried.”
I think of that whenever Self-Doubt comes back to life just like Glenn Close in Fatal Attraction.
I also can’t get over how on my worst days, I find something like a truly inspirational post or quote that changes everything. I heart that.
So, part of winning the Versatile Blogger Award is listing seven surprising things about yourself, but I think I prefer to let those emerge gradually, through the blog. Instead I’ll list seven places I’ve been to and what I loved about them.
1) Greece–everything
2) Turkey–the ruins, the food, the Mediterranean, Istanbul, Ephesus, etc. etc.
3) France–everything, but mostly Provence and Paris
4) England–London and the Cotswolds; Bath and Oxford; the people
5) Czech Republic–Prague, one of the most photogenic cities in the world
6) Bavaria–the people, the food, the Alps
7) Lebanon–the ruins, the Mediterranean, the food
Now I’ll pass the award on to seven bloggers I think are stellar (in no particular order):
Enjoy….and don’t forget to check out 36×37!
Pearls & Prose 
Congratulations! And thanks!
Wow, you’ve been so many cool places. I’d love visit Greece. And London. And France.
You’re so welcome! I did a lot of traveling before I got married and had kids. So much easier that way.
Thanks so much for your kind words. I am so in awe of all the places you’ve traveled–what a fun spin to put on your list of 7 surprising things! I agree with you about Bath–it’s like the quiet step sister to that flashy girl, London. Nobody notices Bath until London leaves the room; but then that’s when you notice how Bath is actually much prettier and evey bit as interesting as her sibling. She’s just more unassuming.
Congrats again. Great post!
Maura
Bath was a last-minute detour on the way back to London. I’m so glad we went. I really need to scan those negatives–some great shots of the Roman baths and surroundings.
Amazing post. I have bookmarked your site. I am looking forward to reading more
Congratulations Ms. Pearl- a versatile blogger indeed, you truly deserve this award! 🙂 And thank you so much for passing it to me.
You’re very welcome. Have a great weekend!
Thank you so much for choosing me P & P !
I will definitely check out “36” X 37″ ”
and I agree with you about Greece, Prague & France. Bath also holds a special place in my heart- not the least reason being that I found my most precious pieces of vintage clothing, including my two favourite dresses in the world, there!
Have a great weekend!
xx
Slim P
You so deserve it! Glad I could pass it on. : )
You have a great weekend too!
Thank you so much for this award! As soon as I am able to get my computer charged properly, I’ll get to it.
You are welcome! That sounds funny, because you are Miss Welcome. Anyway, I’m happy to pass it on. : )