Thinking Blogger Award

Frannie of (the t family syndicate) has awarded me a

I am surprised and pleased that although she has only recently started reading my blog she includes me as one of her five.

Here are the rules:

1. If you get tagged, write a post with links to 5 blogs that make you think.
2. Link to this post so that people can easily find the exact origin of the meme.
3. Optional: Proudly display the Thinking Blogger Award with a link to the post that you wrote.

I'm an avid reader of numerous blogs, they make me laugh, sometimes cry, and I enjoy getting to know people and making virtual friendships. Choosing five is not an easy task as there are so many good reads out there.
My daughter beccy (perpermint tea) has already posted her nominations and I have to say most of her choices would be on my list. Barbara is also one of my early virtual friends and the post that Beccy refers to had the same affect on me, particularly as my eldest daughter Sam had a scare just after Christmas. Emma (a must read) she writes straight from the heart you can be laughing with her one day and crying on another. You cannot fail to start thinking about the conflicts of war if you read this moving post.

I could go on and on, telling you how the Artist formerly known as Purpleworms has got me thinking about art, as I intend to try my hand at painting. She has given me some helpful tips but here I am six months on from retirement and I have only got as far as sorting my equipment and reading about it.

I can tell I'm rambling and digressing from the task in hand as I'm having difficulty producing a final list. It serves me right for being so slow as since I first started drafting of this post last week I've seen lots nominations for this award and some of my choices, I believe, have already been nominated. I suppose what I'm really trying to say is that each and everyone of the blogs I read leaves me with different thoughts so you're all nominated... No don't panic I'll stick to the rules and highlight five.

So my nominations in no particular order are:

1 the third-person singular
I have been following Enidd's adventures for quite a long time and when she started leaving me comments it boosted my confidence. After all when you find someone, other than your nearest and dearest, who is interested enough to read your ramblings it's very flattering.

Enidd's style is unique, she keeps me hooked as she cleverly writes about aspects of her life. Her observations and insight into different food and cultural eating habbits are so funny. She is thought provoking, who else can give you a first hand account of a revolution and if you want to find out where professional's dine you need to look here. Enidd is planning to move to San Fransisco, where my daughter lives, so you never know I might even get to meet her when I next visit.

2 Sally Writes
Sally is another person who quickly became a virtual friend. Sally is a working mum (5 children, cat and dog), she is a part-time broadcaster, the Principal of a Theatre School and a voice over artist. Sally writes very candidly about her life and we share her ups and downs. Oh and she has an issue with banks this was her very first post and more recently she advised us on an alternative banking system. It's certainly worth looking into her archives.

3 Anecdotes Antedotes and Anodes
I have only been reading Swampwitch regularly since fun monday started and I am now a devotee. I will highlight just one post, breast cancer awareness, that will help to illustrate why she is inspirational and special to so many people.

4 The Dust Will Wait
Pamela, is a grandmother like me, she is sensitive and not afraid to share her emotions as you can see from this post. It got me thinking about all aspects of illness, death, the grieving process and how we react to these painful times in our lives.

5 Living life catching the light
Vikki's tribute to a friend had me in tears as I read it and made me appreciate how fortunate I am in that my mother is making good progress after her recent illness, and my daughters and grandchildren are fit and well. For this I feel truely blessed and I am going to participate in the 'Race for life' as a thank you.

Some of you will have already have responded to your nominations from other bloggers but if this is a first- THERE IS NO PRESSURE TO TAKE UP THE CHALLENGE UNLESS YOU REALLY WANT TO.