And the Bella Award Goes To. . .

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The Bella Award

The Bella Award

 Buzzardbilly gave me the Bella blog award the other day and I was so stunned I completely forget to pass the award on.

The rules say that I must choose 15 new blogs that I read that are deserving of the award. I’m new to the blogosphere and many of the ones I read have already been awarded the Bella.

So, taking a cue from Spike Nesmith, I’m going to award 8 and ask y’all to nominate the remainder.  In no particular order:

Life’s a Feast: Confessions of a Gourmande

I know Jamie from another cyber-world and was delighted to find she had a blog. She’s an ex-pat living in France.  For those of us who love to eat and/or love to cook, Jamie’s blog is a feast for the eyes. I can’t summon up the motivation to cook for one, so I don’t make any of her recipes. I go to the blog for the story-telling and the food photo erotica.

Clicks and Pops

I know Alex from the same cyber-world I know Jamie from. Alex’s musical blog is a wealth of information and trivia. As Alex says, “I grew up in a college town with too many great used record stores. This explains a lot…”

Wabi-Sabi

I know Jim  from real life and his was first the blog I read regularly. He’s a little too busy with Twitter and Facebook these days, but I love his passion for being a dad and a husband. The world definitely needs more dads like him.  When he’s not talking about his family, he’s likely to be doing some pretty fine political analysis.

Frames of Mind

Hogpath’s Frames of Mind is a place of poetry and story-telling. It’s hypnotic and addictive. There aren’t frequent posts, but my spirit feels cleaner after a visit.

 Life in the Country

I also know Snoskred from another cyber-world. She’s an Australian and engaged in blog hosting, scam baiting, and kayaking. Her posts run the gamut and they’re always enjoyable and/or useful.  For those of us new to blogging, her site is a wealth of information.

Hundred Mountain

I know Doug in real life and he and his wife are responsible for my being a spectacle at the Obama Pajama Party and the subsequent formation of Drama Queens for Obama. His site is a visual delight and be sure to take a look at the Italy section – there’s some fabulous storytelling, slideshows and video.

Vera’s Weblog 

Vera’s Weblog the site of another friend I met online. She’s a ex-pat German living four feet from the Canadian border in Minnesota. Her take on life, her lifestyle, and her photography are breathtaking.

Esse Diem

And, finally, there’s Esse Diem. Like me, she’s new to this, but her posts rock. I suspect we’re kindred spirits.

O>w/hole>1

Aw, man, I forgot this guy so I’m editing this post.  He’s another Mudpuppy.  His site is a veritable cacophony of information and links.  Truly, one of my favorites.

So that’s 8 9 Tell me who the 7 6 are that I’m not reading (see blog roll) who are deserving of a Bella.

Louis Armstrong Grooves

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A friend of mine, Tara in Alaska, and I were on a tear to get Louis Armstrong’s “What a Wonderful World” back on the charts. We failed.

Alas.

But it’s spring in West Virginia and there is no more glorious sight.

Life and Death in a Garden

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The Masthead Has Died.

The Masthead Has Died.

We’ve had two days of no rain.  Be still my heart.

It’s been a time of life and death in the garden. Plants I love have died and others have thrived.

I was able to get into the garden on Sunday.  It was a bit too cool for me, but I did manage to machete the grass to a reasonable height.  I also planted the hostas and lily-of-the-valley given to me by a friend.  These have languished in plastic grocery bags for a guilt-provoking two weeks while I waited for the rain to stop on the days I had time to garden.

I lost most of the climbing roses.  They were newly planted last year.  Summer’s drought and winter’s roar did them in.   The azaleas, two-year-olds, also succumbed. 

I lost the beautiful white climber that has served as the masthead for this blog. It was an absolute beauty and I was looking forward to the spectacle it would be when it matured. Alas, ’tis not to be.

However, the mock orange, also planted last year, sailed through.  It’s a beautiful plant, though not quite as photogenic as the rose, and the fragrance needs to be experienced to be believed.  It appears to be hale and hearty; and is covered in buds.  I can’t wait for its scent to permeate my little fenced piece of garden.

Mock Orange

Mock Orange

Yesterday was just gorgeous.  Today is supposed to be even better.  I’d love to play hooky, but apparently I’m too much of a grown up.  The responsibilities of the office weigh heavily this week.  And so, I’m off to get ready for work  (dammit-all).

Rose Bird

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Afghani Rose

Afghani Rose - Photo by David Hopkins

A dear friend’s husband is stationed in Afghanistan.  If you read the news, you know that things are rather tense over there now.  Still, he has managed to find the beauty in a war zone.

In a garden in Afghanistan, roses bloom and birds sing.  
Afghani Bird
Afghani Bird – Photo by David Hopkins
Pray for peace.
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