eye award ten blogs eye award

I have not accepted or given away any blog awards for almost a year now. Basically, I want to keep that my standard because, although lovely being honored with an award, it can be anxiety-producing and distracting giving them. But when I got this one EYE really liked it and thought it would be some fun to award it to some bloggers/blogs/sites EYE enjoy.

The translation of the award words is:  It's worth keeping an eye on this blog! The stipulations I agreed to by accepting the award are that I will link to the (dear and brilliant) person who gave it to me, that person being Darlene at Darlene's Hodgepodge, and that I will pass it on to ten other blogs.

Since I love and appreciate each and every blog I visit these ten are representative of a collective whole of creative, loving, funny, heart-wrenching, educational, artistic, and beautiful blogs.

The Squiggling Scribbler - Her blog is brand new. Get in on the beginning of fresh genius and follow a dazzling mind encased in the skull of a 17-year-old girl. Kristen's first post was on April 25 and it contains this line:  "...when I was nine-months old, I was blessed with a mild form of cerebral palsy." 

Another arm caught in the bird machine - It's ridiculous that I am one of Jasmine's few readers. This young woman in Chicago has known grief and her view is sometimes from the edge. I like that she takes her readers there with her. The May 2010 issue of decomP magazinE just published one of Jasmine's poems (read here).

anybody listening? - Perhaps we should be. There is a dark bravery hiding in her happier posts and her not-so-happy posts are so disquieting that I worry about her. From her About Me in the blog profile: "I am somebody and I am nobody. A little self esteem problem due to a husband who runs hot and cold in mere seconds. . ."

Fashion Doll - There is a sparkling and joyous spirit in the blogosphere and her name is Katariina. She blogs from Finland in Finnish so you need to set your translator if you want to read in another language. But it's worth the visit to see her smile and look at the photos of her happy world. Her profile includes, "I am sympathetic young woman. I love my husband and all country peoples." (I think that means she loves the whole world!)

Painting History - Xenophon lists his interests as history; 19th century painting in his profile. And that, my friends, is what his beautiful blog is about.

The Floating Bridge of Dreams - Roxana is, I am positive, one of the most brilliant photographers in the world. Not just the blogosphere.....the planet. Her own words--and those of others that she uses to accompany her images--are spellbinding. She is a deep and beautiful soul and a transcendent artist. I thank Owen for introducing her at his wondrous photo blog.

Drawing a Line in Time - The tagline in her blog header reads: THE EVERYDAY JOURNAL OF ARTIST, WRITER AND ILLUSTRATOR JACKIE MORRIS IN WORDS AND PICTURES.  Everyday, as in common? Impossible. Everyday, as in her daily account of the enchanted life she lives in Wales as she describes the work behind her astonishing art? Yes, that. (Jackie's other blog--We Three, Ginger cats tales--is in my blogroll.)

Who Am Us Anyway? -  Bob Dylan was originally from Minnesota. That's where the author of this blog lives, and he lists Dylan as one of his favorite musical artists. He shares his amazing capacity for on-point rock criticism and his blog is full of rock and roll trivia that often makes me wonder if I was sleepwalking through parts of my life. He also writes about cars and sports (his posts about boxing most excellent)......guy stuff in a male voice that is different than any other blog I read.

The Wicked Witch of the Web - RB is one of my favorite writers. She makes me laugh the way medical experts say we should for good health (proof).....and boy do I need to laugh like that. She lost a writing job in New York when the economy went crazy, and what did she do? Became a certified yoga instructor, certain that the career thing had tanked for her. But no. She recently landed a great job in her field and is being transferred from NY to San Francisco. And through it all she has written what I think are essays of pure gold. I cannot wait to follow along in this new phase of her life.

Puppies and Flowers - I only recently came upon this delightful blog that "focuses mainly on commercial art and illustration," according to Peter. Check out the Wait, What? tab at top right of the blog to read his endearing blog dedication that gives the meaning behind the blog title.

To those of you in the list above, save and post the award badge at your blogs if you choose to.(I personally do not post award badges at my blog any longer.) Also, if you have the time and inclination please pass the award on to some of your favorite blogs/bloggers. No pressure from me, however. Do today only what you can do today. And thank you for the ways you enlighten and brighten my life.

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