The Versatile Blogger

So, I've been sitting on this post for a few weeks now, mainly because of the 3rd rule of the acceptance of this lovely award (see below).  But more on that in a moment.  First, I'd like to thank CJ at Don't Lick the Ferrets for being so kind as to have included me in this - I'm honored!  I don't really know what versatile means in the context of blogging, but I suspect it has something to do with stories and photos of my daughter and discussions about Down syndrome and how it affects (or doesn't affect) our lives, interspersed with sprinklings of rambly tangents, pictures of food, or YouTube episodes of favorite cartoons.  I suspect that versatile can be interchanged with random here.  And that's a very good thing!  I like to think I can keep you guessing. 

Here are the rules:
1.) Add the Versatile Award graphic on your blog post. 
2.) Thank the Blogger who nominated you. 
3.) Share seven random things about yourself.
4.) Nominate fifteen fellow bloggers.
5.) Inform bloggers of their nomination.

Rule #1?  Check (see above, in case you weren't paying attention and skipped down to see if I manage to humiliate myself with #3).  I've left this image untouched by the code alterations that make my pics uncopyable - just do a regular click on it, which will open it in another browser where you'll be able to right-click, copy, paste.

Rule #2?  Check (again, stop skipping ahead!  See above...).

Rule #3?  Ah, now here's where it gets tricky...  I can't actually think of 7 random things to say about myself. In general, I find it hard to say much about myself that could actually be interesting to anyone, as opposed to sending them off into a deep slumber before they get to the bottom of the list. I mean, what do I tell you that you probably don't already know?  And trust me, chances are the stuff you don't already know is stuff I'd rather that you never know...

But...(taking a deep breath here)...here goes:

          1.  I once wrote a Black Stallion novelette when I was 12.  I accidentally left it on the stairs where my parents found it and read it, and when they gushed about how good it was, I was so horrified that anyone had read it that I promptly disposed of it.  I actually regret this, but do recall that pre-teens can be pretty touchy about their stuff.

          2.  I refused to learn German while I lived in Germany, other than the few, simple phrases that could get me things like brotchen or a Baccardi kirsch (yes, I could buy alcohol in the nightclubs at 15), or help me find a bathroom, because I was taking French in school at the time and didn't want to get confused.  Guilt prompted me to then take 2 years of German once I'd returned to the US the following year.  Damn self-centered Americans...

          3.  There are a few words that I absolutely abhor (seemed a nicer way to say hate), including scrumptious, moist, belly, and ointment (btw, on a side note that did not influence my list, I found this cool website, http://www.wordsihate.org/).  I've always disliked those.  There are others, but I can't think of them right now because I've managed to effectively remove them from my mind and my vocabulary.  Uh, except belly.  No mother of a child under age 10 can totally successfully avoid that one, no matter how hard we try or how much anguish it causes us...

          4.  I love Bluegrass music.  While I don't actually own any, I am mesmerized when I happen upon it on the radio (all hail WAMU's new Bluegrass/Americana station!  which doesn't actually come in where I live) or when I stumble across a Bluegrass band at a festival or other event.

          5.  I used to own pet rats.  They're amazing pets, kind of like little dogs, but unfortunately get tumors very easily.  I sent one of them, my first and favorite, in for surgery to have a particularly large tumor removed.  Sadly, regardless of whether or not they have the tumors, rats don't live very long, only about 2-3 years.

          6.  My favorite food is cereal.  Any time, any place, any kind.  I eat it frequently for dinner.

          7.  I...oh wait...I can't tell that one.  Nevermind.

There.  That wasn't too bad, was it? 

Hello?  Helloooooo?

Rule #4?  I now hereby nominate some bloggers for this award.  I'd love for you to all pass it forward, but promise not to be offended if you don't.  This choice was pretty hard.  I read and follow a lot of blogs.  So many that I can't keep half of them straight most of the time.  But I had to narrow this list down to 10, those who I feel best fit the "versatile" label.  This list is in no particular order.
  
          1.  With a Little Moxie (Meriah)
          2.  Big Blueberry Eyes (Michelle)
          3.  Everything and Nothing from Essex (Deanna)
          4.  From the Heart (Anna)
          5.  I Don't Know What to Say  (Lisa)
          6.  Me and My Boys (Jen)
          7.  My Stubborn Little Miss (Megan)
          8.  One Beautiful Life (Krista)
          9.  The Garden of My Heart (Melissa)
         10. The House that Jade Built (Annie)

Rule #5?  Give me some time on this one.  Perhaps another 2 weeks?  I'm working on it.  And like I said, if these people don't pass it forward, that's okay.  I'd love to hear some random stuff about them, and I was happy to point out those blogs that I find to be versatile.  Makes for good reading.  :-)

Thanks for playing along and not snoring too loudly!