Since our last hike around the blogosphere, spring has sprung, new life abounds, and winter’s just a memory. I trust you’ve packed away your thermals, parkas, and gloves and are ready to hit the trail with a lighter load. Break out the flip flops, sunglasses, and Banana Boat because our first stop takes us to the Big Island of Hawaii.
Through beautiful photographs and the magical metaphor of Island-Building, Alina Sayre talks about the effects of choices we make in our lives. She reminds us that “it is our cumulative grace-guided choices that determine the people we will become,” and asks us to look more closely at the kind of island we’re building.
Janice Heck serves up a delightful read for cat lovers with Cat-Antics: Simon’s Cat. If you’ve never read any of Simon Tofield’s books or seen his animations, you’re missing a treat. There’s plenty here to keep you laughing. The post contains pics of book jackets and a link to one of his hilarious videos. I promise – it’s the cat’s meow and pajamas all rolled into one.
Photo by Torley / Flickr
Sara Walpert Foster shares a truly amazing post that should be required reading for every teenage girl and their parents. In Mojo Mama Shares Her Nuggets, she provides 15 wisdom-isms that are life affirming, life enhancing, and life changing. If you’re a parent of a teenage girl or know someone who is, I encourage you to read this, print it out, and pass it along. It could change a life.
Ben DeVries of Not One Sparrow takes us on a beautiful journey with The Dignity and Beauty of Elderly Animals. Photographer, Isa Leshko, travels to animal sanctuaries around the country to photograph senior animals at or near the end stages of their lives. Led to this project while caring for her mother suffering from Altzheimers, “Leshko hopes that the photos will help herself and others wrestle with the difficult realities of aging and mortality.” The post also includes a very moving 4:30 video short from Walley Films about the photographer, the project, and her subjects.
Our last stop is Mark Schaefer’s blog, Grow, for The 20 All-Time Funniest Twitter bios (Part 2). WARNING: Put away all food and beverages before reading! As an added bonus, he also includes a link to the original post, 20 of the All-Time Best Twitter Bios. These intriguing, outrageous, and laugh-out-loud bios are sure to make you want to rewrite your own … if you can stop laughing long enough.
This seems like the ideal place to end our hike because well, I’m laughing too hard to continue and all the exertion has made me sleepy. *yawn* The shade of this centuries-old oak tree looks like the perfect place to stretch out and take a na
I hope you found something in our hike around the blogosphere that inspired you and made you smile. If so, I’d love to hear from you. Comments are a warm fuzzy!
Great mash-up, Elaine! I especially loved reading the 20 funniest twitter bios. I wish I had come up with some of those! My all-time fave is still The Bloggess’: I have friends in spite of myself.
LOL, glad you enjoyed them! I’m still laughing at The Bloggess & the seedless watermelons that can’t have babies
OMG the Bloggess KILLS me ever time. Thanks for the twitter bio link, and all the rest (and Sara, your MojoMama posts rocks!).
LOL, she is a hoot! Glad you enjoyed them
Isa Leshko’s photos brought me to tears, yet I was smiling as I cried. Sort of like a sunshower. She really captures each animal’s soul. Somehow I’d missed Alina’s piece, so I’m delighted you brought it to my attention. Very wise especially for someone so young. Great mash-up, Elaine.
I feel sorry for the seedless watermelons too. Why didn’t I think of that for my twitter bio.
Thanks so much for the link to moJo Mama’s list.
Thanks & you’re most welcome for the link to that AMAZING list! Isa’s pics affected me the same way. My boo-hoo self keeps a box of Puffs by the ‘puter but I’m NOT going to cry for those watermelons … I don’t think
*sniff*
What a great mash-up! Already visited some of those links. Thank you!
Thanks, April. I know how hectic things have been for you lately & really appreciate you stopping by.
That one about the dignity and beauty of elderly animals has me blubbing. Not only because I love animals but also because of the vulnerability of all who are old and weak, both animal and human.
Thanks!
Glad to find your blog via Twitter. I’ve subscribed!
Thanks, Belinda. I found the post on elderly animals very moving & emotional and it’s nice to see it touching others. Just visited your blog and am fascinated with the books you’re writing. I look forward to reading them & subscribed both there and at Small Blue Dog Publishing!
Elaine, I am honored to be included in your mash-up post! And thanks for the suggestions for other posts–a few I know, but others I will explore. Thanks again for including me in your post.
You’re welcome, Janice. I so enjoyed that post and video. I’ve had several Simons in my life & it was a beautiful reminder of all of them.
Elaine, thank you once again for the kind mention. I deeply appreciated that photo series and accompanying video myself. God bless you, especially in this holy week – Ben
You’re welcome, Ben. In addition to your post and video, I enjoyed reading her project artist statement and looking at all the photos on her website. I couldn’t get enough of this story. Very touching & moving project that would make an amazing documentary. God’s Blessings to you & family!
I am making the rounds based on your recommendations, Elaine. 4 down, 2 to go. Lovely pics. Still love Froggie.
LOL, thanks Sherry – enjoy! Forrest loves you too
He is big on SIZZLE!