On my last post, I said, “See ya tomorrow,” and expected to “bee” on my way,
but then I got this award from Yeka at YBP – It’s All About Love:
Thank you, Yeka!
Yeka accompanied the award with this note:
“Hi friends!
As you’d know by now, I’m all about LOVE! And I believe in spreading love with the highest levels of passion!
In gratitude to you for your gracious outpouring of love, I’d love to give back love a billionfold. This is my happy way of saying THANK YOU!!!
What better way to do that than to SHARE THE LOVE! I’ve come up with a special award that I believe we should all receive and generously pass on.
I’d like to start off our happy LOVE FLOW by nominating fellow bloggers who live out love and inspiration here on our WP community.
My intention is to spread our LOVE community-wide and so I’d appreciate your happy participation. And if you choose not to participate, I hope your nomination puts a smile in your heart knowing that you are loved and appreciated.”
Her nomination DID put a smile on my face… and so I continued reading and she helped me know how to do #1 … although it’s not quite at the top.
I thank you, Yeka for this award. Let me share your guidelines:
Attach the BEE LOVE AWARD LOGO on top of your post.
Share your Definition of LOVE and How You Live Out LOVE.
Nominate your fellow bloggers who live out love
and inspiration on WP. (Love knows no limits, so nominate as many
fellow bloggers you’d like to shine your light on!)
Reka’s Definition of LOVE:
“Love is the ultimate reason we were born. We live for love. We live through love. We live to love.“
How Reka is Living Out LOVE:
She wrote: “LOVE is action to me. So, in my own simple way, I love by helping others become the best versions of themselves. I help them realize how sweetly blessed and richly loved they truly are. I celebrate them!”
Reka’s BEE LOVE AWARD Nominees (I am just showing you mine… it’s part of her1st Batch ….. She said there are “More Happy Batches to come!!!” You can see them when you click on the link to her original blog.
Live a life of gratitude. I thank all my blogging friends who visit me here. I love you!
Bee the love I want to see in others. Look for those in need and reach out in love to help. Pray daily for friends and family, and Thank the Lord each day for the Love, Joy, and Peace that He gives me. Spread it!
I nominate YOU, my love-filled readers, for this “Bee Love Award.” You’re awesome!
It’s always the right time to reach out a helping hand!
At the AARP Annual Awards dinner in Helena, MT tonight, Bob & I were awarded a wooden Montana serving plaque as a thank you for our years of service to the Ennis communty. (Thank you, Elaine Forsberg, for nominating us). We do so little compared to so many others!! But, we know every helping hand matters.
What an honor to be among a room full of people from all over our state who enjoy serving others during these, their senior years. Our community of Ennis is filled with people who work tirelessly to help others in a variety of unheralded ways. On behalf of all of you who volunteer to help others at:
The Senior Center
The Madison County Library
The Lion’s Club (Park & Auction, etc.)
The Manor
The Madison Valley Medical Center
The Food Bank
The Ennis Arts Association Festival
The Fly Fishing Festival
The Ennis Children’s Community School
The Senior Companion Program
Local Churches
The Ennis Schools
The MVWC (Madison Valley Woman’s Club – Nearly New)
Etc., etc., etc
We thank you … and we encourage you to keep on giving of your time, talents and love.
This award is for all of you who volunteer!
Tell me some of the ways YOU enjoy volunteering your time.
In today’s sermon, Elaine told a story of A lighthouse keeper:
On a stormy night, He climbed the rocks to the light; Turned it on and fell.
He fell and he died That night on the rocky hill After doing his job.
A sailor that night Saved his passengers and crew Because of the light.
The lightkeeper died So that others might be saved From falls in darkness.
Is your light shining in the dark?
Elaine Hundley, who delivered the message in church today reminded us that, like this lighthouse keeper, Jesus died that we might live. He gave His life for us. Likewise, we are reminded to share our lives – give what we have – to brighten the lives of others.
Elaine read from Luke 12:13-21, and she reminded us – “All we have is on loan to us From the Lord, the Almighty. If we have extra, we are told To give it away; don’t hold tightly.“
These are eleven of the WordPress bloggers who provide sunshine in my life – They share the writing talents they have been given; They are my choices for the Sunshine Blogger Award :
Here’s my Sunshine Award for you! Congratulations for being such a great blogger! You shine your light on my life each time you post!
Dear Readers, you will enjoy checking out the blogs listed above. They are always inspiring. If any of these people wish to accept the award (Big Sky Buckeye already did – he sent this to me) and put it on their blog site, check back to see the rules posted yesterday on JanBeek.
Among the rules, I was asked to answer 11 questions and then create 11 questions for my Sunshine Award recipients to answer. Here are my questions:
When did you start blogging?
Why did you start blogging?
How often do you generally blog?
What’s the main topic of your blog (your “niche”)?
Is there a particular time of day when you generally blog? If so, when and why?
Who is your most faithful follower?
Do you have a tendency to post with that person in mind? Or do you have a different technique for personalizing your message?
Of all your posts, which one would you save if all were lost except one?
What’s one piece of advice you can pass on to beginning bloggers?
Where do you get most of your ideas?
If you could improve one thing about WordPress, what would it be?
My blogging friend, BigSkyBuckeye, was nominated for the Sunshine Award. In the process of accepting it, he was asked to nominate eleven other bloggers. I was #11 – Yay!
Thank you, Richard, for the affirmation. In your acceptance, you were told to publish the rules – and you asked your nominees to pass them along.
The Sunshine Blogger Award Rules:
Thank the blogger who nominated you and provide a link back to their blog so others can find them. Thank you, https://bigskybuckeye.com/2019/10/05/sunshine-blogger-award/
List the rules and display an award logo on your blog post. (Here they are … and here it is)
3. Answer the 11 questions the blogger asked you. (I will do that now… see below)
Questions:
Name one person who always finds a way to inspire you: Derrick in BC
How has blogging benefited your life? It has given me a way to find a group of friends world-wide who read my daily messages and inspire me to share the positivity in my life.
Do you like to experience nature? YES! If so, what is one of your favorite activities? I love four-wheeling in the Rocy Mountains n our ATV with my hubby, my dog, TazE, and our friends.
How important is family to you? Extremely! I am blessed with a terrific son, a darling daughter, seven grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, a sister, six loving in-laws and their children, a wonderful niece and her family… ah, Gof is good! That reminds me, my church family is such a blessing, too. Brothers and Sisters in Christ enrich my life… Important is putting it mildly!)
What is your favorite season of the year? Springtime. Why is it your favorite? It seems to spell newness and rebirth. I love the freshness. It feels like “Beginning again” – and it contains Easter, my favorite holiday.
What month were you born? July
If you could visit any place in the world for the first time, where would you want to go? Maine and Nova Scotia. They are on my “Bucket List.”
Who is one of your most favorite authors? Bob Goff: “Love Does”
What is something which you have a great deal of passion for? Two H’s:Honeybees and the Holy Spirit
Share a favorite verse of Scripture or an inspiring quotation. John 3:16
Tell us one interesting facet about yourself. I was “Tammy Tiger” the University of the Pacific’s first female mascot – after it changed from C.O.P. to U.O.P. – and my band director was disgusted that I did that. He said, “Anyone can wear a costume and run around the football field, but you’re my first chair clarinetist… not just anybody can do that!” But, what he didn’t know was, the costume for Tammy Tiger fit my 5 foot frame… not just anybody could fit into that either!
4. Nominate 11 new blogs to receive the award and notify them by commenting on any of their posts. (This will be done tomorrow)
5. Ask the nominees 11 new questions (I need have time to think about that!)
Why Reblog? Well, Don is my 600th follower!! I want to honor him and his blog and invite you to see his work. I love his photography. I think you will, too. Thanks, Don, for visiting and following JanBeek!!
Gear DOES Matter
One of the best ways to improve your photography? Buy gear. Yes,
that’s right. Buy gear. You are a photographer. It is your passion
(hopefully!) so why not buy gear?
Gear motivates, inspires and allows you to realise your vision.
I would recommend though, buying gear only if you really need it. Buy second-hand gear off eBay or Gumtree (Australia). Cameras, lenses, flashes and bags are tools- if you need them, buy them.
Some will make you a better photographer because you will be able to
capture what you envisage. Some purchases will be duds. Avoid the duds.
Don’t make impulse buys. Research the hell out of each purchase to
guarantee you get a good bargain and you know why you are getting that new piece of equipment.
I have only just bought my first speedlight flash with softbox and
umbrella. Continuous lights served me well for a long time, and I still
use them, but they are limiting when it comes to travelling and I needed
stronger, directional lights, so I bought a cheap but highly regarded
flash- a Godox flash. I didn’t by a Nikon one at four-times the price
with less features. I shopped around, weighted up options, put it off
until I felt limited in my photography.
Same with lenses. I bought a Tamron 90mm 1:1 Macro lens. My other
lenses, a 50mm and 28mm, I bought second hand off eBay. I mostly
photograph people, still life and flowers- 90mm becomes the most useful
lens. I shoot a few landscapes, so a second hand 28mm suits me well.
It has to be justified.
If you are struggling to achieve a look with your equipment, then it is time to buy gear. The sad thing is, I see so many photographers buying gear thinking it will make them a better photographer. It wont.
But having gear, suitable for what you want to create, will make you a better photographer.
Buying the right gear will elevate your photography. And no, there
are no affiliate links here. I never recommend gear, because what is
good for me, may not be suitable for you.
It’s God’s number for “completeness.” On the 7th day he rested.
Seven is our house number.
Seven is the number of grandchildren I have.
Seven is my birthday month.
Our phone number ends in a 77.
So does our PO Box number.
Our current house is the 7th dwelling
my husband and I have shared in our 57 years of marriage!
But, my friends, 7 is not my number for completeness. It’s the number that causes me to look in amazement at all this synchronicity – and realize, “This is good!”
But, I am nowhere near complete – and neither is this JanBeek blog! This is good – and it’s fun, but it’s not great yet!
I’m a work in progress, ending my 7th decade on earth … and ready to enter new challenges, new learning, new sharing. Growing in knowledge and grace. Striving to blog with intention and purpose – to make a positive difference for my faithfilled blogging friends.
I look forward to making new friends and keeping in touch with those who’ve hung in there with me. Thank you for reading and commenting on my blog. Please try to check in with me daily and see what’s new – and leave me some encouragement, too!
I will continue to share what I am passionate about as I enter this 8th year of blogging.
As I approach my 8th decade on this earth, I share the love, joy and peace that are mine through faith. I express my gratitude. I seek help with expressions of patience, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. I share ways life is a blessing and ways I have learned to manage the challenges life tosses at us. I write about things I care about (like today’s fire at Notre Dame). Sometimes I write just to entertain. Every now and then I just wanna make you laugh (like Jesus is Walkin’ on Water Again).
I hope my sharing helps and inspires and encourages my followers.
I’m hangin’ in there, and I hope you do, too!
Send seven of your friends this way., will you?
Let’s grow together!
What an honor! Thank you, Libarah, at liba.home.blog for nominating me for this blogger recognition award.
As part of receiving and posting this award, I was asked to give a summary of how my blog started. Well, back in 2012 when I was new to Montana, I joined a local Writers’ Group. One of my fellow writers, Lilie Allen, was a WordPress blogger. I logged on to her site to enjoy her creativity between our various group meetings. She encouraged me to start a blog of my own, so I did. Thank you, Lilie.
I was also asked to give two pieces of advice for any new bloggers.
My first piece of advice is to start slowly. Like maybe once a week. Dip your big toe into this blogging pool. Test the waters. Write from your heart. Share things you have written before to see what kind of reaction you get.
Secondly, read other bloggers’ posts and respond to them. Find people like Cristian Mihai and Jordan Peters at “The Art of Blogging” who have WordPress sites full of great ideas. Glean advice from those who’ve perfected their craft and generously share their blogging tips with those of us who are working at honing our skills in this new world.
Then, hardest of all, I was asked to select at least 15 other bloggers to pass this award on to. How do I pick? How do I know their blogging addresses? I wored on this and can’t figure out how to make these names work as links for you. And it was hard to narrow it down to fifteen. There are so many good ones out there. These are some of the ones I follow and appreciate:
Cristian Mihai, The Art of Blogging
Bill, WCS Poetry
deyspublishing, dorothy’s page
Pat Cegan, Source of Inspiration
Rahul Gaur, Smoke words every day
lilie215, Tea and Toast with Kindness
Abigail Gronway, Dark Side of the Moon
Lize Bard, Haiku out of Africa
Marts, for much deliberation
Ester, Travelling around the world
Jordan Peters, The Art of Blogging
Shefali, Written Frames
Ann Koplow, The Year(s) of Living Non-Judgmentally
TheTaskGirl, thebraindump
Lana Cole, Welcome To Our Campfire
And last, I was asked to let each nominee know I’ve nominated them and give a link to my post. Here is my notification. I wonder if they’ll see it.
Thank you, again, Liba at Libarah for honoring me with your selection. Now how do I get that wonderful award to show up on the margin of my JanBeek blog?
Stats
Stats
I don’t put much stock in stats.
But every now and then I like
To take a look; especially when
WordPress announces spikes.
Day before yesterday they congratulated me.
They sent this message:
I was delighted because I remember
Back in 2012 to 2018 when
For 6 years my followers
Numbered less than 100.
I didn’t stop blogging
because my “followers number”
was stagnant.
I appreciated the readers I had.
I still do…
I appreciate YOU!!
But the stat that really has me
Singing in the shower with joy
Is the one I received yesterday:
You see, it really doesn’t matter if my followers
Number 100 or 10,000.
What matters is:
If so,
Hallelujah!
Pass it on!
Love your uniqueness and
Let the stats simply be
A source of information…
Not a fettish!
You relate?
Share this:
Like this:
Category:
Awards, blogging, contentment, Gratitude, happiness, Love, Sharing, writing
Tagged with: