On November 25th, I entered “I will attract tickle-me news” in my bullet journal. The following day, I received word from WonderWoman Olavi — Olavi’s Lifestyle — of my nomination for this award. Amazing! Thx much, Lady Olavi!
11 Questions for Me
✦︎ When was the last time you cried tears of joy?
Year 2014. A geriatric specialist commended me, informing of his inability to find a bedsore in 5 years of mom’s records, “a first.” Hearing his words soothed my soul, b/c I worried my 24/7 caregiver skills throughout that period left much to be desired.
✦︎ What brings you the most joy?
Camera in hand, bird in my lens, while at my church — i.e. any nature area. I adore and absorb the enriching sermons only Lady Nature can deliver.
✦︎ What’s your relationship with your parents like?
I’m the kid of a twice-widowed woman. She taught integrity, faith, dignity, and humor by example, and I’m a better human as a direct result. “I miss her” personifies understatement.
✦︎ What’s the quickest success you’ve had?
I wanted a certain effect in WordPress but Google failed to satisfy. So I decided to create a shortcode. I feared bringing down the net with abysmal coding, but it worked!

✦︎ What’s the worst piece of advice you’ve gotten or given lately?
Someone said “if it won’t open, it’s not your door.” That’s a mantra only for lazy thinkers. Mess around with the hinges; get a shovel to tunnel under; grab an ax to knock a hole through the door. Try everything shy of inviting a prison-orange wardrobe. If every attempt fails, relax a bit, then conjure a plan B … C … D… Quitting ain’t a viable option.
✦︎ How do you recover from a setback or failure?
I employ the 5-Whys technique to unearth the true reason for the failure. Then, I pamper myself, mozying past the grief. Once replenished, I hatch a(nother) plan, and try again.
✦︎ What is it like being your friend?
A giggleFest. A prolonged lesson in loyalty: women elevate while girls denigrate. I roll only with women, who distinguish friend vs acquaintance vs associate. Because I am profoundly stingy in using the word “friend,” those within my inner circle know I’m a shadow during hard times, and cheerleader-in-chief during good times. Friendship carries 24/7 responsibilities, so I keep my circle small.

✦︎ Would you like to travel? Where to?
Rainforests. I’m a nature freak, especially regarding birds.
✦︎ Top three or favorite books that you read lately?
The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom (A Toltec Wisdom Book) – Don Miguel Ruiz
Jesus: An Interview Across Time – Andrew G. Hodges M.D.
How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big: Kind of the Story of My Life – Scott Adams
✦︎ When was the last time you cried tears of pain?
October 2016. My BFF’s mask fell off, revealing a fake —a first throughout my adulthood. No scene; I simply walked away. When you make it clear, behind my back, you neither respect nor value my presence in your life, I gift you with my absence, permanently. The truth of her toxicity devastated, but the fertilizer promoted growth.
✦︎ What message would you like to send to your 10 year old self?
Three biggies:
- Slow down. Relish your childhood.
- Know: the world is NOT divided into black vs white. Rather, some will spread the sunshine deep within the heart; others will inflict the venom nestled within the core. That essential spillover truth always manifests — through patterns of actions. Pay attention; act accordingly.
- Understand: only you can stop you.
11 Questions for Thee
1️⃣ How do you define friendship?
2️⃣ What’s the latest thing you learned?
3️⃣ How do you begin each day, as a general rule?
4️⃣ What’s your favorite quote?
5️⃣, 6️⃣ What quote do you despise and why?
7️⃣, 8️⃣ With whom —living or dead— would you like to share a meal, and why?
9️⃣ What do you love most about blogging?
🔟 What do you least enjoy about blogging?
⏸ What’s your favorite hobby?
My Nominees
- capmandmore.com
- attentionlesscreative.wordpress.com
- theminimalistabroad.com
- sauj4.com
- carefreegrandma.wordpress.com/
- happinessinception.wordpress.com
- cmbowenauthor.wordpress.com/
- wovenfromwords.wordpress.com
- andycmarshall.wordpress.com
- lifeandallthingsnice.wordpress.com
- essentiallycreativetimes.com
Sunshine Blogger Award Rules
✦︎ Thank the person who nominated you and provide a link back to their blogging sites.
✦︎ Answer the questions.
✦︎ Nominate 11 other bloggers and ask them 11 new questions.
✦︎ Notify the nominees about it by commenting on one of their blog posts.
✦︎ List the rules and display the sunshine blogger award logo on your site or on your post.
Of course, you’re free to decline participation. It’s your world, so no pressure.
Thank you for the nomination!!!
My pleasure
I’ve been dying to read these answers, very informative and interesting.
Slight correction..am actually a guy. WondderMan