No, this isn’t a post about a job interview or a father screening his teenage daughter’s new boyfriend. This is an opportunity for me to recommend blogs you may not have seen.
Recently Kate Policani presented me with the “Tell Me About Yourself” award. Kate has published several novels in fantasy/sci-fi and for children. If you haven’t seen her blog, please take some time to visit her.
This award appeals to me for its simple and easy-to-follow rules. To wit: (oops, I’ve read too many historic wills in my time)
1. Thank the person that nominated you and link back to their blog. Thank you, Kate!
2. Tell the world 7 things about yourself that you have not shared, yet.
3. Nominate 7 fellow bloggers and let them know.
Oh, boy, I have to tell you about myself again before I can get to the awardees. Sigh. Let’s see…..
- I’m right-handed but quite ambidextrous.
- I’m currently reading The Crossing Places by Elly Griffiths (recommended by Carrie Rubin)
- I’ve never been to a hockey game
- I still don’t have a smart phone
- I’ve never met anyone famous
- My husband and I like to walk on the C&O Canal near our home
- He and I must look like we know what we’re doing in DC because tourists ask us for directions
Okay, hopefully you’re still awake and ready to see the new winners. I’ve gone with some newer (to me) bloggers. Given the name of this award, I thought that was a fitting way to select the awardees. I’ve done something atypical for me. I’ve included MORE blogs than required, not fewer! And so in no particular order we have:
- Elliot
- Woman Bites Dog
- Teschoeborn
- Emcmemoir
- My Pen And Me
- Rescued From The Bottom Drawer
- Postcard Fiction
- Ink and Papyrus
Originally, I thought this post would end here. But yesterday I came home from the office and found more views that expected on the blog. A quick check of my email revealed the reason. Carrie Rubin of The Write Transition had awarded me with both the Genuine Blogger Award and the Reader Appreciation Award. A number of her unsuspecting followers must have clicked on her link to my blog. 
Thank you, Carrie! This gives me the chance to introduce some of you to more blogs you may not have seen.
The Genuine Blogger Award has no rules. Yay! How awesome is that? It’s simply a way to let recipients know you appreciate their blogging efforts. This is one that could easily be awarded to so many people. But I will list some of my long-term favorites. If you are a newer reader who hasn’t yet visited these blogs, please do so.
And last, but certainly not least, is the Reader Appreciation Award. Technically, this entails telling your readers something about yourself. Since I may already have put some of you to sleep with my earlier list, let’s just have those tidbits do double duty for this award, too. We’ll focus instead on some more blogs that you should visit. Isn’t that far more entertaining?
And there you have the awardees. I hope you’ll have some time to visit their blogs and see what fun things they’re up to. I find their blogs interesting, entertaining, and even educational.
Poetic Archaeology will return next Tuesday. I think our archaeologist has rested her back and is up to fieldwork again. Hope you’re all having a great week!
limebirdbeth
/ May 22, 2012I’m right-handed but quite ambidextrous. – ditto!
Congrats and thank you so much for the Geniune Blogger Award, very much appreciated! Big love.
jmmcdowell
/ May 22, 2012I haven’t even had time to start contacting the awardees, yet! You Limebirds rock! I have to share some blog love with you!
limebirdbeth
/ May 22, 2012Well, I get an email when you post and I always click through. Just happened to scroll down and see our name!
kford2007
/ May 22, 2012Congrats on the awards! I loved reading about you.
jmmcdowell
/ May 22, 2012Thanks! I never think I’m very interesting, so I have a hard time coming up with “tidbits.”
I hope you’ll enjoy some of the other blogs if you haven’t seen them yet.
Thanks for the follow, and when I get some time, I’ll visit your blog!
Julie
/ May 22, 2012Congrats!
jmmcdowell
/ May 22, 2012Thanks, Julie!
subtlekate
/ May 22, 2012I love seeing all these blogs I might not have otherwise stumbled on and thanks for the mention. I’d better go and write something fun.
jmmcdowell
/ May 22, 2012At some point today I hope to have time to actually contact everybody I nominated! But you all may see the post before I can!
People are clicking on the links, so hopefully some new people will find you, too.
subtlekate
/ May 22, 2012I love people checking me out.
I have to figure out how to do a blogroll I think.
SmallHouseBigGarden
/ May 22, 2012I love the C and O canal! and the W and Od railtrail! They were my two fave places to push the stroller when my kids were babies. We lived in Falls Church from 84-89 while my ex did his residency at Georgetown. I had 3 kids during 4 years, so that was ALOT of stroller pushing!! I adored Washington springtime on both trails!!!! Thank you for this wonderful memory today!
jmmcdowell
/ May 22, 2012Isn’t it an amazing area? Before moving out here, I had always heard of the “urban corridor” from DC to New York. I thought the only trees would be a few planted in neighborhoods. So imagine my surprise when I saw so much greenspace. And hills. Coming from the flatlands and farm fields of Illinois, I was completely surprised by the landscape out here.
Add all the history of Virginia and Maryland, big-city attractions, and you’ve got one heck of an interesting place to live. And there are still lots of strollers out here—now joined by the “baby backpacks” as I call them.
Especially on a beautiful spring day when the flowering trees are blooming.
Does that make you want to come back?!
crubin
/ May 22, 2012Thanks so much for the mention, and I hope you’re enjoying “The Crossing Places.” I’ve noticed we follow many of the same blogs. But no smart phone? I’m not sure how I’d get by without mine. Not that I’m one of those people who are always on it, because I’m not. But if I’m stuck waiting somewhere (in the school carline for my son, at the doctor’s office), it’s nice to get some work done like answer blog comments, respond to emails, read my latest Kindle download. Have I sold you yet?
jmmcdowell
/ May 22, 2012And thank you for the shout out.
“The Crossing Places” is different. It’s actually the first novel I’ve read that’s written in the present tense. It takes a bit of getting used to, but the story is definitely interesting. Of course, I’m always curious to see how people handle archaeology in fiction. 
I have to admit, catching up with blog comments might be a good reason to get a smart phone when my current one needs replacing…. I don’t get as many as you, yet, but they seem to be increasing. (Which is a very good thing!) And I could keep up with new posts from other bloggers, too, when I’m a passenger in the car (never while driving—please be safe and smart, everyone)….
Hmm, I’m going to have to consider this!
crubin
/ May 22, 2012Once you go smart, never from it you’ll part.
I’m surprised this is the first novel you’ve read that’s written in first person. I’ve noticed a lot of authors doing this lately. It’s not my preference, but it’s growing on me, particularly if it’s a suspenseful novel. But I still prefer past tense. (Unfortunately, I’ve still got some passive tense in my own work…)
jmmcdowell
/ May 22, 2012Okay, I’ve just revealed how behind I am on new fiction.
But as my writing time increased, my reading time decreased…. And I know that’s not a good thing. Writers must read—a lot. Hopefully the Kindle will make it easier for me…. 
Ugh, passive voice. Tough for me to lose. The academic writing in general, actually. More on that Saturday.
crubin
/ May 22, 2012I think you’re right about the academic writing background. That’s probably why passive tense still creeps into my fiction. It sounds just fine in the academic world.
jmmcdowell
/ May 22, 2012We’d probably be knocked down in peer reviews if we DIDN’T use it!
mskatykins
/ May 22, 2012Wow, congratulations on all your awards, missus! Very well deserved!
Thank you for the shout out as well, very exciting and I very much appreciate it! Off to check out these fab recommendations!
jmmcdowell
/ May 22, 2012Thank you and you’re welcome!
Once I wrap up replying to comments, I will finally contact people who haven’t seen the post yet. The day job often has to take priority. 
mskatykins
/ May 22, 2012Tell me about it, that sucks!
Loving the blogs I’ve been checking out so far, some really great recommendations!
jmmcdowell
/ May 22, 2012Lisa Ann Hayes
/ May 22, 2012Thanks so much for the Reader’s Appreciation Award! And I don’t have a smart phone either. Whaddaya whaddaya
jmmcdowell
/ May 22, 2012You’re very welcome.
I have to admit, Carrie above does make some good arguments for a smart phone. But there’s the part of me that’s afraid I’d get sucked in too much. Constant contact is not necessarily a good thing…. This will tax my Libra-influenced decision-making abilities (or non-abilities as the case often is….)
4amWriter
/ May 22, 2012Woo hoo! 3 awards! You’re really racking them up
I love your little tidbits, especially that you’re ambidextrous. I’m somewhat ambidextrous, in sports but that’s it. Otherwise I’m a total leftie.
I love the new blogs you mentioned. I shall prowl through them. Oh, and I second Beth’s thank-you, for the Limebird shout-out
Also, I don’t want you to think I’ve forgotten the revisions. The past 4 days were complete melodrama in my lovely family, so the novel had to be put aside for a little bit. Hopefully I’ll get those revisions to you by the end of the week.
Have a great day!
jmmcdowell
/ May 22, 2012My mother is a natural leftie, but back in her childhood, the schools forced her to do things right-handed. Maybe there’s a genetic influence there….
I think the best thing about the awards is the chance to share new blogs with readers. No one blog will appeal to everyone, but it’s fun to check out recommendations from other bloggers. It can be hard, otherwise, to find some hidden gems.
No worries on sending the rewrites! Family melodramas occur, and life sends in construction crews that force us to make detours from our plans. I’d love to say I’m furiously rewriting and revising, but it’s still slow going. Tomorrow I should have more time, so I hope to catch up a bit, too.
Hope things are settling down and you can get back to the work. I’m looking forward to it when you’re ready to send it!
char
/ May 22, 2012Thanks for the award! I’m excited to look through all the award recipients you listed. I don’t have a smart phone either…but since I don’t really like to use the phone and be social anyway, I’m okay with that.
jmmcdowell
/ May 22, 2012You’re very welcome and deserviing!
Some of these recipients have fairly new blogs, so I hope I can help bring some new readers to them. I know how slow a process it can be to build up a regular following. 
Except for that blip of my teenage years, I’ve never been one to hang out on the phone. And today, I don’t feel the need to be uber-connected. I’d probably only use the smart phone as Carrie pointed out—for keeping up with blogging when I’ve got some time to kill!
char
/ May 22, 2012Oh yeah! I guess that would be handy for that.
robincoyle
/ May 22, 2012Whoo Hoo to you! Congrats. Great list of nominees.
jmmcdowell
/ May 22, 2012Thank you! I know there are more I could have nominated, but I didn’t want to overwhelm too many people.
teschoenborn
/ May 22, 2012Thank you for including me! Who doesn’t like to get an award?
jmmcdowell
/ May 22, 2012You’re very welcome! And they’re a good way to find new readers and new blogs to follow.
Kourtney Heintz
/ May 22, 2012JM, congrats on the award feast!
I follow many of your nominees but will check out those I don’t. Thanks for the recommendations.
jmmcdowell
/ May 22, 2012Thanks, Kourtney!
We do have quite a bit of overlap—including both of us being early followers of Carrie’s blog 
Kourtney Heintz
/ May 22, 2012Certainly do.
I am so glad I found you and Carrie. Both are terrific blogs that make me laugh, smile, and learn. 
Subhakar Das
/ May 22, 2012Thanks for the award
. Appreciate it. I share several characteristics with you: I am ambidextrous, I have never been to a hockey match – field or ice, never met anybody really famous, and I don’t use a smart phone. Oh, yes, I live along a small river in the middle of a city that has been banked with concrete.
jmmcdowell
/ May 23, 2012There seems to be a correlation between writers and ambidexterity…. I wonder if anyone has done a study on that. I very much enjoy your blog, and I wanted to introduce some of my newer readers to yours. I don’t know enough about your part of the world, and your writing gives me a wonderful insight into it. That is words at their best and most powerful.
Elliot
/ May 22, 2012Thank you for the award. Very kind of you, and congratulations to you for receiving them yourself. I shall add this to an awards post soon.
I would say you are missing out on the hockey game (unless you don’t like Hockey).
jmmcdowell
/ May 23, 2012You’re very welcome! It’s not that I don’t like hockey, I just don’t know much about it — except that I find it ironic that the most popular athlete in Washington, DC, the so-called capital of the free world, is a Russian hockey player.
Elliot
/ May 23, 2012That’s a bit like I cannot remember when the last footballer of the year in England was English. Still it is good show of diversity. – I like the Hockey since moving over here a few years ago. Baseball is too slow for me, and I find American football a bit too stop and start.
Jeannie
/ May 22, 2012Congratulations on your awards jm! You are so deserving of them both. I love your blog. A big “thank you” for thinking of me for the Genuine Blogger Award my friend!
I can raise my hand and say i’ve been to a hockey game or two. LOL I don’t have a smart phone either. I keep my little flip up for when I leave the house but here at home in the mountains we don’t get a cell phone signal so why bother! The only famous person I have “met” was Jean M. Auel at a book signing many years ago.
jmmcdowell
/ May 23, 2012Thanks, Jeannie, and you’re welcome!
I’ve never been to a book signing or an author’s public talk somewhere. Is that a shameful fact for a writer to admit?! I’m not changing phones until mine reaches the point that the battery just won’t hold enough of a charge. Then…. Well, I’m not sure. I’m cheap when it comes to phone plans, so a smart phone may or may not be in the cards.
Clowie
/ May 23, 2012This is a great way to discover new and interesting blogs. I look forward to looking at them all later.
I don’t have a smart phone either.
jmmcdowell
/ May 23, 2012Hi, Clowie! Thanks for commenting and the follow—I’m looking forward to visiting your blog. And maybe someday the Pyrenees again. I’ve seen the French side, but never the Spanish.
I’m glad to know I’m not the only one who doesn’t have a smart phone. Dare I say that I remember when mobile phones did NOT exist?!
Clowie
/ May 23, 2012My bipeds can remember when mobile phones didn’t exist and they mention red telephone boxes! The Spanish side of the Pyrenees is different – there’s a little less rainfall, but both sides are lovely. There are some wonderful places to walk. I look forward to your visit to my blog.
WomanBitesDog
/ May 23, 2012Thanks for including me in the list. It was a great surprise. And it is a fun thing to do. Will take me a few days to think of 7 things I can publish about myself…and find new blogs, of course.
jmmcdowell
/ May 23, 2012There’s no rush.
I’ve been known to need several weeks to put together an “acceptance” post. And sometimes I cheat (shh, I didn’t say that!) and don’t include as many “facts” about myself or list as many sites as the rules say. From what I’ve seen, most bloggers bend them from time to time. 
Looking forward to seeing your recommendations!
susartandfood
/ May 23, 2012Wow, you’re just raking in the goodies, and well-deserved. Congratulations and I’ll check out the other blogs.
jmmcdowell
/ May 23, 2012Thanks! They’re a little writer- and poetry-heavy on this go around. So many good blogs. So little time. How do you manage to write such good in-depth posts so consistently?! And give great recipes!
susartandfood
/ May 23, 2012It seems I’m writing all the time – in my mind at least. It’s cathartic for me, and I cook all the time. Both keep me sane in a crazy time in my life. I’m so appreciative of having such nice people as yourself drop by to say hi and have a read.
RescuedFromTheBottomDrawer
/ May 23, 2012Thank you so much for including me! My first blog award nomination
Now I just have to find blogs I can pass this on to — that might take a while.
jmmcdowell
/ May 23, 2012You’re welcome! And don’t worry—as I just told WomanBitesDog above, take your time! My first award was the Versatile Blogger—which says to name 15 blogs. I wasn’t familiar with that many at the time! Really you can present as many as you feel comfortable with.
Keep up the good work!
philosophermouseofthehedge
/ May 23, 2012Congrats on all the awards – well deserved! YEA for you!
I write right handed, play baseball left handed (pitch and bat) and have always felt the piano keys are organized wrong: the low note should be on the right…it would be so much better that way.
Meanwhile, I’m so flattered you thought of me for your blogger list. (An interesting bunch – plan to visit them soon) I will get a post done shortly.
Been busy, but always try to stop here – always a great read.
(Waiting, waiting for the archaeologist – so glad the back is better…patiently waiting…)
jmmcdowell
/ May 23, 2012I am really beginning to think there’s a correlation between writing and ambidexterity. Almost everyone is commenting that they use both hands for so many things. And thinking of some of the Russian composers, my right hand would have been stronger for some of those thundering low chords….
And I promise—our archaeologist is feeling much better and on Tuesday will be checking out what’s going on by the backhoe.
philosophermouseofthehedge
/ May 23, 2012Hmm, maybe something about brain development and writers. Playing the piano drove me insane (for years) – it was backwards. Didn’t have that problem with the violin. (may have to do something on that ambidexterity thing…I know some people still in brain research. fascinating)
Eloise Currie
/ May 24, 2012Thank you so much! Will post about me soon. Am behind in responding to blog comments and trying to catch up!!!
jmmcdowell
/ May 24, 2012Oh, I understand falling behind! Take your time to catch up and catch your breath.
Eloise Currie
/ May 28, 2012Haven’t forgotten – Internet problems. Isn’t life grand? 8)
jmmcdowell
/ May 28, 2012No hurry!
Internet problems—Ack! Withdrawal! Hope you’re all squared away soon.
Sheila Hurst
/ May 24, 2012Oh well – I was hoping to be the last person left without a smart phone/cell phone but will keep trying! You’re not missing out on anything by not going to a hockey game – it’s cold in there and much more fun to be out in the sun.
jmmcdowell
/ May 24, 2012I suppose at some point every phone will be a smart one. Then we’re all out of luck when our old ones die.
My husband and I sometimes think we should try a game because it’s so popular here. Go into DC on game day, and it’s a sea of red Ovechkin jerseys. But then we think, well, maybe if somebody gives us a couple tickets to a Caps game….
Otherwise, I’m with you. I’ll take the sun and fun.
Christy Farmer
/ May 25, 2012Congrats on the well deserved awards, JM and thanks for the mention! Hoping you are doing well with your revisions!
jmmcdowell
/ May 25, 2012Thanks, Christy! I thought it was a cosmic coincidence that it was the same day your blog turned one.
Those revisions could be going quicker, but I’m plodding on. The first draft of easy ones is done. It’s the harder and farther-reaching ones that are left. I’ve got to buckle down—even if the mains are still hiding out!