Versatile Blogger Award

Back in December just before the Christmas rush (excuses, excuses), I received a magical message from Mary Chase, Ph.D. I had been graced with the Versatile Blogger Award.

I am now notifying you that I have accepted this award, which qualifies me to pass it on to each of you. You are in random order with at least one of your blogs:

Leticia Austria
http://spectrumofperspectives.blogspot.com

Jennifer Jilks
http://mymuskoka.blogspot.com/

Karen Harbaugh
http://pollyannaofkaren.blogspot.com/

Nancy O’Carroll
http://www.femininepowerplay.blogspot.com/

Monika Aebischer
http://theolivesparrow.typepad.com/

Justice Bartlett
http://justice-bartlett.blogspot.com/

There are a few rules, below, if you like. You will find them by scrolling down in Mary's email. I am adding my perspective to them here:

Thank you, Mary, for this delightful honor. In your honor I have even used American spelling, at least in this paragraph. I may backslide later. For the information of the other recipients your blog is: http://nulla-mary.blogspot.com/

You dedicated your blog with tongue in cheek to one of your (and my) anti-heroes. I dedicate mine and my websites to all who are prepared to read at least one page of them and who actually do so. I love to be read, don't you all? Some of mine are: http://itllcometome.blogspot.com/, http://cometothegravenhurstoperahouse.blogspot.com/, http://greenwoodsongs.blogspot.com/, http://alongwoodlandpaths.blogspot.com/. My websites: http://intoverse.com/, http://eccolibrium.com/,
http://pro-coaching.ca/

My request: if you are not in touch with each other yet, please do write each other welcoming emails, and let us know all your blogs and websites.

Seven things about me:

I. I look forward to Isaac Tigrett's unveiling of his new project on the Mystic Inn of the Seventh Ray on 1 February 2012. We are into sevens here. His website is: http://www.mysticinnofthe7thray.org/

2. I have just finished re-reading Jeoffrey Kendal's autobiography, The Shakespeare Wallah, and feel like starting it all over from page one.

3. I'm thrilled that I've been able to create three websites with an obsolete version of RapidWeaver on my 2005 Mac mini with the now obsolete Tiger OS. Obsolete or not, the effect can be immediate. If I want to change a comma, I can go right in there and do it myself. Sometimes with the very obliging customer service help of FatCow.

4. About great singers, I went backstage to say hello and goodbye to Elisabeth Schwarzkopf after her farewell concert in Toronto. We established that we were both going to live in Switzerland and would yodel to each other from one mountaintop to another. What a great lady with a swift sense of humour. From her sotto voce discussion with her husband as I drifted up to be first in line I gathered she did not appreciate the "bravo man" in the gallery, who effectively destroyed every pin drop silence that she should have had at the end of a particularly moving piece. So, I wish to all singers and other musicians many perfect pin drops to come.

5. My funniest backstage encounter was after a concert by Lois Marshall in Barrie, Ontario. Her accompanist, Weldon Kilbourne, introduced me as one of his pupils, and we all broke out in raucous laughter at the sight of both me and Lois wearing a leg cast each. I had fallen down some stairs and she in her bathtub. That looked as if I were carrying hero worship a little too far. A great lady, fine musician and superb singer she was.

6. Mary believes in reincarnation. Even before I was sure I did I used to take people back into possible past lives. Now I do, and still do after further research and training, I have learned that with Past Life Regression (PLR) - you never know what's going to happen. The tour guide into the past has to be totally on the alert and ready for anything. I love it.

7. It's OK for the Facilitator in a PLR to go partly into trance as the time traveller does completely. What a relief to learn this from a top level PLR guide. And, yes, it is not only possible but quite desireable to be both in trance and highly alert.

Thank you all for delighting with your writing. Be reading you soon.

Cheers,
Helen


This is what Mary Chase wrote to me:
Sunday, December 11, 2011
The Versatile Blogger Award
How nice is this? Fellow blogger and writer extraordinaire, J.D. Mader, has made me a recipient of the very distinguished Versatile Blogger Award. For a very good read, check his blog, Avoiding the Stairs. I can only say that I am humbled and would like to dedicate my award to Newt Gingerich, in hopes that he will pass along his lead in the Republican race to another more worthy than he (but still beatable) -- as I am doing in  accordance with the rules of this reward.

Yes, there are rules.

1. Thank the blogger who honored you and be sure to link to his or her blog, as I have above. Thank you, J.D. You are a gem.
2. Share seven things about yourself.
3. Pass the award on to five deserving bloggers.

So seven things... I am advised these ought to be witty, but will hope readers will settle for succinct.

1. I am currently reading Catherine the Great: Portrait of a Woman by Robert K. Massie. Next on the bedside table is Death Comes to Pemberley by P.D. James.
2. My favorite line from a movie: "Are you a good witch or a bad witch?"
3. It took me nine years to get a B.A. because I kept changing my major (classical studies, French, drama, folklore, English).
4. I love opera. When I was twelve I sneaked backstage and got Joan Sutherland's autograph.
5. I also love Willie Nelson. He hugged me once in Augusta, Maine.
6. I believe in reincarnation.
7. Last time, I didn't.


And now, the next recipients of the Versatile Blogger Award are:
Helen Heubi
Bill Woolum
Tish Jett
Tom Kepler
Peter Pappas

So, newly honored writers, enjoy your moment in the sun. Speak only the truth. Go forth and enlighten.