Blogging in the new year

As 2013 dawns, my blogging may be slowing down for a little while as my job takes a temporary turn toward the … intensely busy. I’ll still be hanging around and look forward to reading everyone else’s blogs, but will probably not be posting quite as often until summer. In the meantime, I’m honored to have received a Liebster Blog award from blogger “Mom” — whose blog with the wonderful title of “Maybe someone should write that down”  is an interesting and authentic adventure in family history storytelling. I’m starting my new blogging year by accepting and passing on the award. This requires me to award 11 blogs (give or take a few?) with Liebsters, to answer questions from my nominator, and to come up with questions for my awardees. Two favorite blogs are already awardees — A Hundred Years Ago, which provides daily diary entries from 1913, and Fly Away Home, an engaging look at one woman’s life in Norway … with beautiful photos as a bonus (I’m reading her book). Other favorites, like Wayfarer, have notably more than 200 followers. I’ve been delighted to discover several great blogs in the past year, and this is an excuse to share them … so here are some “Liebsters” in no particular order:

I happened upon Minnesota Prairie Roots via a post on an old Minnesota church and have been enjoying this blog ever since … great photos and writing about life in southern Minnesota. Finding Family is a well written and interesting bit of storytelling about a woman’s family history in Australia. I enjoy reading Schwans and Lohr Family Roots Blog because the posts are written with care and I learn from them.  I came upon Braman’s Wanderings through its section on religion and family history — good stuff there … both interesting and relevant. See Norway has some stunning photos of a beautiful country … and while we’re on the subject of Norway, Thor News keeps me up to date on Norwegian culture. Peter’s Blog is a great source for information on Dutch surnames and genealogy blogs. On the subject of photos, Photos Close to Home offers some gorgeous shots “within 10 miles of home” and some perspective on truly seeing what’s right around you. A Fine Day for an Epiphany combines lovely photos with engaging writing. Jana’s Genealogy and Family History Blog consistently tells engaging stories about a varied and interesting American family history … and shares great genealogy ideas as well. Finding Forgotten Stories offers great advice from an experienced family history researcher. A grandfather’s World War II letters are the interesting focus for Genealogy Lady‘s blog.  And Locksands Life teaches me a little about trains and a little about family history … which somehow works!

Now, in answer to the questions: 1.  If I weren’t blogging about this stuff I would be… reading or writing something else.  2.  Who are you named after? My name is unique in my family. I was almost a Sarah, I’ve heard, but my cousin has that name now, so I guess it worked out.  3. I would like my epitaph to read as follows: at rest and rejoicing with the saints …  4.  Favorite quote:   I have several, one being: “Brass is mistaken for gold more easily than clay is.” (C.S. Lewis)  5.  Something I will never understand is … people.  6.  If I could run around all day every day, dressed any way that I pleased I would wear: jeans and a sweater  7.  What class do you wish you had paid more attention to in school? I wish I had taken physics and paid more attention in algebra.  8.  Do you write full time? No, but I work with people who do, so that’s pretty good.  9.  What’s your dream job? 1/3 writing , 1/3 visual communication , and 1/3 teaching … with long enough deadlines to do a good job.  10. Where is your dream Writer’s Corner? A cabin in the mountains  11.  What’s the craziest thing you have ever learned about your family? How consistent reality is with the stories I’ve been told … 😉

Awardees, some optional questions: (1) When did you start your blog? (2) What motivates you to write? (3) Do you have closer to a dearth or a plethora of writing ideas to bring to fruition?  (4) Did you have a hard time naming your blog? (5) Where were you born? (6) How far do you currently live from where you were born? (7) Where would you live if you could live anywhere? (8) What’s your favorite season? (9) Why is your favorite season your favorite? (10) More introvert or extrovert? (11) What kind of people inspire you?