An eclectic mix of life, art & fiction… and a sprinkle of faith.
A Day in the Sun
First of all, I want to give a warm and sunny thank you to EF from Entertainment Film who has nominated me for the Sunshine Blogger Award. Honestly, just knowing that I came to another blogger’s mind was enough to make my day. Especially since I’ve been missing in action for a while.
Anyway, the Sunshine Blogger Award is a peer-nominated, community-driven recognition for bloggers who create positive, creative, and inspiring content.
I haven’t received one of these in YEARS, and I wouldn’t normally post about it (feeling shy!) since my blog has been around the block a few times (hehehe), but, EF asked some fun questions and I felt compelled to answer them. Plus I am humbled and honored no matter how ancient I (and my blog) may be.
There are some guidelines, however, and I can’t say that I will play by the rules, so I could very well have my trophy stripped from me.
Guidelines
- Display the award’s official logo somewhere on your blog
- Thank the person who nominated you
- Provide a link to your nominator’s blog
- Answer your nominator’s questions
- Nominate up to eleven bloggers
- Ask your nominees eleven questions
- Notify your nominees by commenting on their blogs
Now for the fun part!
1. Which items are closest to you in the room right now? My computer, obviously. My bed might count but it’s behind me and unmade at the moment so I don’t want to draw attention to it.
2. What compelled you to start your blog? Sharing about finding God and sobriety!
3. What is a sound you find calming? The Ocean!
4. What is something you’re pretty darn good at? Imagining artwork.
5. What is something you’re absolutely horrible at? Bringing my brilliant ideas to fruition.
6. What is one movie watching experience you’ll never forget? I forgot!
7. What is your spirit animal? I have no idea but if I had to guess I’d say the Laughing Hyena.
8. If you had a completely free day with no plans, how would you spend it? Unfortunately (or not) that is pretty much every day, so I would do what I always do which is enjoy my time with whoever happens to be home with me (mom, sons, etc.).
9. What is one thing you like that most people do not? Paying credit card bills (there’s a story in there but I’m not in the mood to share that right now…).
10. What is one thing you are grateful for? Honestly, I’m pretty darn thankful that I am still breathing. I hope I didn’t just jinx that!
11. Ding-ding-ding. You won an all-inclusive vacation! Where are you going? Ireland, Scotland, Spain, Italy and Greece… so I’ll be gone for a long time!
It’s hard for me to nominate anyone because there are so many that I love and appreciate (and many are old timers like me). That being said, I would love to nominate anyone who has ever liked or commented on my blog… because every one of you make my days sunny.
Please don’t be shy if you are one of them because YOU are officially nominated.
Now for the lazy part. I’ll pass on the same eleven questions I just answered.
I know, I know. I’m bad.
Anyway, I’ve been at a loss for inspiration (as you probably well know) and perhaps it was this award that made me think of the SUN. That being said, I’ve been focusing on art that contains something sunny in it. And, like I mentioned in #5 above, I’ve had a horrible time! Boo Hoo.
I’ve started at least four or five and this is the only one I’m sharing for now. I definitely need to work on my skills, or my confidence, or maybe it’s my ambition. I don’t know what it is… but I can’t seem to shake whatever it is that is blocking my creativity.
Maybe this post will give me a jump start. Who knows.
I started the illustration after being inspired by other artwork that I had seen, then I decided to take it to a slightly faux stained glass window style. It’s random.
I guess that’s all for now. So, thanks again EF! Hopefully you’ll see this.
Below is the award (kind of small and discreet).
“Part of being optimistic is keeping one’s head pointed toward the sun, one’s feet moving forward.” -Nelson Mandela
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Blogging through the Alphabet in 2025
Abundantia
Gratitude is the seed of abundance.
I’ve decided to go ahead with a new game this year, very similar to one I’ve done in the past – a few times. I’m calling this one…
“Blogging Through the Alphabet, 2025.”
So, here we go! I thought of the word abundance for the letter ‘A’ and I decided to explore it a little, just to see what I could find.
Abundance means having more than what is needed or expected, and when I stop and think about it, I have everything I need… and then some. Remember my stalled attempts to eliminate some of my excess clutter!?
So, when I think of abundance, and realize I have everything I need, it creates in me a sense of gratitude. It also helps lift some of that fog that fills my brain when I focus on what I think I need.
Like courage for example. There are things I’d like to do, but I’m too afraid to try. Sometimes I try to imagine that negativity as a ceiling that sits near the top of my head. When I want more of an “I can do this” attitude – I tell myself to “break the ceiling.”
Of course, that sometimes makes me think of the song “The Roof is on Fire,” but that’s a detour we don’t want to take right now.
Anyway. Thinking of the word abundance helps me imagine that there’s no ceiling at all… just the blue sky above. “The sky’s the limit,” as they say.
Removing that ceiling helps me understand that there are no real limits, only what I have imagined, and suddenly I am fearless.
What made the word even more fun, however, was learning that the word abundance comes from the Latin word abundantia, which means fullness, plenty, or overflowing riches – as that’s when I read about Abundantia… the Roman goddess of abundance, prosperity, and good fortune.
Abundantia was often depicted carrying a cornucopia (the horn of plenty) on artwork and Roman coins, from the 3rd century CE, and I decided it would be fun to illustrate a modern day Abundantia (also known as Lady Fortune) for the first post of twenty-six in my new alphabet series.
I was going to include the horn of plenty, reflected in her glasses, but it seemed out of character – and possibly out of date. This is 2025 after all, and rarely (if ever) do I see cornucopias lying around.
Then I considered adorning her with diamonds and pearls, but abundance isn’t about having or obtaining these types of things, it’s about being grateful for what you have, and knowing that it’s enough. Or more than enough.
That’s about all for now. Thank you for reading/viewing… I hope you enjoyed!
Until next time,
Peace & Love.
Check out more of Blogging through the Alphabet 2024
a sprinkle of faith 
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