Liebster Blog Award

. . .and the Nominees Are....

First of all, I'd like to send out special thanks to Deanie Humphrys-Dunne (http://www.dhdunne.blogspot.com) for nominating me for this award! It's nice that you thought of me and an honor for me to accept. I like the Pink Ribbon Medal.  

Liebster means "dearest" or "favorite" in German.  I'm combining it and say it is an honor for me and my blog to be called a "dear favorite" and I hope to become one.

PS:  If anyone I nominated doesn't have time to participate in this "Blog Award-Chain," I totally understand.  (That's probably why this Liester Blog Award has expanded to 11 in hopes that half will participate.)

  Rules of the Liebster Blog Award:
- Tell 11 random things about yourself.
- Answer 11 questions from the blogger who nominated you.
- Post 11 questions for those who will be nominated by you.
- Nominate 11 bloggers with less than 200 followers or up and coming bloggers.
- Get in contact with those 11 bloggers in order to inform them that you nominated them.

 Eleven Random Things about Me:

1.  I get a lot of my story ideas when I'm out dog walking.  There's so much that's inspirational out in nature.  My mind can wander anywhere as we walk along our familiar route.
2. I also get a lot of story ideas from dreams -- so many that I wonder if I'll have time enough to write them all.
3.  I wanted to be a writer for many years, but I thought it was too hard of a career.  I've written all my life in my two previous careers.  Now it's nice to be a children's author.
4. I love to see words on paper and on the screen.  The written word continues to fascinate and intrigue me.  Finding the right word, communicating ideas and feelings, it's amazing.
5.  My parents expected us to do our very best and I spent most of my school years trying to live up to their expectations.  Hard work has many rewards, but it can be isolating.
6.  I was naturally shy and had to come out of my comfort zone to do public speaking, to teach, and to sell (writing books isn't enough -- you have to sell them, too.)
7. It's funny the things you find out about your parents and loved ones after they pass.  My mother and my brother were both poets and he wrote songs.  My father loved opera; he even sang often with the local opera company.
8. I enjoy being outside -- day and night -- walking the dogs, watering the garden, looking at the trees and flowers.  I like listening to the crickets at night -- it means no pesticides.
9. I loved the weather in Hawaii -- in the 70's with gentle breezes and short misty rainfall.  I played tennis almost every day the two years I lived in Honolulu, and I competed in the Tin Man Triathlon, too! 
10. My teen and I became vegetarians two years ago, for health as well as sustainability.  We still eat some fish.  It's harder being non-meat eaters in our family, but I believe it is healthier.  I didn't eat pork for 20 years and feel better now not eating meat and poultry, just fish, eggs, tofu, beans, and cheese for protein. 
11.  I was born on a Sunday, just in time for church, my mother said.  Church and choir have always been important to me -- singing, praising, praying, being in fellowship is so good.

My Questions from Deanie Humphrys-Dunne:

1.  Does your name have a back story? What is it? Yes, I was named Penelope after my mother's ex-boyfriend's mother!  I guess that was okay with my father.  At least I wasn't named Penelope Jane (her full name). I do like my name, Penelope Anne.  
2. Is there anything you collect? If so what?- I used to collect Lladro figurines from Spain and dolls from the countries I visited (like Austria, England, Spain), also Native American Indian Dolls, but I ran out of room to display them.  Now I have a fluctuating book collection -- I find used books and trade -- though I still buy some new, too.
3. What's the one thing you wish you could brag about?  There are so many things I would love to brag about, but who likes a braggart?  I am proud that Magical Matthew, my first children's book, was published by Guardian Angel Publishing.  I am pleased that my teen is doing well, has good values, is a loyal and supportive friend, cares deeply about music and art, and still enjoys reading.
4. What would be your dream vacation spot? I would love a place we could go and bring our dogs.  It would have to have wide open spaces for them to run around, but safely fenced or closed in, maybe a cottage with a private beach with trails for dog walking, gardens, trees, and certainly our own private chef!
5. Who is your biggest supporter? My family and friends all support me.
6. What is your biggest pet peeve? I am completely up in arms about the trend now that everything you read, research, or buy on the internet is fair game for advertisers.  There is no privacy any more.  Sadly, that doesn't seem to bother the younger generation.  
7.  What books have most influenced your life? There are so many I can't name them, so I will generalize.  I have been influenced by books that speak to the universals:  problems with parents, with relationships, about children, dreaming big dreams, overcoming obstacles, and good triumphing over evil.  Books that touch your heart and stimulate your mind to think about the deeper meaning of life.  I want books to have happy endings that uplift and inspire.  I like the problems to all be solved at the end.
8.  So you believe in Extra Terrestrials? It's hard to believe that in the infinite universe there is only one planet that sustains life as we know it.  I'm in the wait-and-see-what happens camp on this one, though I love Star Trek and Star Wars.
9.  If you were stranded on a dessert island and could only have one thing, what would it be?  Dark chocolate with fruit and nuts and caramel and toffee and coconut.  
10.  What is your most controversial belief?  I am in favor of legalizing first marijuana and then all illegal drugs.  This would take the mob/underworld/criminal profit motive away.  If it were legalized, we could tax drugs as we tax alcohol and tobacco.  This would boost our government income. We could better help those who are addicted.  We could also clear out jails and prisons of those who have been caught three times with illegal drugs.
11. What music album are you still listening to now that you listened to years ago? Music is a great love and blessing to me.  I love the music of the 60's and 70's.  I love the Beatles, Creedence Clearwater Revival, and Jefferson Airplane.  I have my country music favorites, too.  I listen to Classical Music for inspiration and to be uplifted:  Chopin, Mozart, Tchaikovsky, Bach, Vivaldi, Handel, Mendelssohn, Schumann, Liszt, Beethoven, Debussy, Schubert -- so many that are beautiful and stimulating.

My Nominees Are:
1.  Susan Hornbach - http://bagfullofbooks4kids.blogspot.com/

2.  Janet Ann Collins - http://onwordsblog.blogspot.com/

3.  Barbara Bockman - http://barbarabockman.wordpress.com/

4.  Connie Arnold - http://childrensauthorconniearnold.blogspot.com/

5.  Margot Finke - http://perfectmagiccarpet.blogspot.com/


6.  Sharon Stanley - http://sharonstanleywrites.blogspot.com/

7.  Nancy Stewart - http://www.nancystewartbooks.blogspot.com/

8.   Margo Dill - http://margodill.com/blog/

9.  Nicole Weaver - http://melangeofcultures.wordpress.com/

10.  Jennifer Gladen - http://www.jgladen.blogspot.com/


11.  Freya Pickard - http://dragonscaleclippings.wordpress.com/

My Questions Are:
 1. What is your greatest achievement so far and why?

 2. What is the most exciting thing you’ve ever done?

 3. How do you spend your free time?

 4. What was the last thing you made with your hands?

 5. What is your favorite season and why?

 6. Where do you live and what do you like most about living there?

 7. If you could live anywhere or in any time -- a place now or a time back in history -- where or when would it be and why?

 8. How did you get interested in writing as a career?

9. What advice would you give to a new writer?

10. What is your favorite genre to write in and to read? (These can be different.)

11. What are the five words that would best describe you?


Thank you all for participating!