Okay, Okay, I Accept the Award

For the fourth time in as many weeks I have been nominated for the Versatile Blogger Award.  I already had been awarded this pseudo prestigeous award for achievements in the profession of blogging.  I was going to ignore them this time, but it would be unkind to do so, as I don’t want to appear un-appreciative to those who nominated me.

These people who nominated me are, in no particular order are, H.J. Ruiz who writes Avian 101, a blog about birding in general;   Bruce Stambaugh of Roadkill Crossing, stories from the Amish country of Millersburg in northwestern Ohio;  Katie Johnson’s Camera Blog, writing and photographing about the city of Santa Fe, New Mexico;  and the lovely Nandini Dhiman of Life Just Is, writing from the lap of the Himalayas in India.

If I remember correctly from my first time receiving this award, I must list 10 interesting facts about myself, the following that task, to list 10 more deserving recipients of the award.

First, my 10 interesting facts about myself.  This isn’t going to be pretty. 🙂

1. I met my wife, Ann, for the first time in person, only 2 hours before the wedding rehearsal.  Click (here) for details of that adventure. 🙂
2. I was a professional musician, saxophonist, for a large portion of my life.  During about 45 years I appeared at clubs, arenas, convention halls in U.S. and abroad.  Big bands, jazz, country music.  You name it, I did it. 🙂
3. Also during my life, at various times I sold furniture, tires, used cars and encyclopedias.
4. For three years, I owned a lawn and landscape business.
5. I was the city bowling champion of Las Cruces, New Mexico during the season of 1971-72.  My average was 198 and I beat a bowling pro by the name of Rocky Thompson, by one pin.
6. I have Marfans Syndrome.  A genetic disease with no cure.
7. My photography has been published in four magazines, on the cover of one.  My work is also featured in a book, “See No Evil, Speak No Evil”, written by local author, Ross McSwain.  A photograph of mine is also on the cover.
8. I have a great, but sometimes, weird sense of humor.
9. I am a dog lover.  However, the older I get the smaller my dogs get.  I once owned a large Collie, named Trooper.  Now I have a little 15 lb. Shih Tzu named Suzie.
10. I love crossword puzzles.  I work the daily challenge from the local newspaper every morning.  No one will play Scrabble with me

Next is the nominating of some other deserving individuals to also receive this award.  But I will go a bit astray on this.  Many or most of my blogger friends already have received the award, and of course, some have not.  So I am not going to demand that any of them do these lists unless they really want to.  But I am going to honor the following individuals, whether they want me to or not.  Click on their names to visit their blog.

1. Mia McPherson.  This blog should be must reading for anyone who aspires to be a wildlife photographer.  The photographs are awesome and breath-taking.  I was reluctant to name her, because I am afraid I might lose some of my followers to her blog. So after checking her out, please come back.  Please.
2. Melissa Koski.   One of my favorite people.  She has great wildlife photos and stories from around her home in Grand Rapids, Michigan.  She sometimes makes me homesick, (but only sometimes)  because I was born and raised only 40 miles from her in Muskegon.
3. Holly Stanley.    Another Michigander from Lansing, the state capitol.  I have watched her grow from a rank beginner in photography, to an accomplished artist in that genre.  All in the past two years or so.  Way to go, Holly. 🙂
4. Jeff Lynch.   A man after my own heart.  He, like me, is in love with west Texas, particularly the Big Bend National Park area.  His photography and articles about that part of the state, urges me to go back again and again.
5. Linda Rockwell.  Great wildlife photos and articles from the Land of Enchantment, particularly I like her photos from the Bosque Del Apache National Wildlife Refuge.
6. Cindy Kilpatrick.   I am certain that she already has been nominated for this award, but doggone it, she certainly deserves to be one of my honorees.  Her beautiful, awesome photographs, and accompanying beautifully written articles are something to behold.
7. Denise Richter.    If you are ever planning a trip to the Alamo City, (Texas talk for San Antonio, Texas), you need to first visit her blog.  San Antonio’s Chamber of Commerce should be paying her.  She can answer all of your questions as where to stay, where to eat, things to do, and tell you how to get on the boat to tour the downtown Riverwalk.
8. Teresa Silverthorn.  Her blog is one of the most interesting, mysterious, eerie, things you can ever read.  For me, she is a must read, and I check out her latest happening every day.
9. Jim Miller.   Jim is a personal friend who is in the U. S. Air Force, now stationed in San Antonio, Texas.  I met him when he was stationed here in San Angelo and our interests are the same.  Wildlife photography.
10. Martina Landolt.   Martina photographs what she sees.  My favorites are her beautiful landscapes.  But you can expect photos of wildlife and interesting places, too.

So those are my nominees/honorees for this time.  I know I have left out some other people, but that comes with having so many loyal and loving followers.  So if you are not on the list, I still think highly and appreciate each and every one of you.