How cool to check the blogs I follow yesterday and discover that <a href="http://elainesmothers.wordpress.com/2012/05/27/serendipity-and-the-versatile-blogger-award/" target="_blank">Elaine Smothers</a> blogger extraordinaire had nominated me for the Versatile Blogger awardI’m so excited to accept the nomination. Thanks, Elaine.

As with most blog awards, acceptance comes with certain rules found on the <a href="http://versatilebloggeraward.wordpress.com/vba-rules/" target="_blank">VBA blog</a> along with the snappy looking logo download.
<a href="http://judythewriter.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/wpvba1.png"><img class="aligncenter size-thumbnail wp-image-728" title="wpvba" src="http://judythewriter.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/wpvba1.png?w=150" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a>

Having been awarded the Versatile Blogger award, I must now:

• <em>Thank the person who gave you this award.</em> I’ve already thanked Elaine, but I don’t think a second thanks fine. Thanks, Elaine.

• <em>Include a link to their blog.</em> That’s an easy rule to follow and a pleasure to do because Elaine and Forrester share versatile and fun blog posts. Check them out for yourself <a href="http://elainesmothers.wordpress.com/2012/05/27/serendipity-and-the-versatile-blogger-award/" target="_blank">here</a>.

• <em>Next, select 15 blogs/bloggers that you’ve recently discovered or follow regularly and nominate those 15 bloggers for the Versatile Blogger Award. </em>This rule was a bit more difficult to follow because I’m not sure who's already been nominated. Here’s my list and bloggers, if you’ve already been nominated congratulations!
<p style="text-align:center;">1. <a href="http://neomanu.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Margaret Miller </a>
2. <a href="http://katjorgensen.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Kat Jorgensen</a>
 3. <a href="http://janiecarver2011.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Jane Carver</a>
4. <a href="http://masksthebook.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Patricia Caviglia </a>
5. <a href="http://barbaraforteabate.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Barbara Forte Abate </a>
6. <a href="http://aehuppert.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">A.E. Huppert</a>
7. <a href="http://patriciasands.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Patricia Sands </a>
8. <a href="http://blog.donaldbueltmann.com/" target="_blank">Donald Bueltmann</a>
9. <a href="http://ciaragold.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Ciara Gold</a>
10. <a href="http://livingwiththemuse.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">J.D. Faver </a>
11. <a href="http://www.melissaohnoutka.com/#!blog" target="_blank">Melissa Ohnoutka</a>
12. <a href="http://emmiemears.com/" target="_blank">Emmie Mears</a>
13. <a href="http://www.wildwickedwacky.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Suzan Hardin </a>
14. <a href="http://musetracks.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Jennifer Bray-Weber</a>
15. <a href="http://pathunstrom.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Pat Thunstrom </a></p>
• <em>Finally, tell the person who nominated you 7 things about yourself.</em> Okay, Elaine and Forrester get ready. Here are some quick things you might not know.
<p style="text-align:left;">1. I play the piano. Not well. I like to say I have the skill, but not the talent.</p>
<p style="text-align:left;">2. My thumb is kinda green. This was our Angel trumpet last year. The fragrance filled the air in the backyard.<a href="http://judythewriter.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/angel-trumpet.jpg"><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-716 aligncenter" title="angel trumpet" src="http://judythewriter.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/angel-trumpet.jpg?w=150" alt="" width="150" height="112" /></a></p>
3. I used to paint. Still life and tole painting were my styles of choice. Now I paint walls, but only when I can’t hire someone else.

4. I drive slow when going through Missouri. Once got a speeding ticket when “trapped” by a radar tracking helicopter there. I don’t think my Texas license plate with the vanity trim holder that reads, “Get in, sit down, and hold on,” helped my plea of innocence.

5. I’m a dog lover. Especially Old English sheepdogs. We even share bad hair days!<a href="http://judythewriter.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/metobyblue1.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-723" title="metobyblue" src="http://judythewriter.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/metobyblue1.jpg?w=300" alt="" width="300" height="224" /></a>
<p style="text-align:left;"> 6. The dogs and I walk no matter what the weather. That's Toby's adopted brother Buster walking with us. (He's a ten pound Maltese.) They're wearing matching red coats.</p>
<a href="http://judythewriter.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/walking-dogs-11.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-724" title="walking dogs - 1" src="http://judythewriter.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/walking-dogs-11.jpg?w=300" alt="" width="300" height="224" /></a>
7. Much to my surprise, I enjoy blogging and tweeting. Thanks, <a href="http://warriorwriters.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Kristen Lamb</a> for convincing me. I'm proud of my WANA tribe badge.

<a href="http://judythewriter.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/wpwanabadge2.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-thumbnail wp-image-744" title="wpwanabadge2" src="http://judythewriter.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/wpwanabadge2.jpg?w=150" alt="" width="150" height="114" /></a>

Okay now, blog readers, did you learn anything shocking from my reveals to Elaine and Forrest?