Flowers in my backyard that are always in bloom!
Thanks to the amazing and compassionate Vicki from Victoria Ponders for nominating me along with 10 other bloggers for the “Sunshine Blogger Award.” This award was started by Kimberly Vargas Agnese. I usually avoid such things, but I found the questions intriguing and Vicki’s answers so thoughtful.
So here it goes:
What is your morning routine?
I follow Julia Cameron’s “The Artist’s Way” which grounds me for the day. I begin with three pages of journaling. Then I listen to a Bible reading on my phone and pray for an ever increasing list of friends and family members. After that (or before if the weather is too hot) I walk three miles. I’ve been doing this consistently for 10 years. If there’s a day when I can’t do my morning routine, I feel out of sorts.
What is your favorite season? Why?
Definitely summer followed by Spring. I have the best memories growing up in the Pacific Northwest in summer, which is such a beautiful season there. Raising my kids, we’d spend summer in Laguna Beach. Now we go to Santa Barbara for a few weeks up to a month. I love the water, yet live in the desert, so I look forward to being by the ocean all year long.
What is your favorite childhood memory?
Being with family on our boat in the summer. Enjoying fishing, digging clams and catching Dungeness crab with our mom cooking seafood on the boat within minutes of being caught.
Who or what has been your most unlikely teacher?
My kids. They taught me how to appreciate being present in the moment with them. Also, not to worry over things I cannot control.
Who or what are you most proud of?
Again, my kids. They are loving, kind adults and a joy to be with.
What is something that surprises people about you?
How outdoorsy my childhood was thanks to mom and dad. I took a fly tying class and Power Squadron boating safety class with them. I picked Chanterelle mushrooms, fished for salmon, rockfish, and trout, dug razor clams and little necks and caught Dungeness crabs — enjoying Western Washington state’s lifestyle.
What motivated you to start blogging?
A fellow swim mom who read my children’s stories and YA manuscripts. She loved to read blogs when I knew nothing about blogging. She encouraged me to start bleuwater.me, which then opened doors to writing a weekly sports parenting column for SwimSwam, a swimming website with more than 8 million views per month. I wrote that column for more than five years.
What forms of entertainment do you enjoy the most?
I have always been a reader since I was a young child. I enjoy finding a new author. It’s like finding a gem. I’ll know there will be more good books to read. I also enjoy being outdoors, walking, hiking and taking pictures.
If you are a book reader, do you prefer a paper copy or a digital copy?
Paper copies. I prefer paperbacks, because I feel less guilty about turning down the corners. Also, they are less expensive, easier to carry and read than hard bound books. My arms don’t get tired with paperbacks!
What’s your favorite music genre, and who is your favorite singer?
I like rock and roll from the 1970s and 1980s which were my high school and college days. I have Sirius set to 1970s in my car and I love to sing along to old favorites. My favorite singer is Don McLean from “American Pie” because my mom listened to him nonstop in the 1970s. She was a Coloratura Soprano and music major. She loved McLean’s voice and poetic lyrics. Listening to his songs brings me closer to memories of Mom.
What societal causes do you care about the most?
Currently, my focus is helping sex trafficked victims in the Phoenix area. Phoenix is one of the nation’s hubs of sex trafficking — and our country is the first or second purchaser of children for sex in the world. Today, I’m visiting The Phoenix Dream Center, which is a residential facility that provides a safe, secure home complete with medical, mental health, and career training, to help victims return to a “normal” life. They are having a ribbon cutting for a new kitchen which my women’s group fundraised to purchase all the appliances. I’ll also be donating clothes after Spring cleaning my closet. I’ve volunteered in my community for different causes since college.
Now I get to tag a few friends:
John from Las Vegas Photoblog
Suz from Busy Bee Suz
Sadje from Keep It Alive
LA from Waking Up on the Wrong Side of 50
Wynne from Surprised by Joy
RiverGirl from River’s World
JoyRoses from Nuggets of Gold
Deb from Deb’s World
Janis from Retirementally Challenged
Eileen from Myricopia
PKAdams from Blue Skies Green Pastures
Don’t worry if you’ve already been tagged or if you’d prefer not to do this. I’m taking a page from Vicki and using most of the questions she asked and have thrown in a few new ones:
Here are the guidelines from Kimberly about the “Sunshine Blogger Award”:
• 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 nominators’ questions:
What is your morning routine?
What is your favorite season? Why?
What is your favorite childhood memory?
Who or what has been your most unlikely teacher?
What is your favorite meal that you would never get tired of and why?
What is something that surprises people about you?
What motivated you to start blogging?
Would you rather spend a quiet evening at home or out with friends or a party? Why?
If you are a book reader, do you prefer a paper copy or a digital copy?
What’s your favorite music genre, and who is your favorite singer?
What societal causes do you care about the most?
• Nominate up to 11 bloggers.
• Ask your nominees 11 questions.
• Notify your nominees by commenting on at least one of their blog posts.
Thanks for reading and have fun with this!
What is one question you would like to ask?
Love your answers…and you know what? You shared something I really enjoy about your writing! The nature focus of your stories about growing up…your love of the outdoors from your Washington roots. I can see all of that playing out in your gorgeous photography in present day. Elizabeth in full circle! Thank you for playing along. 🥰❤️🥰
Thank you for including me. I hadn’t thought of my childhood influencing the adult me, but you’re onto something there! 😊
I can see the threads! So good! 🥰💕🥰
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First thank you! I like the question about what food you could eat all the time. I think that’s interesting
You’re welcome. Of all the bloggers in our community, you’re the only one I’ve met face to face! If you decide to do this, I’ll look forward to your answers.
April 30!!
Okay! I’ll be sure to read it!
Yay I adore that you did this. I’ll be doing it next week, not that I was included here, but was elsewhere. And I need to review something in my files before I jump on it. I feel my answer to the entertainment question will be similar to yours.
I saw your name pop up on Vicki’s post, otherwise I would have included you, too. It was a fun exercise.
EA, thanks so much. I was truly surprised to see my blog pop up! I’m not typically one who jumps in with these sorts of challenges but I appreciate being included in your list!
I so totally agree with your two answers that involve your kids. I sometimes look at mine and wonder who really parented them. They are pretty extraordinary people… 😉
You’re more than welcome. I usually shy away from these things, too. But Vicki inspired me!
What great answers. Your core values of family and talent for writing shine through. Thank you so much for the honor of the nomination. I’m so grateful!
Thank you so much! I can’t wait to read your answers. This exercise brought back so many memories of the PNW.
Thank you so much for the nomination Elizabeth. I’m very honored. Congratulations my friend! Very well answered.
You are welcome! I’m looking forward to your responses!
Hopefully I’ll respond soon
I’ll look forward to it!
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Loved reading this. I do morning pages too but not always 3.
That’s great you write morning pages, too! I sometimes have to leave to finish other tasks and then get back to it. I love getting all three pages done first, though.
Your morning routine really impresses me! It seems like you’re hitting all the right notes for a good start every day. Brava!
Thanks! If you haven’t read “The Artist’s Way,” I highly suggest it. Julia Cameron has more ideas and suggestions that I don’t follow. Who knows what would have happened if I did for the past 10 years? She was married to Martin Scorsese.
I did not know that! I have seen her book, but never put the work in. I think perhaps I should have.
It was given to me by my best friend from college. It got her started painting and making jewelry. For me it sparked more writing including this blog, a weekly column and writing for trade magazines.
You are an inspiring woman, EA! I enjoyed your answers to the questions. I’m sure with you on books and community service. Also morning pages, walking and time in nature. We’ll certainly have to meet if I’m ever in your area or you come to Durango.
Thanks for the tag. I may not follow up, though.
Thanks for all the kind words. I understand if you don’t care to do this. I never have before but had some moments to myself thinking about how I would answer. I like that we have many common interests and priorities.
One question I would like to ask❓Well here goes nothing – WHY do you keep waking up every day❓That’s my question. 🤷. Have a sunny 🌞 day 🌻
I love my life, friends and family.
It shows in your writings… You write most beautifully and invitingly about all that you love. That is why I asked you that question. Thank you for your answer. Have a beautiful day.
Thanks! 😊
I used to do morning pages, but I got away from it. I always felt better when I did.
Sometimes I don’t feel like it, too. But for some reason, I keep at it.
That’s good!