What is the best blog find of 2009? What is that gem of a blog you can’t believe you didn’t know about until this year?
Aw, hell. This question is so simple and yet so IMPOSSIBLE to answer! The fact is that until a VERY LITTLE over a year ago, I had never read a blog. ANY BLOG. So pretty much EVERY SINGLE BLOG I now know about and read with any regularity is a gem that I can’t believe I didn’t know about until this year.
by MadeByGirl/flickr
That being said, I will select one blog to highlight, of the many I have loyally followed through 2009. I choose this one because if it did not exist, and I had not read the post uploaded a mere week ago, I most likely would not be writing today. And for today, writing is – without exaggeration – saving my sanity and very possibly my life. So, thank you Gwen Bell for being a gem without which I would be bereft.
And to all those other amazing blogs I’ve discovered this past year, whether I’ve commented on what I’ve read or not, thank you for being out there and for inspiring me, and moving me, and making me laugh every single day. I feel very rich, and very lucky.
And to those astounding bloggers who have come here to my little corner of the world, whether new or “old,” and take the risk to read something from me when I start off a stranger to you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. I feel very honored, and very grateful.
xo
Mocha
/ December 7, 2009Great choice in Gwen! She is always inspiring, always positive, always entertaining. Kudos to you, Gwen.
(and to YOU, for your excellent taste!)
xoxo
egan
/ December 7, 2009You do a pretty good job with this whole blog thing. I really enjoy reading the stuff shown on this gray and black website.
emmajames
/ December 7, 2009Mocha: Exactly. You too, my lady, make me laugh and cry and thank the universe I discovered this whole blogging thing. xoxo
Egan: You, my friend, are one of the very first who gave me hope. I thank you for that, and for sharing your stories. We reds gotta stick together.
xo
Gwen Bell
/ December 7, 2009I’m honored by this. I actually cried a bit before noon today, which is saying a lot. Also, thanks to you, I’m now adding Sanity Saver to my business cards.
But really. Your posts have touched me, moved me, made me think. Reminded me why I started on this journey of opening up my palms to the web in the early days. And why I continue to do so, daily. (At least daily during #best09 – I might need a smallish sanity break, myself, in Jan.)
Alana
/ December 7, 2009Emma – you’ve been a big part of my inspiration to write again (for myself). I love what you do – and thank you for introducing me to Gwen!
emmajames
/ December 7, 2009Gwen: Aw hell, now you’ve got me crying. And you know how I hate doing that. But I am grateful too. So grateful. I am a writer after all, an artist, and I want to own that, and I somehow got very sidetracked and very lost and very despondent. And I don’t have any more answers to anything now than I did seven days ago, but I AM finding my voice again. So, please, be sure you do indeed put Sanity Saver on your business cards – the moniker is well earned.
Btw, I’m probably going to be in your neck of the woods in January so if you’re not escaping the winter wonderland for your well deserved break, I’m taking you to tea. xo
Alana: I am so very, very, very happy for whatever part I’ve played in encouraging you to write, and I couldn’t be more excited to follow your journey. You are a valued friend and inspiration as well. xo
egan
/ December 8, 2009Reds? You calling me a commie or is this a funny reference to the fact my hair isn’t red? Or are you joking with me about being a Canadian? See, nothing gets by me.
Thank you Emma, I’m flattered and appreciative.
emmajames
/ December 9, 2009Egan: I’d be horrified if you weren’t completely on top of your game, mister.
verybadcat
/ December 10, 2009i’m grateful for you, lady.
merry christmas.
emmajames
/ December 11, 2009VBC: Same right back at you, babe. Happy holidays and I look forward to 2010 – may it be fantastic for us both!