Apparently it is award season here on the interwebs. Not something as pedestrian as the Golden Globes or the Oscars, mind you. No friends, I mean award season in the land of blogs, and I have been given the Liebster Award by not one but two of my incredibly supportive online writing pals. I’ll get to that part in a moment.

First, you should know as a newly crowned celebrity they naturally provide me with both trainer and stylist. If I’m understanding correctly these two perform some sort of Rumpelstiltskin-type maneuver that sucks the fat out of my thighs transforming it into the gold that pays for the one of a kind Vera Wang gown I am currently wearing on the virtual carpet. But let’s get to the important part, my date for this ceremony. As this is my delusion of grandeur lets forego the polite niceties and just admit that it’s Brad Pitt, shall we? The fact is, once he realized the utter bliss he could experience with Madame Paradox, Angie-whats-her-name paled by comparison…

Now then, back to the award. Like Beethoven, wiener schnitzel and the coffee filter, many remarkable things originated in Germany, including, apparently, the Liebster award. (Liebster translates as favorite or beloved in German.) From what little I could find about this, the award is given to lesser-known bloggers to bring attention to their sites as an act of good Karma in the online community.

In accepting the award the recipient agrees to:

1. Thank and link back to the blogger who bestowed the award.

2. Name five blogs who deserve the award and let those bloggers know.

3. Post the award on the blog.

4. Have fun and spread the karma!

Starting to sound like a chain letter, isn’t it? I thought so too. The chain letter incidentally was not invented in Germany. It was invented by a man named Fleck who collected antique codpieces, and frequently emitted a foul odor. That was a boldfaced lie, by the way. But I thought humor might diffuse your panic at the mention of chain letters.

Back to the award, two friends were kind enough to list me as a recipient. As I’ve mentioned on previous occasions, I’ve met some wonderful creative folks online, one of them is Chris Galvin.

“Chris is a Canadian writer with one foot in Canada and the other in Viet Nam. Chris’ essays, articles and photographs have appeared in various Canadian, American and Vietnamese publications…She is currently writing a book of essays about Viet Nam.” Chris’ blog is filled with her passion for poetry, food & Viet Nam. Please CLICK ON THIS LINK to visit her.

Additionally, please CLICK ON THIS LINK to read a really interesting article of hers about Vietnamese fortunetellers.

As if getting acknowledged once wasn’t lovely enough, a few weeks ago my friend and talented poet Peter Wilkin also gave me the Liebster award. But since procrastination is my middle name (hey, at least it’s not Fleck) I had yet to write up my appreciation.

Besides being one of the nicest people I’ve ever met, Peter has a lovely blog filled with truly unique poetry. Please CLICK ON THIS LINK to visit him. (I’m also convinced he’s a time traveler who lives in the 1800’s, did I mention that part yet?)

Oh, and one more thing. Peter collaborated with fine artist Melaneia Warwick to create a stunning art book that marries his poems to her paintings. This publication is really something special. HERE IS THE SITE where it is available for purchase as either a book, or a download for iPad.

I am genuinely touched that Peter and Chris felt I deserved this acknowledgment, and I thank them both.

It is just way too difficult to award a few of the many deserving blogs out there, but I will try. Given that I received this award twice I thought it only reasonable that I give it to a few more bloggers than the requested five. Here now, seven wonderful reads.

Dwelling Here Now; Intersections of Nature, Imagination and Architecture  – Author, speaker, and architect Anthony Lawlor has created a gem of a blog. In his own words he explores the following questions: “How do we live well on this planet? Confronted with the greed, ignorance and fear shaping much of the world, how can we find openings to dwelling here with wisdom, connection, creativity and delight? Looking into these questions reflects my passion for understanding how our thoughts and actions shape buildings and cities.”  These posts are always beautifully written and profound. You are sure to leave Dwelling Here Now with more than you came.

I Am Pisspot – With a title like that how could I not love Liz Goodchild’s blog? First post I read was entitled “An Open Letter to the People Who Keep Googling Sofia Vergara, and Land on my Blog as a Result”. So you can see immediately I knew I was going to feel right at home. She is equal parts funny, twisted, and poignant, with a side order of photography. In addition, Liz also runs marathons to raise money for MIND, a mental health charity in the UK. She will be running four marathons this year. If you are interested in supporting her in this endeavor please go to: http://www.justgiving.com/4races4cities

This Write Life – This is a wonderful blog for anyone interested in art history and museums. Mary Jo Gibson provides fascinating photos and stories about all sorts of unique objects and paintings. One of my favorite books from childhood is The Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler. When I look at Mary Jo’s blog I can’t help but feel I’m one of the characters from that book sleeping in a 17^th century canopy bed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and snatching coins out of the fountain to pay for breakfast.

Darrelyn Saloom – I first read and thoroughly enjoyed Darrelyn’s work in her guest posts for Jane Friedman. She has that rare ability to write creative non-fiction that feels as vividly imagined as fiction, transporting the reader to another time and place. Now I am excited to discover she also has her own blog about farm life in Louisiana. Her memoir collaboration with boxing champion Deidre Gogarty, My Call to the Ring is forthcoming from MacAdam/Cage September, 2012.

A Lowbrow Literary Life – the blog of my online pal Idabel Allen. I have a sneaking suspicion the reason Idabel and I get along so well is because each of us thinks the other is mad as a hatter. Also, as author of the southern gothic novel Rooted, and young adult novel Cursed! My devastatingly brilliant campaign to save the Chigg, Idabel is infuriatingly talented. So there’s that. Her ebook Headshots a “short story collection loaded with shotgun blasts that deliver the goods on life in all its pain and glory”, is currently available for free on Amazon.

Museworthy – Claudia Hajian is a professional artist’s model. I have just discovered her blog and find it fascinating. She writes about music and art, artists and their creative process, as well as her experiences modeling for them. It is a really unique take on the art world.

J.A. Pak: The Writing Blog – my online pal J.A. Pak is a talented author who writes beautiful literary fiction that is sparse and somewhat surreal. Her blog reflects her thoughtful and unique personality. She has three books out on Amazon including Seal Skin: One night Lily wakes and finds a woman in her bedroom. The woman is Ula. Waiting for daybreak, she tells Lily the story of how she lost her skin. A wondrous tale of love, revenge and redemption.

Now friends, Brad and I must say farewell and head off to the governor’s ball, where George Clooney and Joshua Jackson will no doubt be reduced to fisticuffs over which one gets to give me a foot rub. These virtual designer heels are killing me…