Sunshine Blogger Award! Walkin’ on sunshine!

I ran to the right and then juked back to the left. I looked behind me to see that the bigger kid, who was closing in on me at one point, had stopped chasing me. He was out of breath and was now jogging slowly toward another kid. I ran to the back of a nearby shed and crouched low, hoping no one could see me.

We were playing Tag. I was in third or fourth grade. I sucked in deep gulps of air to catch my breath. My two older brothers rarely let me play with them. On this day, though, my brother, who was closest in age to me, let me join his him and his friends. In that moment, it dawned on me that I had been set up. I was “the red meat or the prey” for the bigger kids and him. Thanks big brother.

A few minutes later, I turned and saw one of my brother’s friends from the neighborhood. He was running fast down a small hill from the other direction and was eyeing me up to be tagged. I sprinted to get away. But, I was no match for him. He caught me in no time. He swatted me on the shoulder and yelled out “Tag, your it!” For good measure, he gave me a hard punch to the ribs. I wanted to cry, but I held it in. If I showed any reaction or cried out for mom, I knew that I would never get asked to play again.

Tag you’re it.

I haven’t played Tag or Chase or Hide and Go Seek or any other children’s outdoor games in a long time. Last week, though, I couldn’t help but think about Tag. My friend and fellow blogger Victoria Atkinson, who writes at “Victoria Ponders” tagged me and 10 other bloggers with the Sunshine Blogger Award. The award asks that you answer your nominator’s questions. I’ve included my comments below. Thank you Vicki! The joke is on you though. Wait until you get a look at my long, rambling answers. 😆

Fortunately, the Sunshine Blogger version of Tag doesn’t include any running or punches to the ribs. Thank goodness. Here’s my responses. Let me know what you think.

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— My Sunshine Blogger Award Responses —

What is your morning routine?

Here’s the answer I’ll give when I sign my book deal and Jimmy Fallon asks me to make a guest appearance on the Tonight Show. I’ll say that I get up 4:30 a.m. each day and work for a hour on my novel. I’ll say that it’s always been my dream to be a full-time writer and that I’m trying to get in 1,500 words each day. I’ll say that my legal team is negotiating the movie rights to my book and we’re talking with Brad Pitt or Matthew McConaughey about starring in the film.

I’ll smile and tell Fallon that I’ll grab a hot cup of coffee and sit on the deck. I’ll sip my coffee and meditate. Good answer, right?

Oh, that sounds good, but now for the truth. Most days I grab a cup of coffee from the kitchen. If we’re out of coffee, I’ll make a quick Dunkin run. I promise myself each day to go to bed, hell or high water, by 8:30 p.m. I tell myself to skip the baseball game or Netflix series on TV. And I say a silent prayer that my coffee will wake me up and get me going! Does this sound like anyone else? Oh, it’s not really this crazy, but I do love my coffee.

What is your favorite season? Why?

When asked this question, most people say they love the summer. Everyone talks about California Dreamin or chilling in the sand with “no shoes, no shirt, no problem.” No, no, no. They’re all forgetting about the ungodly heat and humidity. We’re barely even into the spring and I’m already counting down the days to turn on the A/C. Ugh, summer, forget about it.

Yes, the all time best season is Autumn in the Northern Hemisphere. I love everything about it. I love that it’s not too hot or too cold. I love sweatshirt and shorts weather. I love the falling leaves, the red orange and yellow colors. I love Halloween and Thanksgiving (in November in the U.S.) I love the end of baseball season and the start of football. I love that everyone has something going on. I simply love the fall.

What is your favorite childhood memory?

One of my favorite memories started out in tears. When I was a small kid, my mom took me to get a formal picture by a photographer. I don’t have a ton of photos from when I was kid, so this was a big thing. For some reason, I was scared to death of the photographer. I remember he was a scary looking dude. I started crying and crying. Nothing could make me stop. I remember my mom hugging me. I’ve never forgotten that hug. It was so comforting, so warm. I stopped crying and the photographer was able to get his picture. When we were done, my mom took me out to lunch. This was special — alone time with my mom. When I think of peace after a storm, I think of this memory.

Who or what has been your most unlikely teacher?

I try not to thrust my faith onto others. I feel like too many Christians preach too much and spend too little time listening. And who am I to judge? God knows I’ve had more than my share of moments of doubting and searching. Still, one of my unlikeliest teachers over the years has been a simple Bible verse.

I read it one time during a challenging time in college. I was struggling to figure out who I was. It’s taught me much about hope and persevering and helped me figure out what I really believe. I remember the verse, Psalm 34:4, jumped off the page. “I sought the Lord and he heard me and he delivered me from all my fears.”

Hopefully it comforts you as much as it has comforted me over the years.

Who or what are you most proud of?

My kids. They’re really cool people. They’re mentally and physically strong, but then they’re kind and gentle. They’re hard workers, but they like to have fun. They’re book smart, but then also very street smart too. I just think they’re neat people.

What is something that surprises people about you?

I’ve written in the past about my mother growing up Amish and how she left the church. Most people usually are surprised when they hear her background and have lots of questions about me. A few basic answers: We were a normal everyday American family. No, we never renounced modern conveniences and technologies like electricity and indoor plumbing. We didn’t maintain the traditional way of life like the Amish by dressing in simple black and white outfits. And finally, no, we get around via horse and buggy.

The image of that for me is priceless. Can’t you see me pulling up to my high school and getting out of a black or yellow buggy in jeans and sunglasses, but wearing a straw Amish hat, saying to one of my teachers: “Yo, yo, Mr. Rhodes, wassup? You grade my English paper yet?”

Yes, my grandparents and many of my aunts and uncles on my mother’s side were Amish. Still, my immediate family was as normal as any other family.

What motivated you to start blogging?

I felt like I had something to say.

I like getting my thoughts down on paper and then showing them to others. The more I write, the more I feel like I get to know what I think about things. It’s similar to how author Joan Didion described it: “I write entirely to find out what I’m thinking, what I’m looking at, what I see and what it means. What I want and what I fear.”

What forms of entertainment do you enjoy the most?

Oh, I’m pretty simple. I like to write. I love music. I follow sports. I love baseball, football, basketball, hockey. I’ve become a bigger fan of soccer. When I’m diligent, I like to run. I’d love to get back in shape and run a marathon. We’ll see about that one. It sounds like a bad story waiting to happen.

If you are a book reader, do you prefer a paper copy or a digital copy?

Technology has changed the world. I still love going old school and reading a book on paper. Hmm, love the smell and feel of books. I’m trying to get back to regular reading. I could use some good suggestions. Any come to mind?

What’s your favorite music genre, and who is your favorite singer? 

I’m Generation X. Of course, I love 80s music. I’m still a big fan of the group U2. I can’t tell you what I ate yesterday. But, I can tell you where I was when U2 released the Joshua Tree album in March 1987 and debuted the With or Without You video on MTV.

My roommate had a TV. It was one of the few on our floor. So, we had at least 40 guys from the floor crammed into our room to watch the video. I was hooked on U2. And yes, mom if you’re reading this, that’s why my grades spring semester Freshman year took a nose dive. And you thought it was because of the drinking. Nope, it was music.

Some of my other favorite musicians include Eagles, Phil Collins, INXS, The Cure, Bruce Springsteen, and Kenny Chesney. Yes, in keeping with the Sunshine Blogger Award, the Katrina and the Waves song Walking on Sunshine is a favorite. I wouldn’t call it my favorite song of all time, but it’s in the Top 100 countdown.

What societal causes do you care about the most?

I’m a big believer in education-related causes. I wouldn’t have gotten out of my rural small town without it. Of course, as a girl-dad, I’m a believer in girls education too. Educated women in the U.S. and across the globe contribute to their communities, break the cycle of poverty, and raise educated families. I also care deeply about The National Multiple Sclerosis Society and the American Cancer Society.

Okay, now you more about me than you ever really cared to know.

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— My Sunshine Award Blogger Nominees —

Here are my nominees for the Sunshine Blogger Award. There is no obligation to participate and, if you decide to, there’s no need to write a book like me. I completely understand if you would prefer to pass. If I didn’t tag you and you want to play along, please feel free to join in! For everyone else, I would definitely urge you to check out these bloggers! They have some inspiring, entertaining and thought-worthy sites!

1. Mark Petruska, Mark My Words: https://markpetruska.com
2. Lauren Scott, Baydream Writes: https://baydreamerwrites.com
3. Cheryl Oreglia, Living in the Gap: https://cheryloreglia.blog
4. Ab, My Life with T: https://mylovablepest.com
5. Belinda, My World with Words: https://myworldwithwords.com
6. Kym Gordon Moore, From Behind the Pen: https://frombehindthepen.wordpress.com
7. Jennie, A Teacher’s Reflections: https://jenniefitzkee.com
8. Louise, A Grace Full of Life: https://agracefull-life.com
9. John Rieber: https://johnrieber.com
10. Aging with Grace: https://agingwithgrace104771094.com
11. Mary, 50 Happens: https://50happens.blog

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— Sunshine Award Guidelines —

Here are the guidelines:

• 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. Here are my 11 questions for you:
  1. What is your favorite season? Why?
  2. What’s your proudest accomplishment?
  3. What’s something that always makes you laugh?
  4. What’s a personal motto or life motto that you try to live your life?
  5. What is something that surprises people about you?
  6. What motivated you to start blogging?
  7. If you could invite four people — living or dead, famous or unknown to others — to have dinner with you, who would you pick?
  8. If you are a book reader, do you prefer a paper copy or a digital copy?
  9. What’s your favorite music genre, and who is your favorite singer? 
  10. Describe a favorite memory?
  11. What is one thing you’re thankful for?
• Nominate up to 11 bloggers. 
• Ask your nominees 11 questions.

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Thanks for reading. I hope you enjoyed my responses. And oh yea, “Olly Olly Oxen Free.” For those unfamiliar with Tag, it means the game is over and everyone can come out safely.

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• Nine lessons from my 9th Anniversary
• An Amish girl leaves home to create a new way of life
• What my life might have looked like
• My life as a world famous author!
• A different kind of sound
• What album would you choose?