Award Free Blog and a bit of Dutch courage

By it seems Dutch sailors drank a lot of Dutch gin to fight the English in the thirty years of war against them in the 1600's. The misleading fact is that it did not keep them as warm as they thought it would do, but it did overcome their fear to face the enemy. What is even worse is that they were given a bottle of gin as part of their wages. Ever since Dutch courage remained an expression, or a remedy, against difficult moments.

Now! I need a bit of Dutch courage ...

On 31 January, Rita, with her wonderful blog Shabby Chic Roses, http://ritashabbychicrose.blogspot.com, awarded me with the Stylish Blogger Award. Busy as I am I did not notice this wonderful surprise until almost a week later.



On 20 February Jesse, with his three incredible art blogs, http://theartofjesse.blogspot.com surprised me just as much with the same award.

Thank you so much Rita and Jesse! I am immensely honoured. I love reading both your blogs and enjoy your creativity, each in your own very special way.

When you receive an award you have to do something with it. Here comes the problem. I have to sit up straigth and take a deep breath to confess that this is a big hang up for me. The conditions stated, naming things about myself and nominating other blogs, is not the problem. It is easy to state things about myself and it is easy to make a huge list of wonderful blogs which deserve the award just as much, but I resent doing this so much because I think I impose on other people. For the past weeks I have not been able to post anything that I had in mind because of this. So - and here I need the courage to write it down - I have decided to make this an Award Free Blog.

I read many many blogs and thoroughly enjoy all the blogs I follow. Sometimes it seems one big family in Blogland, not only sharing creativity, but also ups and downs. Juliana has been ill for a long time, Natasha experienced the biblical floods in Queensland, Marja is still feeling the after shakes of the earthquake in Christchurch. You follow the news and think: how will Marja be, how will Natasha's family get out of the aftermath, how will Juliana recover?
At other times I sit behind my computer and am absolutely flabbergasted about everyone's creativity.

I need freedom, I need to be free as a bird in the tree tops of Les Trois Jardins.


Maybe I should pour myself a glass of Dutch gin now and press the button 'publish'.
It is cold out here, it is snowing again, whereas the snow drops and the crocusses were promising something else. Hopefully there are no ennemies out there.

Wishing you all a wonderful day and wonderful times in Blogland. I shall look forward to your comments because they are great fun, and I shall comment on your blogs with the same enthousiasm.