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La Belette Rouge (the red weasel), a favorite blogger, Francophile, and virtual girlfriend of mine, has given me a You Make My Day award! I was touched and honored to receive the award and tribute from La Belette, and I’m glad to have an opportunity to dedicate a post to some of the people whose blogs really make my day on a regular basis.

La Belette would be on this list, but since she started the love fest, I have to choose other blogs. But just so you know, her blog always makes my day too. She’s a lovely, positive, and exuberant young woman whose blog and personality are utterly charming.

These are the rules of the game:

1. Write a post with links to 5 blogs that make your day.
2. Acknowledge the post of the award giver.
3. Tell the award winners that they’ve won by commenting on their blogs.

These are the blogs that make my day:

Bonheur Occidental — This is what a great soul looks like. Briconcella, the author of this blog, has an unparalleled sense of wonder and she knows the value and beauty of each breath she takes; more so than any other human being I’ve ever known. Every entry in her blog is a tender caress of a moment, mundane or monumental, of her life. She sees things others don’t see. She sees things others do see differently. This blog reminds me to lovingly cradle my own moments and it inspired me to create everyday splendor.

derwerffblogg — Of all my Former Life friends, the author of this blog is the only one who has made it through the looking glass. (The rest, alas, haven’t discovered this dimension and are still available in meat format only.) It really makes my day that he took the leap and created a blog! Although he’s older than most of my friends, he’s as youthful as the youngest of them. Like Briconcella, he knows how to savor a moment. He’s new to blogging, but I know he has a lot to share. I love bumping into him here, on this side, and look forward to watching him bloom.

eyeheartinternet — Sassy eats life for breakfast. And lunch. And dinner. She nibbles on it at midnight. Her incredible energy, humor, honesty, and humanity are palpable when you read her blog. In some ways, she reminds me of myself when I was younger and, at the same time, she awakens strong maternal feelings in me; I just want to pick her up and rock her when she’s hurting. You will love her, cheer for her, and cry with her, just like I do. And you will adore her puppy.

Green views — David Horton is an inspiration. He’s a highly educated polymath, a dedicated environmentalist, a political activist, and a writer. Among other things. He is one of the most conscious people I’ve ever encountered. On his ranch in Australia, he raises sheep, loves his grandkids and the kangaroos, and plays David to the Goliath of the right-wing political establishment. His blog is always thought provoking and enlightening. Peppered among essays on religion, politics and the environment are excerpts of his novel in progress. A real Renaissance man.

Dragonfly Dreaming — Strength and passion are the two words that come to mind when I think of the author of this blog. Another amazing young woman, she holds absolutely nothing back and she generously shares absolutely everything with her readers. Each post is infused with her fiery spark. She’s been through some hell, but hasn’t let it ruin her ability to enjoy blowing bubbles with her little girl.

I’m changing the rules a bit (because I can if I want to) and adding a special category: the You Make My Life award. The envelope, please…

sknoblog — Vincent’s blog made much more than my day. I devoured his blog and website after I met him at a party. It was all I had! He had to go back to Paris two days later and I was still in California. I discovered through his blog and website that he was wacky, brilliant, creative, loving, politically and socially conscious, sweet and geeky, and all kinds of other adjectives I like in a man. We saw each other only twice in the year after that party, but I was already in love with virtual Vincent before we ever even kissed… Then, once I moved to Paris, he did the most romantic thing anyone’s ever done for me; he turned me into a cartoon character and created a blog for his comic strip Geeks In Love, which is inspired by our happy, geeky life together.

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Award winners, don’t feel obligated to follow the rules. And if you were already awarded by someone else, then, of course, don’t worry about it. I’m just glad for this opportunity to let you know how much I appreciate you all!

And Vincent, since you’re off the charts, you’re off the hook.