Sometimes I lose track of time while sitting here in front of the computer trying to decide upon a post that deserves to be the Post of the Day. It happened again this evening after I happened upon Southern Fried Momma. And at one point, I was laughing so hard that my oldest child came out of his bedroom to see what was causing me to shriek with laughter to the point that tears were running down my cheeks, I was having trouble catching my breath, and I literally snorted a couple of times.

Meet the woman responsible: Dejoni. She describes herself as “30-ish bottle blond” clinging to her “sanity and youth by [her] fingertips.” Her goal? To “raise my children right like my parents raised me. I try to have it all together but fail miserably.” And her confessions about her self-professed failures are hilarious.

Dejoni, her husband, and their two daughters, Rachel and Ella, live on the “Redneck Riviera.” Translation: In the country. Kentucky, to be exact. Ten miles from things city-dwellers take for granted, such as grocery stores and workplaces. They lead a glamorous life to be sure, characterized by discerning palates: “And yes, we eat bologna . . . the poor man’s steak . . . and we like LOVE it. Sometimes we get a little fancy . . . fry it and serve it on Chinet instead of cheap foam paper plates.” And culture: On the third weekend in September, they attend Cow Days where “the big highlight for the kids is to gather around ‘Annie,’ the large fiberglass cow, and ‘milk’ her for Kool-Aid.” And which merits, of course, a Round-Up post about the festival that commemorates “all things cow.”

And, of course, the happy couple experience Redneck Romance:

"How does enjoying a nice Cabernet Sauvignon, steak. cheese and a romantic evening become this?" asked Dejoni.

The Post of the Day is, however, A new low, even for me. You have to read it to appreciate it. And if you are a working parent, you will find yourself experiencing a variety of emotions, including amusement, compassion, and empathetic guilt. Dejoni’s babysitter assured her that “sometimes a momma’s gotta do what a momma’s gotta do; and [Dejoni] told her that’s exactly how we roll, keeping it real in Hooterville.”

The beauty of Dejoni’s writing about her day-to-day struggles and joys is deceptively obvious: She is a twenty-first century “everywoman,” a modern-day Erma Bombeck, a southern-based variation on Garrison Keillor.  As she blogs about life in Hooterville where, on some days, she survives it all only through Divine Intervention or the “Custom Deluxe” redneck truck her husband bought, she is speaking our all of our lives. Only the geography and names are different. She is blogging about life in a quintessentially American family. We can all relate to her tales of domestic tribulations because we’ve experienced our own as we keep it real in our own home towns just as she keeps it real in Hooterville. For that reason, Dejoni is truly a “national treasure” and it is fitting that she receive the Post of the Day Award on the brink of the most American of all celebrations, the Fourth of July.

Congratulations, Dejoni!

Technorati Tags: Post of the Day Award, Southern Fried momma, The Rising Blogger

She’s an American living in Europe who homeschools her two young daughters, Jewel and Flower. She is also a cross-stitcher, “wannabe writer, reader, reflector, teacher and lover of Scriptures,” in addition to being a quilter. After reading only a few of her posts, it is evident that her moniker, “The Piece-Maker,” is a double entendre. Miriam Pauline’s writing reflects that she is a gentle spirit, a seeker of truth for whom the faith about which she writes regularly and honestly is the central theme of her life.

So it was difficult to pick just one post upon which to bestow the Post of the Day Award. Virtually any selection from Miriam Pauline’s Monologue: Random thoughts of a woman seeking to piece together what God is teaching her is worthy of recognition.

But the post that most resonated with me long after I closed the browser window and went on my way was Measure Words.

“Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless.”
~Mother Theresa~

Based upon the words of Mother Theresa, Miriam Pauline pierced my consciousness with three simple words that have stayed with me in the six months since she published the post: “Measure . . . Sift . . . Speak.”

And in a straight-forward, but deceptively profound manner that is characteristic of her writing, Miriam Pauline’s observations are distinguishable among the melody-less cacophony that the blogosphere, in particular, and more generally, the Internet, seem all too often to be.

Congratulations, Miriam Pauline.

Technorati Tags: Miriam Pauline's Monologue, Post of the Day Award, The Rising Blogger

Nominated by Mimi Lenox at Mimi Writes.

The story of a goal accomplished, a dream fulfilled, a journey home completed, an injustice righted.

The post honored today fits into all of those lofty categories. But more importantly, it is about a daughter of a member of what Tom Brokaw termed “The Greatest Generation” who wanted to honor her father’s service to his country by presenting him with the tangible record of his accomplishments. During World War II, Private Harold H. Schultz served with the 134th Infantry Regiment, part of the 35th Infantry Division. Between July 5, 1944 and September 5, 1945, its members liberated or captured 124 towns, suffering more than 10,000 casualties. Over 1,200 soldiers made the ultimate sacrifice.

Staff Sergeant George W. Daugherty, Sergeant Penn D. Soland, Sergeant Harold H. Schultz, and Private First Class Hobert Hunt likewise found themselves isolated. They kept up sniper fire until three of them decided that they could infiltrate through the enemy positions to rejoin their units. Sergeant Schultz remained in position to fire while his companions made the attempt. They were successful, and some time later, Schultz too was able to make it to safety . . .

Private Schultz was awarded Bronze and Silver Stars, as well as a Purple Heart, and numerous other medals and ribbons. However, for reasons that are not entirely clear, he did not receive them. So Julie determined to secure them and present them to her father for Christmas 2003. Unfortunately, the task was complicated by the fact that records were destroyed in a fire at the National Archives in 1973. Sadly, Mr. Schultz died on April 6, 2004, so Julie never got to gift her father with the physical memorialization of his service to America. But she forged ahead with her efforts to obtain the spoils rightfully due her father . . . and his descendants.

In Finally, Julie details her father’s accomplishments and gives readers a glimpse of the emotions her quest to locate and finally receive his medals evoked. The Rising Blogger recognizes and honors Julie’s description of her effort to secure her father’s legacy by bestowing The Post of the Day Award upon her. The significance of Julie’s labors was summarized best by one of her readers, Hope:

His service and character and love of country not only is displayed in those ribbons and pieces of metal, but in your love for him and in the spirit that moved through him and onto those he may have saved, touched and inspired and to those soldiers’ familes, friends and people of circumstance who in turn may have benefitted. The perpetuation will have been and still is, endless.

To Julie, we extend congratulations on many levels but, in particular, for sharing her story with all of us.  It stands as a reminder of the sacrifices made quietly, and without fanfare or expectation of reward or celebrity, by our Veterans. Julie, you and your father have both made us proud.

Technorati Tags: Julie's Jewels and Junque, Post of the Day Award, The Rising Blogger

Jay and his wife, Kat, one of the many gifts in his life.

The tag line selected by Jay for his site, Halftime Lessons, says a lot about him and his writing: “Prepare all you want . . . fate doesn’t care.” He offers wry and frequently hilarious observations about his life. As he explained last August, he is 40 and coming to grips with the fact that “[t]ime is no longer endless, like it was when I was a kid . . . you couldn’t move the clock no matter how hard you tried . . . Now, especially with kids, time moves exponentially, horrifyingly so.” He’s “well past halftime” and determined to “do it ‘right’” from this point forward, which is why so much of his writing is also incredibly poignant and touching.

Along with Deb at Dirty Socks and Pizza, he kicked off 2009 by launching Tuesday’s Tribute, a weekly writing exercise that invites bloggers to shine their light upon someone else, pausing for a little while to acknowledge and celebrate that “it’s not all about me.”

On January 19, 2009, Jay shown the spotlight on his mother. In a letter addressed to My Mum, Jay described how he dealt with his mother’s health crisis four years ago, comparing his feelings then to the way he is handling the news that she is once again unwell.

I was frightened, sure, but more so I was in denial about what you would be going through. Plus, never having been through all those new feelings about watching someone you love struggle with their health, the more I emotionally hid from the whole thing. . . .

I made it more about me. I know that now. It took watching your bravery to understand how little I was being, how selfish.

Jay is receiving the Post of the Day Award because he wrote to his mother in a brave, raw, public, and refreshingly introspective manner, expressing feelings of fear and denial that are easily recognized by other persons who have been through similar experiences with loved ones — but much more difficult to discern or lay ownership to in oneself.

Now a parent, Jay understands his mother’s inclination to focus her energy upon worrying “about how [her] kids are going to cope with it this time.” But he is selflessly and rightly encouraging her to “focus on yourself. . . . [T]his time, it won’t be about me. This time, my only hope is that you don’t worry about anything but yourself. I know you will be fine.”

Jay is a good son, standing by and with his mother during one of the roughest periods of her life. “You always hold us up, Mom; this time it’s our turn.”

The Rising Blogger wishes the very best to Jay, his mother, and their entire family, especially those little grandchildren who adore her. Fate may not care, but all of us associated with The Rising Blogger do.

Technorati Tags: Halftime Lessons, Post of the Day Award, The Rising Blogger

The author of A Better Woman considers her blog her “mission, my personal ministry, so that my ongoing journey will inspire others to change and be the best person they could be,. . .” She describes herself as “a work-in-progress. We all are.”

In Violinist in the Metro, she relays the story of an experiment arranged by the editors of the Washington Post about perception, priorities, and people’s artistic tastes. A Better Woman relates the tale in an intriguing manner that makes readers want to forge on and learn the outcome. Thus, she is the recipient of the Post of the Day Award.

Spring has arrived and it is the time of year when we focus on new beginnings, awakenings, and the reemerging glories of nature. But the reality is that beautify is around us all the time in the most unexpected places at unplanned times. A Better Woman asks her readers to ponder whether they “perceive beauty” and “stop to appreciate it,” as well as whether they recognize and appreciate talent in an “unexpected context.”

Read the entire story here.

Technorati Tags: A Better Woman, Post of the Day Award, The Rising Blogger

It was on July 27, 2007 that Susan, aka WhyMommy, published a post at Toddler Planet that would forever change the blogosphere for the better. On that date, she asked bloggers everywhere to post her words in order to educate their readers about the danger signs of cancer and urge them to consult their physician if they recognize any of the symptoms mentioned. The goal was simple: To save lives. The previous month, she had been diagnosed with inflammatory breast cancer but WhyMommy declared that she was “not ready to move on.” And the blogosphere was not ready to let her.

So Team WhyMommy was born to cheer WhyMommy on as she battled for her life in order to continue being a wife to WonderDaddy and mother to two adorable little boys, Widget and Little Bear.

And fight she did, blogging about the details as thousands of readers followed her journey, willing her to heal. When she received bad news from her doctors or suffered setbacks, she shared her feelings with her readers who rejoiced with her when she let us us glimpse her happy life with her family.  She put it all into perspective the day she visited her doctor about the ongoing pain she was experiencing in her back, focusing on the fact that she “is the mother of two boys:”

“What can I do about the pain?” I asked. I didn’t want pain meds. Didn’t want injections. But I didn’t necessarily want to be in this overwhelming pain anymore either.

“Do the exercises,” he said, “and your back will get stronger. Come back and see me, and I’ll put the rib back in. In the meantime, walk, rest, and you can try to lie down on your back with a tennis ball — or a racquetball, something small like that, but not as hard —

I can handle that. I definitely know where to find balls like that.

I am the mother of two boys.

And so, after a quick stop for a pint of ice cream and some peanuts in the shell as a treat for my babies, I came home, told the family, and then tried to get past it.

Laughing, running, dancing on the new kitchen floor, we raced away, hand in hand, capes draped around our shoulders like superheros.

And, quickly, I forgot my disappointments and began again to count my blessings.

I am the mother of two boys.

The Post of the Day Award is bestowed upon Susan in celebration of the fact that she has reached a milestone. It is now One Year Later.

One year after my surgery, I am whole again. Still.

One year passed since my double mastectomy; my body is healing and becoming stronger every day.

One year after the last cancer left my body, I go days without obsessing about what may come.

One year later, I am not looking back, but looking forward.

Susan is grateful for her restored health, and delighted to again be working, raising her sons, and enjoying activities that able-bodied people who have never survived a serious health scare take for granted. She is savoring the normalcy of her family’s life and their mundane, everyday activities in a way that only someone who has fought for their life can.

As to the one-year anniversary of her surgery, she observed:

It was just another day.

And that’s what it’s all about, isn’t it?

Realizing that it’s impossible to live each day as if it were your last. Just living. Every. day.

And realizing how lucky we are to have today.

Indeed we are.

Susan, congratulations and thank you for raising awareness about inflammatory breast cancer, sharing and allowing readers to benefit from your experiences, and serving as an ongoing reminder to all who encounter your site about what matters most.

Two happy little boys called Widget and Little Bear jumping on a bed.

Technorati Tags: Post of the Day Award, Team WhyMommy, The Rising Blogger, Toddler Planet

Nominated by Viola Jaynes at Spiritual Things Matter, our January 1, 2009, Winner

Sandy Carlson

Ironically, I had already selected Sandy Carlson to be the next recipient of the Post of the Day Award when I received an email from Viola Jaynes nominating her. Viola wrote: “She has some incredible poetry and writings. I have so often been blessed by her gift to the blogsphere.” Indeed, like Viola, Sandy could receive this recognition for virtually any of her thoughtful writings. But in particular, both Viola and I picked Sandy’s December 30, 2008, entry, Kill Yourself and I’ll Feel Bad.

Be forewarned that it is not easy reading, and you will find yourself thinking about the post long after you have read it . . . several times, at least. Sandy responded to the Christmas Eve 2008 suicide of Suzanne Horne, a popular blogger who wrote Liquid Illuzion. As her readers have noted, it is a “brave post” expressing “intense feelings on this subject.” Indeed, the comments are as thought-provoking and, in some instances, disturbing as the post itself.

Suzanne Horne (1966-2008)

Sandy opines that suicide is a “group project,” something most of us hate because we “pride ourselves on our individuality, independent thinking, and self-reliance. We make our own decisions; we hold ourselves responsible.” Taking one’s own life is, according to Sandy, “the careless and cruel act, word, and gesture of one person after another heaped onto a vulnerable soul that is keenly aware of the weight.” But Sandy challenges her readers to turn away from the standard hand-wringing, postulating, and, ultimately, callousness that follows such a tragic ending to the life of someone as talented, inspirational, and loved as Suzanne. She challenges her readers to consider anew our interconnectedness and dependence upon each other. Stubborn, prideful Americans generally reject group projects.

Group projects in a culture that prides itself on thriving on competition seem ridiculous. Yet they get to the truth we in our independent glory hate to admit: that we depend on each other, that our survival depends on cooperation and meaningful interaction, that we live or die by the love we make. Or don’t.

Ultimately, whether or not you agree with Sandy’s main thesis is irrelevant. She has courageously broached a subject around which most people only dare tiptoe. Instead of hiding from the wound, she has opened it wider, examined it, questioned its origin and, ultimately, challenged her readers to do the same. In so doing, she has brought awareness to the most difficult of all subjects and, because she has challenged readers to think about it from a unique perspective, might save a life . . . or a few.

Technorati Tags: Liquid Illuzion, Post of the Day Award, The Rising Blogger, Writing in Faith

Viola Jaynes describes her writing goals in this manner:

As I write, I desire that those who have experienced pain will find some comfort and peace. The words which I write come from my heart, birthed from my own brokenness and a continued longing to find greater spiritual awareness. I want to embrace all people and therefore I will not limit my writing here to any religious beliefs or quotations of scriptures. That is a journey each will have to make for themselves. I simply want to share that in and through pain, a full life is still possible. It has been for me.”

She writes beautiful poetry that will haunt you, invading your thoughts long after you read it. Her prose is equally brilliant in its simplicity, and open but uncontrived emotionality.

There isn’t a writer in the blogosphere who is more deserving of the first Post of the Day Award for 2009 than Viola. The award could easily have been bestowed upon her for any of her posts.

But today, we honor New Year’s Wishes for You. The blogosphere is replete with posts focusing upon the transition from 2008 to 2009; reviews of the year just ended; lists of bloggers’ accomplishments, notable events, scandals, and milestones; resolutions and anti-resolutions; and, of course, wishes, blessings, and good wishes for the New Year.

But by far the most eloquent, comprehensive, and moving New Year’s blessing I read this year was composed by Viola. Therein, she wrote:

I wish for you a gentler embrace
if you have been too harsh
with yourself as well as others.
A kinder outlook of who and what you are in this world.
Recognition for the gifts and beauty
which lie within the center of your being.
Awareness of the futility and wasted energy
of comparing yourself to others;
placing them on too high of a pedestal,
yearning for their approval, and the fear of their disapproval.

I invite you to visit Spiritual Things Matter and spend some time perusing Viola’s writing. You will surely be enriched and inspired.

Technorati Tags: Post of the Day Award, Spiritual Things Matter, The Rising Bloggger, Viola Jaynes

She calls herself “Octamom” because she is the mother of three boys and five girls to whom she refers according to their birth order, e.g., “4 of 8,” “7 of 8,” etc.

Today she is receiving the Post of the Day Award for her recent article, The Tide of Codependency.

Although she writes a variety of different posts, I was not prepared for what appeared to be a confessional November 6, 2008 entry. It began:

I believe it’s called a co-dependent relationship.

And I know it’s not healthy.

But I knew what I was getting into, I knew that it was a relationship that was bound to be filled with setbacks and mess and obsession.

And now, I just don’t see any way out.

I kept reading out of a mixture of concern, compassion and unrepentent curiosity. Cleverly, Octamom provided more details about the nature of the unhealthy relationship in which she found herself enmeshed.

And then, of course, is the jealousy inherent in the relationship itself. If I decide to take a day for myself, to push aside the confines and insistence of this codependency, I return from my sojourn to find things worse off than when I left, . . .

Octamom's "loving husband," "father of the 8."

Jealousy? “Wow,” I thought to myself. “She is in a seriously dysfunctional relationship. I really hope she is going to be all right.” I sent good vibrations her way as I continued reading, willing her to find the strength to do what was necessary to assure her well-being.

And then, as I continued reading and scrolling down the page . . .

No, you’ll have to find out for yourself! All I am going to tell you is that Octamom is an inventive writer and you will enjoy not only the particular post honored today, but the rest of her entries, as well. Like me, you will want to subscribe so that you can stay up to date with Octamom and “the crew.”

Congratulations to Octamom for her spirit and talent. Perhaps, in addition to receiving the Post of the Day Award, she’ll score a promotional deal to help pay college tuition for all of the adorable Octachildren. (You’ll understand what I mean after you read The Tide of Codependency in its entirety.)

Technorati Tags: Octamom: The Musings of a Mother to a Multitude, Post of the Day Award, The Rising Blogger

Ron, the author of Vent, compares his life to a series of takes in a film. What a unique way of describing life’s experiences! But believe me, it does fit Ron “to a t.” This Philadelphia native not only is a professional actor and jack of all trades, but also a story teller extraordinaire.

Out of the many excellent takes, I have chosen one upon which to bestow the Post of the Day Award that is at the same time both profound and personal.

It concerns Reincarnation or, if you prefer, that feeling of “déjà vu.” In Reincarnation . . . Living Before, Ron shares a very personal take on past lives. He sums up his philosophy on the subject this way:

I believe that life is like attending school and the whole purpose of being here is to experience things that my soul has come to learn. And I also believe that it may not be possible to experience these things in one single lifetime.

How to explain feeling familiar and comfortable in a place where you have never traveled to? I haven’t personally experienced “déjà vu,” but it is quite uncanny to hear of stories like these.

All of this started for Ron when he left with an acting troop to perform for two months in Kobe, Japan.

Now Japan was not a place I ever had the desire to visit, nor was it a place I ever thought would hold any interest for me. But I accepted an acting job because I thought it would be something new to experience, and also because the salary was very attractive.

Enter Japanese stage left, American actor:

No matter how bad you may want to go to another country, there will always be some culture shock once there. It all depends on your character and your ability to adapt to new situations. After all, we are all the products of our culture. I should know; I’m a U.S. expat who has spent the past 18 years living in France.

But what happened to Ron is no less amazing. He did not get culture shock or freak out; he totally tuned into the country and its culture. And in a very deep way . . . tears, emotions and a feeling of what Ron calls “a deep connection.” So much so that when his plane was leaving Japan, he said to a good friend, “I feel like I’m leaving my home.”

I encourage you all to read this beautiful post.

Even if you personally do not believe in reincarnation, you can’t deny that something special happened to Ron in Japan.

It is with pleasure that I declare Reincarnation . . . Living Before the Post of the Day and wish Ron many more interesting takes on life to share with the world!

Barbara

Technorati Tags: Post of the Day Award, The Rising Blogger, Vent . . . a Series of Takes