My thanks to fellow blogger, Thomas at leonbergerlife.com who has nominated me for a Sunshine Blogger Award.
While I am flattered to be thought of in such a positive light, I can’t help thinking that the award itself is a bit like a chain letter. Remember those from the old days?
So after pondering many aspects of this award business, I’ve made some decisions about how to respond.
First of all, I appreciate very much that Thomas felt he wanted to nominate me for this award.
Then I thought about the length of the post if I had to answer ten or eleven questions.
I also wondered if anyone I would nominate really wants to do that much work.
So, I’ve decided to compromise.
I will make up my own questions (and answers). There will only be five of them.
I will nominate five other “victims” (as Thomas called them, tongue in cheek).
Those “victims,” if they are willing, would answer the same five questions (and/or make up their own), and then name five more “victims” of their own. Please visit those nominees to let them know of their award.
Copy and paste the Sunshine Blogger Award logo onto your post.
*****
Here are my deepest, darkest secrets, told in the form of Q and A.
Questions
1.What is one quality you consider extremely important in a person?
Empathy. If you think about how another person or animal feels, and have empathy, it will make you a better person yourself.
2. What advice would you give a child or teenager?
Keep your ears open and your mouth shut. This has to be said in a kind way, and of course it is not an absolute rule. Generally though, it is good for people to listen to each other before jumping in with their gums flapping.
3.What advice would you give to a young couple who are about to spend their lives together?
Talk to each other!
4. Where did you get your love of animals?
My mother. She was always kind and compassionate to all animals. She continually reminded me that animals have feelings too.
5. What are five things you are passionate about?
Good music, puzzles, languages, writing/editing (shaping language), and nature.
*****
And now for my five victims, whose blogs I hope you will visit:
Pam at roughwighting.net
Brad at writingtofreedom.com
Belinda at belindagroverphotographydotcom.wordpress.com
Mags at littlethingsmatter28.wordpress.com
Lauren at baydreamerwrites.com

May 10, 2026 at 5:56 pm
Wow, this happens so rarely today and it’s in my view a good thing. I remember being nominated many years ago. I would pass… 🤭
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May 10, 2026 at 8:05 pm
Yes, I appreciate the thought but ….
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May 10, 2026 at 6:01 pm
I am an awards-free blog so I don’t do these. It’s always difficult to respond, though. You’ve picked an excellent way.
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May 10, 2026 at 8:04 pm
Thanks, Jacqui. I don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings so I tried this way of responding, but it really isn’t me either.
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May 10, 2026 at 7:02 pm
I agree that these are like the old chain letters. Until Thomas posted about his I didn’t even know that the Sunshine Blogger was still a thing. Cheers.
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May 10, 2026 at 7:40 pm
Thanks for the creative response and questions Anneli. I’m surprised these awards are still circulating and appreciate your nomination, but I don’t participate.
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May 10, 2026 at 8:01 pm
I understand completely, Brad.
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May 10, 2026 at 8:25 pm
That is a great compromise and I love your questions and your answers. Empathy, is indeed a very important quality in a person.
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May 10, 2026 at 8:34 pm
Thanks a lot, Thomas. I do like people who can show empathy for others.
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May 11, 2026 at 2:22 am
Hi Anneli
Yes, the awards are like chain letters and they say nothing. Therefore a lot of blogs like ours are award free. We were quite often nominated until we made it clear on our blog that we are award free.
The Fab Four of Cley
🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
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May 11, 2026 at 3:43 am
I empathize with you about chain letters, Anneli. My advice to a child or teenager is to ignore the temptation and don’t even pay attention to it. Same to the couple about to spend their lives in bliss. Ignoring the temptation frees the time to love animals and stokes the flame for music, puzzles, writing/editing, and nature. Kudos for your wisdom.
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May 11, 2026 at 6:16 am
Thanks, Grant.
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May 11, 2026 at 5:55 am
Anneli, I like your questions and answers. You did well with your response to the award nomination. I appreciate you thinking of me and considering my blog for the award. I don’t like to participate in these awards because I would not want anyone to feel obligated to participate if I chose them. The main reason I don’t participate is that It is something I do not enjoy or have the time for. I hope you understand and again, thank you for thinking of me. Hugs
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May 11, 2026 at 8:41 am
Thanks so much for thinking of me, Anneli, and I like your compromise, and all of your answers. Communication is key in any relationship, and being empathetic is important too. The word ‘victim’ made me laugh because these are like chain letters, and I agree with others that I didn’t know they were still around. I think my answer for #2 would be to stay off of social media, stop scrolling and posting, and talk to your friends and family. 🙂 After thinking more, I’m going to pass in passing the baton too. But thank you again for the nomination. I’m very appreciative! ❤️
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May 11, 2026 at 10:26 am
Yes, that was Thomas’ term (victims) – funny, but really partly true. I understand your reluctance to get involved with this, and I feel the same way about these awards. Nice, but too much like chain letters.
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May 11, 2026 at 2:53 pm
Thanks for understanding, Anneli. 🌷
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May 11, 2026 at 4:27 pm
I do. No problem, Lauren.
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May 11, 2026 at 11:38 am
Anneli, I appreciate how your approach to this theme shared some encouraging thoughts.
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May 11, 2026 at 2:13 pm
Thanks so much, Richard.
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May 11, 2026 at 7:34 pm
Seems the good old blogger award is back in circulation. Congrats on the nomination and yes, I do enjoy reading the q and a’s, it’s how we get to learn more nuggets about our blogging friends. And, totally with you on number 1. 😊
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May 11, 2026 at 7:38 pm
Thanks again. So glad to hear that.
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