The Envelope, Please

The envelope, please.

Time for another daydream.  I have been voted Upstate New York Blogger of the Year 2012.  The vote was a landslide!

I'm floating on a cloud.  I can't believe it.  I'm pinching myself.

Since this is a daydream, I have no fear of public speaking. The ceremony is at the New Floridian Diner in Brooklyn. (Who needs stuffy hotel conference rooms?  Why not one of my favorite restaurants in Brooklyn?  This is my daydream, after all.)  Instead, I remember the 25th prompt of the Author Blog Challenge:  "Time for some shout-outs.  This may mimic your acknowledgement page, but whom would you like to publically thank for their help in creating your book or completing it to the point where it is presently?"

Where my book is presently is a twinkle in my eye. (That was one of my Dad's favorite expressions describing a time when I did not yet exist.).  So, instead, in this speech, I would like to thank the following people who, no doubt, would help make my book possible.

1.  My friend, who was my very first follower.  She has been my occasional guest photographer.  Her sister has helped me with some wildflower identifications.  She's given me support for many, many years while caretaking her late husband through two major strokes, many minor strokes and three battles with cancer.

2.  Another friend, my childhood friend living in Brooklyn.  We've known each other nearly 50 years.  I've blogged about her several times recently, and have shown you some of her backyard garden.  I would be remiss if I didn't mention her husband of 40 years.  He has sent me some photos of flowers blooming in Brooklyn, too.  I'd love more to share with my readers.

3.  My sister in law, another early fan.  She is a former blogger herself.  If I ever wrote a book, I may call on her for some editing - who knows?

4.  My neighbor across the street, and occasional commenter on my blog.  A very different man, in a good way. Keep those comments coming.

5.  Several fellow bloggers.  Some I've met in this Challenge.  Some I've met in previous challenges I've participated in.  Because I've been having a lot of internet problems in the last day or so, I am going to save the complete list for another day and try to post this while I have Internet.  I named some of them in a post towards the beginning of this challenge (or maybe it was late May).

Next to last:  my long suffering spouse, who puts up with my wild ideas, my stopping in mid-exercise walk to take pictures, and my love of macaroni and ketchup.  Well no, he won't let me eat macaroni and ketchup in his presence.  But I love him anyway.

And finally, a shout out to my blog readers.  If it wasn't for you, I wouldn't ever think about writing a book. 

Because of my internet problems, I am posting this without looking at it in preview.  I hope I haven't made a fool of myself in this speech.  Of course, since it is a daydream the speech is perfect.

Now back to the hard work of deciding if I truly want to be an author.