Blogsphere "Thank You"s

My good friend Batya  over at me-ander never tires of tapping me for these memes. I must say "Thank You" to Batya for introducing me to blogging to begin with. It has been an interesting ride! I guess this makes her indirectly responsible for getting David into it as well. But, I"ll leave that to him (which may take a while). Besides this meme Batya has also posted a very nice video over at her 'other' blog with the really appropriate theme of Hakarat Hatov which means recognizing goodness. I don't know if it was intentional but it certainly fits the theme. Definitely worth the watch. 
  OK so here's what needs to be done in accepting this colorful award: 
"Versatile Blogger Award” Rules – the MamaLand edition:
1. Thank the person who gave you this award. Definitely!
2. Share one thing about yourself readers might not know otherwise.
3. List (with links) SIX (6… not 15!) bloggers you think are fantastic, and why.
4. Contact the bloggers you've picked and let them know about the award.
   So, thanked Batya. (check)


6 bloggers I think are fantastic. These bloggers deserve a big thank you as well. 

I. Leoraw  who has a lovely blog about New Jersey lore, photography, cooking and other good stuff. She deserves a special thanks for hosting the Kosher Cooking Carnival this month. While you're there, check out the Salute to Israel Parade photos.

II. once more with Heart  lovingly and expertly written by Jill Shames my fellow citizen of Rehovot. The blog is about "El HaLev, a non-profit org in Israel that empowers women, children and people from vulnerable populations through the Martial Arts and Self Defense". I'm not sure if this fits the 'versatile' niche, but hey, this is a really important blog and worth visiting. Also, for those of you who do Facebook, you can join her 'cause' Help Israel's Women, Kids, Seniors & Others Stand Up Against Violence

III. This week's edition of the Haveil Havalim Blog Carnival is up at The Rebbetzin's Husband. I just want to say 'thank you' because I really enjoy his blog.I have recently subscribed to his 'other' blog Daily Torah Thought here.You can also listen to shiurim of his on YUTorah online here. Rabbi Torczyner definitely belongs in the category of fantastic bloggers.

IV. Dan Ilouz has a very nice blog where he discusses Zionism and Israel and politics with the fervor of a young oleh. He also hosted last week's Haveil Havalim Blog Carnival and deserves a hearty Yasher Koach for that too.

V. Melissa over at Sunbonnet Cottage has been facing some difficult challenges while keeping up a very picturesque blog. I'd like to send a hearty refuah shleima (complete recovery) to her husband Nick along with the above-mentioned award.

VI. There is a man in merry old England who has a blog with a really odd name Tales From A Draughty Old Fen which even boggles the US English spell-checker. A lot of the UK politics goes right past me, but  the writer, who goes by the name Frugal Dougal often has wise and witty insights on issues even someone born in Brooklyn can understand. It is an interesting read and one can learn something about another culture (even one that seems to speak the same language).

Oh, and something you might not know about me? 
Hmmm, I'm afraid of heights, I used to be even more afraid of dogs than I was of heights but I overcame that when I made friends with some wonderful people who owned a dog. (Maybe I should make friends with people who live in an airplane?) Does that satisfy the meme?