We are big on manners in the South. Any child over the age of 18 months knows to pepper all their adult interactions with, “Yes Ma’am” and “No Ma’am.” We greet each other in the street, very briefly if we are strangers, but still, we acknowledge one another’s presence. And if we are acquainted, woe betide you if a prompt thank you note for your graduation gift is not winging its way to my house. Centuries of these ingrained practices has resulted in a population that worries excessively over manners and social graces. Did your child remember to thank each guest at the end of his birthday party at Chuck E. Cheeses’s, where the noise level was above OSHA regulations, and two kids actually wound up joining someone else’s party? No? Well, somebody’s noticed that little omission, for sure.
Shttp://etiquettewithmissjanice.blogspot.com/2011/11/manners-in-south-alive-or-gone-with.htmlource:
I know Southern etiquette pretty well. But now I must meld those mores with that of blogging and WordPress. And awards. I am thrilled to be chosen for awards. If one accepts an award, one is to choose other worthy recipients, which seems pretty friendly and Southern to me.
So what’s her problem, you may wonder. The problem is, how do I know others want awards, in that they will be required to take action themselves in order to accept? Is that like asking someone to wrap their own birthday present? Is it like not having a butter knife at the table? On the other hand, if I assume someone has zillions of readers and followers, has moved on to the big leagues and is about to become the new Pioneer Woman, and I leave them out, will I be committing the absolute worst of the Southern No Nos, HURTING SOMEONE”S FEELINGS?
Dilemmas such as these, my friend, are what make Southerners move so slowly. We try to blame it on the heat, but that’s not it. Drawing each word out into several syllables actually gives us more time to scan the room and make sure little Stevie gave up his seat to Aunt Edith and that no one dares to try to wash their hands at the kitchen sink. It’s a hard life.
Today, friends, I am venturing outside my comfort zone, because I have been given an award and I am going to accept it. The real test of bravery will be passing the award on to ten bloggers WITHOUT KNOWING IF THEY WANT ONE. That’s right. That’s how I’m, gonna do it. Wish me luck!
First, the award, shown above, is the WordPress Family award, passed on to me by kidazzleink . Her travel memoirs make me feel I am taking her trip as well; you should check her out! Below is info about the award and the rules:
As you read this, you may be asking yourself where did the idea for this “Part of the WordPress Family Award” first originate. A fabulous man called Shaun created it and this was his rationale for doing so:
‘This is an award for everyone who is part of the “Word Press Family” I started this award on the basis that the WordPress family has taken me in, and showed me love and a caring side as only WordPress can. The way people take a second to be nice, to answer a question and not make things a competition amazes me here. I know I have been given many awards, but I wanted to leave my own legacy on here by creating my own award, as many have done before. This represents “Family” we never meet, but are there for us as family. It is my honour to start this award. Thank you,
Shaun @ http://prayingforoneday.wordpress.com/‘
What a warm and wonderful award to create and pass on to others we appreciate.
Well here are the award rules.
If you receive this award it means someone really values all the hard work you put into your blog and the kind and considerate thoughts and comments you share with others through the WordPress experience. It means you’ve been identified as someone who is part of the WordPress family.
In accepting the award you are asked to:
1. Display the award logo on your blog.
2. Link back to the person who nominated you.
3. Nominate 10 others you see as having a positive impact on your WordPress experience; people you feel are part of your own WordPress family.
4. Let your 10 new “Family” members know you have awarded them
5. That is it. Just please pick 10 people that have taken you as a friend, and spread the continue to spread the love.
My new Word Press Family Awards today go to:
krug the thinker, who is also my precious daughter. She is a born encourager; just have a look at her blog about her creative life. You’ll believe YOU can do all those things as well.
The Waiting. – This family, parenting, life and coolness bloggess is in the big leagues now, but her encouragement made me believe I too could start a blog.
Tip of my Tongue – Honest, incisive posts about life issues, plus poetry.
City Jackdaw– Because it’s nice to follow a blog by an Englishman.
The Belmont Rooster- Down to earth adventures on the farm, plus tons of useful plant information.
Are You Finished Yet? A little further along on the parenting journey than the waiting, with stories that tug at your heart and make you laugh.
A little Blog of Books and Other Stuff – Helpful book reviews, and just what you’re wanting to know about this year’s Booker Prize winners.
The Accidental Cootchie Mama – Her blog has a friendly welcoming vibe somehow. Like all the others above, you know if you met her you’d like her.
Lynne Revette Butler– hasn’t written much lately, but her photos are to die for.
Harsh Reality – Harsh draws readers in with his provocative, thought provoking questions. Drop in if you like debate.
Thank you to all who have welcomed me at WordPress. I appreciate your hard work, creativity, and encouragement. I hope I didn’t hurt anyone’s feelings, and thank you all for coming!
mindfulmagpie 
What a great idea for an award, and one I am incredibly honored to be nominated for. The WordPress family has been nothing but supportive to me, and it has become a place where I have reignited a true passion of mine. On top of that, I have “met” so many wonderful people (you included, Magpie!), felt normal finding myself reflected in others, and learned new things from the insights of cool and interesting writers. So thank you, sweet lady. Glad to have you as a member of my family!
Woohoohoo on your award!! Congrats.
Thank you for complimenting me in your list. I don’t know how I welcome people, but I try, 🙂
Well, you just do it by being real. I think.
Great acceptance Mindful. Congratulations to you my dear and thank you for all your wonderful posts. Well I guess you’re part of the WordPress family now. Wohoo to you!
Congratulations! And I always wondered why talked so slowly 😉 I just assumed it was heat and pace, cause we eat that way too!
Now you know the truth! And it shall set you free! Thanks for the comment!
Now you know the truth. Hopefully it shall set you free – very slowly!
Jackdaw would like to thank Magpie for her sentiments, and is honoured to have her in his feathered family. 🙂
The feeling is mutual. You had me at jackdaw.
Thank you for the nice mention and congrats! -OM
OM, I know you have a gazillion readers but you really have made a powerful community over at your place in just a few months. That is quite an achievement!
Thank you that means a lot! 🙂
Thank you, Magpie! This is how you turn an award post into something above and beyond – as a fellow Southern woman, I just laughed as this all resonated with me. (Except the bit about not washing hands in the kitchen sink – I dodged that one growing up, somehow!)
I really appreciate you passing this to me. And kudos to you for an award well-earned! The answer to your questions: What’s shiny today? I think it’s you. 🙂
You are the best. I think I know that Krug person. ;D
Thanks darling. I appreciate you so much and am ever so proud of you!
Thank you, you lovey! I feel all the same things about you! Hugs and kisses!
It’s a major award!!
Congrats, my lovely. Your deserve to be lauded!
Sorry for the long delay in thanking you for giving this award to me; I have been “offline” since early October and only came back to the blogosphere on New Year’s Day. I would love to accept it, being part of a “family” that mutually chooses its members is so life-enriching, but I am a rule-tweaker when it comes to awards (mostly through lack of time) so I hope this will not be a problem. Thank you for giving such high praise to my photographs, I hope to post new shots soon, and thank you for the wonderful words you write.
ps. in the house where I grew up we only had a kitchen sink so after a lifetime of hand-washing in them I would immediately fail the good manners test!
Lynne, so good to hear from you! Don’t worry one bit about tweaking the award! This family accepts rule tweakers gladly. Looking forward to seeing your photos again.