Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Merci de visiter mon bon blog...

Gosh. I had to think about this a bit. It has been forty years since I took high-school French.

And I tell you, I was pretty awesome at it. Or perhaps I should be more concise and say, "J'ai été très bien français".

Oh geez. Now I feel bad.

Because...honestly, I lied.

The truth is I was horrible at French.

The only thing I was good at was a few swear words. And oggling the cute, wannabe-French-speaking-boys all around me.

When I was selected to be the Blogger of Note (aka BON) I thought I would impress you right away with my bi-lingual abilities. Because BON just sounds like a French word to me!

It sounds like a French word to you, too, doesn't it?

Right? Right?

Hey, don't be shy...it's OK to answer these questions!

I didn't mean to scare you thinking I was all intellecutal and bi-lingual and all. In fact...I used Google translator just to seem all suave and debonair with those French phrases.

My Dad used to always tell me to "settle down". So I promise I will settle down now and not be so "off on my tangent". I will focus and introduce myself and my blog properly.

When a friend told me about a new website called Words of Wisdom that was looking for blogs of note, she suggested I visit the site.

I visited.

I laughed at the idea of being featured. I wasn't certain my blog contained ANYTHING of note...AND I was definitely certain my blog didn't contain any wisdom.

And then I corresponded with Sandy and Pam who reassured me they weren't looking for blogs to change the world. They were just looking for blogs that were real and not just blog-vertisements.

So...

They read my posts and said they thought my blog had content...And just so you understand, too, what these lovely ladies are looking for in blogging with content...I hope you click on this link because it really explains the whole great idea behind WOW's Bloggers of Note.

And here I am...

Content in hand, standing shyly in front of you in my non-bi-lingual way.

When I started blogging in 2008 I originally started writing for and about family.

In the Fall of 2009, I was thrown an interesting health-related curve-ball and I kind of disintegrated into a puddle of pity and a raging case of "oh poor me".

After several weeks of watching this my husband said, "Look, why don't you just write? You've been writing your whole life...why don't you try disciplining yourself with it? Write what you want...write what you need to say."

After my initial reaction of filing for divorce, I did just that.

I started writing every single day. Both on my blog and off. Writing what I wanted to say...what I needed to say...what popped into my head randomly.

And then I edited out all the "oh poor me" stuff and I was surprised that there was actually still words and sentences left.

I sit and write and sometimes what comes out shocks me and surprises me...I fully intend to go another direction with what I am writing, and somehow my brain and fingers decide to hijack my posts.

And I just go with it.

During the past weeks I have visited many of your blogs and the quality and depth of writing is a little intimidating.

But one thing I have felt in all your blogs is that you write who you are. You write your truth and your emotion and your soul.

And in that way I do fit in with you. Although my posts range from silly to sad to just plain odd and they rarely ever teach or tutor or offer anything more concrete then emotion...this blog is my truth, my emotion and my soul.

Part of being selected as Blogger of Note is picking three favorite posts to share with you.

This is a difficult task because every post I write is my truth in that moment.

But...here's three I think you might enjoy!

When I was a young girl...

Ansel Adams said...

On Abandoning Dreams too easily...

...and my husband is insisting I put this fourth one on here because obviously he thinks everyone sits in front of their computers all day, wearing their nightgowns, and saying, "Just a second, I'm going to get dressed soon!"

No Turkey Necks were Harmed...

Now, I don't know about you but I am totally exhausted from all this writing and trying to act intelligent so...

I'm just gonna say Goodnight now.

Thank you for stopping by.

Thanks for supporting all the cool blogs linked to Words of Wisdom.

Not that I'm being conceited and saying my blog is cool.

Oh geez.

Never mind.

Au revoir mes bons amis.

For you non-bi-lingual people that means goodbye by pretty friends.

...

Bye now...

...

Seriously...you hang up first!

Sigh.

post signature

56 comments:

Ms. A said...

These are ALL very good posts! You think that treatment would work on my turkey face, as well as my turkey neck. No point fixing one, when the other looks so darn awful.

Steph said...

I'm impressed with your French. Shows what I know, I thought été was summer (l'été), and ài means love in Chinese. (I'm all about loving summer.) But I diverge. Jenny your writing is so humorous and compassionate and real. I love your "voice," and I know I'm not the only one who who feels cared for, connected, or gets a health-giving laugh from visiting your blog. Thank you.

mub said...

Since you're not going to be conceited, I'll do it for you :P Your blog is cool!

ALSO... I'm still not convinced being bilingual is all it's cracked up to be.... uh, and it's not because I'm bitter that I'm only 1.3linguial and not fully bilingual yet.

Shay said...

But your blog IS cool...

Congratulations on being recognised for your writing talent. I know you dont feel like it's an actual talent, but that's because you write in the moment and it comes naturally. Real geniuses never recognise their genius.

I think you completely rock Ms. Jenny!

Kat said...

Congrats Jenny! Your blog IS cool - I love popping in to see what you are sharing. I loved the Ansel Adams post, it is so true. I have always hated having my photo taken, but at my cousin's wedding I finally let down my guard and have some pictures that I will cherish forever. Off to check out Words of Wisdom, I could use some today :) Kathy

Berowne said...

As a former BON myself, I know what you're feeling as a newly-appointed Blogger of Note.
Congratulations!

Beth P. said...

Oh, yay! You had me fooled by the title, I thought I was going to come and have a raging conversation in French with you!

Happy BON day. BON does sound french and appropriately enough means GOOD, which is exactly what your blog is. I am thrilled for you - enjoy your BON day!

BECKY said...

Tres Chic!

BECKY said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Theresa said...

Girl, I knew you were a BON before they did:) I am proud of you and for you. Enjoy your stardom and don't forget us little folks! Have a blessed day my friend! HUGS!

People Who Know Me Would Say: said...

Congratulations, Matlock!

You could have picked almost any of your posts to share.

I'm just glad I knew you beforehand...


Don't forget us little people....

Or even those of us who are taller and heavier than that.....

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on being selected! So happy to have found you. I'm looking forward to digging around your blog a bit.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on being selected! So happy to have found you. I'm looking forward to digging around your blog a bit.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the awesome welcome, Jenny. I look forward to reading your other posts, you sound so much like me!

Paula ~ castleandcottagesigns said...

Congrats Madame Matlock!! I've enjoyed reading and rereading:) I'm glad Mr. Matlock added Turkey Neck cuz I missed that one and it was FUNNY!!!

Cheryl said...

I loved your introductory post. Just totally charming. On to spend the rest of my day in pajamas in front of the computer reading your stuff. I think your husband will be pleased. Mine? Not so much.

Slamdunk said...

Congrats on your recognition. I have a similar relationship with Spanish--I remember a few phrases and several curse words...

Busy Bee Suz said...

I love reading your random thoughts...you make me feel normal.
I am not interested in reading blogs with ads all over the place, it gets old.
I love your Ansel Adams post...it is similar to a post I have been working on. What, you did not think I worked on my posts? mostly I don't.
Congrats Jenny!!!!

Kim @ Savvy Southern Style said...

Jenny, I have been enjoying reading your blog for just a short time, but always look forward to more. You usually make me laugh and everyone should laugh. Makes less wrinkles than pouting!

Maggie said...

Mon cher Jenny,
je suis très heureux pour toi! Ton blog est merveilleux, à demain.
Bisous,
~Maggie @ Normandylife~

~Kristen~ said...

YAY!!! Yay yay yay yay yay!!! I am so happy you got involved with WOW!!! I knew your blog was perfect for it and it is the quintessential BON!!! Of course, I could be biased having known you all these years!!! ;-)

Congrats, my friend!!! xo

MissKris said...

Jenny, I've had the pleasure of getting to know you only recently...VERY recently...but that's the wonderful thing about WOW...helping us to find wonderful new friends! This is so well-deserved. Enjoy your day in the spotlight!

Kitty Deschanel said...

No turkey necks were harmed. Good to know! :p

Isn't it funny how blogging sucks you in?

As for your French, it seems to me that if you really want a refresher course, you're going to have to plan a trip to Paris :)

Quebec would be fine too, I suppose.

Lamb’s Most Recent Post: Cruising, HGTV Green Home, CRAZY Sexy Nerd and LAZY Me

(I love the timing of this post - read it and you'll see what I mean!)

(okay, just in case you don't have time to visit, the above post talks about LEARNING FRENCH! Ooh la la!)

Auntie sezzzzzz... said...

No standing shyly, My Dear. You and your blog rock!!!

As to being intimidated by the writing [or the blogs] of others... Me thinks we have to grab onto the wisdom, that we each are different and our "stuff" [writings, blogs] will/should be too. In other words, don't compare or get discouraged.

Oh did I ever tell you that I once had a blog by the name of "Dans l'Esprit d'une Grand-mère"? Yup! Honest! In English, it said "In The Mind of a Grandmother" but you have to admit that the French version was soooooooo much more cooooooooooooooool sounding/looking. ,-)))

I wrote more controversial stuff, than in my then-regular blog, in it. Trouble was, too many people thought it was written-in-French, so they didn't even look at it. Yeah, they told me later. :-(

So what good was a realllllly cool sounding blog, if people were put off about reading it? None. Blahhhhhhhhhh..

But.... Mmmmmmmmm... How cool does "Dans l'Esprit d'une Grand-mère" sound, hu? :-)

^_^
_

Tina said...

Congrats, Ms. Jenny. You TOTALLY deserve this. You should also get a mentoring award! I so enjoy your wit and wisdom on a daily basis, and your encouragement of other writers is helping so many of us new bloggers. (I'm nosy ~ I've seen your comments to others all over blogland so don't deny it!) Thanks for all you for us. See you in "class" tomorrow! {hugs}

Catherine Holman said...

You are such a charming, funny lady with tons of wit to boot! You deserve this even if you can't speak French well. I wouldn't have known, that's for sure!

Karen M. Peterson said...

Hey! You're funny!

Stopping in from WoW, of course and I'm excited to check out your other posts.

Jo said...

I have to say, I love your introduction.

You write like I imagine how you speak, and THAT is a 'Blog Of Note': a little silly, a little poignant and a whole lot of real.

Congratulations on being today's 'BON'. I wish you heaps and mounds of comment love -- and a wonderful day!

Much more continued happiness and blog success.

Peace and serenity,
~Jo
'The End Of The Rainbow: Life After Bankruptcy'

jenn said...

i do believe bon is a french word. as in bon appetit. hah!

happy bon day. or is it happy wow day? i'm new here. i don't even know what to call it.

but yay!

becky said...

Hi Jenny,
congrats on your award. it's funny, 'cause i started my blog originally for a class i was taking... but found i really enjoy writing, too. (and sometimes ramble on quite a bit!). also posting images & documenting... i love documenting little bits of my life, what i'm doing.... whether anyone likes/reads it or not. i like what your hubby said about writing what you need to say. i try to remain positive when blogging... but sometimes "real life" & the ups & downs that come with it wander out of the journal & into the blog... i know what you mean by your fingers hijacking your posts! i'll be back to check to visit your blog again!

Andrea said...

Go ahead and say your blog is cool. It is! I am intimidated by the writing of many others out there. That's ok though, we all have our special talents and gifts I guess!

Congrats on your special day!

ain't for city gals said...

Oh you should have included your Easter post!! That was one of the best I have ever read on any bog!! Where in Az are you? I am in Congress, Az

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

Jenny, you deserve to be a B.O.N.! I don't know how you do it all .... you write so well. e-mail responses, blog visit and send cheerful cards in the snail mail to boot! I wish I had half your ability, wit and energy! Heck, I'd just like to be able to type as fast as you do! LOL

You also give us the gift of laughter--life's most important medicine!

Enjoy your special award!

♥ Pat

PS: the photos on my blog were taken in March, but I saved them for Poetry Month. I mention that on the last photo in the post. Thankfully there is no gray skies or snow patches on the ground here right now ..it is sunny and beautiful in NYC right now! It has been a delightful week. :-)

Rocky Mountain Woman said...

Rock on girl!

Linda @ A La Carte said...

Now I will have to stand in line to post a comment and hope you have time in your busy blogging career to read what we 'little' people have to say!(just kidding, you knew that right? LOL) You know I love your blog and your writing. YOU are so special and just so YOU!! I think well deserved praise and recognition Miss Jenny!!!

Unknown said...

Oh Jenny!!!!

I am SOOO glad I found your blog! Your words are so right for how I feel too! You and I are so much alike, but you have a gift for putting it into words.....Can't wait to see you the 17th!
ANd congrats on being asked to be on BON! Have a great day!!!!! :) :) :)

Becca's Dirt said...

Congrats and it is so good to meet you Jenny. So nice of you to stop by my blog.

You are a very funny girl! Looking forward to coming back.

Nezzy (Cow Patty Surprise) said...

Congratulations to you sweetie. The French sounds marvelous to me!

God bless and have a wonderful Wednesday!!!

BTW: Enjoy your new found fame! :o)

mrs. c said...

Others are only finding out what we already know: YOU ARE GREAT! It's like I am talking with a witty girl friend who has a great come-back line for everything.

I also took French and high school and since I can't spell in english you know I would not do well in French! But it sure sounded cool!

Tolentreasures said...

Your French sounds good to me, the only thing I learned was how to sing Feeling Groovy in French class. Is that telling my age?

Cathy

Unknown said...

Jenny, hola!! Just thought I'd throw in one of my few Spanish words...ha ha. I am excited to read your linked posts and snoop around a bit on your blog.
Congrats on being the BON, and yes I do think of all things French as a say that.

grammy said...

Well...there you go speaking French on me
My maiden name was Monseu
is that French enough for you?
My Grandparents were from France...but stopped speaking their native language when my dad started school. How sad. I might have know a foreign language (o:
I plan on looking at those sites and congrats to you...I will look at the older posts too.
I love to write...but am not very disciplined (o:

Julie Harward said...

Well, you know lots more French than I do..wee wee! You deserve every bit of attention and honors...you have such a talent of expression...love to bits! Come say hi :D

jeff campbell said...

Pretty cool stuff there Jenny:-) Spot on!

jeff campbell said...

Pretty cool stuff there Jenny:-) Spot on!

Melissa B. said...

I so get this. I speak Spanish. Sort of. More like Spanglish. With a few cuss words thrown in for emphasis. Congrats on your BON Mot. Get it?

Elle said...

Congratulations on being a BON!! Off to devour your selected posts!

Connie said...

Congrats to you! Bi-lingual or not, you have some pretty fun posts!

I took French in Junior High 100 years ago! I tell my kids that I'm fluent in French. They believe me!! tee-hee I think they believe me, oh dang, I bet they've caught on!

MrsJenB said...

Je t'aime, Jenny. I love reading your blog because you've always got something I can relate to, or something that makes me think, or smile knowingly, or laugh out loud. I am so glad you found my blog and I found yours in return! :-)

lissa said...

congrats! I've always enjoy your writing, honest, silly, funny, full of life, real and quite wonderful just to visit even for a day

so, thanks for the words and keep them coming

Everyday Kathy said...

Totally fun blog! I'm really glad to meet you and delighted that you are today's BON! It does sound French!

Outrageous joy,
Kathy over at Everyday Bliss

Bits-n-Pieces said...

well, if you're looking for depth in entries, you'd just be wasting your time at my place! I'm the shallow one in my family (according to my mom, godloveher).

and hey!! I took 3 years of French in High School....25+ years ago. (and 2 years of Spanish...one year I had them back to back!..talk about some interesting conversations!)
I never could speak the language, but got by ok reading and writing it. I wish I'd kept it up. It was such fun.

I think you've just inspired my alphabee entry for tomorrow!!!
****goes off to start jotting down thoughts****

WhiteSockGirl aka The Fabulous Bitch said...

Hi! Congrats on being BON. First visit to your blog but I get why you are BON. Impressive post.

Wanda..... said...

I think I love You, Jenny! :)
♥...Wanda

BONNIE K said...

Bon job! Yeah, I don't remember much French either. I enjoyed reading what you had to say, and I look forward to reading more! And I don't know how the Pioneer Woman does it either.

Unknown said...

I find your blog very noteworthy...I commiserate with you. laugh with you and cry with you...what could have more meaning than that? Melinda