Tagged? Me? Thanks!

A lovely, thoughtful young woman named Marianne has chosen to tag me with a Thinking Blogger Award. Marianne makes me think, that's for certain. In a lot of ways she reminds me of me at that age, only she is much wiser.

My expected response is to give Thinking Blogger Awards to five blogs which get my mind to churning. Easy, even though quite a few of them have already been nominated, such as Deanna's, and Angela's.

I am fortunate, however, to know five more.

1. Sandy. Sandy tells it like it is. Her perspective is more optimistic than mine, and that lifts me up, which is something I need from time to time. She uses her time to help others, she attends college even while her two sons are college men themselves, and she writes about these experiences - writing that makes me think!

2. Cecily. For only a few weeks I've been visiting Cecily's blog and have really enjoyed the trips. Cecily lives in Australia, which is cool, and some of her writing reveals the Aussie-speak which we Americans find irresistible. Thoughtful posts from Cecily, such as her Easter post, her light bulb changing post, and her spider posts, give me much to think about. I've become a regular visitor.

3. Liz. Liz is a Presbyterian Minister who lives in Scotland. A new and regular blogger, Liz's posts are full of variety and thought-provoking insights gleaned from her daily life. She posts many photos, which speak to my heart as well. She's funny, pensive, energetic, and she thinks differently, which I totally LOVE.

4. Iain. Also a Presbyterian Minister who resides in Scotland, Iain shares all sorts of fascinating things on his blog. He shares impressions of his many travels, along with photos, so that I get an inside view of different regions. He shares events from his daily life, and his views on things political, environmental, and spiritual. He's enlarged my vocabulary more than once. Anytime I encounter something fresh, it makes me think, and Iain's blog fits the bill.

5. Pam. Pam is perhaps the most clever person I know. She looks at life with a perspective that is upside down, sideways, and hilarious. Humorous posts leave me wondering how she comes up with such ideas, and that, makes me think.

Okay, so I've listed my five. Sandy, Cecily, Liz, Iain, and Pam, please consider yourselves officially tagged! You are all great people, with much to share; your thinking minds give us food for thought! Thank you!

Now I'm supposed to list the Participation Rules. Here goes:

1. If, and only if, you get tagged [which means your blog has been named on one of these lists of 5], write a post with links to 5 blogs that make you think.

2. Link to this post so that people can easily find the exact origin of the meme.

3. Optional: Proudly display the 'Thinking Blogger Award' with a link to the post that you wrote (silver or gold version).

So, Marianne, again I thank you for your kindness in nominating this humble blog.

(Wonder what in the world a meme is? Or tagging? Go here. I had to. What a world, huh. Fascinating! Have fun!)