How nice!

It seems Carly at Ellipsis has given me a Nice Matters Award, and I couldn't be more honored.

The award was created by Genevieve Olsen, of Bella-Enchanted, to honor bloggers who are ... well, nice: good friends who care about others and who inspire good feelings and positive expression on the Web.

Thanks so much, Carly, for your many kindnesses and encouraging words -- and congratulations on having received one of these yourself. If anyone deserves a Nice Matters badge, it's you.

I have a few nominations of my own to make, and I hope you'll stop by and see their blogs:

Tammie Jean of Long Drives to Nowhere, for her amazing, touching essays and gentle humor.

Sunnyside46, whose blog Porch Stories feels like a letter from home -- and a happy home, at that.

Mutualaide of Flamingo Row which is, regrettably, private. She is a wonderful example of how online friendship can flow into the "real" world and light up hearts in shadow.

There is a guy version of the award as well, and I'd like to send these out, too:

Jaquandor at Byzantium's Shores, who made us AOL refugees feel welcome when we invaded Blogger. His writings are always thoughtful, well crafted, civil and sincere. (He's currently on hiatus, but we fans are hoping it's a short one.)

Robert L. Brimm of Chosen Words, whose poetry is like apples in autumn: nourishing, comforting, crisp and delicious.



Thanks to all of you who make the online world a better, gentler place.