Where to Find A View From England:
Blog URL: http://brilliantbritain.blogspot.com/
Category: Lifestyles, Personal Blog

A View From England

Maureen has made it all the way “From the “Land of 10,000 Lakes” to “England’s green and pleasant land.” That’s quite a lot of travelling and quite a transition for an American expatriate. For 21 years now Maureen has been carving out her life with her family in the beautiful green isles of England, and now shares that experience on her blog, A View From England.

A View From England - Why You Should Go

A View From England is largely a personal blog, with the added angle of being a chronicling of life relocated. Maureen shares the very interesting perspective of being one living a life abroad. That perspective gives her the advantage of seeing Americans and Brits through many different pairs of eyes. Sometimes she defends what she sees and sometimes she laments it, but the experience is one only few could or would share, but one from which so many could learn.

Aside from her life and perceptions, Maureen uses her blog to share her myriad interests, which she describes as “a hodgepodge about various topics as well as musings about life in England. I’m particularly interested in discussions about parenting, education, health, nature and the environment. I’m also very concerned about civil liberties…”

Summing Up A View From England

Maureen is just a regular gal sharing her life and times, but with the interesting twist her life has brought her. Visit Maureen for some chat and globe-trotting friendship.

Go here to check out A View From England.

Mary Ward
Do You Digg It!
Blog Review Team
Do You Digg It! © 2008

Where to Find Solo Dot Mom:
Blog URL: http://kitkat4real.blogspot.com/
Category: Parenting, Lifestyles

Solo Dot Mom

Solo Dot Mom Katherine has many firmly held beliefs. She believes that contentment can come from encouraging others and spreading self-confidence, and she believes we all write our own stories. Katherine has quite literally been writing hers as she blogs about the single parenting life at her blog, Solo Dot Mom.

Solo Dot Mom - Why You Should Go

Most people can imagine (whether they have the experience or not) that being a single mother presents its own unique challenges. It stands to reason that there should be places where other single mothers or fathers can go to get first-hand help and support. Katherine’s blog is one of those places. Katherine very openly explores the trials and challenges and the celebrations, too, helping other single parents find their way and garner support from a peer. She describes her motivation and her blog in this way:

“I am a single mom with two kids and dating. On my blog I wish to share encouragement to other single parents. I do strive to keep it real and yet positive when I can. I do share the “rough” as well as the blissful times with my readers. Keeping it real means you will see the good, the bad, the beautiful and the ugly.”

Summing Up Solo Dot Mom

Katherine shares insight into her life with openness and compassion. Her blog is both her chronicle and her gift to others, a practice in helping other single parents succeed.

Go here to check out Solo Dot Mom.

Mary Ward
Do You Digg It!
Blog Review Team
Do You Digg It! © 2008

Where to Find This Eclectic Life:
Blog URL: http://thiseclecticlife.com/
Category: Entertainment, Personal Blogs

This Eclectic Life

Technically Shelly Kneupper Tucker’s blog is a personal blog, but when you are a professional storyteller, very little of your personal life escapes the eyes of your profession; and so it is that This Eclectic Life is an eclectic mix of storytelling life [in Texas], and curiosities.

This Eclectic Life - Why You Should Go

Blogging was Shelly Kneupper Tucker’s answer to an addiction to online Mahjongg. But like so many addictions, blogging simply became her new addiction—but one that so seamlessly fit into her storytelling life. It’s a blog that gives Shelly pause to quench (temporarily) her inquisitive nature, and extend her storytelling gift to the world. If you are wondering still what the blog is about, Shelly would only have this to say:

“So do I…

It is simply a collage of topics that intrigue me. Scroll through the articles and you will see that nearly everything does. I’m curious about anything and everything, and think the rest of the world should be inquisitive also.”

Summing Up This Eclectic Life

With [unnecessary] apologies for her sassy Texan nature, Shelly entertains and delights with her enthusiastic takes on life. Stop on by and ask her to Spin Me A Yarn. And just try not to catch Shelly’s infectious nature.

Go here to check out This Eclectic Life.

Mary Ward
Do You Digg It!
Blog Review Team
Do You Digg It! © 2008

Where to Find All Rileyed Up:
Blog URL: http://allrileyedup.com/
Category: Personal Blogs, Parenting

All Rileyed up

Jessica Riley has been busy blogging and doing what she can to get readers all Rileyed up. Why? Because Jessica knows something most of us need constant reminding of—”seriousness is overrated.”

All Rileyed Up - Why You Should Go

Jessica Riley describes the content of her blog as ranging from “the snarky and mundane, with reviews of books and family friendly products thrown in for good measure.” That’s not necessarily new, but the energy and flair towards the entertaining with which she does it could be.

Jessica has a lot of first-hand knowledge to impart, too, being an at-home mother of two, parenting a child with autism and sharing in the challenges that creates, while simultaneously and humorously being a wife to a vegan husband and a mother to a child who is allergic to most anything except meat. As she says it’s a recipe for an interesting mealtime, and an even more interesting life.

Summing Up All Rileyed Up

Without a doubt Jessica Riley has been faced with plenty of challenges all of her own, but looks to have always risen to them with her infectious spirit and skill at enjoying all that life throws her way.

Go here to check out All Rileyed Up.

Mary Ward
Do You Digg It!
Blog Review Team
Do You Digg It! © 2008

Where to Find Shrink Rap:
Blog URL: http://robinaltman.wordpress.com/
Category: Parenting, Personal Blogs, Humor

Shrink Rap

Shrink Rap is not the blog you would expect from a child psychiatrist, but then again when you consider the claims to fame of Robin Altman, MD include a love of shoes, a sideline as a stand-up comedian and a book titled Shrink Rap - An Irreverent Take on Child Psychiatry, you can expect her blog to be something a little out of the ordinary.

Shrink Rap - Why You Should Go

Robin Altman’s Shrink Rap blog is a bit outside the realm of ordinary. And that is exactly what makes it so endearing. The blog is a mix of friendly and funny child-rearing advice, stories from her own household (which you will surely find refreshingly familiar), and general observations on life. Humorous posts (which most all of them are) show Robin to be an approachable professional and human being, one who you’ll be glad to share tales from parenthood with and, quite probably, find in her a kindred and understanding spirit.

Summing Up Shrink Rap

Shrink Rap shows that there certainly is a caring, human side to the professional sector. Join Robin for some laughs and maybe a touch of the Wisdom of the Ages (do be sure to see the Wisdom Addendum, too).

Go here to check out Shrink Rap.

Mary Ward
Do You Digg It!
Blog Review Team
Do You Digg It! © 2008

Where to Find The Daily Blonde:
Blog URL: http://dailyblonde.blogspot.com/
Category: Humor, Personal Blogs

The Daily Blonde

The Daily Blonde is the work of Cheryl Phillips, a single mother of five with a quick wit—and she’s not afraid to use it. She’s a woman with convictions and a fearless sense of humor, offering up her opinions and commentary to brighten your day and support her causes of choice as she vents about politics (less the issues—more the players), Pepsi, and life in general.

The Daily Blonde - Why You Should Go

Cheryl describes herself as a woman with “lots to say, a big sense of humor, and low tolerance for people who don’t know how to laugh! I’m far from a feminist. I can’t imagine even getting along with Gloria Steinem. I live life without a filter on my mouth. I say it like it is but never with the intent to hurt…just to share a laugh about this crazy thing called life!” In this spirit she takes on anything that strikes her interest, mostly for amusement’s sake except for when it counts. When does it count for The Daily Blonde? When the issues are worth caring about—issues like children and family and breast cancer awareness.

Summing Up The Daily Blonde

Cheryl Phillips brings a refreshingly open and honest voice to her blog. She means no harm and does no harm while delivering lots of quirky laughs. Join Cheryl for some ditzy (her word choice, not mine) humor and learn to take a less serious lease on life.

Go here to check out The Daily Blonde.

Mary Ward
Do You Digg It!
Blog Review Team
Do You Digg It! © 2008

Where to Find Musings From A Muddy Island:
Blog URL: http://julietdoyle.blogspot.com/
Category: Personal Blog, Art

Musings From A Muddy Island

Musings from a Muddy Island sounds a bit like a nice way to spend a rainy day. That it is, and more. Musings is Juliet Doyle’s blog largely dedicated to the arts, described as “Random thoughts about books and printing, words and typography, art, artists and music, and living on Britain’s most easterly inhabited island, &c, &c”

Musings From A Muddy Island - Why You Should Go

Musings from a Muddy Island offers casual exploration of the arts and written word along with beautiful photographs taken by Juliet of her fine, muddied island. From Mersea Island, Essex in the UK Juliet shares posts that are personal, inspirational, and explorational. We get to know a bit of what’s going on in her life and go along with her as she takes us into the lives of some of her favorite artists. Art lovers in particular will want to visit this blog for Juliet’s new weekly feature, Friday Interviews.

Summing Up Musings From A Muddy Island

Musings is one place that helps us share a casual interest in the arts. This is a no-stress place to share and enjoy, with plenty of extra resources to keep you busy, and a healthy dose of information to learn about the UK’s most easterly island living.

Go here to check out Musings From A Muddy Island.

Mary Ward
Do You Digg It!
Blog Review Team
Do You Digg It! © 2008

Where to Find Yoga For Cynics:
Blog URL: http://yogaforcynics.blogspot.com/
Category: Personal Blog, Philosophy

Yoga For Cynics

Categorizing Yoga For Cynics was one of the hardest parts of writing this review (and perhaps I’ve still gotten it wrong). Capturing the essence of what the blog is was a close second place. So what is Yoga For Cynics?

Dr Jay Winston, the author, describes it as this: “possibly having something to do with yoga, cynicism, writing, politics, coffee, things to do while drinking coffee, art, music, the great outdoors, the great indoors, the not-so-great outdoors and indoors, drugs, and/or life in general, or maybe not.”

Yoga For Cynics - Why You Should Go

If you are still unsure the one thing to be sure of is that you are not alone; Yoga for Cynics is something of a “see it to believe it” experience where you have to visit and experience the blog for yourself before you can really figure out what it is.

At first take you might assume this to be a place of negativity and bad attitude; upon further reading you are more likely to see it as a place for thought and contemplation. That doesn’t mean contemplating cynicism, either; it’s more like a way of overcoming cynicism by stretching the mind to see all the possibilities.

Summing Up Yoga For Cynicism

What you get out of Dr. Jay’s blog will rely a lot on what you put into it; if you visit with only seconds to spare you may only scratch the surface of his random, deep thought process. If you go ready for a challenge you will exercise your brain even more, and delve deeper into the heart of the issue and to what it means to you. Yoga requires a bit more of your time and commitment, so choose wisely when you visit, and know that you’ll get something out of it for whatever you are able to put in.

Go here to check out Yoga For Cynics.

Mary Ward
Do You Digg It!
Blog Review Team
Do You Digg It! © 2008

Where to Find A Tidings Of Magpies:
Blog URL: http://tidingsofmagpies.blogspot.com/
Category: Personal blog, Journal

A Tidings Of Magpies

Every once in a while, you come across a blogger whose distraction is her gift; a blogger like Distracted by Shiny Objects, for example. Distracted is the author of today’s featured blog, A Tidings of Magpies.

A Tidings Of Magpies - Why You Should Go

Distracted describes herself as a “Happily married wife and mom of two full- of- beauty girls. Critical Care Nurse for 29 years-or 100 years, depending on the day and who you ask. Just another soul trying to make sense of the kaleidoscope on the other side of my eyeballs.” Her blog is described as a place for her to share her “writings and works in progress, or another writer’s work which has moved my heart. Meant to be a bit of a journal on the days that pass by so quickly.”

In many ways, Magpies is just what blogging was intended to be—a journal of the author’s experiences and thoughts, in whatever form they come to her. There are posts of poetry, short story snippets, reviews of movies and books, commentaries on recent events and the state of the world, accompanied by wit and witticism and entertaining (and sometimes endearing) pictures, too.

Summing Up A Tidings Of Magpies

Tidings’ mission is for each reader to “embrace your grace.” Many of the posts here will help you do that, by painlessly spurring you to thought and appreciation, and reminding you to laugh at the funnier sides of even the serious side of life.

Go here to check out A Tidings Of Magpies.

Mary Ward
Do You Digg It!
Blog Review Team
Do You Digg It! © 2008

Where to Find Wayfaring Wanderer:
Blog URL: http://wayfaring-wanderer.blogspot.com/
Category: Photography, Personal Blog

Wayfaring Wanderer

Combine a love of nature with a love of photography and you get the spirit of a Wayfaring Wanderer who spends her days looking for interesting and unique pictures to take, or interesting and unique ways to express the commonplace. Put that spirit on display for the world to see, and you have the blog of the Wayfaring Wanderer.

Wayfaring Wanderer - Why You Should Go

Wayfaring is the first to tell you how hard it is to keep her mind and eye from traveling. She says, “My passion is photography & my wanderlust is steadily carrying me from place to place. I have a very deep appreciation for the nature that surrounds me here in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains, which I call home. I hope you enjoy the experiences I have to share, and I encourage you to stop in anytime!”

Her travels have taken her across so many things of beauty, and the best of those she treats us to on her blog. The blog is in very large part a photojournal, and also a place to express mood and feeling, close cousins to photography, and wanderlust, too.

In addition to the photography Wayfaring treats us to weekly haikus, tips and tricks for using programs like Photoshop, monthly recaps critiquing her own work and highlighting the Month’s best, and general talk to let readers get closer to the author herself.

Summing Up Wayfaring Wanderer

Photoblogs are a nice addition to any feeds folder, because they take minutes to explore but offer so much—often, without having to say a word. Wayfaring offers those words, though, too, and so rounds out her photojournal for the complete experience. Visit her to share her “happy place” and enjoy some of the beauty of nature and wonder of the everyday world.

Go here to check out Wayfaring Wanderer.

Mary Ward
Do You Digg It!
Blog Review Team
Do You Digg It! © 2008