Neno's Award

What’s better than one award?
One award that two people want me to have!

Christine from Now What very kindly sent me Neno’s Award but I didn’t have time to put it on my blog straight away. When I checked my messages a few days later there was the award again – this time from MzzLily at Becoming an Author – My Journey. (Hope you found my message and that your comments box is now behaving itself MzzLily!)

So, what can I say but Thank You! Twice.

NENO'S AWARD The award is:

1) a dedication for those who love blogging and love to encourage friendships through blogging.
2) to seek the reasons why we all love blogging.

The aims of this award:

1)As a dedication for those who love blogging and love to encourage friendships through blogging.

2)To seek the reasons why we all love blogging.
3)Put the award in one post as soon as you receive it.

4)Don't forget to mention the person who gives you the award.5)Answer the award's question by writing the reason why you love blogging.
6)Tag and distribute the award to as many people as you like.
7)Don't forget to notify the award receivers and put their links in your post.
Why do I love blogging?
Because it’s an improvement on talking to myself.
Because getting these thoughts out of my head makes space for even more brilliant ideas.
Because it’s good writing practice.
Because I meet all sorts of interesting people I might not meet in real life.
Because it makes me feel connected.

I would like to pass on the award to the following blogs:

1) Friko at http://frikosmusings.blogspot.com/

I knew I was going to enjoy Friko’s blog as soon as I saw it. A colourful mix of gardening, poetry, present day life in Shropshire and reminiscences of life in Germany after WW II.

2) Viv’s secret at http://thesecretlifeofviv.blogspot.com/

I’ve only just discovered her, but Viv obviously has great taste. I like all the things she likes! Antiques, pretty stationery, inspiring photos … and I wish I’d written her Daily OM!

3) Jon at http://www.insanefreelancewriting.com/

Jon is a talented freelance writer and photographer. His blog includes glimpses of his work and home life, book reviews, writing tips and photos of his beloved Ireland that I think he should be selling to the Irish Tourist Board!

4) A Lighted Flame at http://alightedflame.blogspot.com/

A new blog that deserves more visitors. One moment of gratitude can improve your whole day.

They’re back!

When I am rich I will be able to fly to Africa whenever I please – and I will be very pleased.

I have never set foot on that vast continent. I’ve seen photos, watched documentaries, read traveller’s tales … and I’m impatient to experience some of those things for myself.

Now, Africa has come to me. The swallows are back!

Was the first one I saw an English swallow returning home from a holiday in the sun? Or an African swallow coming here to start 4 months of hard work raising 2, or perhaps 3, new families?
I like to think birds have no boundaries. They belong to the whole World.

I haven’t been able to get any photos of this year’s swallows, but here are some of last year’s visitors.

Noblesse Oblige Award

Oh, my goodness! An award! And I haven’t got an acceptance speech prepared …

SquirrelQueen at The Road To Here has very kindly given When I am Rich the Noblesse Oblige Award.

I only discovered SquirrelQueen about 6 weeks ago but I immediately became a fan. I enjoy her thought-provoking Thoughts For The Day, glimpses of her life, and her photos that have inspired me to put Alaska on my ‘must visit one day’ list.

Here is what the award is all about –

The recipient of this award is recognized for the following:

1) The Blogger manifests exemplary attitude, respecting the nuances that pervades amongst different cultures and beliefs.
2) The Blog contents inspire; strives to encourage and offers solutions.3) There is a clear purpose at the Blog; one that fosters a better understanding on Social, Political, Economic, the Arts, Culture and Sciences and Beliefs.4) The Blog is refreshing and creative.5) The Blogger promotes friendship and positive thinking.

The Blogger who receives this award will need to perform the following steps:

1) Create a Post with a mention and link to the person who presented the Noblesse Oblige Award.2) The Award Conditions must be displayed at the Post.3) Write a short article about what the Blog has thus far achieved – preferably citing one or more older post to support.4) The Blogger must present the Noblesse Oblige Award in concurrence with the Award conditions.5) Blogger must display the Award at any location at the Blog.

What has When I am Rich achieved so far? Well, when I began with the first post about my Dream Garden I felt like a very, very small fish in the vast ocean of blogging. I didn’t know if anyone would ever find my blog let alone bother to read, leave comments and even follow it. But the response I have received in such a short time has certainly been encouraging. My blog is simply a list of my personal daydreams and I don’t take them too seriously but, in the words of John Lennon, it’s good to know I’m not the only one!


I am passing the Noblesse Oblige Award to:

1) Jean’s musings
Jean is a busy person! Her blog is a mixture of posts about her freelance writing career, home life and travels. I admire her talent for summing up her life in haiku.
2) FoodThirsty
Nicole gives us recipes, food facts, cookery tips and her own entertaining thoughts on all things edible and drinkable. Something to suit everyone’s taste.
3) Here It Goes
Mrssmith hasn’t been blogging long but her sense of humour shines through.
4) Career Changing in the Credit Crunch
Afternoon Tea Break is recording her experiences of giving up a secure career to start a new and more fulfilling way of life. And she’s hoping to help others who have the same dream.

April showers

When I am rich I would like to live somewhere that has the perfect climate – for me.

Warm enough so I won't need a coat.
Not so hot that long walks are uncomfortable.
No rain when I want to be outside.
Gentle showers to keep my garden watered.
Blue, blue skies.
Plenty of wind for kite-flying.
Not enough wind to mess up my hair.
Early morning mist to add a touch of magic.
No fog.
Snow deep enough for tobogganing and making snowmen, but only if combined with sunshine.
No snow or ice on roads.
Brief sparkles of frost to admire from indoors.
A few clouds to add interest to sunrises and sunsets.

Until then, I’ll adapt to the weather – as usual.



What kind of weather do you like best?

Hot Cross Buns

Even when I am rich I will still only eat Hot Cross Buns on Good Friday.
I remember a time when I had no choice. They were only baked on this day.

Then supermarkets began selling them a few weeks before Easter, then immediately after Christmas, and now they're available all year round.

I love them, but I'm convinced that a large part of their deliciousness will be lost if you have them more than once a year.



Would you like one? Help yourself - before they're all gone!

Pure gold

When I am Rich I will be able to fill my home with exotic flowers from faraway lands.

But look what I found today ...



for free!

Another HairCut?

When I am rich I will go to the most expensive hairdressers in town.

‘Transform me!’ I will say to their award-winning stylist.

My hair will be cut, coloured, curled, straightened and subjected to all the latest techniques known to art and science. It will be arranged this way, and then that way …

But will I end up with a hairstyle I actually like? It hasn’t happened yet.

I dream of beautiful hair, but I dread visiting the hairdressers. I’ve had too many disastrous haircuts over the years.

I’ve just bought a copy of Another HairCut? edited by Marit Meredith. It’s a collection of poems and short stories all on the theme of – you’ve guessed it!

I sympathised with the schoolgirl named Bog Brush, smiled at the tale of the grandfather who achieved his boyhood ambition to be like Samson, and chuckled at the tangled relationships of a Barber Shop Quartet.

It cheered me up no end to discover I am not alone in my failed quest for the perfect hairdo. And, if you need another reason to get your own copy, Marit is donating all the proceeds from the book to The Children’s Chronic Arthritis Association.