Six word Saturday

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Challenges and Awards- part of blogging?

When you started blogging, did you have any idea what you were getting into?  I know I didn’t.  I simply wanted a vehicle to communicate my delight in the world, and if I’m honest, an audience.  I hadn’t at all realised that there were hoops to jump through, or how addictive these would be.

But it wasn’t too long before I happened upon my first challenge- Six word Saturday.  Though I have soundly abused it, I liked the notion, and when I started out, I really intended exactly that- just six words, with a few photographs, so you wouldn’t get bored.  Since then we’ve wandered the globe together, and taken a lot of words with us.

Remember the fountains in the Rynek in Wroclaw?

Remember the fountains in Wroclaw’s Rynek?  Click on the photo to see the post

Six word Saturday brought me a lot of new friends, and introduced me to a fascinating world beyond that of my travel addiction.  Writers, poets, photographers, cooks, craftmakers of kinds I didn’t even know existed- they’re all out there.  I discovered any number of A-Z Challenges, and used one of them to pin both my Portuguese and Polish sagas to.

When I found Jakesprinter’s Sunday Post, I was astounded at what he could do with graphics.  More than that, Jake gave me a peg to hang my photos and stories on.   And my addiction to photography and challenges began.

A Turkish gulet gliding across the bay

A Turkish gulet at sunset- again, the photo will take you to the post

I became aware of more and more Challenges out there, many of them photographic, and the quality of some of the photographs is staggering.  Off I went in hot pursuit, until my week was overflowing. Here are just a few I’ve taken part in.  Click on the photo to see the post.

Porta da Vila, Obidos

Porta da Vila, Obidos- from Thursday: Lingering look at windows

The boardwalk in Cabanas- from CBBH Photo Challenge

The boardwalk in Cabanas- from CBBH Photo Challenge

Flowerhead in the rain

Flowerhead in the rain- from Sonel’s Black and White photo challenge : Abstract

I've rarely seen a more extravagant door knocker

A door knocker in Silves- from Cee’s Fun Foto challenge

Old gold plays on Medieval architecture

Medieval architecture in Wroclaw- Daily Post Weekly Photo Challenge : Colours

I have loved every second of compiling my posts, but occasionally I tire of being led around by the nose.  Rebellion strikes and I think “no, I don’t want to write about ‘rhubarb’ this week”.  I want to follow my own muse. (if you can call the unlucky lady that)  And so I do.

But I owe a debt of gratitude to the people who launch and host these challenges.  They provide huge inspiration as well as introductions to other blogs, and require a major commitment of time and effort.  So a big thank you to all those whose challenges I have participated in.

You’re wondering where Awards come into this, aren’t you?  Many times I have used Six word Saturday to introduce and appreciate new awards, and this week is no exception.  I have an Awards page and kind people out there keep bestowing them, but it just isn’t possible to keep up and still do all the things you want to do.  So I’ll simply say many thanks to Opalla for giving me Inner Peace, and to Colline, for a Super Sweet Blogger Award.  There’s a link to each of their great blogs in the logos below.

inner-peace-award1the-super-sweet-blogger-award

I guess I’ve exhausted my six words for this week, don’t you think?  You’d better follow the link to Cate at Show My Face to see exactly how the game should be played.  Many thanks for your patience.  Feel free to tell me about your favourite challenges and awards.

64 comments

  2. A nice reminder of some of your best posts 🙂 You know me … “yes” to challenges and “no” to awards :D. I hope you are doing something fun now, Jo.

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    1. Breakfast in the garden in just a few minutes, (with pink grapefruit, remember?) then maybe a walk beside the sparkling sea before I prepare lunch. Sound good? It poured last night so everywhere is fresh. 🙂

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      1. Sounds wonderful. I have two pink grapefruits in the fridge, but I woke up with a sweet tooth this morning, so it is coffee and cookies for me ;). Enjoy the freshness of Sunday morning and the gentle breeze from the sea 🙂

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  4. It’s always a fun, exciting adventure traveling with you. Blogging help me discover part of myself that didn’t know exist. It opened my eyes to a world and people I only see on TV. It led me to inspiring friendship. And yes, it’s addicting! Great post.

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  5. I wonder if any of us had realised how much effort was involved in blogging – whether or not we might have been put off doing it!! I had no idea when I first started blogging that it would lead me to find friends all around the globe – quite a few of whom I have now met in person 🙂

    That’s the think about the “challenges” – they are always there IF we want to take them up – otherwise they just lurk in the background …. waiting for you 🙂

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    1. Hi Marianne 🙂 Many thanks for yours.
      They kind of lurk in the background in your head, don’t they? I wander round thinking “Which way?” and “two ways” and of course, your “old and new”. Sometimes having the full month is a boon, but often enough I still don’t get there!

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  8. Delightfully crafted post for 6WS, along with introducing your favorite challenges with some lovely photography and summed up with award ceremony. Thank you for sharing. Happy Saturday!

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  11. I am so glad that you started blogging! I have seen much more of the world through your lovely words and pictures.
    The black and white flower above is simply stunning!

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  12. When I got my first blogger award, I was thrilled, and very flattered. But some of the stipulations of the awards made that diminish rather quickly. So, now I usually ignore them.

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    1. It’s a shame because it does help to spread the community and I’ve made many new friends that way. Some of the stipulations are a trial though, so I cheat a little, Mlissabeth. 🙂

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  13. Like you, I had no idea what was going to happen. And something happens all the time! 🙂 That alone is very rewarding, don’t you think? Congratulations to all your achievements, rewards and new skills. Especially wihin the field of photography.
    A great post, enjoyed reading it, very nicely presented.
    Ha en fin helg! 🙂
    Best wishes
    Dina ♥

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  14. Congratulations on your well deserved awards!
    I find it hard to believe you managed to restrict yourself to six words at any time Jo! But getting caught up in what you have to say is what I look forward to when i visit, so I am glad you break rules occasionally 😀

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    1. Thanks a lot, Seonaid. I got a little carried away with this post. I was starting to think it’d have to cover 2 Six word Saturdays, but people are very tolerant in our lovely blogging world. 🙂

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  16. I really didn’t know what I was getting into either when I started blogging last year. I just knew that I loved to write and that it would provide a vehicle for that. Plus, I hope to build it up more once I retire. I think it was from your blog that I learned of the challenges. perhaps yours and Marianne’s? Regardless, I do enjoy taking and sharing photographs and the challenges provide a vehicle to display and share.

    I love your blog and your photographs. Keep up the great work!! and congrats on your many, well deserved rewards!

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  18. I enjoyed this post (haven’t checked out the links yet!) .. Why say it in 6 words, when you can say it in 306. But your title was 6 words, so somewhere you have adhered!! I am with you on the addiction of challenges, and the fascination of the world of blogging. There are some amazing, funny, artistic etc etc blogs out there. I love the willingness of strangers to like, comment on, and follow each others blogs..and then, somehow, you aren’t complete strangers anymore. 🙂

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    1. oh yes, I’d agree. you start with six words. kinda doubt anyone is keeping track that you go over the six words. I think that is one thing about blogging too: you can make it what you want it to be. I don’t always get a chance to read all the posts I’d like (like yours), but always enjoy your posts any time I get to read them!! absolutely LOVE the boardwalk photo and the windows photo above. wow…..

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  19. I enjoyed reading a little of your blogging journey. I find the challenges inspiring too but, as you say, sometimes one has to follow one’s inner muse.

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  20. The challenges are great fun, aren’t they, Jo? Now that I’m getting settled back in at home, I have to branch out and start participating more. They really push us to expand our boundaries!

    I don’t think it’s possible to keep your six word Saturday to six words, Jo, as you always have lots of fun things to say! 🙂 Congratulations on all your awards!

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      1. I know, these posts take a lot of time and energy! Have fun and enjoy your weekend. It’s pretty dreary, warm and humid in Virginia today. Hard to get motivated to go outdoors just to sweat! 🙂

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