I’m both excited and honored to accept The Liebster Award!  I was nominated by HEALTH & WELLNESS: THE GOOD ENERGY, a blog filled with great articles and reflections meant to inspire.  Thank you for nominating me.  The article “Change is Good” is a fantastic example of the kind of content you will find here.  It’s inspiring and uplifting.

The 11 Questions I was Asked

1. Where are you from?

I currently reside in Houston, Texas – probably one of the greatest cities to live in.  What I love most is the diversity of the city.  Houston is proof that no matter the religion, the culture, the skin color, or any number of things that make us all unique, we can live together peacefully and respectfully.

2. What has inspired you to start writing?

My English professor during my first degree opened me up to the world of writing during a creative writing course.  I was the tender age of 22, and that course impacted me in a way I never expected.  Over the years, my inspiration to write has grown, and now, I write from the heart.  I write because I have something to say, and I hope my what I have to say in my writing will make a difference to another, even if it is just one person.

3. What is your blog about?

My blog, Armed with a Keyboard, is a place of candid reflection, honesty, and inspiration.  I write to help others realize they are not alone in the world.  That it is okay to be who they are.  That they can learn from the events of their lives, whether those be good, bad, happy, or filled with sorrow.  That each person in the world has a place, and they are important.  They have value.

4. Give one phrase that expresses your intentions to reach out to the world?

Rejoice in who are, and live your life on purpose.

5. What is your favorite book?

Desperation by Stephen King

6. If you can choose anywhere in the world to visit, where and why?

I would love to go to the Bermuda Triangle because I’m enthralled by the mysteries of this world.  It’s one place where the unexplained lives and generates spooky stories.  I don’t subscribe to the idea that terrible things happen there, but the unexplainable disappearances pique my curiosity.

7. Your favorite book?

Desperation by Stephen King

8. Who inspires you?

My family inspires me.  My husband, Todd, because he not only served his country, but he battles PTSD each day, and each day he overcomes it.  My daughter, Kit, because despite her physical limitations, she never quits and never makes excuses for herself.  My son, Carl, because he is what I have always dreamed would be a wonderful father and a person filled with character.  My son, Ben, because he has been brave enough to face his own personal demons, and choose to change himself for the better.  And finally, my mother, who did what she had to do, not matter the size of the obstacle she faced.

9. Name a hobby you enjoy?

I enjoy quilting.  I’m no expert by any means, but cutting the squares, sewing them together, and building something that will surround those I love with warmth relaxes me.

10. What is your favorite season?

Spring is my favorite season.  I was born in the Spring, so each year, after the bitterness of winter falls away, and the world around me comes to live in shades of green, skies of blue, and soft rains, I’m rejuvenated.

11. Name one good quality about yourself?

One quality I have that I’m most proud of is my honesty.  I don’t sugar coat things.  I don’t beat around the bush.  I say what I mean, and I always mean what I say.

The Liebster Award Rules

If you have been nominated for The Liebster Award AND YOU CHOOSE TO ACCEPT IT, write a blog post about the Liebster award in which the Rules are simple as follows:

Acknowledge the blog who nominated you.

Answer the 11 questions your nominator asked.

Nominate 11 other bloggers.

Ask them 11 questions.

Let them know you have nominated them.

My 11 Nominees

Stoner on a Rollercoaster

Pitch Black Poesy

Insomnia Girl

Short Prose

L. A. Vockins

Scribbled to Paper

Piper’s Adventures

Purple Pants

Sketches by Nitesh

Scrambled Not Fried

Smudges on my Mirror

11 Questions for my Nominees

Here are the questions to answer below:

1.   Where are you from?
2.   What has inspired you to start writing?
3.   What is your blog about?
4.   What is the one thing you most want to do in your life?
5.   What is your favorite book?
6.   When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
7.   What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
8.   What does literary success look like to you?
9.   What accomplishment are you most proud of?
10.   What would you do if you were invisible for a day?
11.   What living person, other than family members, do you most admire?