In praise of snack time.

 
I read a rather stinging indictment 
of blogging the other day . . .  It was an author being interviewed about something else, but she happened to slip her opinion on blogs in there, saying something about how blogs are like fast food, empty intellectual calories devoid of substance, and after she reads them she always feels unfulfilled and slightly remorseful for wasting her time.

Ouch.

I have found, on the other hand, that my blog has been a useful tool for stimulating my brain, a handy vehicle for my art, and indispensable for bringing me new friends far outside my usual circle.  And the blogs I read are a never-ending source or inspiration, smiles, and general good feelings.

Blogs are a sort of "mental cookies" I suppose, but I love cookies of all kinds and would never wish to live in a world without them.

I have met several pen-pals through my blog, one of whom I became acquainted with after she wrote a post about my work. At the time (2 years ago)  I said this about it:

One of my happiest surprises lately came in the form of a new friend.  Julia (who is Russian but now residing in Canada), featured my work in a long and lovely post on her blog that I was delighted to have stumbled upon last week.  After I figured out that the language was Russian, I figured out that Google translator could "fix" it for me (Julia has since sent me a much better translation, but I learned that Google translator could have tremendous entertainment applications!  In fact, it might be run by the same people who are in charge of closed captioning). 

Julia, who is now once again living in Russia, 

sent me a surprise package the other day!

Just the box was an intriguing visual treat:

then there was the delightful card -- the writing on the envelope tells you everything about why I find Julia to be such a breath of fresh air:

and inside, two treats:

Julia creates whimsical, finely crafted crocheted characters, and I now have one happily living in the studio!

There was also a gorgeous book on Russian folk painting, a favorite style of mine, 

chock full of amazing eye-candy (although alas, I cannot understand a single word)

Such kindness from someone whose path I would otherwise never have crossed!  (I think perhaps the author I read the quote from is not running in the right blogging circles.)


Then yesterday, I found that I had received a blog award from my dear blog-buddy Leenie at perennial favorite, Side Trips.

The Leibster Blog award apparently originates in Germany, and means "dearest" or "beloved" -- such a kindness and an honor to be on Leenie's list with some of MY favorite bloggers!  Such a kindness and an honor to have Leenie as a reader, actually . . . as well as every one of you.


Thank you for every minute 
you have ever spent at Small Works.  

It is greatly appreciated, and if you have never actually said hello (lurkers, you know who you are!) please make yourself known.  Getting to know you, after all, is what makes it worthwhile. 

Together we can prove the blog-naysayers of the world wrong . . .

All the while enjoying a few delicious mental cookies 

from the blogosphere's seemingly endless supply.

Happy Tuesday!