Kissing the Dogwood--Friday Feature

Today’s Friday Feature belongs to an inspirational woman, a selfless, kindhearted and incredibly insightful lady I am proud to call a friend as well as a fellow blogger. And her wonderful blog. The tag line to her impressive and popular blog reads: being the best you can be.

The quote she chose as her moniker is one by George Eliot: "Oh, the comfort, the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person; having neither to weigh thoughts nor measure words, but to pour them all out, just as they are, chaff and grain together, knowing that a faithful hand will take and sift them, keep what is worth keeping, and then, with a breath of kindness, blow the rest away".

Yeah…you guessed it. I’m proudly featuring WalksFarWoman of Kissing the Dogwood.

Her posts flow like a rich brook, running from a prayer by Max Ehrmann to a touching personal story to her own inspirational photograph and tagline or poem or WalksFar’s own acrostic poetry. In all cases there is something to learn and contemplate and stir the heart. Delivered from a humble and caring heart, her lessons in moral integrity embrace the reader with such warmth one leaves with a lighter heart, a warm smile and the glow of having been touched by an angel. Which brings me to my personal favorite of her posts: Touched By Low Flying Angels. Here it is:

Many years ago my little son and I were sitting having breakfast and as was the norm we’d be trying to outdo one another with compliments, it was our booster session for the day ahead besides it also made us laugh.
“You’re a boy genius” I told him.
“You’re beautiful” he replied, his lovely smiling face pinned behind corrective specs which led to a hard time with bullies at school.
“Your cheeks are more delicious than rosy apples!” I scoffed - and then in all innocence he said …
“and you’re a low flying angel!”
It took my breath away because I couldn’t imagine why or how a 6 year old would think of this especially since it was a saying I’d never heard before and one I have never forgotten because it made me ponder that there really could be angels moving freely among us here on earth. So from pondering I went to believing, not only that I am claiming to have encountered many of them, here are just three.

After which she named three bloggers to whom she dedicated the post. WOW! Blew me away, WalksFar!

WalksFarWoman is an impeccable writer and teller of stories, parables and anecdotes. One thing you might not know about her (although it isn’t any stretch of the imagination from her blog) is that she is an accomplished and published writer of short stories. She recently published one in Karen Mason’s impeccable webzine, Nameless Grace. Here’s WalksFar’s post…quite revealing, don’t you think?

Hold the Front Page!

Okay, I admit the title is a bit over dramatic but I’m allowed to get carried away every now and then! If you like stories like “Careless Whispers” then you may enjoy my latest one “The Tapestry of Life” just published at Nameless Grace. It’s the tale of Dorothy and how a private dilemma became a personal triumph directly affecting complete strangers in the process. (Then, just like her, WalksFar does a plug for another writer…me!) While you’re there why not check out the exceptional talent of SF Girl, Nina Munteanu - you won’t be disappointed. Thanks to Editor Karen for her encouragement and support!

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But who is this elegant incredible lady, WalksFarWoman? Who is she really? A woman who uses words like “gobsmacked”… A while ago, I tagged WalksFarWoman in a meme and here’s what she had to say:

“My friend Nina / SF Girl from The Alien Next Door tagged me with this enterprising meme originally started by Mel from Monday Morning Power. Everyone must realise by now I am hopeless at meme’s the intention is always there but the meme side burner becomes the back burner until they eventually fall down the behind the cooker! However since this meme is rather different and short AND also easy I ‘ve done it! Nina, you are not only encourageable but a gorgeous lady to boot!”

The intention of the meme was to answer the question: why do you blog? And I was so curious to find out why WalksFarWoman blogged (though I had a very good idea!). Here is her answer:

“My name is WalksFarWoman and I blog because…Kissing the Dogwood is my spiritual home. The idea evolved from an inspired moment as did the name and took me completely by surprise. It was like being given a map and a destination which I was compelled to follow - and in doing so have had the journey of a lifetime! Just like the elements of a successful life, blogging is all about good communication, learning through experience and also gathering hope, joy and a liberal dressing of laughter wherever we can. My favourite post is always my most recent so here it is - ‘Mermaids Cove’.”

Apparently I wasn’t the only one who wanted to see WalksFarWoman on this meme. Mel of Monday Morning Power, commented: “You finally gave into the pressure, and I am glad that you did. This list did not feel right without you on it.”

Go have a look at her favorite post. It is truly inspirational and says so much about our lady, WalksFarWoman. In her philosophy tab, she says: "Who am I? Just a traveller journeying with an open ticket between life and death, always learning, always smiling, always happy to greet a fellow traveller."

Thanks for travelling this way, WalksFarWoman...good friend...fellow traveller...