Friday 19 December 2014

The DejaVu BlogFest - Ubuntu, Survive and Thrive with the Big C, FoodBanks and the loss of the A-Z Swedish lady maestro …




Such a difficult decision … I cannot chose – I would probably go for one of my A-Z articles on the British coast … but instead I will  link across to some posts which impacted on me …
 
D L Hammons BlogFest


Michelle Wallace’s Ubuntu bloghop … “I am; because of you” or “I am what I am because of who we all are” – this latter phrase I prefer.  Michelle will be doing this again in 2015.



Londolozi – a Zulu word meaning “Protector of All Living Things” … after which a Game Reserve in South Africa has been named.


Boyd Varty’s TED talk – one of Londolozi’s owners …



 
c/o Londolozi


Survive and Thrive Blogfest articles where I linked back to my (and thus our) Cancer posts – and I listed all the conditions bloggers had written about …




Remember the food banks …


Then lastly … Tina, the Sunflower Lady – whose light went out on 23rd August … she was a master administrator for many of us who participate in the annual A-Z challenge in April





As Tina would say ... Life is Good … live life, be generous and thoughtful, encourage everyone, be flexible and help where you can …




c/o Barnados - card designed by
Harry, aged 8, who is supported by
Barnado's Actions with Young Carers

If you haven’t visited one of four blog posts then please check in … thank you …


Happy Christmas, Happy New Year, lots of happiness and joy in 2015 – and here’s to success with your writing, your projects, your art, poetry ... and all creative ideas …




For other participants please visit D L Hammons blog


Hilary Melton-Butcher
Positive Letters Inspirational Stories

72 comments:

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Thanks for remembering Tina today.

Out on the prairie said...

A lot of hats to wear. A very happy holiday to you and your family.

DL Hammons said...

I missed your Tina post...and I'm so glad for Deja Vu so I can read it now. My heart still aches when I think of Tina. She was a special blogger...and a special person. Thank you for re-sharing this!

Inger said...

I will just stop to wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. You are a beautiful person with a deep caring for others as you always show in your posts. And on a more personal level as you have shown me this past year. Thank you so much for your support and caring. It has meant the world to me. This world we all share, where some of us, like you, light the way.

T. Powell Coltrin said...

Great choices. This IS the time to look back but only so that we can move forward.

StratPlayerCJF said...

Thank you for re-sharing! I didn't know Tina but she sounds like a very special blogger and it's clear she will long be missed.

Have a very Merry Christmas and a extraordinarily Happy New Year!!!

And Happy Deja Vu!

Suzanne said...

Such a good selection Hilary to acknowledge the year x

Vanessa Morgan said...

Lovely selection. Enjoy the weekend.

Intangible Hearts said...

What a happy blog. Glad I found you!

Paula said...

I didn't know Tina either. But I am glad to have found you Hilary!!

dolorah said...

Lots of sweet memories there Hilary. You were busy this last year.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ Alex – Tina deserves to be remembered …

@ OOTP – yes I couldn’t decide what to republish .. but so many need our thoughts and care …

@ DL – that’s good – and I’m sure you’ll enjoy the remembrances of Tina … she was, as you say, a special blogger and a special person. Thanks for hosting this blog hop.

@ Inger – that’s lovely to have your wishes here. I hope I can help others in some way … and connect at times with friends who are going through challenges … it’s what life is like sadly for us all at times – support can be beneficial. Exactly as you’ve stated so clearly here …

@ Teresa – thanks .. it is the time to look back, but remember as we move forward …

@ Chris – Tina was an amazing blogger friend to many … always encouraging us on. I hope you get a chance to pop over to the others too. Thanks so much for your seasonal wishes and definitely an extraordinary year ahead .. success and happiness.

@ Suzanne – loved your post – great 20th anniversary remembrances … so good to read.

@ Vanessa – thank you .. and you too a Happy seasonal rush around just before Christmas?!?!

@ Eve – yes, good to meet you too .. blog hops do work don’t they ..

@ Paula – thank you so much … you’ve had much going on this year … my thoughts at this time ..

@ Donna – yes things were happening … so I’m happy to write about a few blogs and causes … so we do remember …

Thanks so much everyone – lovely to see you … and enjoy the pre-Christmas weekend … take care! Cheers Hilary

TexWisGirl said...

a happy christmas wished to you, hilary!

cleemckenzie said...

I knew I'd love your Deja Vu post. So glad I jumped across the Pond to say hello today. My re-vist was splendid.

Have a wonderful Christmas, Hilary.

Janie Junebug said...

Happy Christmas, Hilary. Do you go shopping on Boxing Day?

Love,
Janie

Jo said...

Happy Christmas Hilary. I had forgotten about Ubuntu. Thanks for reminding me. As for Tina, like everyone else, I still miss her.

Happy and Prosperous New year too.

klahanie said...

Hi human, Hilary,

Thought I should get over here before I go over to my human brother's house for the weekend.

You have brought back some powerful memories, dear lady. Some timely reminders and Tina was one of my favourite humans. A true display of caring and sharing.

I have a strange sensation that I left this comment before.

Have a peaceful weekend and a pawsitive Christmas.

Pawsitive wishes,

Penny :)

Murees Dupè said...

Have a Merry Christmas!

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ TWG - many thanks for the Christmas wishes ..

@ Lee - great to see you too ... and am glad my reminders brought back memories .. you too have a fun time ..

@ Janie - shopping on Boxing Day - absolutely not! You have a happy christmas with WDW and your family and friends ...

@ Jo - Well I'm glad I reminded you about Ubuntu ... and Tina - we can't really say much can we .. such a sad loss ...

@ Penny/aka Gary ... enjoy the time with your human brother .. you've had a busy year so it's very good of you to paw over to see me ... ... ... your strange sensation of a repeat comment hasn't popped past .. perhaps a paw thought that didn't happen the first time!! You too have a peaceful and pawsitive Christmas and New Year ahead ..

@ Murees - thank you ..

Cheers everyone - have a happy family and friend time in the build up to Christmas week .. Hilary

Annalisa Crawford said...

A wonderful round-up of your favourite posts, and of course, keeping Tina in our memories. Her blog is still in the blog roll on my blog, I can't bring myself to remove it just yet. Merry Christmas to you, Hilary, and a very happy new year x

Patsy said...

Good choices there, Hilary.

Rosalind Adam said...

Very moving, remembering Tina. Christmas is the hardest of times for missing people. Have a good holiday and a happy new year, Hilary x

Bish Denham said...

I remember these posts! Excellent choices for the blogfest. Merry Christmas to you and your, Hilary.

Roland D. Yeomans said...

Remembering the good memories of Tina and others we have lost this past year. It is not that we have lost them but that we had the rare gift of having them in our lives. Merry Christmas!

debi o'neille said...

Beautiful post and memories, Hilary. Thanks.
Deb@ http://debioneille.blogspot.com

Gattina said...

Wish you a Merry Christmas too !

Unknown said...

All your posts are excellent. Thanks for sharing them!

Empty Nest Insider said...

These were all great! I especially loved how you linked back to the posts in the Survive and Thrive Blogfest! It was a huge help to all of us! Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year, Hilary!

Julie

DMS said...

What a fun blog hop! Looking forward to checking out the posts I missed the first time around.

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! :)
~Jess

Anonymous said...

Thanks for gathering up your favorite posts to share for us here. Good for the Deja Vu weekend reads!
michele at Angels Bark

Ella said...

Great blogfest! I like your picks and it is true you are always so positive!
Happy holidays to you~
Thanks for sharing these links

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ Annalisa … I couldn’t decide – but we need to remember humanity as a whole, those who need our help and those we’ve lost .. thanks …

@ Patsy – thanks .. they seem to reflect many aspects of life we shouldn’t forget ...

@ Ros – thanks .. Tina was one special lady and Christmas is always difficult dealing with recent loss. Thanks for your thoughts ..

@ Bish – that’s great: you remember the posts – thanks for your Christmas thoughts ..

@ Roland – yes you’re right … we have been so lucky to have these friends and family in our life, even if now they are gone … I hope you have a peaceful Christmas …

@ Debi – thanks for checking in and enjoying the memories I’ve selected ..

@ Gattina – thanks for your thoughts ..

@ Clarissa – appreciate your comment – glad you enjoyed the posts and for coming across …

@ Julie – thanks: I was so late with the Survive and Thrive that it seemed the easy way to ‘advertise’ all the posts … especially as I really didn’t have a story to tell --- so glad it was so helpful.

@ Jess – excellent you’ll be taking a look back at the posts … as we’ve only recently connected …

@ Michele – I couldn’t decide and the human and environmental aspects seemed important – I’m sure you’ll enjoy the reads …

@ Ella – yes it is a great blogfest and I haven’t got round to everyone yet … and I try and take the positive approach to life ..

Cheers everyone – thanks so much for visiting and remembering with me and with DL via his Déjà vu blogfest .. have peaceful Christmas week build ups … then a Happy Christmas and week following before – oh dear!! – 2015 sets in!! Hilary

Kim Van Sickler said...

I would like to catch Michelle's bloghop this time around. We don't live in a vacuum.

Betsy Brock said...

I absolutely love that quote from Tina. It really sums it all up, doesn't it? Perfect!

J Lenni Dorner said...

Looks like some good posts for resharing.

Sherry Ellis said...

It's definitely a good time to remember food banks, so everyone can enjoy the holiday season. Thanks for the reminder!

beste barki said...

I wish you a happy and healthy 2015 Hilary.

Marja said...

A beautiful word Ubuntu and what a lot of inspiration you have brought
Love tina's quote as well

Kimberly said...

It was hard to chose - thanks for sharing your favorite posts! I hope you have a wonderful holiday season and an amazing New Year!

Susan Flett Swiderski said...

What a lovely bouquet of posts! Thank you.

Here's wishing you a very Merry Christmas and all the best in the new year.

Geo. said...

Wonderful. Best wishes in this and all seasons.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ Kim – that’s great news .. Michelle will be delighted to read this or find out in due course .. I’ll remember! As you rightly say we are all connected ..

@ Betsy – yes – Tina had some wonderful sayings, thoughts and ideas .. others first ..

@ Lenni – I hope you can get across to read some of them … the ideas behind were those posts are what were so helpful ..

@ Sherry – food banks and help for all – it gives pleasure and hope for them ..

@ Beste – many thanks .. you too

@ Marja – Ubuntu .. is an amazing word – and finding out all the excellent information really surprised me …Tina: well she will be remembered ..

@ Kimberley – good to see you .. and yes, hard to choose and thanks for your wishes ..

@ Susan – the ideas and concepts in each of those posts were inspired by other bloggers …

@ Geo – thanks for the visit …

… and to you all – have wonderful Christmases, fun in the build up, enjoy the day and then look forward to an easier 2015 … cheers Hilary

loverofwords said...

Merry Christmas to you, Hilary! Thank you for all your hard work and for your blog. And thank you for your card. I will make up for my lack of correspondence in January as I recover from a tough 6 weeks.

Notes Along the Way with Mary Montague Sikes said...

Happy Christmas to you, dear Hilary! I so enjoy your blog!

Elise Fallson said...

Perfect blog posts to remember/share.... enjoy your Christmas, I hope you have a great time with friends and family. And have a fabulous New Year! It feels like December came and went in a blink...but then again I say that every year. Time flies, especially since having kids..... Wishing you the very best and I'm looking forward to another year of your wonderful posts! Cheers!!!!!

Christine Rains said...

Excellent choices. A very merry Christmas to you and yours. :)

Susan Scott said...

Thanks for your Deja vu post Hilary! And your wonderful recommended reading. Boyd Varty's TED talk was so excellent.

Lovely to remember Tina.

A blessed Christmas to you and loved ones

Unknown said...

Sorry I missed this event, thanks for a lovely post as always, Hilary, and a very Happy Christmas to you and those you love.

Brian Miller said...

londolozi....i will have to remember that one.....smiles.

i hope that you have a wonderful christmas...filled with those you love....

Michael Di Gesu said...

Hi, Hilary,

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Thanks for the wonderful flashbacks.... Wishing you a happy, healthy, and wonderfully unusual new year! I know I will be looking forward to more of British travel posts! Stay safe in your travels this holiday season and ENJOY!!!!

Karen Lange said...

What a wonderful blogfest! Can't go wrong sharing some great links, can you? :) Enjoy your week. Sending love and blessings your way!

Robyn Campbell said...

Super de duper, Hil. Love these looks back. Tina was a most thoughtful bloggy friend. As are you. What would we do without your uplifting, positive comments and posts? I for one am very thankful for you. Merry Christmas, my friend.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ Natalie – good to hear from you and that you are recovering .. my blog happily ticks along!

@ Monti – many thanks .. much appreciated

@ Elise – reminding us of a few things … and yes time flies – with or without kids, I think! Thanks so much … I hope to continue on happily posting …

@ Christine – good luck with your all your projects and stories ..

@ Susan – yes the Boyd Varty talk was amazing wasn’t it … I must listen to it again … raising my thoughts to new levels for humanity and what it means. Thanks Tina was special. Enjoy Plettenburg bay .. wonderful place …

@ Carole Anne – you’re with us and that is main thing .. as you have plenty going on – and have had a challenging year ..

@ Brian – it’s a brilliant name, description of life (protector of all living things) … I’m glad it’s clicked into your memory bank: an essential of why we are alive …

@ Michael – good to see you and I’m so pleased life is sorting out for you … I suspect the blog will continue on its approach to life – eclectic, unpredictable … and amusing and educating I hope … thank you!

@ Karen – yes Don’s blog fest is a great idea .. and I enjoy looking back occasionally and reminding us of various interesting links – thanks ..

@ Robyn – thanks so much .. it’s so good to see you here … and I appreciate your thoughts. It is good to remember – so many bloggers are such thoughtful souls … we can learn so much …

Merry Christmas everyone and thanks so much for being here – comment and taking an interest in this blog, and others around the blogosphere … have a wonderful time – peaceful and blessed too … Hilary

bazza said...

Happy Christmas to you and yours Hilary.
CLICK HERE for Bazza’s fabulous Blog ‘To Discover Ice’

Unknown said...

Thank you, Hilary, for your lovely blog and posts, so many different topics and interesting pieces. I thoroughly enjoy every visit. I hope you have a wonderful Christmas with many Blessings! May all your dreams come true in 2015.

Margie said...

Merry Christmas Hilary
Great post, as always.
Cheers

mail4rosey said...

Hello to you, Hilary! I'm here to wish you a very Merry Christmas. :)

Joylene Nowell Butler said...

I like your choices, Hilary. Glad you mentioned Tina. Isn't it wonderful how we've all become like a small community? Very special to know so many wonderful bloggers. Happy New Year.

Nick Wilford said...

Great posts to look back on. Glad you bring so many wonderful things to our attention and good to remember Tina. Have a lovely 2015!

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ Bazza - many thanks and I'm sure you had fun with little ones, family and friends ..

@ Sharon - so pleased you enjoy your visits ... and yes our dreams coming true in 2015 ... they will I'm sure ...

@ Margie - thank you .. I hope you had a lovely time ..

@ Rosey - good to see you and thanks so much for those wishes ... and hope that your Christmas was Merry ...

@ Joylene - many thanks .. I couldn't decide on one ... and yes this community is amazing and we do get to meet incredible bloggers ...

@ Nick - they were good to read through ... it's so easy to lose track of posts we've blogged about .. but Tina will ring in our hearts, as too Andrew - also lost, as you know so well ..

Thanks to you all - and yes happy 2015 to us all .. and all the very best as we enjoy these last few days of 2014 ... cheers Hilary

Unknown said...

My mum was thinking about doing this blog fest, but she decided not to and let me write my blog post instead the next day. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Hilary!

Anonymous said...

Tina sure did rock it. Happy New Year, Hilary!

Morgan said...

Oh, your mention of Tina made me cry… loved this, Hilary. And thank you for being such a kind and fun friend. I've loved getting to know you this year!

Trisha said...

Merry Christmas to you, too! And almost Happy New Year, but not quite. :)

It's nice to see Tina mentioned. x

Julie Flanders said...

Hope you had a wonderful Christmas, Hilary. Here's to a very Happy New Year. :)

Suza said...

Hello Hilary - I am a friend of Betsy's on My Five Men. I saw your comment about Hardwick and there are a number of different ways you can clean stuffed animals without using a washer/dryer and without sending them to a special cleaners. I am amassing a few of these links for my own interest as I have a few that have to be refreshed as well. If you'd like, I will send you the links. Cheers!

Suzanne

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Thanks Suzanne - I'd hope to be able to comment on your blog - but see you don't have one (yet - I hope) ... yes I'd love you to let me know how to help Hardwick recover his health ... my email is on my profile - it is correct, just doesn't link across ... many thanks and I'll see what I can do for my old dog ... Hilary

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ Sarah – you and your Mum are always putting up such excellent photos and I see we have some wonderful reminders of where you’ve been in recent years … good to see you here ..

@ Milo – Tina did rock – you’re so right ..

@ Morgan – yes it is still such a shock … and it’s been a pleasure to be around with you, your friends and your blog ..

@ Trisha – not quite New Year, but oh so close now!

@ Julie – thanks so much I did .. and here’s to a good 2015 …

@ Suza – good to meet you .. and yes please per my reply above.

Thanks to one and all – so good to see you here – and have happy days ahead in the last day of the year and the first few of the new one! Cheers Hilary

Michelle Wallace said...

I'm rather late (13 days late? Crikey!) in getting around to the Deja Vu bloghop participants. I've been soooo busy...

Hilary, you are a GEM!!! Thank you for the shout out with regards to the Ubuntu Bloghop! This means I need to get my butt into action... I haven't given much thought to it as I've been soooo hectic over the past few weeks...
I haven't been doing the bloggy rounds like I usually do, either... very naughty of me!!
Not sure of a specific or new format for the hop. Maybe I'll just do what I did for the last year Ubuntu hop... simple and to the point... we'll see.
Hope you are well!

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Michelle ... no worries ... I'm glad you're busy - that's the important bit sometimes.

It's a pleasure re the BlogHop for Ubuntu .. such a great idea in February last year. I think simple would be the best approach ... and we can 'advertise it out' to others ... I can't do much as you know .. but I'll contact a few people and I'm sure the A-Z team would be happy to have something different to promote ..

See you around and yes I'm well thank you .. and it's such a great cause the Ubuntu blog-hop .. Happy New Year!! Cheers Hilary

Lisa said...

I am always inspired, blown away, and amazed at your touch on the pulse of life, Hilary. Wonderful issues/ideas/meanings to highlight here in this post and I thank you for introducing me to things and people who emulate the best of what being human, and compassionate, is all about...

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Lisa - this is an amazing comment - these things rock around in my head and occasionally get put onto paper ... and I just felt a post was appropriate ... blogging is a great way of bringing notice to ideas etc ... and opening up various doors ... and they are concepts that this blogging fraternity remembers and acknowledges ... which are so worthwhile ... thank you - Hilary