I am sitting here with the wonderful news that I’m a finalist for the Best of Blog awards, in the Most Inspiring Blog Category.

I did not start this blog to inspire anybody. I started it because for the first time in my life something was inspiring me to write in a powerful way. That something was motherhood.

Many of you are better writers than me. Most of you are much funnier than me. Many of you have inspired me to keep writing from the heart. So thank you for letting me be true to myself. I have found my voice here. It is quiet, subtle voice, and I don’t think it could possibly have found an audience anywhere else.

I would ask you to vote for me, but I know nothing about the voting procedures. Not all the categories have been announced yet. I’ll update with more information.

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I’m not sure how to tally the results of yesterday’s Nursery Rhyme Quiz. You all made me laugh or smile in some way. I think the best way to handle it is to encourage you to go back and read through the comments. As a general rule, those with young kids did better. Only a few of you had a complete grasp of the mouse locations in Goodnight Moon. I put the question in there because only recently did I notice the mouse locations progressing throughout the book. I had fun reading it with my second daughter, discovering all the positions. It really sealed my attachment to the book, which from the beginning I have had a great respect for. If you’re still discovering things four years later there has to be something brilliant about a book. My favorite is the mouse looking out of the window at the stars.

Now, I promised you a list of favorite nursery rhymes. When I promised you this, I did not have a list in mind. I had to go back to this book tonight.

I love so many of them, just rolling them around on my tongue.

Here are a few that you may not have heard of. All are from the Kady MacDonald Denton book.

1. I do not like thee, Dr. Fell, The reason why I cannot tell; But this I know, and know full well, I do not like thee, Dr. Fell.

2. Somebody loves you Deep and true. If I weren’t so shy, I’d tell you who.

3. Jerry Hall He is so small, A rat could eat him, Hat and all.

4. Curly Locks, Curly locks, wilt though be mine? Though shall not wash dishes, nor yet feed the swine; But sit on a cushion, and sew a fine seam And feed upon strawberries, sugar and cream.

5. Girls and boys, Come out to Play, The moon is shining Bright as day;

Leave your supper, And leave your sleep, And come with your playfellows Into the street;

Come with a whoop, And come with a call, Come with a good will, Or come not at all;

Come let us dance, On the open green, And she who holds longest, Shall be our queen.

(Now, shall we dance?)

Auguste Rodin, Five Dancers