I have friends. I do. Not surprisingly, some of those friends are bloggers. Right now, three of those blogger friends are participating in The Ultimate Blog Challenge. What is The Ultimate Blog Challenge? Good question! So glad you asked.  It is a Challenge requiring that for the entire month of April, you are writing a blog EVERY::SINGLE::DAY!!!

I was asked to participate in this Blog Challenge, but politely declined, partly because I knew we were going to NJ in April with my parents; partly because my students research papers all need to be read and corrected in April; and mostly because the thought of keeping up with a “Challenge” like this scares the bejeeebers out of me.

I hate to admit it, but I tried to sway at least a few of them so I wouldn’t look like the only scaredy-cat, which, of course, I am. I came up with, what I thought, was an easier alternative. I told them we should do a “Squat Challenge” instead. Not one of them offered to join me. I don’t mind, I didn’t do the “Squat Challenge” either.

Maybe it’s the word “challenge” that gets me. You see, I am not a very competitive person. The word “challenge” reminds me of “competition”. The word “competition” reminds me of “sports”. The word “sports” seems like a lot of work. So, I prefer to classify myself as simply an athletic supporter; or if you prefer a basically lazy person. But, I do like to read and so, I’ve been reading blogs in support of my Challenged Friends. Here is what I’ve learned so far in no particular order…

Reading Life on the Lighter Side has taken me to Salzburg twice and Paris once. I’ve learned that Counting Sheep Doesn’t Work and Jesus is not only my Savior, He can also be found as a Lego. Who knew?

In The Romantic Vineyard I found out what would happen “If My Spouse Would Just…” and pondered a very scary thought with the title “If My Sheets Could Talk”. Today I sang a song, “Getting To Know You”, which I’ve been humming all morning.

And finally, Prevailing Thoughts has taught me a few things about my writing. For example, I no longer have to ask “How Long Should My Story Be?” I am no longer afraid of “Lions and Tigers and Bears, Oh MY!” Actually, I don’t like Fear Fiction…so that was a lie. But, my favorite was the idea that “History is MY Story” and the thought that I just might want to write my memoirs. Not sure who would want to read them, but it’s the thought that counts.

Overall, I’d like to say thank you to my “Challenged” friends, they really are doing a great job and I’ve learned so much!  If you think about it, we’re all challenged in one way or another and it’s really not that big a deal!