I opened my blog the other day for the first time in weeks and noticed that I had a follower. Expecting it to be a friend or relative, I clicked on the comment to see that it was Jodie LeJeune, author of the beautiful and inspiring blog Everything Vintage (http://jodielejeune.blogspot.com/). I had a follower that I didn't know! So, excitedly, I clicked on her comment, which congratulated me for being published in the new issue of Artful Blogging. Huh?!

I sent Jodie an email as she must be mistaken, but she replied, "Yes girl, you are published in the May issue which will be out on May 1st. Your article is listed in the "Buzz" on page 3... It was late in the evening and although my excitement was mounting to get my hands on the magazine, I had to wait until the next day. Morning came and I realized that the book store wouldn't be open until after I was at work, so I had to wait until my lunch hour. Noon finally came and off my friend and I went to see my name in print. Alas, the bookstore did not get their copies yet. We tried another nearby store and, again, not available. I must wait until after work.

On my way home, driving a bit too fast, I stopped at another bookstore, just to be disappointed yet again. Now I had to hurry home to prepare my son for his baseball game and would not have another opportunity to look for the magazine until evening. After the game (which our team won 12-5 yippee!), I decided to call another store and YES they had one copy and would hold it for me at the front counter.

I got to the bookstore and had my husband open it and read it to me. There, on page 3 was my first ever blog comment, left to Susannah, author of the beautiful blog Ink on my Fingers (http://inkonmyfingers.typepad.com). It reads:

"On having a very rough morning at the office yesterday, I decided to spend my lunch in a quiet corner of the nearby coffee shop. Before I bought my very large caramel, skim, latte, I browsed through the magazine rack. Somehow the bright blue cover of Artful Blogging, a magazine I never heard of before, caught my eye. I took it over to the couch in the corner with my giant cup of coffee and haven't stopped reading it since. I have now started a blog, and hopefully with a little nurturing, it will grow into the photographic/art journal I've always known is inside of me.
Tammy Fanara

www.heartssprings.blogspot.com."

I couldn't believe it. MY words, recognized by such inspiring writers! It gave me an inner joy that can only be explained one way... my hearts springs went "boing-oing" all for myself. What a feeling!

Thank you Jodie! Thank you Susannah! Thank you Artful Blogging! Thank you Universe!