Commended

Taylor Swift at The Laughing Horse Awards Evening

"Well, I am speechless, and more than a little stunned. Thank you so 

much. I tread in far more worthy footsteps." - Janice Cooke (Jan 2nd 2026)

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Typically modest of Janice - but The Laughing Horse Awards Committee were unanimous in selecting their Blogger of the Year for 2025.

In their citation they noted, "Mrs Cooke's productivity and the range of subjects she taps into". At one level there is the domestic front in which she alludes with much affection to her large family and her beloved pet animals. On a different wavelength, she shows "immense curiosity" as she reflects on whatever has popped up in her brain that day "from travel to books and from ancient traditions to medical matters. There is pretty much no area that is out of bounds for her".

Janice responds politely to her visitors' comments and this innate trait is also present in her own comments on other people's blogs. "Jabblog" has been chugging along since February 2009, attracting over 2.6 million page views so she has certainly earned her recognition.

Congratulations Janice!

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At yesterday's ceremony, hostess Taylor Swift announced the creators of four blogs that have earned special commendations for their performances during the past twelve months. All four of them have permission to display the widgets they have achieved.

FOR GOOD HUMOUR & BRIGHTNESS

Bruce Taylor for "ODDBALL OBSERVATIONS"

His "Friday Funnies" posts are now legendary - reminding 

us all that it is good to chuckle and lighten up sometimes. He

also reveals his passion for baking and his wife Judy - sometimes 

referred to as SWMBO (She Who Must Be Obeyed).

FOR SIMPLE KINDNESS AND GOODWILL

Kylie Tai for "ECLECTICA"

In the actual content of her blog, Kylie has almost accidentally 

revealed  what a naturally kind human being she is but she also 

shows this in the way that she comments on other people's blogs. And 

Lord knows - we need more kindness in the world right now.

FOR PERSISTENCE IN ADVERSITY

Tasker Dunham for "A YORKSHIRE MEMOIR"

Tasker is an intelligent man with many interests and talents but 

instead of fully enjoying the happy, healthy retirement he deserved,

he is instead battling with lung cancer. By the way, he was never 

a smoker. His blog demonstrates his intellect, his memory and his inquisitiveness. Sometimes even reaching the point where he can 

press, "Publish" has proved a great physical trial.

FOR REPRESENTING SWEDEN SO PLEASANTLY

Monica in Borås for "Beyond the Lone Islands"

Like Janice Cooke, Monica is a productive blogger. She finds 

something to blog about nearly every day of the year and like

 our friend Meike Riley in Germany, Monica shows an amazing 

grasp of the English language that would put many native 

English speakers or writers to shame. Monica notices changes in the 

world around her, takes some very good photographs and gives 

visitorsfrom the rest of the world honest  insights into life 

in central Sweden.