Accolades

Some people mark the passing of time through the turning of seasons but for others it's all down to the annual  Laughing Horse Blogging Awards. This year there was to have been a massive party at Bantry House in Ireland with invited guests being flown in from all over the world. The champagne would have flowed and lady bloggers in chiffon gowns would have tittered behind their lacy handkerchiefs. Luxury accommodation had been booked for all with spectacular views over Bantry Bay and the promise of a full Irish breakfast in the morning - despite the inevitable hangovers.

Bantry House - What might have been

The Committee noted that 2022 has been another great year for blogging.  Special mention was made regarding Mr S. Reed of West Hampstead , London  who has blogged every day for the last eight years  in his excellent "Shadows and Light" blog. He illustrates his blogposts with his own high quality photo-images. The star of the blog is undoubtedly his pet staffie, Olga. He was The Blogger of the Year in 2016 and continues to maintain superb standards. Consequently, this year he receives  a "special award" widget. Here we are Steve:-

There are people out there in the so-called "real world" who regularly visit favoured blogs but do not manage blogs of their own. They are in effect supporters of the blogging community and their esteemed presence is much cherished but rarely acknowledged. This year The Laughing Horse Awards Committee has decided to recognise six of these unsung heroes: Ellen D from Naperville, Illinois - Melinda from Brooklin, Ontario, Canada - John Haggerty from Glasgow, Scotland - ex-teacher Margaret from The Pacific North West, USA - Christina from Blackburn, Lancashire and last but not least Carol (Coppa's Girl) from Spain.

All of the above are permitted to print off a 2022 "Special Award" widget. It should then be cut out and carefully mounted on card before a safety pin is secured to the back with tape. The new badge may then be worn on their lapels - a true badge of honour and something to boast about with friends and family.

Another special award goes to Andrew de Melbourne. Of course he was the Overall Blogger of the Year for 2021 but in late September 2022, something terrible happened. His esteemed "High Riser" blog was suddenly pulled by Google Blogger. Andrew had been managing this blog since I believe 2004 and its disappearance came as a huge surprise. There was no debate or forewarning - it was just blasted away like a Ukrainian electricity sub-station. Something to do with "terms and conditions".

Andrew had to pick himself up and dust himself off before picking up the blogging reins again. He launched a "new" blog - "From The High Rise" which to all intents and purposes looks just like "High Riser".  And now he is happily back in his stride. The Laughing Horse Awards Committee felt that his resilience in the face of adversity deserved a "Special Award".

And now we reach the moment you have all been waiting for - the announcement of  The Laughing Horse  Blogger of the Year for 2022.  There were six nominations  in all but sticking with tradition,  I have been instructed not to name the five also-rans - one from Canada, two from the USA, one from Australia and the other from England. Understandably, The Awards Committee  never wish to prejudice next year's selection.

Drum Roll. 

"And The Overall Winner and Blogger of the Year for 2022 is none other than Bob Slatten from Camden, South Carolina for "I Should Be Laughing"!"

Loud cheers. Thumping of tables. Someone shouts, "Go Bob!"

Bob beams with delight as he proudly displays his award

The Committee said that Bob's blog is well-maintained and well-designed. There are regular features such as his mouthwatering architectural posts and his collections of current political cartoons. Bob has a healthy Democratic view of  both political and celebrity life in the USA. He tells it like it is - often providing readers with quotations that unmask hypocrites and idiots alike. He can't even bring himself to use the name "Donald Trump", instead re-branding him as "Thing 45". Sometimes he writes about his pet cats or his spouse - Carlos who occasionally makes funny mistakes - but mostly Bob's blog is outward looking, seeking justice, fairness and common sense in this often crazy world.

Bob is now entitled to display this special widget in his sidebar or use it in a blogpost announcement:-

To visit "I Should be Laughing", go here. Congratulations Bob!