I've been thinking quite a lot about the end of the world. It all started with this show I saw on the History channel. According to the show, it's almost a sure bet that the world is going to end on December 21, 2012. I've been thinking about that.

So, is that true? Well, the show did offer some scientific stuff to make its point. And it was on Tee Vee, after all.

I think the better question is, if it is true, then how does that change the way I live today? Obviously I don't want to get 40 or 50 years down the line and say, "Oh, dern, I should've planned for my old age." But, neither do I want to live every moment for some future time that may never come.

I am not so sure that it's true what Jesus said, that no man knows the day or the hour. I think maybe the Mayans, and those old Chinese guys, did figure something out. I think the point Jesus was making is that it's better -- far, far, better -- to live as much in the present moment as possible. That, after all, is where he is.

So what do you suppose will be so noteworthy that I break my long blog silence to comment on it?

An award, of course.

Thank you beautiful Eileen for stroking my ego and giving me something to blog about.

The award is basically meaningless, of course. There's no accompanying cash prize or anything. I can't even hold it in my hands and admire my reflection in it's shiny gold finish. But, I love it just the same. Something about being known and recognized delights the heart. It's palpable. Can't be ignored.

The blog world mystifies and fascinates me. I've never met any of you. Well, maybe a few. Yet I cry when your kitties die, I think of you when you are traveling, pray over you. I am in love with some of your dogs. And in these weeks when my own life has been discombublated and my internet access sketchy I've tried to convince myself that it didn't really matter. I got all my "real" work done, after all. At the end of the day, though, I'd wonder about you. And I missed you. Because you are real.

So, thanks Eileen for the Kick Ass Award. I've kicked more s*** than I care to recall and somehow, I'm still here. Thanks be to God, and a couple others.

I am granting the award to JohnieB because I loved his post about war and because I have a feeling he's a great soul.

I am also giving it to Doxy for her searing post on AIDS. This made me love you Doxy.

And I am giving it to Grendel who has posted some of the best dog writing on the whole internets. And I am also giving Grendel some virtual gravy. Check out "I Can Haz Psalms." It's beautiful.

I think I'll also give it to Kristen because she's been kicking cancer's ass.

And I'll give it to Elizabeth Kaeton just because. Just because I often find myself hoping she's posted on a subject because I want to know what she thinks about it. She's a sharpie, that Kaeton woman.

And I want to give it to one more person too. My fellow Texan and pal Barbi Click. Because she deserves an award.

You ALL kick ass.

So, here's the rules... you know there's got to be rules else chaos would reign. And we can't have that.

• Choose 5 bloggers that you feel are "Kick Ass Bloggers"
• Let 'em know in your post or via email, twitter or blog comments that they've received an award
• Share the love and link back to both the person who awarded you and back to www.mammadawg.com
• Hop on back to the Kick Ass Blogger Club HQ to sign Mr. Linky then pass it on!

I copied and pasted these rules directly from the official Kickin' Ass site so you know they are the real thing. That said, play if you want and use the rules as best suits you.

Love to all,

Lindy

Out Of Pocket Again

Dear Blog Friends,

I'll be out of pocket for another week or so. South Texas, then Mexico, then another town in Texas and finally home for awhile.

Please pray for me that I may have safe and uneventful travels, that I may always find myself where I am supposed to be, and that I will see the face of Christ in all I meet. And know that I remember you in my prayers as well.

Peace,

Lindy