Hello there and welcome to this week’s #PoCoLo a friendly linky where you can link any post published in the last week. Both Morgan and I know you’ll find some great posts to read, maybe some new-to-you blogs too, so do pop over and visit some of the posts linked and share some of that love.

Boy, wasn’t it hot last Saturday? I like it warmer but I was finding it hard to function normally, and I don’t just mean walking about, I also mean thinking straight without the fog of heat that somehow appeared between my ears. So as it turned out Saturday was too hot for most things, so we took the opportunity to enjoy our garden, which was timely really as that’s the theme for my still quite new garden link-up, The Garden Year.

In a shameless plug for that you’re welcome to head over there at any point in the month and link up a post old or new that matches the theme of ‘enjoying summertime in your garden’.

Blogger Showcase: Laurie from Meditations in Motion

1 Who are you?

I’m Laurie, a retired chemistry teacher from Pennsylvania (US) who began blogging a little over a year ago. I am passionate about running long distances, which gives me time to ruminate (and then blog) on topics that interest me. I am a mom to three adult sons, Mimi to three grandsons, and wife to a very patient husband who is also a runner. I am outgoing, love to groan at corny jokes, and an inveterate optimist.

2 How did you discover blogging?

A friend of mine suggested that I read a post from a running blog she follows. I read the post, loved it, and thought “I could do that”. My son, who has his PhD. in Computer Science, helped me set up my blog.

3 Why did you start blogging?

After I retired, I had the time to pursue new interests and blogging was one of them. I love the blogging community. The first friends I made were book bloggers and they generously showed me the ropes and helped me make friends. I love the creative aspects of blogging, the feeling of satisfaction when a good post comes together, the research which is sometimes necessary, and the challenge of coming up with topic ideas.

4 What do you find most challenging?

Mastering social media and promoting my blog have never been easy for me. I am a sporadic Tweeter and Facebook poster. I might go for weeks or even months without posting anything, then I remember “Oh, yes. I should look in on my Twitter account!” and I will Tweet up a storm. Until I forget again.

5 What is your favorite topic to write about?

I actually have two favorite topics: faith and running. Because I often think about faith-based topics when I run, my posts often trend in that direction. My faith informs my views on social justice, economics, politics, and race. They push me towards greater compassion, empathy, forgiveness, and love.

6 Are you blogging for fun or do you have goals?

Absolutely for fun.

7 What is your favorite thing about blogging?

Without question, my favorite thing about blogging is the eclectic group of people I have met from all over the world whom I never would have had the opportunity to exchange ideas with if it weren’t for blogging.

8 Have you ever attended a blogging conference?

Nope.

9 What are your three best posts?

That’s almost like asking which if your favorite child, but here are three I am proud of:

Love, Like Bread, Made New All the Time

A Second Chance For a Frozen Heart

Do You Believe in Magic?

10 Describe yourself in 3 words.

Irrepressible wry woman.

11 Tea and biscuits or coffee and cake?

My natural inclination is for coffee and cake, but since sugar is a no-no in my new diet (designed to lower my cholesterol), just the coffee, thanks.

12 What’s your idea of the perfect night out?

Going to a dive restaurant with excellent food with my hubby and maybe a few other good friends, laughing until tears stream down our cheeks, and staying until the place closes.

13 And the perfect night in?

Eating popcorn and watching baseball on TV with Hubs.

14 What would your best friend/OH/kids say is your best quality?

I had no idea, so I just asked my best friend. Apparently, I am unfailingly kind. (I told her what I thought her best trait was too!)

Thanks Laurie for sharing more about you and your blog, no doubt you’ll already know how much I enjoy learning more about one of our regular linkers. Morgan and I are always on the lookout for bloggers to showcase in this feature, so if you’re interested then please do get in touch with us.

Before you link up, head over to Laurie’s social channels and connect with her there: Twitter - Facebook