RW&R's First Blogiversary! and Giveaway!

Amazing - it's already been a year here on this little piece of blog estate. And even more amazing: it coincides with my 300th post here! (That doesn't include all the posts on my photoblog, which I started in November and is already past 150 posts.) I didn't realize I had so much to say!

This little blogiversary celebration is all about you, dear readers! If it weren't for you coming here and reading my ramblings and leaving me comments - or not - this would be a pretty silly exercise. So thank you for seeing me through this last year, including:

• my countdown to retirement and the actual fact of it;
  
• my bruised little hands after surgery;
  
• my garden successes and failures;
  
• books I've read - cheering me on through War and Peace and my reading challenges.
• Election 08 and the inspiring inauguration of President Obama!
  

And a special shout-out to Laura and Wendy who helped midwife this blog. They encouraged me to do it (or rather, pulled me over to the dark side), answered my stupid questions and they continue to visit and help me out.

To show my appreciation for you readers, I'm doing a book giveaway. The Road Home by Rose Tremain was last year's Orange Prize winner. Tremain is a wonderful writer; I was just introduced to her books last year and I'm determined to read them all, they're so good. I have a hardback copy, gently used (only read once! all the words are still there, in their original order!) to pass on to the winner. Leave a comment below and let me know if you want to be in the drawing. For an extra entry, mention it on your blog and come back to let me know. Contest will close on Friday, March 13th, your lucky day!

Edited to add: all locations are eligible.
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