Blogs

As Thanksgiving approaches, I'm reminded of how grateful I am for a family who loves and supports me, a husband who puts up with me, and a son who makes me laugh every day. I have the added joy of announcing that just this week my son Jimmy attained the status of ABD - "All But Dissertation" - in his trek toward doctorhood. Proud mama is bursting with pride as Jimmy moves ever closer to #MYSONTHEDOCTUH!

I'm also grateful for my tribe of women bloggers who inspire me weekly with their wit, wisdom and often laugh-out-loud insights. Today I pay tribute to my favorite dirty dozen - I HIGHLY RECOMMEND you check out their musings for inspiration, advice or a quick pick-me-up to get you through the day.

1. Elaine Ambrose has been a mentor and friend to so many of us fledgling writers. Not only has Elaine published several books, including the award-winning Midlife Cabernet (serious hat tip for garnering over 300 reviews!), Elaine also directs her own publishing company -Mill Park Publishing - and leads wonderful writing retreats. Her writing and blog posts are often syndicated. Best of all, Elaine works tirelessly to highlight and promote the work of other women writers. For example, in 2016 Mill Park Publishing will release the anthology Feisty After 45 which will feature 36 midlife authors from across the country and cover an array of topics to include humor, grandchildren, travel, inspiration, eldercare, travel and personal growth.

2. Vikki Claflin's Laugh Lines has one of my favorite taglines: "Middle Age. Modern Marriage. Epic Fails." Vikki's book Shake, Rattle, & Roll With It is one of my top recommendations as a holiday gift for every woman on your list. And, Vikki has a new book coming out in 2016. I can't wait!

3. I wouldn't categorize Marquita Herald as a humor blogger. However, Marty' uplifting and insightful posts on Emotionally Resilient Living always have me contemplating my attitude about life and how I connect with those around me.

4. Marcia Kester Doyle's Menopausal Mother is my weekly reminder that my tribe of midlifers is a great bunch of gals. Marcia is also an author whose book Who Stole My Spandex? has just been released as a new edition. Check out both the book and the blog and be prepared to snort out loud.

5. I had the good fortune of meeting Jo Salemink at the 2014 Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop (EBWW2014), and I'm so glad I hooked up with this funny and inspiring chica. Her blog Sandwich Mom on Rye is my go-to when I need a smile on my face. I can't wait to hang with Jo again at EBWW2016.

6. What I love most about B. Swangin Webster's BSW - Books, Shoes, and Writing - is how diverse her weekly subjects can be. She discusses her life as an author, but peppers her posts with real-life advice and observations.

7. Amy Sherman is another one of my EBWW gal pals - she adopted me into her group when I must have looked lost and in need of a drinking buddy. Her blog Witfaced is indeed witty, with a splash of get-your-head-out-of-your-a** realism.

8. Astra Groskaufmanis, my fabulous Canadian chica, writes wonderful posts at The Dust Bunny Chronicles. However, what's also terrific is that this year she published her first book Offside By a Mile. I highly recommend this book for everyone on your Christmas list who is living the life of a sports parent. Astra's observations from the youth hockey world are universally poignant for all of us who have yelled and cheered from the sidelines and the bleachers.

9. Here's another blog where the tagline says it all: Midlife at the Oasis by Lois Alter Mark, "where living an amazing life never gets old." I can't be the only one who hears that 1973 classic "Midnight at the Oasis" in my head every time I visit Lois' blog. May well be the most clever blog title ever.

10. I love sharing how I met Kathryn Mayer, my genius friend who writes about life, warts and all, on her blog http://kathrynmayer.com/. Kate walked up to me at EBWW2014 and pronounced, "Can I just stand at your table for a few minutes? I suck at conference meet-and-greets; I could not be more of a dork." Kate is one of my personal heroes and favorite writers. She can take topics like distributing condoms to teenagers and make you want to immediately hang out with her and buy her a drink.

11. The title of Helene Cohen Bludman's blog Books Is Wonderful is a bit misleading in that Helene writes about so much more than books. Not that writing about books is a bad thing. But, I also enjoy Helene's musings about relationships, parenting and traveling. Of course. I absolutely trust Helene's book reviews. She has never steered me wrong.

12. I've saved the best for last with Sharon Hoder Greenthal's Empty House Full Mind. Sharon is amazingly prolific; it seems she always has something new and fresh posted on her blog. She is also one of the geniuses behind Midlife Boulevard, which features a wide array of midlife women bloggers. I hope you can visit many of the sites I've recommended above, but if you have to pick only one, pick Midlife Boulevard.

Who are your favorite women bloggers? Wishing everyone a safe and Happy Thanksgiving.

- Kimba Dalferes

Kimberly "Kimba" J. Dalferes is a native Floridian who currently pretends to be a Virginian. Her accomplishments have included successfully threading a sewing bobbin, landing a 35-pound Alaskan King salmon and scoring a ceramic sangria pitcher at an estate sale for $1. She also sometimes writes books such as I Was In Love with a Short Man Once. Her humor column - Dock Tale Hour - is published by Laker Magazine. She is often found hanging out on her blog The Middle-Aged Cheap Seats.