Feels like Heaven! Pen & Prosper Turns Eleven

Welcome back, readers!
Thank you for including Pen & Prosper in your weekly blog stop hops.
I am honored to have you here.
Particularly in that June, 2020 marks eleven years in the blogosphere for this blogger. Yay!
And let me tell you, that's no small feat, folks.

With so many negatives manifesting this year, I believe that it becomes even more important to celebrate small victories; to stay the course; to be intentional in our efforts; to uplift one another; to keep striving for excellence. Wouldn't you agree?

This year has unfolded like no other. It's been as tough as a cheap steak.
Yesterday, (as a point of reference) I found out that a dear friend of mine had died unexpectedly.
We had been writing buddies since the '90's.

More than the loss of a good pal, his death holds for me a cautionary tale. You see, my friend Mike was a talented and gifted poet/writer. He was also somewhat of a procrastinator. We talked many times about compiling and "officially" publishing his work to share with larger audiences. He kept delaying it. Now, it saddens me to know that his eloquent and insightful pieces will never be viewed.
Please, don't let this be you. Tomorrow is not promised.

So, rather than be consumed by all the disappointments and disasters this year, I have decided to focus on the good. Which brings us here.

PEN & PROSPER CELEBRATES ITS 11TH YEAR!

Here are some fun facts as it relates to this blog 

and the creator:

• There have been approx. 816 posts published on this site. On everything ranging from marketing, to client retention, to book reviews, to food and fun. And I'm proud to say that other than a few breaks over the summer and major holidays, I have blogged consistently, without interruption.
• Total collective page views for Pen & Prosper to date is 671,622.
• Pen and Prosper has been recognized as a "top blog" for writers for 8 consecutive years.
• One of my favorite books on blogging is 62 Blog Posts to Overcome Bloggers Block, Marcie Hill.
• My favorite time to post is around 6:00 a.m.
• Though my passion is writing, my college degrees are actually in business.
• My celebrity crushes are: Keanu Reeves, LaRoyce Hawkins (of Chicago P.D.), Michael Ealy and Kelsey Grammer (Frasier Crane). 
• My favorite color is black.
• If I weren't a writer, I would love to be a celebrity chef.
• My mom guilted me into becoming a "published" writer.
• Beethoven brings me to tears.
• I have a fear of flying.
• My current works in progress are a poetry book and recipe book for creatives.

I hope this brings all my readers up to speed and helps you to know the "woman behind the words" a bit better.

In closing 

I would like to thank each of you for your time, readership, confidence, friendship, suggestions and many contributions to the success of this blog.
I couldn't do it without you!

Until next time...

Warmly,
Jen

 Image credits:
Pixabay.com