** The following post was supposed to be up this morning, but I have had issues with my connection all day.  Therefore, I will leave this up on Sunday as well and no, that has nothing to do with the fact that I don’t have anything prepared and that’s completely beside the point.

The return of Native Love Saturday where I link to a blog that I read that I think you’ll like, too!!

In honor of this return, today’s love will be given to two very special bloggers.

Two who have been chosen from among an elite group of individuals, but none so worthy as they of holding the title which I bestow upon them.  Also, please note that I had to pick two because these two individuals blog so sporadically that just linking to one of them would have been futile.

Ladies, gentlemen, and Adam, on this day, I name my nemeses. Nemesi. Nemesis times two.

It’s been a long and arduous journey, finding a nemesis, because a nemesis isn’t somebody you just plain hate.  That’s Ann Coulter.

You have to like your nemesis.  You have to respect them.  They have to be as smart as you, as charming as you… it’s a very consuming process as those of you who have chosen your nemeses deliberately and carefully already know.

Think about it…  All the truly great rivalries of literature and the real world occurs between equals and manifests between those who have a certain amount of love, or at the very least grudging admiration, for one another.

Sherlock Holmes/Moriarty

Professor Charles Xavier/Magneto

Batman/Green Goblin

Tom/Jerry

New York/London

Of course, Charles Xavier is real, what is wrong with you?

The outside world must look at the two opposing forces and wonder, “How did it all go so wrong?  They should be friends…  It’s so hard to choose….”

You’re smart, you get it, so here we go:

Nemesis:  Coal Miner’s Granddaughter

Stats: Parent (like me), Wife (like me), Certified genius (like me), Excels at science, physics and mathness (not like me), married to what I think is a Republican (definitely not like me).  Plus she’s a Ghost Hunter which just makes me giddy with anticipation regarding a potential showdown.

Nemesis: Whall

Stats: Parent (like me), Clever (like me), Generally nice (like me), Does not curse on his blog (like me), a Techie (not like me), A White Man Living in Texas (need I say more?).

I would also like to include in this public declaration, a short note on administration of our impending epic battle.

If the urge to join forces with one another should seize either of you, as it inevitably will when faced with the unfathomable task of defeating me, I must receive notification of such a deal at least forty eight hours prior to such a joining so that I may find suitable cohorts to join my side (not that I need them, but tables for three are so awkward).  If I do not receive such notification, you will automatically be reassigned to the position of “Evil Nemesis.”

And something tells me you’d both probably be okay with “Evil Nemesis”.

Oh, and an addendum to the previous note.

POST MORE and stop ruining my well laid out plans by actually having a life.

Attention Recipient of Native Love Saturday: You do not have to post this award.  It’s not about me.  You’ve been selected for this because I feel like your blog will have value to the readers of this blog.  If you do post about it, though,  please link back to me.  Also?  You can use this smaller version below to put in your side bar if you so choose.  Admit it.  Every single one of you wants one.

* To see other recipients of coveted Native Love, click here.

Slyde’s Blog and The Verdant Dude

Asking me whether I like Slyde from Slyde’s Blog or B.E. Earl from The Verdant Dude is like asking me which of my eyes or hands I like better.

Actually…

I prefer my right eye and right hand, but you get the point.  I meant to illustrate that I can’t choose between them.

These gentlemen have occupied the “Must Read” section of my reader for at least a year, I think.  Maybe longer?

B.E. Earl’s blog covers baseball, 80s music, baseball movies, beer, baseball, food, New York, baseball and all sorts of random stuff.  Did I mention baseball?  Slyde will discuss these things, sometimes, but adds in little snippets about his job, family and how hot he is.  He also spices it up with the occasional rant.  So, he’s the girl.  The very, er, masculine and handsome girl.

My favorite part about reading these blogs is reading what these two have written in one another’s comment section, though.

It reminds me of … well, high school.  But, in a good way.

It’s like those times I would sit in the cafeteria with boys from my classes and giggle at the good humored insults they hurled at each other because they couldn’t figure out how to say, “I love you, man” without losing major macho points.

Most of all what compels me to read these particular blogs on a regular basis is the “realness” that both of these bloggers display.  Like those special people we know every day outside of the Internet, neither of these guys are about just one thing.

If they think it’s interesting, they write about it.  The enthusiasm behind the content draws me in and I never feel victimized by shameless pandering.

So, anyway, that’s why this Saturday is for loving Earl and Slyde.

Attention Recipient of Native Love Saturday: You do not have to post this award.  It’s not about me.  It’s about you.  If you do post about it, though,  please link back to me.  Also?  You can use this smaller version below to put in your side bar if you so choose.  Admit it.  Every single one of you wants one.

It’s Saturday.  You know what that means, right?  Native Love Saturday!!

The Jason Show

You don’t have to meet someone in person or even talk to someone a lot to consider them your “friend.”

Some sort of bond exists between all of the human beings on this planet.  We just make the decision, conscious or not, to accept that bond when faced with specific human beings throughout our time here.

If we choose to accept that intrinsic bond, a difference becomes a source of opportunity instead of a source of discord.

That opportunity, of course, is to walk in the footsteps of another and learn about a world we may never have known.  We also may learn that we’re each so much more alike one another than we could have previously imagined.

We may also learn that by opening our hearts to the possibility of the word “friend,” we can become much more prone to love and kinship than hatred or, worse, indifference.

I have never met Jason in person, I only know him from the Internet.  And even that relationship is limited to reading his blog.  But several months ago, I started thinking of Jason as a friend.

I believe I’m better for it.

Jason is a kind, witty and caring person who epitomizes the joy that can radiate from someone who has given themselves the permission to just be themselves.  When you stop by his blog, be sure to read this.

It’s just one of the many reasons why this Saturday is for loving The Jason Show.

Attention Recipient of Native Love Saturday: You do not have to post this award.  It’s not about me.  It’s about you.  If you do post about it, though,  please link back to me.  Also?  You can use this smaller version below to put in your side bar if you so choose.  Admit it.  Every single one of you wants one.

Clearly Crystal

Ode to Crystal: Oh, Crys, how do I love thee?

Watching you live life with such poetry and grace,

Love that you’re never too scared to say it to the face,

You’re smart, sassy, fun, gorgeous and so very quirky,

Sorry that on your blog, I have been of late quite lurky.

Your truth and introspection make life seem a funny little dream,

The way I like you best, though … is venting on my screen.

(I know.  I’m a riveting poet.  I get that a lot.)

** If you’re reading this on a Facebook feed, please visit my blog at www.Native-Born.com so you can see the YouTube video of this amazing woman whose face makes me smile before she even utters a sound.

It’s Saturday.  You know what that means, right?  Native Love Saturday — Passover Edition…Belated!!  This week the love goes out to…

Shiny’s Takeout

If it weren’t for Shiny I would probably never have googled “Passover” and learned, “Hag kasher vesame`ah.”

Oh, yeah, I just wrote something in Hebrew.  (I think).

Nor would I have learned that it is totally insensitive to give a blog award to a Jew on a Saturday.

I’ve only been reading Shiny for a few months, now.

But?  Shiny.  Is.  Awesome.

He’s funny.

He’s a great dad.

He was completely robbed in his American idol audition.

He clearly recognizes greatness.

Anyway, that’s why I love Shiny’s Takeout.

And, by the way, I scheduled this post before I knew Passover was around this time.  Just FYI.

** Disclosure about Native Love Saturday: You do not have to post this award.  It’s not about me.  It’s about you.  If you do post about it, though,  please link back to me.  Also?  You can also use this smaller version below to put in your side bar if you so choose.  Admit it.  Every single one of you wants one.