Tif and her shameless canvassing ways...

KNOCK KNOCK

(a door opens once again somewhere around the globe)

"oh, it's you again" says the dearest reader

used dog clears her throat before launching into her canvassing patter

"ah yes madam, so sorry to disturb you once again but it is of the utmost interest i feel"

"well you better make it snappy, i've just sat down to my pea soup and a re-run of The Waltons" announces the dearest reader

"quite so, i can't imagine anything worse than cold pea soup. so as quick as a quickity quick thing, i must tell you i am back in the neighborhood canvassing votes for Tif"

"oh but i've already voted and i've been wearing my little badge and i showed Doreen next door the very nice 7 x 5 glossy photo of Tif. i'm quite sure if you went next door and gave her a badge and a glossy photo she too would vote for Tif" continues the reader

"well that is wonderful and heartwarming, i must thank you kindly for spreading the word. which leads me to tell you, it would appear that Tif has been nominated in more than one category. in fact it would appear she has been nominated in four!"

"oh i say! she must be overwhelmed with it all, i'm thinking she is probably beginning to feel a little like Angelina Jolie no less. fancy, four nominations in four different categories... that doesn't happen every day does it? talking of Tif, where is she then? if she's needing my votes i would expect her to come herself and not be sending her used dog and a pesky one, who by the way has wreaked havoc with my bulbs"

"good question dearest reader"

continues used dog, trying to stay focused on the task at hand and not notice that little olive was indeed rearranging the bulbs in the ground...

"Tif would love to be here today but unfortunately she is down at the local shopping precinct with her sign and kissing random babies that walk by. as i did such a good job last time she has sent me along again to rustle up more voting"

"fair enough... hang on a moment" the reader turns and hollers down the hallway

"Harold, be a love and put my pea soup back on the stove would you, i'm going to be a little while."

turning back to used dog she says

"go ahead then, tell me what the categories are?"

"well first up is

favorite handmade crafter" started used dog

"oh yes, i've done that one, what's next?"

"then there is

favorite handmade eco artist"

"interesting, hadn't thought much about Tif being an eco artist, but then she does do a lot with recycled textiles so i'm guessing that makes sense"

"next we have

favorite handmade textiles"

"mmm, that's another thought provoking category isn't it? never thought about Tif making handmade textiles but i guess she does doesn't she?" ponders the reader

"quite so"

continues used dog thinking about how she could do with some pea soup and if she plays her cards right perhaps some may come her way.

"and last but by no means least, in fact i must tell you this is the category that got Tif blushing with pride and writing on walls,

favorite handmade artist's blog"

"oh yes!"

exclaims the dearest reader quite excitedly, used dog notes

"i can just imagine she would be blushing, for indeed her little blog is quite the shiniest of places and having visited on the few occasions that i have, i can tell she takes pride in it"

"so that is it, dearest reader. i just popped by again to tell you how much Tif appreciated your voting last time and was hoping against all hopes that you may perhaps find time after eating your delicious pea soup to vote for her again... she also"

used dog adds in quickly

"wanted me to give you a gold sticky star for your commendable loyalty and hopes you will wear it with pride"

"is that one of those lovely gold sticky stars i wanted so badly in school when i was little but never seemed to get one, although i remember Alison next to me seemed to get them every day" remarks the dearest reader

"why yes it is, and Tif also said i was to put a 'V. Good' next to it so you knew just how good you have been to her"

by now used dog was feeling rather weary and her tummy was beginning to rumble

"well, that's it then, Tif aka dottie angel, has got my vote again... and i hope you don't mind me saying so, but you are looking a little peaky, perhaps you may care to come in and share some pea soup with Harold and me?"

the reader glances nervously over used dog's shoulder to where little olive has been making dirt sculptures in the yard

"is she toilet trained? i've just had my carpets cleaned you see and i don't want any messes"

"oh yes little olive is toilet trained and really has the best table manners, although to look at her now, you wouldn't know it" smiles used dog with her sweetest smile

"well what are you waiting for then, pea soup it is" the reader announces letting used dog and little olive into her cozy abode for an evening of merriment, leaving Tif out in the cold, on the street corner with her little sign, thinking how nice pea soup sounds...

she, used dog and little olive are once again thanking you most kindly for considering her ~ Tif