One of the funniest things I’ve read in a long time is from Clint, newly back in the States missionary from Venezuela and husband of Jungle Mom, on The Most Elusive and Dangerous Prey. I was going to post couple of tidbits, but I don’t want to spoil it. Go read it — you’ll have fun. 🙂 Not in Kansas Anymore!!! is pretty funny, too.

If you love crafty eye candy, you need to see the Bits and Pieces Collages Swap entries at Every Day is a Holiday. They’re just darling. I saw when she first announced the swap, but it was a busy time, so I didn’t sign up to participate. But I love looking at what the others did. I really want to do something like that some time.

Mrs. B. at Cherish the Home has a very sobering and convicting post of a woman’s testimony concerning mistakes she made in her marriage which left her Alone.

There are lots of special things happening in Blogville over the next several days.

Mary at Owlhaven is sponsoring a meme on Friday, July 20, called My Childhood Home. She says, “I’d like you all to consider writing about your childhood home. It doesn’t matter how big or small it was. All the memories don’t have to be picture-perfect. If you moved a lot, it’s fine to pick one favorite house. What I want to hear are details that were important to you as a child: your secret hideout under the stairs, the single-paned picture window you licked and froze your tongue to one winter morning, the backyard tree you climbed, the way your mother washed your hair in the kitchen sink every Saturday night, or any other strong indelible memory you have.” She’ll put up a Mr. Linky on Friday so that anyone who wants to participate can write a post on their blog and put the link on that post. More details are here.

Shannon at Rocks In My Dryer is hosting a Dog Days of Summer Bloggy Giveaway. There are so many blogs giving away various things, she thought it would be fun to have a carnival of sorts for various bloggers to host give-aways all at the same time and place. She writes, “You can hold a drawing at your blog for whatever you want. It doesn’t have to be big, or expensive, or even new. It can be something you made. Or something you found on sale. Or something you’ve used (a book, maybe?) and want to pass on to others. A purse? Jewelry? A gift card? The ideas are endless. If you’re feeling extra creative, choose an item that is significant to your own blog.” She’ll put up a Mr. Linky on her site Monday, July 23 and bloggers who want to give away something can link up any time that week until Friday. Then drawings for all the prizes will be drawn Friday, July 27. Guidelines are here. You have to be a blogger to give something, but you don’t have to have a blog to enter the contests on the sites you’re interested in.

GiBee at Kisses of Sunshine is hosting a cupcake contest: details are here.

Overwhelmed With Joy is starting a monthly book give away called “Pay It Forward,” in which she’ll give away a book a month and then ask the recipient to give it away when she’s done with it. There are a lot of other bloggers giving away books linked at her site, too. Details are here.

Whew! It seems like there were some others I was going to mention, but that’s probably enough for now. 🙂