August 31, 1997
 Wikipedia.org |
Tragedy struck at the heartstrings of young and old as news of the death of Diana, Princess of Wales spread around the world. What a tragic end to such a gracious lady who will always be remembered for her charitable spirit.
Click HERE to read more and leave comments. . .
It’s raining but it is a Thursday, not Monday, and the raindrops are glistening on the rose bushes in the backyard!
Beloved Flower Lover,
We could not resist this happy little tune about roses!
The Team
The London Flower Lover
#FWF Free Write Friday: Word Bank
OK! I know today is Wednesday, not Friday. BUT, according to Kellie Elmore’s Free Write Friday, the ‘rules’ say, “No deadline. No word limit.” With the happenings of the weekend and the week’s beginning, time has not permitted thoughts to gather around free writing. So, with a break this afternoon, I decided to check out the prompt. Oh, dear! It is a doozy. She has provided a word bank and what a strange conglomeration of words.
I looked at the words, remembered Kellie’s guidelines: Just write. Whatever comes to mind. Just write. Being the poetess, of course, the lines must rhyme. Whether the rhyme and reason go together in this one is yet to be seen by the comments hopefully it will receive. Here goes:
This week’s prompt:
Try to use all of the words. Let’s see what’s inspired…
Homeward bound
That’s what I say
As I listen to the 8-track
Along the way
Memories abound
As thoughts quickly shift
To bygone days
Of rivalry not rift. . .
. . .the coarse, stiff broom
Across the floor
Readying the room
For what’s in store
Candles were lit
As part of the show
Like a light-emitting diode
With a soft glow
Hustle and bustle
Throughout the kitchen
Ranted and raved
Good ol’ fried chicken
Salacious homemade pies
An all-time tradition
Made one froth at the mouth
Hailing its elocution
No rancid odor there
As fillings did coagulate
Only succulent aromas
This affair did permeate
My favorite, the peas
With pot liquor too
Inviting the spoon
For a helping or two
A family fling
Of cravings and itch
All came about
With nary a hitch
©2012
catnipoflife
Whaddya say? Did it meet the challenge?
Since entering the blogosphere and finding my place in blogland, I have met some amazing people not only from the United States but from around the world – India, Belgium, France, New Zealand, Endgland, Canada – places I have only visited in my dreams (maybe National Geographic, of course). Now, I find myself communicating with ‘friends’ across countries and oceans on a daily basis. During these visits, I have laughed and cried finding myself drawn into families that have endured hardships and overcome adversities beyond measure. So, before I graciously accept and pay forward two new awards bestowed upon catnipoflife, a HUGE THANK YOU goes out to all of my followers and visitors. Your support and inspiration are daily beacons providing a guiding light for my writing. I do try to reciprocate as often as possible with visitations across the web letting you know I visit your site by Liking or commenting. Should I not pay you a visit in a reasonable amount of time please drop by catnip and give me a little nudge♥
Onward to the awards. . .
Just recently, catnipoflife has received nominations for two awards. Instead of doing two separate posts, I’m going to combine the two together mainly because of time constraints in completing the requirements. Each have their own set of ‘rules’ but instead of treating them independently, I am going to let my nominess select the one they would like to sparkle on their own website. The Beautiful Blogger Award received does not contain any question/answer specifications. However, the Liebster Award does. Since catnip has previously received this award click Liebster Award or the Liebster Award logo and refer to its rules and questions. Should you find your name in this previous list and you have not responded, remember, there is no time limit. It has not expired!
The first award is the Beautiful Blogger Award honoring sites that share inspiration.
Received from Shirley Sorbello
Catnipoflife is shining in the heart of one of her followers, Shirley Sorbello, which makes catnip gleam in return. Shirley has been inspired by the writings on catnipoflife and has graciously nominated her for the Beautiful Blogger Award. It is always so heart warming to know when catnip’s thoughts, pictures, and/or videos have touched someone in a special way. Thank you, Shirley!
A BIG HUG AND THANK YOU, SHIRLEY!
The requirements for the Beautiful Blogger Award are:
The second award is the Liebster Award honoring sites with 200 followers or less.
Catnipoflife is deeply moved to be nominated by Christine Hammon. Christine is the author of A Hairdresser’s Diary which has received 5-Star reviews. Her story carries you on a journey from a life where she longs to be loved to one where she is not only loved but adored. It embraces accomplishment of her dream only to see it shattered most unexpectedly. You will find yourself at the intersection of many life-changing events where you will want to reach out to her, share in the moment, and lend a helping hand when so urgently needed. You will laugh at the incredibly funny stories, cry at thoughts of the uncontrollable pain, and share with her the most memorable endeavors.
As mentioned earlier, click Liebster Award or its logo at right for access to information and its rules.
Had not planned a post for catnip today but sometimes inspiration comes when least expected. Upon visiting Serendipity today, I found catnip in the morning where you can observe life at its best, listen to life’s songs, embrace life’s bounties, breathe the breath of life and savor life to its fullest!
First man to walk on the moon, 1969
Astronaut Neil Armstrong dies at age 82.
Let us pause for a moment of silence in honor and memory of this great hero. . .
Where were you when man first walked on the moon?
Echoes from the Past. . .
Remember When
Rock ‘n’ Roll, American Bandstand, the Beetles—
Teenage idols, legends in their own time
Sound and vibrations shook the world
Music made both young and old unwind
James Dean, Marilyn Monroe, J.F.K.—
Icons that ultimately shaped a nation
Lives ended in tragedy
Memories live on in admiration
Jonathan Winters, Bob Hope, Red Skelton—
Stand up comedy in side-splitting form
I Love Lucy resonated clowning around
Hearts remained rosy and warm
Life seemed so much simpler then
Bop Shu Bop Shu Bop, newly waxed gym floors, sock hops
Change was left in your pocket
Enough for drive-in movies, popcorn and soda pops
Remember when life was uncomplicated
Friends hung around to help with life’s collisions
The price of gasoline was under a dollar
Mom and Pop made all the decisions
© 2004
Sharla Lee Shults
How time does fly! Hard to believe it has already been two weeks since I posted the first Touch of Catnip. What is so cool about blogging is the massiveness of the blogosphere. Even word searches can sometimes lead you to information, quips, quotes, antidotes, tales of passion and woe, short stories, pictures, video clips and the list goes on. Today’s touch of catnip is two video clips located via an Internet search for ‘cats on catnip’ images. Hope you enjoy the cat antics!
Catnip Facts
Did you know. . .
~ catnip is a herb in the mint family?
~ a cat’s response to catnip is genetically determined, a magic gene?
~ catnip is a native of Europe?
~ catnip stops termites in their tracks, even kills them?
~ even some of the ‘big cats’ react to catnip?
Any catnip trivia of your own?
What are your thoughts?
Click HERE!
Catnipoflife is honored to receive the Liebster Blog award from, Janice Richards @JanasDreams and Rosemary Adkins @Extraordinary Dreams of an Ireland Traveler.
Before engaging in the ‘rules’ for the award, I would like to introduce you to both of these wonderful women. Each of them brings their own unique perspective to the blogging world.
Now, to the rules. . .
“The rules are that the winners have to pay forward to other people whose sites are worth the recognition and have less than 200 followers. If they accept the award, they should: thank the person who nominated them and link to his/her site; nominate five to eleven (5 to 11) other favorite blogs with fewer than 200 followers, and copy/paste the Liebster Blog Icon into their post.”
In doing some additional research about this award, some say pay it forward to five (5) where others say pay it forward to elven (11). Therefore, I have decided to give my nominees a choice. Also, there are some that present question and answer stipulations where others require none. Since Rosemary provided specific questions I will attempt to answer hers as briefly as possible.
1. What or who influenced you to write?
Writing poetic notes for my husband and for our children (left in their lunch boxes). Also writing curricum in which I wrote a math unit, Poetic Math Challenge.
2. Are you currently working on another book?
Yes! My third book, Awakenings from Then ’til Now, is under publication and hopefully will be released next month.
3. What is your favorite past time?
Playing golf with my husband
4. If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
Ireland! I want to play on those magnificent golf courses!
5. What advice would you give someone who is thinking about writing a book?
When you have random thoughts write them down. You never know when they may be the beginning of that special story or poem.
6. If you had to select a public office to hold, what would you choose for yourself and why?
City Commissioner – to work on fostering a strong sense of community, maintaining the beautiful, natural environment, and promoting economic growth ensuring opportunities for all citizens
7. Do you have any hobbies?
Sewing, cooking and painting
8. Where is your favorite restaurant and favorite food to eat?
JMichael’s in Panama City Beach, FL – Shrimp JMichael Yum-m-m-m!
9. What is your fondest memory?
Traveling to Europe with a friend for a month. AWESOME!
10. What is your favorite movie or TV series?
Somewhere in Time, Christoper Reeve and Jane Seymour
11. What is your reason for writing?
Following God’s plan for I never envisioned myself being a writer. I am only His messenger.
And the nominees are. . .(drum roll)
I’m actually really excited to showcase some of my favorite blogs. Please take time to visit them, you won’t regret it!
To all my Canadian friends or anyone desiring to travel to Canada – AWESOME! As catnipoflife puts it: Breathe the breath of life!
Canada is like your attic, you forget that it’s
up there, but when you go, it’s like “Oh man, look at all this great stuff!”
~Anonymous
Inspirational Poetry
Inspirational Poetry
Historical Poetry
catnipoflife 