catnipoflife

Observe life at its best, Listen to life’s songs, Embrace life’s bounties, Breathe the breath of life, Savor life to its fullest!

Awakenings: A Date to be Remembered: 9/11/2001

See on Scoop.itAwakenings: America & Beyond

The very things terrorists sought and seek to destroy even today are at the heart of America: Hope, faith and courage remain resolute even in the face of the harshest adversity. Out of the ashes of 9/11 one remembers . . . The Sights. The Sounds. The Smells.

Sharla Shults‘s insight:

The poetry featured @Awakenings is dedicated to all whose lives were changed forever on September 11, 2001. May those who died rest in peace and may all of the heroes of that day also find comfort and rest.

See on awakenings2012.blogspot.com

5 Comments »

Happy National Grandparents’ Day!

Is there ever any question as to why grandparents begin with the word GRAND?

Grandparents5

MORE @Awakenings!

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Awakenings: Made in America

See on Scoop.itAwakenings: America & Beyond

Given a choice of the same product Made in America vs. Made in China which one would you choose? Of course, before making that choice would you first check the price? Then, second, would you examine its quality?

 

Interestingly according to the Consumer Reports National Research Center, 78% of Americans would rather buy an American made product! That’s right, those carrying the label good ol’ Made in the USA!

 

Sharla Shults‘s insight:

Where do you shop for products made in the United States? Share your resources in the comments section @Awakenings!

See on awakenings2012.blogspot.com

6 Comments »

Free Write Friday #29: Fall Word Bank

free-write-friday-kellie-elmoreWelcome to Kellie Elmore’s Free Write Friday! New here? Read the intro. Everyone else, let’s get started.

Here is your FWF prompt:

foliage – amber – wicker – aroma – sweater – cocoa

You may use as little as one word or all of them if you choose. Have fun!

‘Til the Last One Falls

Fall

Foliage changes color
Plushest green to amber
Hanging onto life
‘Til last leaves fall

The wicker rocker creaks
As aromas lazily drift
Tickling each nostril
‘Til stars at twilight call

Crispness in the air
Hints a light sweater
Breaking the chill
‘Til warmth arrives

Sounds from behind
Break concentration
A steaming mug of cocoa
Embraces, revives

Smiles from within
Send a new kind of chill
Inside and outside
‘Til nighttime calls

Foliage changes color
Plushest green to amber
Hanging onto life
‘Til the last one falls

©2013 catnipoflife2013 catnipoflife
Sharla Lee Shults

Check out these contributions!

~ neenslewy

Loved this prompt – hadn’t planned on using all the words in the bank but just kept on writing. Here’s my Friday token!
http://awritersfountain.wordpress.com/2013/09/06/fwf-free-write-friday-autumn/

~ Author’s Thought

Love the prompt Kellie, here is my link “Fall” http://wp.me/s3dPsw-fall

~ Roberta

~ Terry

Hi Kellie

http://terry1954.wordpress.com/2013/09/06/fwf-free-write-friday-fall-word-bank/

~ graypoet

Thought I would try and post a little of my rambling…. Glad to have a chance to brighten my Friday….

http://graypoet.wordpress.com/2013/09/06/lost-in-thought/

~ Maleko’s Art
12 Comments »

Cattitude Tip #2

“Gotta get my sweat on. Meow.”

“Gotta get my sweat on. Meow.”

Make sure your cat has TWO 15-minute aerobic workouts –

once in the morning and once in the evening.

Pull a mouse toy on a string to exercise your cat while relaxing with your coffee or sitting in your favorite chair.

Then,

He (she) will chase you out of your favorite chair so he (she) can lounge after the hard workout!

OR Simply exercise together!

Adjust his schedule your schedule to better fit your own his (hers)!

Have you (both) had your workout today?

Better keep up with me! Meow!

“Better keep up with me, Human! Meow!”

9 Comments »

Daily Prompt: Name that… YOU!

A visit to Alastair’s Blog directed me to The Daily Post @wordpress.com where the prompt for today is reflection on one’s name. I must say I have always been grateful to my parents for the decision they made in arriving at my name. It could have been much worse and I could have hated it.  On the contrary, I love my name!

OOPS! Wrong one...I am the human!

OOPS! Wrong one…this should be the human!

My birth certificate reads Anita Sharla Lee. Anita was chosen because it was also my mother’s first name, that is, after she had it changed! Yep! She was one who did not like her first name at all. Thus, a choice: live with it or change it! Annie became Anita. The Hebrew, Italian, Ukrainian, American and Spanish meaning for Anita is grace.

For my middle name, Mom chose the name Sharla. Later on in life I asked her how she came by that name. I was very familiar with Charlotte, Charlene and Charlie but Sharla was different. She said she read the name in a comic book that depicted a story of an Indian princess. Since I have always been pleased with her choice I can say I am a “princess of smiles” because one always smiles when reading a comic book!

As to origin, I found the name Sharla referenced as being of English, American, German and French beginnings. Most references point to the English meaning of Sharla, which is “free man, strong” and the French translation of “little and womanly,” It is predominately a girl’s name. [Not sure why the reference to ‘man’ but I am definitely a girl and very womanly!]HeartofaLion

That brings us to the last name of Lee. As was the case with my middle name, search results produced many different possibilities as of origin, Celtic, American, Latin, Irish and Old English. In both Celtic and American, its meaning is healer. Latin is lion, Irish is poetic, while English is meadow or wood. This could mean that I have the heart of a lion beating poetically with healing powers of nature found in a meadow or woods! Sounds pretty good, don’t you think?

What about your name? Name that… YOU! and let me know in the comments and I will start an extension of Alastair’s list (see below) and add your name.

Other takes on the Daily Prompt:

Alastair has listed 93 other takes on this Daily Prompt on his blog! Instead of my relisting his list, visit Alastair’s Blog for my list would be the same as his list! There are some really great stories! REALLY!

11 Comments »

Awakenings: Labor Day

See on Scoop.itAwakenings: America & Beyond

What are your plans for Labor Day…to slave away doing laundry, cleaning house, cooking, sewing, mowing the grass, working, working, working? Well, why not? The day IS all about LABOR!

Of course, that is totally the wrong perspective! Labor day is a celebration…a holiday…a day of festivities and it is today!

More than a day of rest, a backyard barbeque, a three-day weekend or the unofficial end of summer today has a larger meaning. A step back into the past provides footprints of history leading to the freedom of celebration honoring honest toil and the rights of labor.

Embrace the Past. . .(Continued @Awakenings)

LaborDay

Sharla Shults‘s insight:

On this Labor Day, take a moment to remember and reflect upon those who came before you toiling and laboring in harsh environments with little wages as compensation and without benefits enjoyed today. Inspire and support younger generations in their quest for justice in future employment and ultimately retirement.

See on awakenings2012.blogspot.com

15 Comments »

Awakenings: Rainbows and Raindrops

See on Scoop.itAwakenings: America & Beyond

All across America, the world in fact, is indescribable beauty often referred to as visions of grandeur. Each day presents itself in living color with sights, sounds, even smells that tempt and tease innermost emotions. Skies may be crystal blue and cloudless, or dark and dreary with hints of an impending storm. Even within the storm lies beauty…a calm at the end of which one may be lucky enough to sight a rainbow.

What awakens your senses of a forthcoming rainbow? Is it the sight of cloudy skies, the smell of oncoming rain, or the sound of raindrops pelting the earth? Perhaps lightening pierces the haziness of morning and rolling thunder disturbs the short-lived stillness of the air with news a storm is approaching.

Each sense brings on anticipation of sighting that well-known arc across the sky whose splendor boasts a colorful array of pastel hues. Have you ever taken the time to count how many colors you see in a rainbow? Is there a set number or a continuous innumerable spectrum of colors? Speaking of colors, what about Roy G. Biv…ever heard of (him)? Are the colors the same for every rainbow that comes into view?

Sharla Shults‘s insight:

“May each rainbow sparkle with colors of strength, joy, sunshine, harmony, faith, wisdom and spirituality.” ~SLS

Visit Awakenings to embrace the past, pick up nuggets about the rainbow and enjoy the poetry The Rainbow.

See on awakenings2012.blogspot.com

4 Comments »

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