catnipoflife

This Day in History: Oct. 31, 1864

Nevada is known as a Wild West state that’s still a little wild, but there’s more to this ancient desert land than the City of Sin. An aerial tour highlights Nevada’s vital role in the shaping of America, from the mines and ghost towns of its gold and silver rush, to its icon of American ingenuity: the Hoover Dam. Discover the highs and lows of Nevada’s history, and the booms and busts that have defined it as the land of big builders and bigger dreamers.

Nevada’s harsh but rich environment shaped its history and culture. In the 1820s, trappers and traders entered the Nevada territory. In 1843–1845, John C. Frémont and Kit Carson explored the Great Basin and Sierra Nevada. The U.S. obtained the region in 1848 following the Mexican War, and the first permanent settlement was a Mormon trading post near present-day Genoa. In 1859, Nevada was made famous by the discovery of the Comstock Lode, the richest known U.S. silver deposit.

Source: awakenings2012.blogspot.com

Nevada became the 36th state on October 31, 1864, after telegraphing the Constitution of Nevada to the Congress days before the November 8 presidential election (the largest and costliest transmission ever by telegraph).

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What is Halloween without a good horror story or movie! Stories of ghosts, goblins and ghouls monopolize the setting as the movie makers try to outdo one another with scenes of blood and gore. I often wonder how many bottles of ketchup (or similar fake blood) are wasted as Dracula feeds upon his victims, the Werewolf mauls his prey beyond recognition or Freddy Krueger uses a glove armed with razors to kill his victims in their dreams. We scream at the sight of bizarre transformations and close our eyes as flesh melts away like candle wax exposing the skeleton underneath. Then, as if that’s not enough, the Zombies right out of the grave thrash about uncontrollably with gutteral breaths and rattling groans. All in the name of entertainment!

Source: awakenings2012.blogspot.com

Notice the image real closely. This may be carrying it a bit far with a selfie!

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With tonight being the eve of Halloween, it’s time to finish gearing up and get ready for the witching hours. Each year Awakenings features the writings of Micki Peluso, author of …And the Whippoorwill Sang. Read more on Micki at the end of the article.

How much do you know about Halloween?

Source: awakenings2012.blogspot.com

Micki Peluso is a proficient, multi-genre author. This is a story of the origins of Halloween from olden times up to the present.

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What’s happenin’?

Meow, Meow, Meow…etc. The curiosity of our feline friends is never ceasing! Anyone who owns a cat is very familiar with the curious nature that is a natural instinct throughout daily routines. By nature, a cat is an explorer and a natural hunter, constantly on the hunt but not necessarily for food. They are always on a quest for the unknown. Antics and attitudes that may seem strange to us appear very normal to the cat. Cats like, often demand attention, but want it when they want it and in the amount they want…on their terms so to speak! With that being said, it is time for the cat to have his or her day…literally!

October 29 is…
National Cat Day

Source: awakenings2012.blogspot.com

National Cat Day: Six amazing videos that will make you love cats (even more) 

 "What greater gift than the love of a cat?"—Charles Dickens

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Today in Music History: October 24, 1962

Within the music arena have been various kings and queens—Paul Whiteman,”The King of Jazz”; Benny Goodman, “The King of Swing”; B.B. King, “King of the Blues”; Elvis Presley, “King of Rock ‘n’ Roll”, Arethra Franklin, “Queen of Soul”; Mary J. Blige, “Queen of Hip-Hop Soul”; Koko Taylor, “Queen of the Blues” to name a few. The Sound of Soul also reverberates with an American funk/soul band, The Commodores, who was at its peak in the 70s. Every decade offers its own chapter of soul. Sam Cooke has been honored as the ‘King of Soul” but there is only one “Godfather of Soul”.

Source: awakenings2012.blogspot.com

Georgia vocalist James Brown coined a frenzied style of choppy rhythms and jazzy horns, coupled with exaggerated dramatic behavior designed to attract attention. This along with a grotesquely choreographed performance was first documented on Live At The Apollo (1962).

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Stepping back in time is fun . . . just plain and simple fun! Whether a teenager wanting to learn about the eras in which our parents grew up or the adult who wants to relive the memories, the nostalgia is an alluring invitation for a trip down Memory Lane.

More than likely at one time or another you have said, or heard someone else say the phrase way back when…. Its context could be in reference to good times or bad times but in either case reflects upon events of the distant past…a different year, decade or even a different era. Some folks refer to it as back in the day.

But, whose day? Before indoor plumbing? Before electricity? Before the phonograph? Before the automobile? Before radio? Before television? Before the cellphone, iPhone, iPad?

Source: awakenings2012.blogspot.com

Let’s turn back time through the decades to the use of catch phrases. These are expressions used repeatedly until at some point in time they are replaced or simply have worn themselves out. Memory is not just about self so date not only yourself but also others…friends & family!
See which ones you remember and perhaps even still catch yourself saying today!

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When one speaks of the month of October, thoughts focus on pumpkins, autumn leaves and Halloween. First, hand-carved pumpkins lend themselves to family time as each member tries to pick the perfect pumpkin to carve and outwit the other with scary designs. Tension mounts as imagination soars with competitions arising to see who is the most creative from spooky to elegant to funny. Get your carving tools ready. Pumpkins, knives, action! Just be careful, those knives are sharp! Don’t need any real blood on the scene.

Then,…

Source: awakenings2012.blogspot.com

The Countdown to Halloween has begun! The reminders for this holiday seem to have begun earlier and earlier starting with the arrival of giant bags of candy, pumpkin flavored beer, – um-m-m-m? Is that for real? Totally pumpkin-flavored just about anything you can think of started the countdown right after Labor Day! Even the Halloween costumes greet us upon entering the store and line the store aisles echoing scary sayings and sounds, choice after choice, child to adult.

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Awakenings Blog Postings can be accessed via Pinterest. This is a great location to peruse at your leisure until a special topic, image or event grabs your attention. Perhaps you are interested in a special category. What’s happenin? keeps you updated on funny days, weird holidays, foodie fun and celebrations. yum, yum, yum…yummy captures the Foodie Fun for Everyone featured on What’s happenin’? Music Memories takes you on a walk down music memory lane. Then, at the heart of Awakenings is The United States of America, which features each state by month according to the date it was admitted to the union. Check each category by clicking its image below…

Source: awakenings2012.blogspot.com

For all pins/boards, visit http://www.pinterest.com/sharlashults/

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OK, it is NOT the month of February with Valentine’s Day approaching. BUT the ‘SWEETEST’ day of the year is close at hand…a special day for giving!

Saturday, October 18 is …

Sweetest Day 2014

Source: awakenings2012.blogspot.com

Make Sweetest Day a special way to give something or do something nice to those less fortunate than yourself. It doesn’t matter who that person is or where they reside. There are ways to enrich the celebration without the expenditures, which so many cannot afford. Little kisses, warm hugs, sweet smiles warm the heart and lift the spirit at no monetary cost.

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On October 13, 2012 Awakenings boasted 10,000+ views. A few days over one year later on October 16, 2013 that count reached 86,000+. Today, almost two years later to the day she is @. . .180,000+!

Source: awakenings2012.blogspot.com

Thank you! AND more Thanks!

There are just not enough words to express my appreciation for all who have visited and/or are following Awakenings!  Stepping back in time allows you to Embrace Your Past, Empower the Present, Enrich Your Future. 

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