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!

Interview with writer Sharla Lee Shults

See on Scoop.itWater the mind – READ

“Hello Sharla, I want to thank you first of all for your readiness to be part of this interview and permit me to publish it on my blog. I did choose you because I have heard of you before and would would like for other people to know you and your writing better.” ~Raani York

http://raaniyork.wordpress.com/2013/08/28/interview-with-writer-sharla-lee-shults/

Sharla Shults‘s insight:

Thank you, Raani, for this wonderful opportunity to share writing tips/ventures with others. It is through opportunities, such as yours, that each of us can share our knowledge and experiences while learning from others at the same time.

See on raaniyork.wordpress.com

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Awakenings: Timeless B&W Photography

See on Scoop.itAwakenings: America & Beyond

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

A continuous range of spectral colors engulfs the Earth, sometimes pastel, oftentimes bright and bold, but such is not true for the beginning of photography. Yet, the images captured are nothing short of spectacular – delicate, pure and detailed – and that is simply the black and white (B&W) of it!

During the 1890s, black and white photographs became commonplace in seed and nursery catalogs shortly after Kodak introduced the first handheld camera in 1888.

Sharla Shults‘s insight:

Visit Awakenings for the video The Photography of Timothy H. O’Sullivan: After his start capturing the horrors of the Civil War for Mathew Brady’s studio, 19th century photographer Timothy H. O’Sullivan uncovered the beauty of the great expanses of the American west.

Guest Photographer: Marilyn Armstrong @Serendipity

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Awakenings: Most Famous Brands by State

See on Scoop.itAwakenings: America & Beyond

“Each state of the union is unique by design, state song, bird, flower, food, beverage, etc. Most people are somewhat familiar with their own home state but rarely venture into knowing much about neighboring or other states across the nation. Trivia that are considered nothing more than just that – trivial facts – carry very little weight when it comes to learning for most are not taught in school or reflected in textbooks.”

Sharla Shults‘s insight:

There may be some room for argument here. So, think about your home state and its most famous brand. Do you agree/disagree with its label above? Of course, the real test here is knowing which is your home state. Now, that knowledge definitely needs to remain as a topic to be taught in our schools! Can you name them all?

See on awakenings2012.blogspot.com

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Awakenings: Word of the Day: Chocolate

See on Scoop.itAwakenings: America & Beyond

Chocolate. Cho-CO-late. Cho-co-o-o-o-o-late.

Just something about saying the word makes you want some. The slower you say it the more your mouth waters! What is your first thought when you hear or say chocolate: bar, bonbon, box, bunny? There is the  chocolate bar with and without nuts, sweet and semi-sweet, even with toffee, chocolate so creamy it melts in your mouth. The succulent bonbon boasts small confections with a center of fondant, fruit, or nuts enrobed in chocolate, each morsel rich in texture and taste. Then, the best gift ever is the BOX of chocolates in which one might find milk chocolate, dark chocolate, white chocolate, smooth truffles, decadent cremes, caramels and luscious chocolate pralines. Of course, one cannot even think about chocolate without the chocolate bunny coming to mind.

Sharla Shults‘s insight:

After reading this, you will definitely run to your nearest chocolate source!

See on awakenings2012.blogspot.com

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Awakenings: Journey Across America

See on Scoop.itAwakenings: America & Beyond

Awakenings is venturing to take a journey across America in search of historical, entertaining, and/or perhaps just personal ties to her blogging community. There is always some tidbit, special nugget of history just waiting to be shared one more time or perhaps for the first time.

Sharla Shults‘s insight:

What about you? Do you have something to share about your little town (or city)? Leave a comment and contact information for a feature post on Awakenings!

See on awakenings2012.blogspot.com

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Inspiration: Life on the Train

TrainStationBench

Take a Virtual Trip

The evolution of the train is much like life, its journey through time collects treasured memories of people and places as it stops and goes from one station to another. Have you ever thought about comparing life to a train ride or a series of train rides?

While we may say goodbye to an era once vibrant, let us not forget the impact of the railroad as America rapidly became an urban nation. Where would America be today without the expansion of the railroad?

A little extra. . .

The remainder of this post is at catnip’s sister site, Awakenings. It was featured last November just prior to our 2012 Presidential Election. Included in the original post are some nuggets of railroad history and poetry from Awakenings from Then ’til Now – Poetry of Steam.

We’ve come a long way from the days of steam powered locomotives, which demanded back-breaking drudgery, to trains of today having advanced to high-speed technology centered on magnetic levitation. However, from the steam engine to the electric to the diesel to the stream-lined locomotives none compare to the poetry of steam.

bth_dividers

“There is no value in life except what you choose to place upon it and no happiness in any place except what you bring to it yourself.” —Henri David Thoreau (1817–1862)

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Awakenings: The Biggest Baddest Bubble

See on Scoop.itAwakenings: America & Beyond

How many of us as a kid tried to blow the biggest baddest bubble only to have sticky goop covering our faces, sometimes becoming entangled in our hair, the end result being to cut it out? It is definitely a natural phenomenon from the earliest age of the bubble gum chewer.

Sharla Shults‘s insight:

Be sure to stop by Awakenings and leave comments on your results if you attempt the biggest baddest bubble!

See on awakenings2012.blogspot.com

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Waterfalls

[This is actually a repeat post from catnipoflife’s sister site Awakenings that was featured last spring. The addition of the animated falls makes you feel like you are there. Feel its power, relish in its beauty as the waterfall takes on all your emotions and appeals to your senses! A HUGE thank you goes to Mary Helen Ferris (greatpoetrymhf) who surprised me with the beautiful animation that makes you feel you are right there experiencing the awesomeness of the waterfall!]

Something awesomely powerful and totally action packed IS at the same time oh-so relaxing. What is this two-sided coin?

The waterfall.

   From Imgur

It energizes. It mesmerizes. It spiritualizes. It epitomizes.

It can even colorize with a spectrum of rainbow colors appearing in its mist. It is awe-inspiring, breath-taking and powerful all in the same moment. It is in the forefront of electricity and the backdrop for relaxation. It is the epitome of nature, the diamond in the rough.

Embrace the Past…

Before the invention of electricity, river waterfalls were used to move turbines, which powered mills that could grind wheat into flour far faster than any human hand. Its power became the mechanical basis for generators which could create electricity from the motion of falling water, the birth of hydroelectricity.

Empower the Present…

Yet, its sights and sounds can be completely mesmerizing taking the mind on an incredible journey into the world of imagination.

Waterfalls are the background for fairy tales and an all-time favorite in real life. They carry with them an aura of romance, a hint of magic whether rippling over a rocky rivulet or splashing playfully while descending rocky steps. Even when a brook babbling through a forest encounters a rocky riverbed, the result is nature playfully showing off one of its finest moments.

Enrich the Future…

May the waterfalls of life be the forces that lift your heart relinquishing thoughts of daily stress and drama. Let the meditation begin…

What do you feel at the sights and sounds of a waterfall? There is a World of Waterfalls waiting to be explored and enjoyed!
 
“Think of your life as a waterfall; it may come crashing down at some point, it may have it’s ups and downs, but in the end, it will continue to flow.” —Author Unknown
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Awakenings: National Ice Cream Day

See on Scoop.itAwakenings: America & Beyond

Sharla Shults’s insight:

ENJOY Ice Cream Day

Check out ‘What your fav. flav. says about you!

“I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream!” Shout this mantra from the rooftops, because today IS National Ice Cream Day!

See on awakenings2012.blogspot.com

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Awakenings: 1 – Happy 4th of July

See on Scoop.itAwakenings: America & Beyond

Awakenings: Happy 4th of July   

The American flag: Wave it proudly!   

An icon of American freedom, a symbol of liberty, a motif referring to the United States, a banner for independence––

all symbolize America and the principles upon which she stands. Small flags are displayed on holidays, i.e., Memorial Day, Veterans Day, Presidents’ Day, Flag Day, and of course, on today’s special day, Independence Day. American flags also proudly displayed beside war memorials and next to the graves of U.S. war veterans. They are flown at public buildings and it is not uncommon to find full-size flags flying in the yards of private homes. 

Sharla Shults‘s insight:

We live in America, we rejoice in America’s freedoms, and today we celebrate America’s independence!

See on awakenings2012.blogspot.com

4thJulyKittyStamp

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