Join me at Awakenings, Catnip’s sister site, for a sneak peak into September’s celebrations and What’s Happening, today September 1. It’s never too late to celebrate!
With September being Classical Music Month, what better enjoyment than listening to the music of André Rieu, Dutch violinist and conductor best known for creating the waltz-playing Johann Strauss Orchestra!
Touch of Catnip…
Of course, I cannot leave without the cat doin’ cat stuff!
Here we are well into the month of July with the ‘dog days of summer’ upon us – HOT and humid! Of course, we are not literally going to the dogs nor are dogs the actual limelight. Our pooches are locked in fur coats 24/7/365, however, and must be well taken care of, which will be later addressed.
What are the ‘dog days of summer’ and their connection to dogs?
Answers on Scoop.it – Awakenings: America & Beyond
The best place to be during these hot and sultry days is anywhere there is a cool breeze, whether man-made or provided by Mother Nature. In our dreams we stay cool but one step outside brings us immediately in tune with stark reality as sweat beads do not hesitate leaving their marks on make-up or freshly starched shirts! Sweat shows no mercy!!!
Posts are prepared daily for catnip’s sister site Awakenings since that site is tuned into what’s happenin’ on a daily basis, foodie fun and sounds of music, facts and trivia, of the past. Such has not been the case for catnipoflife, which is more inspirational. It is most important before going any further with today’s post to express thoughts of gratitude to those of you who have faithfully followed catnipoflife since its inception in 2011. Of course, that also applies to new followers and visitors. Because of YOU, I am still here! Thank you! Thank you! Thank You!
Often posts from Awakenings are scooped onto catnip. Today’s post, however, needs to be showcased on both sites equally. Are you ready? More clearly – are you ready for Autumn?
Get ready! Get set!
With the falling leaves comes the time for the yard rake. While no one probably LIKES to rake leaves, there is the envelopment of a very special atmosphere. As the rake moves back and forth in rhythmic motion, leaves cling to its ‘fingers’ before being deposited in a pile. The pile keeps getting bigger and bigger and bigger. All the while children laugh and giggle in anticipation of what’s coming next.
It only takes is a few seconds to say, “Get ready, get set, go!” for each child to jump right smack dab in the middle! As your child becomes acclimated to the change in season, plant the seed of anticipation. If yours is an area of few or no trees, look around for your ‘pile of leaves’ – whatever brings on the smiles, laughter and giggles that will be long remembered and treasured.
©2012
catnipoflife
—John Burroughs (American Naturalist and Essayist, 1837–1921)
Click the image to visit Awakenings. June 19 is… GARFIELD THE CAT DAY
Has life thrown you a curve ball to the point you just felt like giving up? Throwing in the towel? Flushing it all down the drain? Pulling your hair out? The answer is probably “Yes!” because it can all be summed up in one all-powerful four-letter word…LIFE!
Choices must be made, mistakes will happen. That’s inevitable. With wrong choices that leave us with the feeling of giving up comes the need for change. Life demands change yet with one thing definitely for certain: You just don’t give up…remember, it’s life! There are no guarantees and Life IS a Bed of Roses…
“With the beauty of the rose comes its thorny stem.
Life captures the essence of the rose for it too is beautiful
but filled with many thorns.” ~catnipoflife
Give up giving up! It may take once, twice, three times a charm but pick up that towel, give it a quick snap stepping forward into life’s next day. Remember, Life = Risk! that often leads to failure and the felling of giving up. So, when a stone is thrown in the midst, that stone just may be the ‘stepping stone’ to the success that lies ahead!
See on Scoop.it – Awakenings: America & Beyond
This Day in History: June 15, 1836
Arkansas, the Natural State, the Land of Opportunity
Arkansas is famous for its natural scenic beauty, clear lakes and streams, and abundant wildlife. Since 1995, it has been officially known as the Natural State. This nickname replaced the official Land of Opportunity nickname adopted in 1947 following the slogan, Arkansas Is a Natural, which was used to promote tourism and outdoor recreation. The state motto of Arkansas is “The People Rule.” As with many state names, origins can be traced to native American Indian languages. The name Arkansas is the French interpretation of a Sioux word: acansa, meaning “downstream place.”
As part of the land acquired in the Louisiana Purchase,which nearly doubled the size of the United States, Arkansas became a separate territory in 1819. Nearly twenty years passed before it achieved statehood in 1836 becoming the 25th state (13th slave state) to join the union. Arkansas withdrew from the United States and was the 9th state to join the Confederate States of America during the Civil War.
“Because of its location as a gateway to the Wild West, Arkansas didn’t luck into the romantic Southern moonlight-and-magnolia image. Rather, it became known as a rough crossroads where people — and outlaws — hid in the mountains, married cousins and sold moonshine.” Source: Arkansas Hillbilly Image
See on awakenings2012.blogspot.com
What’s Happenin’ over @ Awakenings is Nature Photography Day! Sometimes repetition is the best practice so here it is @ her sister site catnipoflife! Be sure to visit all of the sites whose photography is featured…you won’t be disappointed! To all whose photographs appear, links have been provided and full credit to each owner! MORE @Awakenings!
Impromptu @ catnipoflife
A Web in the Morning Dew @ Life in the Foothills
Thankful for the Morning @ Oh, The Things We Shall See!
The Waterfall – Up Close & Personal @ Serendipity
The Lace of a Wing @ Life in the Foothills
Fluffy Ducklings @ A Mixed Bag
What are you waiting for? Nature is calling…calling for you!
Don’t forget your camera!
See on Scoop.it – Awakenings: America & Beyond
Sunday, June 15, 2014 is Father’s Day…a day of honor and celebration for our dads and fathers. Not all fathers are dads nor are all dads fathers. Each holds a special place in a child’s, teen’s or adult’s heart. Regardless of the role—dad, father or both—not any one of us could be here without having been fathered. With fatherhood comes a tremendous responsibility encompassing tasks of sharing, caring and preparing for life’s journey.
May this Father’s Day be filled with wondrous blessings that continue through each day of the year! To each of you…A Father’s Day Salute!
See with pictures on awakenings2012.blogspot.com
It’s compassion and comfort
When a hug is all that’s needed
Priceless moments in time
(Teddy Bear hugs)
Quickly and tenderly heeded
*****
It’s shaping, molding
Each life that has begun
Making an investment
(often without return)
‘Til the full course is run
*****
It’s when having to leave
Looking back with pride
Releasing all the tears
(happiness and heartache)
Bottled up inside
See on Scoop.it – Awakenings: America & Beyond
Aerial America
Tennessee: Sneak Peak
What does the name Tennessee mean? The state of Tennessee was named after a Cherokee Indian village called Tanasi. Tanasi was also the Cherokee word for the river. Tennessee became the 16th state on June 1, 1796. Many states derive their names from native American languages. Officially adopted in 1987, the state motto of Tennessee is “Agriculture and Commerce” (taken from words on the state seal of Tennessee).
Tennessee was admitted to the Union on June 1, 1796 as the 16th state. It was the first state created from territory under the jurisdiction of the United States federal government. Apart from the former Thirteen Colonies only Vermont and Kentucky predate Tennessee’s statehood, and neither was ever a federal territory.
Between smoky mountains and a mighty river lies a state with a fascinating story. Tennessee is the home of Cherokee Chiefs and “The King” of rock ‘n’ roll.
See on awakenings2012.blogspot.com
Featured poetry creation for Tennessee: Volunteers, Chiefs and “The King”
See on Scoop.it – Awakenings: America & Beyond
This Day in History: June 1, 1792
Kentucky, The Bluegrass State
The name Kentucky is of native American origin and has been attributed to several different Indian languages, with several different possible meanings including the Iroquois word “Ken-tah-ten,” which means land of tomorrow. The official state motto of Kentucky is “United we stand, divided we fall” – appearing on both the state flag and great seal of Kentucky.
After the American Revolution, the counties of Virginia beyond the Appalachian Mountains became known as Kentucky County. Eventually, the residents of Kentucky County petitioned for a separation from Virginia. On June 1, 1792, Kentucky became the 15th state to be admitted to the union.
Kentucky is…
famous for breeding horses, tobacco farms, fine bourbon, Kentucky Derby and, of course, nothing says Kentucky better than Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC).
See on awakenings2012.blogspot.com
Featured poetry creation for Kentucky: From Mountaintop to Stove Top
catnipoflife‘s sister site Awakenings began a journey in January across the United States focusing each month on the state(s) that was admitted to the union during that month. Now six months into the year 23 states have been visited. Some of these have been Scooped onto catnip but not all. What is the idea behind this journey you might be wondering?
Could you place each state correctly as to location if given a blank map?
America. The United States. The United States of America. The USA. How much do you know about our nation’s states or better still, what do you know about the state in which you live? Do you know which state(s) have a State Cat? What about the one with a State Dinosaur along with a State Cat? Which state(s) claims the Spirit of the Ladybug as its state insect? Do you know which state is nicknamed after its Busy Buzzin’ Bees? This next one surely you know…the state famous for The Shag and Shad Roe?
The first state featured @Awakenings Georgia On My Mind leaves no room for questions as to which state hosted the first visit. Within that post is a special poem for Georgia, which set the stage for each state that follows. The challenge has been and continues to be not so much the research for each state but creating the special poetry attributable to the nature of each one. With that being said stay tuned for the next two Scoops of two states visited today…Kentucky and Tennessee.
Which of these boasts times when ‘Mountain Music harbored life in song’?
catnipoflife 