Last week I had a photoshoot along the jetties at Panama City Beach, FL. This was scheduled to accompany an article I was asked to write about the Catnip of Life, which will be published during the month of June (Stroll Grand Lagoon – Delivering Neighborhood Connections). The photo shoot was an absolute blast! There are always stories to tell and of course, there is a ‘doozy’ behind this photo.
There were quite a number of photo shoots going on the day we were at the jetties. Some photographers had their professional equipment set up in the sand, while others were shooting with their phones. Mandjo Brokaw had just finished a shot when I turned around and spotted a young man standing tall on top of the same rock as depicted below. Another young man was snapping pictures with his phone.
Without even thinking twice, I turned to Mandjo Brokaw and exclaimed, “I want a photo on top of that rock (pointing to the young man as he stood proudly upon the rock, which was about 6 ft above the sand)! In an instant, I approached the young man with the camera after he finished snapping pictures.
Yes! I introduced myself and asked a favor. “I want a picture on that rock but need assistance getting to the top.” He grabbed me by the hand and up we went! I was barefoot so had to be careful because the sand was slippery on the rocks. He was steady as could be and led me right to the top, stepped aside, and I raised my hands to the glory of our Heavenly Father! (The young man’s name is Colin and very handsome!)
My only regret is that I didn’t have more pictures taken while I was there, perhaps sitting, instead of only standing, and on one foot, instead of both feet! hahahahaha Tomorrow IS another day and the jetties are surely not going anywhere soon!
Observe. Listen. Embrace. Breathe. Savor. Life to Its Fullest!
This is a FB live I completed on Thursday, May 11,2023. Even though wishes are expressed for a Terrific Thursday, the message holds fast any day of the week: Marvelous Monday, Thrilling Tuesday, Wonderful Wednesday, Terrific Thursday, Fabulous Friday, Super Saturday, and Splendid Sunday.
Step outside into the catnip of life! Need help in learning more about this catnip? Visit catnipoflife.infoClick the tab Books & Contact for the new release Catnip of Life! Grab your copy today! You can walk hand in hand with Mother Nature regardless of a bright sunny day or amidst grey clouds and stormy weather. Like the effects catnip has on the cat, reel with excitement or relax in tranquility!
On one of my morning walks, I glanced upon the sidewalk and noticed a clump of bird feathers. The vision captured in my mind produced. . .The Last Flight. With today being the anniversary of 9/11/2001, timing seemed appropriate for sharing.
Think about your plans for the day. Is Mother Nature part of the mental picture? If you are in a area of sunshine, take a brisk walk. Observe. Listen. Breathe. No sunshine? No worries. Stand in your doorway or look out a window. Marvel at what you see for behind every cloud or within each raindrop is a degree of sunshine.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Life is too short to let a day go by without a smile and saying, “I love you!”. . . out loud! To yourself!! Love yourself so that love will be spread to others!
To all my friends and family – past, present & future – I am back where I belong, in the writing world! After three years since its completion, I have pulled to the forefront and removed the dust from the pages of Catnip of Life. The manuscript is complete, 200+ pages of poetry, times for reflection, musings on life and famous quotes that make a personal connection to each poem.
catnipoflife blog is ready to reawaken your senses to the world around you! Today, more than ever, we need to remain thankful for the beauty of this earth that brings abundant gratefulness for simply being alive. Whether you followed me in the past or are new to catnip, welcome to my world that offers insight to help you “keep a smile on your face, joy in your heart and optimism on your tongue” (Lou Vickery, former New York Yankees, Author & Radio Show Host)
It is time to take Catnip of Life manuscript off the shelf, remove the dust from its pages and share its presence with all who desire to examine life through a personal lens and ponder what is or has been missing or gone unnoticed. The essence of Catnip of Life is 200+ pages of poetry, time for personal reflection, musings on life, and quotes that make a connection of the verses to real life.
I know no subject more elevating, more amazing, more ready to the poetical enthusiasm, the philosophical reflection, and the moral sentiment than the works of nature. Where can we meet such variety, such beauty, such magnificence?
—James Thomson (Scottish Poet, 1700–1748)
Note about catnip: Catnip targets feline “happy” receptors in the brain.
To inevitably understand the catnip of life requires opening your senses to the world around you: Observe life at its best, Listen to life’s songs, Embrace life’s bounties, Breathe the breath of life, Savor life to its fullest! The sky, the hills, the sea, the birds, the blossoms—each takes you to its own unique world. Captivating moments are right before your eyes, music to your ears, within your very grasp, under your nose waiting to be enjoyed.
Catnip of Life exposes nature as a diamond in the rough with its power to heal, outwardly in addition to inwardly. The verses reveal openness to the world, how simple everyday observances make a difference in your life, furthermore allowing you to touch the lives of others. From reflections where happiness is found in the darkest of times to sunshine easing innermost fears to experiencing life being given a second chance, there exists lightheartedness, along with heaviness of heart.
Keys to the catnip of life: beauty, imagination, nature, reflection, wonder!
First up is Diamond in the Rough. You have the option to read or listen to the audio (see below).
Diamond in the Rough
Awaken to the raw power of nature When crashing waves, lightning cavort Embark on a journey of pure imagery Where the mind’s eye is the transport
Blend the defiant power of nature With wonderment amid fascination Draw on the earth’s primordial spirit Charisma amongst imagination
Succumb to nature’s wilder places Mysticism within self-awareness Become lost in nature’s miracles Healing, transforming consciousness
Evoke visions of pure impulses Those of unbridled natural power Peaceful before quite overwhelming Surpassing any meditative hour
Observe nature untouched, unpolished Like finding a diamond in the rough Leave with a better understanding Of yourself interestingly enough
Proclaim the exhilaration A freedom deep within your soul It’s observing life at its best Totally under mind’s control
Quote of the Moment:
The soul is placed in the body like a rough diamond, and must be polished, or the luster of it will never appear. —Daniel Defoe (Journalist, 1660–1731)
AUDIO is for your Listening Pleasure! Close your eyes and enter the visionary mind.
Don’t leave yet! Time for observation and reflection…
As you go through the days ahead, focus on observing life at its best.
Observations—
On a scale of 1 to 10, right now in the moment, leave a comment rating your catnip level in observing life at its best. With the mindset of observance in the next few days, elevate your awareness of the world around you. Remain alert to capture something new or become more deeply acquainted with something familiar. Then, return to this post, leave a smile and add comment upon something you feel you never truly noticed…until your observance through the lens of the catnip of life.
Posts are prepared daily for catnip’s sister site Awakeningssince 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?
The hours and days of summer relaxation have come to an end. But, the ending of summer signifies changes in seasons and anticipation of crisp, cool mornings, the bursting forth of bright oranges, reds and yellows as leaves intensify in brilliance during their own change. Within this anticipation is yet another eager time of awakening. The change in color announces the coming of falling leaves.
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There is music set to the theme of falling leaves…
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There is poetry where the falling leaves represent soldiers on the battlefield…
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There are childhood memories surrounding the falling leaves…
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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.
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!
Wildlife, hummingbirds, butterflies and bees creatures of all kinds bring you to your knees nature’s habitats from forest floor to the skies woo, amaze and ablaze before your eyes
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.
With each sense comes anticipation of sighting that well-known arc across the sky whose splendor boasts a colorful array of pastel hues. The RAINBOW!
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?
O-o-o-o-ooh! So many questions. Why not add a couple more: What actually forms the rainbow and is there a connection of rainbows to raindrops? Afterall, the RAINbow and RAINdrops both have ‘rain’ in common!
Did you know?
To see a rainbow, one must have both rain and sunshine,
A ray of sunlight enters and is reflected inside a raindrop, thus breaking white sunlight into colors,
There is never a single size for water drops in rain but a mixture of many sizes and shapes,
The sun is always behind you when you face a rainbow and
The center of the circular arc of the rainbow is in the direction opposite to that of the sun.
In other words…
The Rainbow
Since the beginning of time Questions arise again and again Like how far away Does a rainbow start and end?
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How far away are the raindrops That capture the sunlight? The nearest may be miles upon miles
Yet sparkle in the daylight
The rainbow is nature’s gift After the cleansing rain Is each one unique No two ever the same?
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Seize the same rainbow in time? Each observer sees different raindrops Making each vision sublime
Size of the raindrops Sets the color’s purity
Does bigger mean brighter The smaller less clarity?
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What makes the colors
As vivid as can be? It’s all about angles and light
The colors that we see
A red band on the outer edge A primary rainbow declares Yet what happens when A secondary rainbow appears?
***** Are the double rainbows Mirror images of each other? Colors of the second reverse Complimenting one another
Seven colors Tiny prisms beget Orange, yellow, green Blue, indigo, violet
***** Another question arises Since above are only six Have you forgotten Red is first in the mix?
Not a leaf in sight but new buds & blossoms everyday!
Every season sings its own personal song—
from the eloquent watercolors of spring to the harmony of early summer bees & blossoms through the golden glowing essence of Autumn into the naked landscapes cloaked in white during Winter.
Regardless of the season all it takes is...
Just One Look
Just one look toward the far horizon
Captures an expanse beyond words
Limitless possibilities exist
Disturbed only by joyous birds
The sky, land and water connect
With discriminate attitudes
Ever present, ever changing
Dependent upon nature’s moods
Glory in the springtime
Initiates visions without stopping
Greening hills, warming sun
Buds erupting and wildflowers popping
Family time summer excursions
End with strolls along the sandy beaches
Rising and falling blue-green sea foam
Occasionally unveils sea conches
A winding road in autumn
Demands a stop along the way
Gazing toward the earth’s edge
Reveals a breathless close of day
Snow-capped mountains of winter
Stand majestic out of reach
Valleys through which rivers run
Grant swift passages of each
Just one look upward and outward
Spans a view altogether incredible
Senses emotionally enhanced
Emerge surprised and totally audible!
Live each season as it passes; breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit, and resign yourself to the influence of each. —Henry David Thoreau (American author, poet, & philosopher, 1817–1862)
We live in an age of MORE, MORE, MORE! We have more than we possibly need yet the need for MORE surpasses the need for what we truly need indeed. Try to say that fast 3 times! The point is
WE WANT…
Can you imagine a world without wildlife? It would be as mundane as mundane could possibly be. Of course, some of you might welcome silence from chirping crickets, barking dogs, screeching owls, howling coyotes but in giving those up, you also lose the drumming sounds of the Red-headed Woodpecker in spring, the chuckling Summer Tanager, the whistled warble of the autumn Yellow-rumped Warbler, the energetic tune of the Winter Wren. That is only sounds of some of the birds!
I’ll take the sounds of wildlife, what about you?
“I know no subject more elevating, more amazing, more ready to the poetical enthusiasm, the philosophical reflection, and the moral sentiment than the works of nature. Where can we meet such variety, such beauty, such magnificence?”
With winter comes days where chilling winds are felt right to the bone. In some areas, snow and ice envelop the landscape leaving the only color in sight for miles being white. Unlike our furry friends, we don our heavy coats, boots, woolen socks, mittens and scarves to ward off the bite of the frigid air. Of course, we know the soft fur of our little friends keeps them warm without the need for all the extra ‘gear’ but that does not necessarily mean they do not feel the cold.
BUT… does the cold inevitably keep them indoors? See the slideshow ‘Come play with me!’ after the poem!
Winter’s Berth
A mound of silky white fur
Amid cushions of bottle green
Reflects hues of icy blue
Off crystal dewdrops barely seen
Teeny tiny silver moons
Draping from hairy stems
Tickle a pink little nose
Like frosty pearlized gems
Stretching and yawning
Rising above home turf
Tiny paws reach forth
Scratching in winter’s earth
Within a few steps
Visions begin to blur
Chilly winter winds
Softly lift the long fur
Delicate hints of sunlight
Peeping through bleak gray skies
Grant fleeting moments of warmth
Around wide-open eyes
Suddenly through the bitterness
A little hand reaches down
“Nosy Nettie, why are you here
Among plumage turned gray brown?”
With a special purr-r-r
Ever so thankful to be found
The snow white fur ball
Bids farewell to the cold, cold ground
The purr from cat to man says, ‘You bring me happiness; I am at peace with you.’
—Barbara L. Diamond (Writer, n.d.)
Touch of Catnip: Come play with me!
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Special Care After Play Time
After being outside, especially playing in the snow, little paw pads become very cold, often leading to numbness. Upon return to the indoors, cuddle time is first on the agenda. He or she will be happy to have a little bonding time with you. Once the furry little fellow (or gal) is cozy and warm in your lap next in the order of care is the purring pal’s paw massage. This stimulates the nerves making sure all feeling is restored to the toes. Speaking of toes, it is then time to inspect the space between each one, examining for possibility of debris or maybe a cut on the paw pad. Remember, there is a lot more to those cut little feet than just razor-sharp claws!
Posts are prepared daily for catnip’s sister site 
catnipoflife 