Moving Right Along…

by catnipoflife

January seems to be on the speed track with the month already at its halfway mark. Time is moving right along at a pace much faster that we probably all prefer. Yet, with the passing of time lies the anticipation of the natural elements of early spring. Glory in the springtime initiates countless visions: greening hills, warming sun, tulips, pansies and wildflowers popping!

But, WAIT!! Am I being somewhat premature? The presence of ol’ man winter is still felt, chilling to the bone. That is, of course, unless you are relaxing on the beaches of sunny California, along Florida’s Emerald Coast, in the Florida Keys or perhaps cruising the turquoise waters of the Caribbean. Ah-h-h-h! Sandy beaches, lounging chairs, suntan oil, basking in warm sunbeams, diving into cool waters—pleasure within an oasis of calm & relaxation!

Okay! Okay! Okay! Back to reality. . .

Before even splashing our mental coloring books with the hues of springtime, we must endure winter’s final chill or last blanket of pure white. As Terri Guillemets once quoted, “The color of springtime is in the flowers, the color of winter is in the imagination.“

So, put your imagination to work with some enduring visions of Ol’ Man Winter leading to the new birth of spring. Visual images featured today come by way of Marilyn Armstrong @Serendipity. Marilyn is an awesome blogger enlightening her visitors and followers with her unique, often humorous writing along with her own awesome photography. She is also a published author. Check out her book The 12-Foot Teepee: A Survivor’s Tale @amazon.

Visions of Ol’ Man Winter

January brings ice palaces and snow
With plants lying dormant underneath
February stirs the depths of winter
Echoing sounds of chattering teeth

Cold sun amid afternoon shadows
Heralds colder temps at night
Warm blankets, cozy fires
Beckon cuddling up oh-so tight

Winter time glistens
Adding its own personal glow
Pulsating with magic in the air
Creating mosaics in the snow

Attuned to the winter cold
Hibernation’s a natural affair
With shorter days, longer nights
Sleeping resembles that of a bear

Sentiments of the winter season
Affirm human nature’s lassitude
Reflections echo the past and present
Offering a melancholy mood

Nature in its own pristine beauty
Soon flourishes after winter’s thaw
Prickly, bristly thorns and spiny things
Will emerge cloaked in springtime’s awe

Inspiration PoetrybySharla Reflection

6 Comments »

Singing in the Shower

by catnipoflife

Can you imagine a world without music? It would be a world void of colors and textures, thus soulless. There would be no form, no expression. Thank goodness we have music or life would be a total bore, empty, useless. Music is all around us with melodies whispering in the wind, carrying along the harmonies of the songbirds. Each note captures the human heart penetrating deep into the soul leading to some of the best compositions imaginable. All you have to do is enjoy the catipoflife, listen to life’s songs! That includes singing in the shower!

Do you sing in the shower giving yourself top billing on Broadway? Are you a rock star or a diva? Did you know singing in the shower has become a widespread phenomenon?

Think about it. You can be what you want to be, as good as you want to be, an overnight sensation if you like since something magical happens when you sing in the shower. Have you ever noticed you actually sound better singing in the shower vs. out of the shower? For some reason, angelic pitch-perfect harmonies echo around the shower walls rather than bouncing through midair resounding of a croaking frog. That is the truth and there is a science of music to prove it!

That is not the only thing magical about the shower either…

Source

Time for a shower…

FaLaLa…TraLaLa Boom De Ay…Boom Boom ShaBoom…NaNa-Nana-NaNa…everything before and after, as well as everything in between. Where would we be without music on the scene? Can you imagine a world without melody? Even the sounds of nature carry musical tones in harmony. Where there is sound there is rhythm from the clanging cogs of wheels definitely not ‘in pitch’ to Brahms’s Lullaby so relaxing one could sleep in a ditch. It keeps the sane man sane and lifts up the insane. MORE @awakenings about the beginnings of music…

Humor Inspiration

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Awakenings: And the music goes on…The 21st Century

by catnipoflife

See on Scoop.it – Awakenings: America & Beyond

As we enter the 21st century, many songs from the 50s all the way through the 90s are still popular. Of course, it was by way of the 20s, 30s and 40s that music has evolved into a passion relative to survival as many listeners would so declare today. Look at the plethora of choices available for listening pleasure, dancing, rapping, or simply relaxing: contemporary music, popular music, traditional music, hip hop music, country music. Each decade has offered its own unique genres of music.

Read on @awakenings…

Sharla Shults‘s insight:

To quote Bob Dylan “I don’t know anybody who’s made a record that sounds decent in the past 20 years, really. You listen to these modern records, they’re atrocious, they have sound all over them. There’s no definition of nothing, no vocal, no nothing, just like … static….”

See on awakenings2012.blogspot.com

Awakenings Scoop.it

3 Comments »

Mystical, Mythical, & Magical

by catnipoflife

Most visions of a mermaid are those of beauty—mystical, mythical and magical. There are numerous legends surrounding mermaids and dozens upon dozens of books written about their lives and times. Of course, there are also accounts of the Sirens who were both dangerous and beautiful. They were known to bewitch sailors with enchanting music luring them into the ocean depths.

Mermaids are a timeless curiosity. There is and probably will be endless questions without definitive answers concerning the facts vs. fantasy surrounding the mermaid. Their mystical nature continues to inspire, awe and fascinate the human psyche. Legends surrounding mythical mermaids date as far back as 1000BC and will more than likely continue until oceans no longer exist. Mermaids, along with the butterfly dragons, may change over time in appearance within story telling but will always maintain a magical quality unsurpassed in mysticism.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

What inspiration do you gather from the mermaid?

Did you know someone in our history actually thought he saw mermaids swimming in the water, documented such in his journal, and even made the statement “the mermaids were not as pretty as imagined?” Yep, it really happened…January 9, 1493! Go to Awakenings to learn more about this sighting, who was at the helm and how such a mis-sighting could have happened. What sea creature do you think might be misunderstood as a mermaid? Of course, how can this be when a mermaid is no where near 12ft long nor weighs in at 1200 lbs? Here’s a hint…

Awakenings: Manatees vs. Mermaids

Mythic Monday: Mermaids and Ondines

Awakenings Inspiration Reflection

6 Comments »

Award, Award, Award!

by catnipoflife

My, my, my! Three awards! Thank you, Raani, Ute, and Texas!

The Friends and Followers Award comes by way of Raani York. Raani writes a very unique blog, which you must visit in order to truly appreciate. While she writes in many categories, my favorite is her letters to celebrities. What a hoot! She carries them for one wild ride! Then, of course, there are Jake’s antics and viewpoints recorded as the Diary of a Cat Prince

According to Raani, this is a relatively new award. It was created by Nerissa at Nerissa’s Life. The Friends and Followers Award was created to celebrate the 75,000th hit at Nerissa’s blog. Congrats, Nerissa!

Here are the rules:

Post the award on your blog.
Thank the blogger who gave you the award and follow them (by any means necessary ).
Pass along the award to a few friends who already follow you.
Let your nominees know that they’ve been nominated for the award.

The Friends and Followers Award goes to…

Sunni Morris. Sunni is surviving life..just Surviving Life My Cats.

Ute smile. Ute’s smiles will warm you all over! Got the Winter blues? Visit Ute!

Bruce Dodson. Bruce has moved from Seattle to Sweden! Learn, laugh, love the changes.

Carole McKee-Spalino. Click Carole’s name to learn the story behind this author.

Bob Mielke. Interested in seeing phenomenal photography? Visit Bob, Northwest Photographer!

Texas, a cat in…Austin. The Parisian cat who went to live in the state named after him

The second award, The Imagine Award, is accepted graciously from Ute smile Ute’s Happy World. This is a totally new award for catnip and what a colorful award, especially the mystical, magical unicorn. Thank you, Ute. Sending thanks along with a big-g-g-g-g hug! I encourage everyone who has not visited Ute’s blog to absolutely do so. You will not be disappointed. She is always coming up with something new, great quotes to guide you through the day, week, month and wit to keep you laughing!

THE RULES FOR THE IMAGINE AWARD:

1-Copy and paste The Imagine Award into your post.
2-Thank the blogger who nominated you and link their blog page to your post.
3-List 3-5 things about the nominator’s blog that you like(Which you think are creative).
4-Nominate 5 other bloggers/ blogs which you think display a fantastic use of creativity and imagination.
5-Notify your nominees.
6-Display The Imagine Award to your blog’s award page.

5 THINGS I LIKE ABOUT UTE:

1-Ute definitely has heart…lots and lots of heart! :-)
2-She is a very positive person. :-)
3-She is witty! Such a fun person! :-)
4-She enlightens you with her writings! :-)
… and 5-She has a most beautiful smile! :-)

The Imagine Award goes to…

Raani York. Raani must have a storehouse of imagination to be able to write her letters to celebrities. What tops it off, however, is they are true!

Marilyn @Serendipity. Only Marilyn would discover all the colors of the rainbow in her local grocery store (not frozen foods nor canned goods either)! Imagine that!

The third award is the My Favourite Things Award bestowed on catnip by Texas, a Cat in Austin. Texas used to be Texas, a Cat in New York, but a move across country delegated the name change. So, Texas, now that you are in Texas, let’s see if you live up to your true name! Visit Texas where you will marvel at the antics of a furr-r-r-r y friend and writings from the cat’s perspective. There is never a dull moment within the writings and plenty of aw-w-w-w-w moments!

The rules to accepting this award are:

1. Thank the Blogger for Giving you this award and give a link to their blog.
2. Post the award on to your blog.
3. Name 6 of your favorite things.
4. Pass it on to as many Bloggers as you want.

Here are my 6 favorite things:
– My hubby
– Foxie
– Spreading catnip joy
– Dark chocolate
– Milk chocolate
– Truffles

The My Favourite Things Award goes to…

Hot Rod Cowgirl. The incredible ever changing view of life outside my window is truly amazing…

Life in the Foothills. Life…And What I Make of It!

sharing me myself and i. Whatever Flows…

Maxima. Electronic Thoughts – Follow me and enjoy!

A Mixed Bag. A poem … A story … A Photo … Something Else

cookiecrumbstoliveby. Life through the eyes of “cookie”

Chief Writing Wolf. News, Opinions and Personal Writings from an Independent Mind

The Sanctuary of my Heart. WORDS FROM MY HEART TO YOURS

IMPORTANT NOTE: I understand some of you are award-free blogs. Nonetheless, the award is extended with an invitation to all who visit this post to visit your blogs!

Awards/Nominations

10 Comments »

Inspiration: Solace in Winter

by catnipoflife

Photo Credit: Marilyn Armstrong @Serendipity

How do you greet Winter—

Bitter, drab and dreary
Frosty sights and sounds
Anything but cheery…

A silent ghostly presence
Chilling to the bone
Outwardly uninviting
Wishing it ‘Be gone!’?

Br-r-r-r-r is the sound
Silvery is the sight
From dawn to dusk
Bitterness through the night

This hoary side to Winter
Is that all there is to see—
A shroud of dreariness
Heaviness of heart to be?

Solace in Winter
Restores warmth to the very soul
Lifting up heavy hearts
As magical moments unfold

Yes, indeed, Winter brings chills to the bone but with it comes extraordinary beauty, grace and even a sense of magic. For those encountering snow, early, early morning reveals a new dusting of silvery white from Nature’s paintbrush swishing over, under, around and through everything in sight. Ice-glazed water glistens in the daylight as tiny birds peck away for a single droplet. The gracefulness of snowflakes whirl and twirl around and around floating effortlessly, landing softly one atop another. Person after person stroll in the midst, bundled up like Eskimos, giggling as the cold bites each nose and resemble the main characters within a magical snow globe scene.

Of course, we know there is a flip side to the coin depicting this scene. Whipping winds, fast-falling stinging snow, blizzard warnings, subzero wind chills do not seem so inviting. Shoveling snow, scrapping windshields, steering away from snow banks, donning three to four layers of clothing are commonplace when treks outdoors must be made.

Regardless of the coin’s side, there is solace in Winter that touches the soul even in its coldest moments…

Where do you find solace in Winter?

Inspiration PoetrybySharla Reflection Video Clip

11 Comments »

It’s therapeutic!

by catnipoflife

Water: Vital to life. Drink it in: Thirst quenching. Play in it: Fun.

And, it’s therapeutic!

Do you enjoy water this much?

Cats & Catnip Humor

6 Comments »

Radio Interview

by catnipoflife

Tomorrow Sharla Shults, the author of Echoes, Remembering and Awakenings, will be interviewed by Brian T. Shirley on Kinetic HiFi radio at 4:30 PM (EST). In Brian’s own words, “I’m a stand-up comedian who’s been touring the U.S., Canada and The Bahamas for nearly twenty years. I love making people laugh and now I can do it without being in the room.”

Join us live 1/8/2014, 4:30 PM (EST)!

BTS Radio Show

Hosted by Brian T. Shirley

Kinetic HiFi is an online radio station in Charleston, South Carolina dedicated to bringing back the COMMUNITY.

The BTS Radio Show will take listeners on a trip through the best in
comedy and music that rarely gets airplay. The goal of the show is to
entertain people with music, comedy, interviews and trivia. A majority
of the comedy clips and music played on the BTS Radio show will not be
heard on mainstream radio. Come on a vacation from 4-6 PM EST every
Wednesday where there’s no politics and no B.S., just BTS.

Don’ forget! Bookmark this page! Set your calendar notification to…

Join us live 1/8/2014, 4:30 PM (EST)!

Awakenings Interview

4 Comments »

Awakenings: Busy Buzzin’ Bees

by catnipoflife

See on Scoop.it – Awakenings: America & Beyond

This Day in History: January 4, 1896

Utah, the Beehive State

Utah was Mexican territory when the first pioneers arrived in 1847. It became the 45th state admitted to the union on January 4, 1896. Great slideshow dedicated to the state of Utah.

Sharla Shults‘s insight:

Visit Awakenings for the special poetry and great slideshow of the state of Utah.

See on www.awakenings2012.blogspot.com

Awakenings Scoop.it

10 Comments »

Awakenings: Wolf in the Wilderness

by catnipoflife

See on Scoop.it – Awakenings: America & Beyond

Alaska’s nickname is The Last Frontier. The state motto of Alaska is North to the Future, which was adopted in 1967 during the Alaska Purchase Centennial. The motto is meant to represent Alaska as a land of promise.

This Day in History: January 3, 1959 Alaska is in the farthest northwest extremity of the North American continent. It was purchased from Russia on March 30, 1867 for $7.2 million, which equates to approximately 2 cents per acre. Alaska became the 49th state in the USA on January 3, 1959.

Sharla Shults‘s insight:

Awakenings features poetry for Alaska – Wolf in the Wilderness. Alaska is the wolf in the wilderness — loyalty among her own within an affectionate, playful nature.

See on awakenings2012.blogspot.com

Awakenings Scoop.it

4 Comments »

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!

Moving Right Along…

Singing in the Shower

Awakenings: And the music goes on…The 21st Century

Mystical, Mythical, & Magical