See on Scoop.it – America Joan Baez and Bob Dylan perform at 1963’s
March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom.
Travel down memory lane: the year, 1963! What are your best memorable music memories – The Beatles, Johnny Cash, The Rolling Stones, Kingsmen, Paul & Paula, Leslie Gore, The Ronnettes? Perhaps one not mentioned. . .there are so many great singles and albums that were released in ’63!
LISTEN to the music @ www.awakenings2012.blogspot.fr
This week the Free Write prompt from Kellie Elmore is the word “GRATITUDE.” If you are not familiar with the free write challenge, feel free to read the intro on Kellie’s website. In short, here is what is expected. . .
Free Write Friday Prompt
We are taught from early childhood to say “please” and “thank you” to the point the words flow as naturally as chocolate syrup being poured over ice cream. If someone should ask why you reply as such, a common response would be “Because my mother taught me to say so.” But, is that all there is to it? Is simple saying “thank you” enough? Are those words being used from learning simply because it is the right thing to say, the way we were taught?
Thanksgiving brought with its celebration heartfelt thanks for the many, many blessings bestowed upon each of us on a daily basis as we journey through life. Echoes of thoughtfulness, thankfulness and gratitude resounded throughout the day as family and friends gathered in fellowship and prayer. In thinking back over the day, a question comes to mind: “Isn’t giving thanks being thoughtful in expressing gratitude for what we have?” So, what is the difference in being thankful and expressing gratitude?
When I was a young child, I was among those who were taught the right thing to say, the “please” and “thank yous.” But, I cannot remember ever being taught gratitude. Did its meaning evolve as my vocabulary bank received deposits of new and unfamiliar words? Perhaps with recognition of both the good and bad in life an awareness was evoked for all the things I was truly thankful. As for today’s experiences in the blogosphere, I am thankful for the words that sometimes flow more easily that others which offer inspiration for purposes unknown to me at the time written. Most importantly, however, is the gratitude I have for those who choose to read and follow the musings I so thoughtfully share. To me, being thankful is learned whereas gratitude is a choice.
My challenge to you: Wherever you are and whatever you’re doing today, pause and reflect on whom or what you are grateful. You may find it easy to name coming rather naturally or you may find it takes some time for the right choices. Just remember, regardless of whether easy or hard, the goal is still giving thanks and being grateful for all you have. Isn’t there a lot to be thankful for…all you have to do is put a little catnip into your life: Observe life at its best, listen to life’s songs, embrace life’s bounties, breathe the breath of life and savor life to its fullest!
That’s it, folks…no rereading, editing or mulling over whether I accomplished what I intended. Let it fly. . .
… those blessed little creatures will always find a way to remind us that we matter….
Matters of the heart care not whether young or old—
A yearning for love, desire to be wanted, longing to be needed
A rekindling of joyful moments long ago gone cold…
Analogy for Aging
Aging—an ever-changing presence
Mirrors life’s essence
The view atop a mountain’s peek
Echoes not a single word
Music of a baby’s first cry—
Sweetest solo ever heard
Ocean waves during a storm
Crest majestically on their own
Vision of a child’s first steps—
Rocking and reeling, never alone
Fiery aura of dusk and dawn
Casts brilliant hues with every view
Youth’s outlook on love and life—
Promising, yet demanding debut
Natural ambiance of early spring
Unleashes new living entities
Expressive power of a young adult—
Racial, ethical identities
Falling leaves of autumn
Whirl whimsically through the air
Age of midlife crisis—
Unsettled over graying hair
Time for sweet reflection
Sets inner smiles aglow
Twilight years of old age—
Wisdom youth should know
©2012 catnipoflife
Sharla Lee Shults
“Aging is an inevitable process.
I surely wouldn’t want to grow younger.
The older you become, the more you know;
your bank account of knowledge is much richer.”
—William M. Holden (Author, n.d.)
“The cost of freedom is always high, but Americans have always paid it. And one path we shall never choose, and that is the path of surrender, or submission.” ~John F. Kennedy
November 22, 2012 brings with it the joys of Thanksgiving and also its share of sadness. As we embrace the past, one of the most shocking events in our nation’s history ocurred on November 22, 1963.
See on awakenings2012.blogspot.fr
Embrace the Past… With the coming of Thanksgiving comes a special time to embrace the past. The feast of which we are most familiar took place when the Pilgrims arrived and the Wampanoag Indians gathered in Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1621. This was a time of autumn celebration and that’s right, it took place in the 17th century! Within the history of Thanksgiving lies nuggets of trivia that nudge the heart and tickle the funny bone.
Did you know…
Catnip is excited to offer all her followers and visitors many Cat Thanksgiving Blessings. So, without further ado and with special Happy Thanksgiving blessings from Foxie and Boots.
ENJOY!
BE SURE TO SCROLL DOWN TO THE VIDEO!
FOXIE: “Turkey’s purrfect, you say?”
BOOTS: “Yes, ma’am, me-owee ready!”
And to really top it off. . .
Definitely too many irons in the fire! Where do I start, which ones are still hot, which ones only luke warm and which ones barely still glowing? There’s a flicker…better hold onto that thought! Well, to clarify quickly, all of my blogger friends are still HOT! Other things will just have to be left smoldering for a little while longer.
Oh, my, here I am extremely grateful and embarrassed at the same time. I am so grateful to all followers and visitors of catnipoflife and embarrassed in the lateness of the recognitions to follow. It is with deepest appreciation that the Shine On and Reality Blog awards are accepted! I do hope you will take the time and visit the amazing sites who bestowed these awards on catnip. Each offers a unique perspective on life that you really do not want to miss, as well as other website nominations you might want to visit!
*Shine On Award from Hot Rod Cowgirl! Hot Rod Cowgirl is all-American and will amaze you with her magnificent photography.
*Reality Blog Award from Fortyteen Candles! Fortyteen Candles writing is light but yet a powerful read with excellent imagery.
*Reality Blog Award from The Blazing Trail! The Blazing Trail blazes with words to enlighten, spur and strengthen!
*Reality Blog Award from The London Flower Lover! The London Flower Lover is for anyone with a love of flowers and great life stories!
*Reality Blog Award from Raani York! Raani York jabs and stabs celebrities with her quick wit and Jake offers his advice in his cat diary!
With every award comes RULES! The rules for receiving each of these awards are basically the same. So, here are the rules to apply to both:
1.) Show appreciation of the blogger who nominated you and link back to them in your post. DONE!
2.) Add the award logo to your blog. DONE!
3.) Share 7 things about yourself. SEE BELOW!
3.) Nominate 5 – 10 or so bloggers you admire. SEE BELOW!
4.) Contact your chosen bloggers to let them know. CHECK YOUR BLOG! WATCH FOR A TWEET!
5.) Optional questions. (This one I will forego for now to make it easier on everyone!)
7 ‘cookie crumbs’ about me. . .
And the recipients are. . .
Drum roll, pl-e-e-ease. . .
AND THAT IS NOT ALL, FOLKS! GO TO AWAKENINGS FOR MORE REALITY BLOG AWARD RECIPIENTS. . .
“You are my sunshine on a rainy day,
you bring color to my days of gray, and
with caring words you drive the blues away.”
~catnipoflife
Select Writers Group
It is such an honor to have become a part of a dynamic group of authors who formed a collaborative mission to meet the world through writing: books, video clips, articles, book trailers, blogs, poems, and an assortment of messages. Each author brings a unique collage of expertise within a variety of genres.
With the holiday season right before us, remember, books make great Christmas gifts – fabulous stocking stuffers! Yet keep foremost in mind that a book is a terrific gift for ANY occasion!
When time permits, I invite you to peruse selections of your choice and/or fancy. You will go away amazed at the abundance of selections and information available. So, without further ado – click on this link http://pinterest.com/twittergroup/ and go shopping!
Being the novice photographer that I am, joining the Weekly Photo Challenge will be fun: The challenge this week is Green. Since we are approaching Winter the choice of pictures had to come from some already on hand except the latest addition from my husband.
And of course, my favorite. . .The willow tree and summer rain!
Kellie Elmore welcomes us back to Free Write Friday (FWF)! If you are not familiar with FWF, feel free to read Kellie’s intro. Here is the FWF prompt for this week…an image to which we are to respond What does this bring to mind…
Motionless in Flight
Swept away in an instant she became motionless in flight
Knowing the Earth she knew so well was no more
Was she afraid? Only for those left behind
Not of what lay ahead for her soul had already gone before
Be still, my love, all is not lost…for in dreams
I will come within quite whisperings of the night
Sweeping you away in an instant
As you become motionless in flight
©catnipoflife
Sharla Lee Shults
This is truly a ‘free write’…decided not to read over and over and over as I am tempted to do because the objective is just to write what freely comes to mind. The rhyme and rhythm may be off but that’s okay in the FREE world of writing! Share your thoughts. . .
catnipoflife 