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!

Jun 19

To all Fathers…

by catnipoflife
Today Sunday, June 19, 2016 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.

heart-divider

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!

 A father’s day is every day
Not just one day of the year
Holding a wee little hand
(day time and nighttime)
Wiping away a tear

heart_divider
It’s faith, hope, love
All rolled into one
Encouragement, patience
(never giving up)
‘Til a task is done

heart_divider
It’s being thankful
Gratitude of heart
Knowing what you need
(when you need it)
Right from the start

  
It’s together time
The thrill of hearty laughter
 Seeing what you’re going through
(even if it doesn’t show)
The morning of the day after

heart_divider
It’s helping with decisions
Staying taut through outs or ins
Teaching life’s not easy
(taking the right road)
Supporting losses and wins

heart_divider
It’s hurting and being hurt
Holding discipline’s place
Leaving behind a legacy
(not of material ‘things’)
Rewards of saving grace
*

It’s compassion and comfort
When a hug is all that’s needed
Priceless moments in time
(Teddy Bear hugs)
Quickly and tenderly heeded
heart_divider
It’s shaping, molding
Each life that has begun
Making an investment
(often without return)
‘Til the full course is run

heart_divider
It’s when having to leave
Looking back with pride
Releasing all the tears
(happiness and heartache)
Bottled up inside

©Sharla Lee Shults

Inspiration PoetrybySharla Reflection Remembering Special Events Thoughtful Events

4 Comments »
May 31

I just want to be loved!

by catnipoflife
I just want to be loved!

I just want to be loved!

Summertime is on the horizon!  There are a lot of celebrations during the month of June but one is most fitting to catnip: Adopt a Cat Month. With summer comes the rising temperatures and efforts being made to cool things down. Have you ever thought about our feline friends who don a fur coat all year long? The sweltering summer heat can indeed be a torment and often life threatening.

adopt-a-cat-month1Adopt a Cat Month is HERE!

blockquote_iconWhy is Adopt A Cat Month in June? During the spring, shelters are brimming with cats and kittens of every age. Unfortunately, there are often more cats in a given shelter than they can handle.

This overpopulation causes millions of perfectly healthy, loveable and adoptable kittens and cats to be euthanized every year.

Even though June is designated as Adopt a Cat Month, it is not just about the cat. June is loaded with Pet Celebrations:

  • Adopt-a-Cat Month®. From the American Humane Association.AdoptAShelterCatMonth
  • Adopt-a-Shelter-Cat Month. From the ASPCA.
  • National Pet Preparedness Month. This month, timed for the first month of hurricane season, urges people with pets to make preparations in case they should be hit by a disaster…and that includes making plans for what you would do with your dog in case of a hurricane, tornado, flood or other natural disaster.
  • June 4, 2013: Hug Your Cat Day.
  • 1st week in June. Pet Appreciation Week.
  • June 10, 2013: World Pet Memorial Day.
  • mid-June: Animal Rights Awareness Week.
  • June 21, 2013: National Dog Party Day.
  • June 24, 2013: Take Your Dog to Work Day.

Ready? Set! Adopt a cat!

If you missed any of the links at the beginning of the post, click HERE for MORE CELEBRATIONS in the month of June!

Awakenings Cats & Catnip

4 Comments »
Nov 7

Remember Our Soldiers

by catnipoflife

Reposted from Awakenings:

In preparation for Veteran’s Day,
 November 11…
Remember our soldiers
At home and away
Who sacrifice daily
For the USA
 
‘Tis not for fortune
They give of their all
But honor and courage
Answer duty’s call

Patriots of merit
Put first not one’s self
But concern for others
In and of itself

Of those returning home
Wounded, shell-shocked, sick
 Calls go out to others
To ease the pain quick

Yet not quickly enough
Does the relief come
Even off battlefields
Too many succumb

Seek out a helping hand
No matter how small
Do whatever you can
Bless one, bless them all!

 
©2015 Awakenings
Sharla Lee Shults
To support our military is to support America, defend her honor, preserve her freedom.
http://awakenings2012.blogspot.com/2014/01/a-salute-to-our-troops.html
A Salute to Our Troops!

 

Awakenings Reflection Remembering

3 Comments »
Oct 23

Awakenings: Autumn Road

by catnipoflife

Autumn_road

Along the many highways and byways, change is imminent: change in season brings about crisp, cool mornings along with the bursting forth of vivid reds, burnt oranges, spun gold 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 time to venture cross country in search of nature’s most glorious landscape.

CHECK OUT THE VIDEO AND POETRY @AWAKENINGS…

“I’ve never known anyone yet who doesn’t suffer a certain  restlessness when autumn rolls around. . . . We’re all eight years old again and anything is possible.”

~Sue Grafton

See on Scoop.it – Awakenings: America & Beyond

Awakenings

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Jun 27

Awakenings: Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn!

by catnipoflife

Today in History: June 27, 1939

 

On this day in 1939, one of the most famous scenes in movie history is filmed…

Scarlett O’Hara: Rhett. . .Rhett. . .Rhett, if you go, where shall I go? What shall I do?  Rhett Butler: Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn.

There is probably no movie line reaching iconic status any more than the famous scene of Rhett Butler walking away from Scarlet in Gone With the Wind. And to think it was almost NOT in the movie, at least the use of the curse word. Remember, the year is 1939 with censorship at the beginning of the 20th century being much more stringent than that of today.

 

Source: awakenings2012.blogspot.com

Do you think it would have had as much impact or be remembered and revered had the curse word been removed?

Scoop.it

3 Comments »
Jun 25

Awakenings: Virginia & New Hampshire

by catnipoflife

This Day in History: June 25, 1788

Virginia, “Old Dominion,” “Mother of Presidents,” “Mother of States,” the Birthplace of a Nation

Each of the state nicknames independently, as well as in combination, attribute to Virginia being declared the “Birthplace of a Nation”. Virginia is an American history icon! This is where our country began…the founding of Jamestown on the banks of the James River, our first permanent English colony, in Virginia in 1607 – 13 years before the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth in Massachusetts. So much American history, so many historical sites. No wonder it is said Virginia’s history IS America’s history!

Source: awakenings2012.blogspot.com

Bit of Trivia: Maine, Maryland and Massachusetts have a state cat, Maryland also has a state dinosaur, West Virginia has a state rattlesnake and Virginia has a state BAT!

flagbarhorizontal

New_hampshire_in_autumn

Also in June, 1788 is the establishment of New Hampshire as the 9th state to join the union. Did you know New Hampshire was first named North Virginia, and it was once under the jurisdiction of Massachusetts?

This Day in History: June 21, 1788

New Hampshire, the Granite State, the Mother of Rivers, the White Mountain State, Switzerland of America*

*This state is also called the Switzerland of America, on account of the salubrity of its climate; its wild and picturesque landscapes; its lakes and rapid streams. The celebrated White Mountains, in the northern part of the state, are of great elevation, and afford the grandest display of mountain scenery in our country. [From Hayward’s New England Gazetteer of 1839]

Source: awakenings2012.blogspot.com 

Scoop.it

2 Comments »
Jun 20

Awakenings: West Virginia: The Mountains are Callin’

by catnipoflife

This Day in History: June 20, 1863

West Virginia, the Mountain State

 

West Virginia’s karst topography contributes to its cool trout waters, diverse landscapes, whitewater rapids, historic caves and lost world caverns. The state motto of West Virginia Montani Semper Liberi or “Mountaineers Always Free” was adopted in 1863 reflecting the character and beliefs of the citizens of the state at the time of its adoption. Being known as the land of rugged mountains (the scenic Allegheny Mountains cross the state), it is most appropriate for West Virginia to be nicknamed The Mountain State.

Source: awakenings2012.blogspot.com

On June 20, 1863, in the midst of the Civil War, West Virginia became the 35th state to join the union. West Virginia is the only state in the Union to have acquired its sovereignty by proclamation by the President of the United States. Statehood was proclaimed by President Abraham Lincoln.

Scoop.it

3 Comments »
Jun 15

Awakenings: Arkansas: Natural Wonder

by catnipoflife

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.

Sharla Shults‘s insight:

“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

Awakenings Scoop.it

2 Comments »
Jun 15

Wonders of Nature

by catnipoflife

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

From dewdrops clinging to soft petals of a flower
to a spider spinning its web within the hour
nature’s wondrous beauty whether stormy or calm 
emanates poetry in motion like a psalm
A Web in the Morning Dew @ Life in the Foothills

A Web in the Morning Dew @ Life in the Foothills

There is nothing more breathtaking than a sunrise
unless it’s the splendor of a sunset’s surprise
 the wonders of nature beyond imagination
capture priceless moments in anticipation

Thankful for the Morning @ Oh, The Things We Shall See!

The roaring sounds a waterfall creates
draws attention for a magical place awaits
Mother Nature always alluring, never boring
invites you into her world, forever soaring

The Waterfall – Up Close & Personal @ Serendipity

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
the-lace-of-a-wing

The Lace of a Wing @ Life in the Foothills

Birds of all feathers flock together
withstanding ice, snow, stormy weather
Nature! Nature! at its worst or best
Shouts raw imagery…a camera’s test
Fluffy Ducklings @ A Mixed Bag

Fluffy Ducklings @ A Mixed Bag

What are you waiting for? Nature is calling…calling for you!

Don’t forget your camera!

Awakenings Inspiration Nature

9 Comments »
Jun 15

Awakenings: Happy Father’s Day!

by catnipoflife

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.

Sharla Shults‘s insight:

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

A father’s day is every day
Not just one day of the year
Holding a wee little hand
(day time and nighttime)
Wiping away a tear
*****
It’s faith, hope, love
All rolled into one
Encouragement, patience
(never giving up)
‘Til a task is done
*****
It’s being thankful
Gratitude of heart
Knowing what you need
(when you need it)
Right from the start
*****
It’s together time
The thrill of hearty laughter
Seeing what you’re going through
(even if it doesn’t show)
The morning of the day after

*****
It’s helping with decisions
Staying taut through outs or ins
Teaching life’s not easy
(taking the right road)
Supporting losses and wins
*****
It’s hurting and being hurt
Holding discipline’s place
Leaving behind a legacy
(not of material ‘things’)
Rewards of saving grace
*****

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

 

Awakenings Scoop.it

2 Comments »
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