catnipoflife

Few images of American history pose pure masculinity like the cowboy. His rugged, heroic bravery stood tall in the saddle as he headed across dangerous territory facing nature’s sprawling, treeless plains and humanity’s outlaws. He donned a cowboy hat, spurs, and boots proudly laced with both humility and a sense of arrogance.

Sharla Shults‘s insight:

Do you have a favorite cowboy, movie line, Western movie? Share it here. We would all love to hear from you!

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Awakenings: Prelude to Veteran’s Day 2013

by catnipoflife

Veteran is an all-encompassing word.

It is feeling absolute pride, joy, exhilaration and emotional gratification for serving one’s country. It means extreme sacrifice for both self and family. It bears pain and anguish during times of separation. It means not knowing sometimes when you will be coming home or even if you will ever make it back home. It brings on happiness and tears at the birth of your child when you are not there to hold him or her for the first time. It recognizes the sufferings of family when shunned by others. It means…

Sharla Shults‘s insight:

As you approach the celebration of Veteran’s Day, take time to inquire, research, discuss what it truly means to be a veteran, especially in terms of those who not only laid the foundation and established the platform for our American freedom but also those who sacrificed to maintain that freedom. Know what this day will truly celebrate and be a knowledgeable part of the celebration.

Awakenings Reflection

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Awakenings: Happy Halloween!

by catnipoflife

Halloween: Stories of ghosts, goblins and ghouls monopolize the setting as the movie makers try to outdo one another with scenes of blood and gore. I often wonder how many bottles of ketchup (or similar fake blood) are wasted as Dracula feeds upon his victims, the Werewolf mauls his prey beyond recognition or Freddy Krueger uses a glove armed with razors to kill his victims in their dreams.

Sharla Shults‘s insight:

What are your fondest memories of Halloween – laughter or shivers? Who did you profess to be?

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Awakenings: Made in America Part 2

by catnipoflife

Awakenings featured a post titled Made in America on September 7, 2013. As a follow-up to that post, I have invited Made In America (USA) Products (of which I am a member) to share with us additional information about products that are actually made in America, yep! right here on US soil!

It all started with the question, “Where do you shop for products made in the USA?”

Sharla Shults‘s insight:

RESOURCE FOR HALLOWEEN MADE IN USA For Halloween Candy, Baskets, Home Decor & Decorations Made in the USA.Shop online at: Norton’s U.S.A and Peterboro Basket Company.

Awakenings: The Bull & The Bully

by catnipoflife

October is anti-bullying month. A classification that certainly implies bullying is of concern. Is it? Is bullying a dynamic issue? Unfortunately, YES! Is it limited to pushing someone into a fight? NO! What about age? UNLIMITED! Where does bullying occur? EVERYWHERE!

A young hoodlum revels in making the lives of others truly miserable. Why? What lies at the core of a bully? Insecurity, anger, frustration, abuse, wannabe, cowardice, just plain meanness? None of these, all of these? There are a plethora of possibilities BUT none excusable.

Sharla Shults‘s insight:

Go to Awakenings and meet Author Dr. Cherrye Vasquez. Cherrye shares two powerful video poems that provide insight into the bully-ee and the child bully.

See on www.awakenings2012.blogspot.com

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Awakenings: Many Faces of Wyatt Earp

by catnipoflife

Wyatt Earp is a legend in his own time with multitudes of historical facts to his credit. There is only one true Wyatt but many have portrayed his character. See how many you remember as you step back in time from 1939 to 1993…

Sharla Shults‘s insight:

There are ten characters to choose from beginning with Errol Flynn (1939) to Kurt Russell (1993). Check out the faces and videos for who you think plays the best Wyatt Earp.

[Once on Awakenings go to Cowboys, Tombstone and Wyatt Earp (http://awakenings2012.blogspot.com/2013/10/cowboys-tombstone-and-wyatt-earp.html) for the prompt to Wyatt’s many faces.]

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Awakenings: Who, What, I Don’t Know

by catnipoflife

Baseball! Definitely all American…the first of the American Classics! History is filled with pages upon pages of stories about the GREATS who fulfilled their destiny in the sports arenas of baseball. George ‘Babe’ Ruth, Hank Aaron, Lou Gehrig, Willie Mays, Jackie Robinson are just a few names that readily come to mind.

Sharla Shults‘s insight:

Thank you, Marilyn @Serendipity for reminding me of probably the most famous comedy bit of all time! Per Marilyn, “Abbot and Costello at their funniest. They run this at the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown on a continuous loop. It’s that good.”

See the video on awakenings2012.blogspot.com

Go NOW! It is your dose of catnip for the day…smile, laugh, just remember the good ol’ days!

Awakenings: 86,000+ Views!

by catnipoflife

Sharla Shults‘s insight:

THANK YOU TO ALL AWAKENINGS’ VISITORS AND FOLLOWERS! WITHOUT YOU, THERE WOULD BE NO NUMBERS! GOD BLESS AMERICA! For those who may not know, Awakenings is catnipoflife‘s sister site.

Awakenings Prayerful Thoughts

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Awakenings: The Smiley

by catnipoflife

There is probably not a single one of us who has not at some point in time drawn a smiley face. Fogged-up windows beckon fingers of children and adults alike with the art of the smiley. In fact, that is exactly the source of this whimsical little fellow. Such a simple little icon but when did this button of a smile first appear? Who is its creator?

Sharla Shults‘s insight:

The first Smiley was featured in the Academy Award winning movie Forrest Gump. The story of the Smiley according to Gump. . .fact or fiction? Find out @ Awakenings…

Awakenings Reflection Scoop.it

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Awakenings: A Song, Two Jaguars, One Girl

by catnipoflife