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!

Awakenings: Capitol Cornerstone Laid

See on Scoop.itAwakenings: America & Beyond

On September 18, 1793, George Washington lays the cornerstone for the United States Capitol – a most impressive monument for its builders, the American people and the government.

Awakenings invites you to Embrace the Past, Empower the Present, Enrich the Future!

Sharla Shults‘s insight:

The timeline for our nation’s Capitol is remarkable from its initial construction, devastation, rebuilding, extensions and restoration.

See on awakenings2012.blogspot.com

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Awakenings: Voyage to America

Mayflower in Plymouth Harbor by William Halsall (1882)

See on Scoop.itAwakenings: America & Beyond

This Day in History: September 16, 1620

The spirit of European expansion stirred adventurers to set sail for the New World. Having already been discovered much earlier, the richness of this new land beckoned voyagers to set sail in 1620 for a more profound purpose. Such exploits resulted in surveillance of the terrain and possibilities for settlements.

Go to Awakenings for poetry Voyage to America!

Sharla Shults‘s insight:

Perhaps some of your ancestors financed or even traveled across the sea to America! How cool is that!

See on awakenings2012.blogspot.com

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Awakenings: A Date to be Remembered: 9/11/2001

See on Scoop.itAwakenings: America & Beyond

The very things terrorists sought and seek to destroy even today are at the heart of America: Hope, faith and courage remain resolute even in the face of the harshest adversity. Out of the ashes of 9/11 one remembers . . . The Sights. The Sounds. The Smells.

Sharla Shults‘s insight:

The poetry featured @Awakenings is dedicated to all whose lives were changed forever on September 11, 2001. May those who died rest in peace and may all of the heroes of that day also find comfort and rest.

See on awakenings2012.blogspot.com

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Happy National Grandparents’ Day!

Is there ever any question as to why grandparents begin with the word GRAND?

Grandparents5

MORE @Awakenings!

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Awakenings: Made in America

See on Scoop.itAwakenings: America & Beyond

Given a choice of the same product Made in America vs. Made in China which one would you choose? Of course, before making that choice would you first check the price? Then, second, would you examine its quality?

 

Interestingly according to the Consumer Reports National Research Center, 78% of Americans would rather buy an American made product! That’s right, those carrying the label good ol’ Made in the USA!

 

Sharla Shults‘s insight:

Where do you shop for products made in the United States? Share your resources in the comments section @Awakenings!

See on awakenings2012.blogspot.com

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Awakenings: Labor Day

See on Scoop.itAwakenings: America & Beyond

What are your plans for Labor Day…to slave away doing laundry, cleaning house, cooking, sewing, mowing the grass, working, working, working? Well, why not? The day IS all about LABOR!

Of course, that is totally the wrong perspective! Labor day is a celebration…a holiday…a day of festivities and it is today!

More than a day of rest, a backyard barbeque, a three-day weekend or the unofficial end of summer today has a larger meaning. A step back into the past provides footprints of history leading to the freedom of celebration honoring honest toil and the rights of labor.

Embrace the Past. . .(Continued @Awakenings)

LaborDay

Sharla Shults‘s insight:

On this Labor Day, take a moment to remember and reflect upon those who came before you toiling and laboring in harsh environments with little wages as compensation and without benefits enjoyed today. Inspire and support younger generations in their quest for justice in future employment and ultimately retirement.

See on awakenings2012.blogspot.com

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Awakenings: Rainbows and Raindrops

See on Scoop.itAwakenings: America & Beyond

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.

Each sense brings on anticipation of sighting that well-known arc across the sky whose splendor boasts a colorful array of pastel hues. 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?

Sharla Shults‘s insight:

“May each rainbow sparkle with colors of strength, joy, sunshine, harmony, faith, wisdom and spirituality.” ~SLS

Visit Awakenings to embrace the past, pick up nuggets about the rainbow and enjoy the poetry The Rainbow.

See on awakenings2012.blogspot.com

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Interview with writer Sharla Lee Shults

See on Scoop.itWater the mind – READ

“Hello Sharla, I want to thank you first of all for your readiness to be part of this interview and permit me to publish it on my blog. I did choose you because I have heard of you before and would would like for other people to know you and your writing better.” ~Raani York

http://raaniyork.wordpress.com/2013/08/28/interview-with-writer-sharla-lee-shults/

Sharla Shults‘s insight:

Thank you, Raani, for this wonderful opportunity to share writing tips/ventures with others. It is through opportunities, such as yours, that each of us can share our knowledge and experiences while learning from others at the same time.

See on raaniyork.wordpress.com

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Awakenings: Timeless B&W Photography

See on Scoop.itAwakenings: America & Beyond

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

A continuous range of spectral colors engulfs the Earth, sometimes pastel, oftentimes bright and bold, but such is not true for the beginning of photography. Yet, the images captured are nothing short of spectacular – delicate, pure and detailed – and that is simply the black and white (B&W) of it!

During the 1890s, black and white photographs became commonplace in seed and nursery catalogs shortly after Kodak introduced the first handheld camera in 1888.

Sharla Shults‘s insight:

Visit Awakenings for the video The Photography of Timothy H. O’Sullivan: After his start capturing the horrors of the Civil War for Mathew Brady’s studio, 19th century photographer Timothy H. O’Sullivan uncovered the beauty of the great expanses of the American west.

Guest Photographer: Marilyn Armstrong @Serendipity

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Awakenings: Most Famous Brands by State

See on Scoop.itAwakenings: America & Beyond

“Each state of the union is unique by design, state song, bird, flower, food, beverage, etc. Most people are somewhat familiar with their own home state but rarely venture into knowing much about neighboring or other states across the nation. Trivia that are considered nothing more than just that – trivial facts – carry very little weight when it comes to learning for most are not taught in school or reflected in textbooks.”

Sharla Shults‘s insight:

There may be some room for argument here. So, think about your home state and its most famous brand. Do you agree/disagree with its label above? Of course, the real test here is knowing which is your home state. Now, that knowledge definitely needs to remain as a topic to be taught in our schools! Can you name them all?

See on awakenings2012.blogspot.com

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