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: Journey Across America

See on Scoop.itAwakenings: America & Beyond

Awakenings is venturing to take a journey across America in search of historical, entertaining, and/or perhaps just personal ties to her blogging community. There is always some tidbit, special nugget of history just waiting to be shared one more time or perhaps for the first time.

Sharla Shults‘s insight:

What about you? Do you have something to share about your little town (or city)? Leave a comment and contact information for a feature post on Awakenings!

See on awakenings2012.blogspot.com

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Inspiration: Life on the Train

TrainStationBench

Take a Virtual Trip

The evolution of the train is much like life, its journey through time collects treasured memories of people and places as it stops and goes from one station to another. Have you ever thought about comparing life to a train ride or a series of train rides?

While we may say goodbye to an era once vibrant, let us not forget the impact of the railroad as America rapidly became an urban nation. Where would America be today without the expansion of the railroad?

A little extra. . .

The remainder of this post is at catnip’s sister site, Awakenings. It was featured last November just prior to our 2012 Presidential Election. Included in the original post are some nuggets of railroad history and poetry from Awakenings from Then ’til Now – Poetry of Steam.

We’ve come a long way from the days of steam powered locomotives, which demanded back-breaking drudgery, to trains of today having advanced to high-speed technology centered on magnetic levitation. However, from the steam engine to the electric to the diesel to the stream-lined locomotives none compare to the poetry of steam.

bth_dividers

“There is no value in life except what you choose to place upon it and no happiness in any place except what you bring to it yourself.” —Henri David Thoreau (1817–1862)

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Awakenings: The Biggest Baddest Bubble

See on Scoop.itAwakenings: America & Beyond

How many of us as a kid tried to blow the biggest baddest bubble only to have sticky goop covering our faces, sometimes becoming entangled in our hair, the end result being to cut it out? It is definitely a natural phenomenon from the earliest age of the bubble gum chewer.

Sharla Shults‘s insight:

Be sure to stop by Awakenings and leave comments on your results if you attempt the biggest baddest bubble!

See on awakenings2012.blogspot.com

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Waterfalls

[This is actually a repeat post from catnipoflife’s sister site Awakenings that was featured last spring. The addition of the animated falls makes you feel like you are there. Feel its power, relish in its beauty as the waterfall takes on all your emotions and appeals to your senses! A HUGE thank you goes to Mary Helen Ferris (greatpoetrymhf) who surprised me with the beautiful animation that makes you feel you are right there experiencing the awesomeness of the waterfall!]

Something awesomely powerful and totally action packed IS at the same time oh-so relaxing. What is this two-sided coin?

The waterfall.

   From Imgur

It energizes. It mesmerizes. It spiritualizes. It epitomizes.

It can even colorize with a spectrum of rainbow colors appearing in its mist. It is awe-inspiring, breath-taking and powerful all in the same moment. It is in the forefront of electricity and the backdrop for relaxation. It is the epitome of nature, the diamond in the rough.

Embrace the Past…

Before the invention of electricity, river waterfalls were used to move turbines, which powered mills that could grind wheat into flour far faster than any human hand. Its power became the mechanical basis for generators which could create electricity from the motion of falling water, the birth of hydroelectricity.

Empower the Present…

Yet, its sights and sounds can be completely mesmerizing taking the mind on an incredible journey into the world of imagination.

Waterfalls are the background for fairy tales and an all-time favorite in real life. They carry with them an aura of romance, a hint of magic whether rippling over a rocky rivulet or splashing playfully while descending rocky steps. Even when a brook babbling through a forest encounters a rocky riverbed, the result is nature playfully showing off one of its finest moments.

Enrich the Future…

May the waterfalls of life be the forces that lift your heart relinquishing thoughts of daily stress and drama. Let the meditation begin…

What do you feel at the sights and sounds of a waterfall? There is a World of Waterfalls waiting to be explored and enjoyed!
 
“Think of your life as a waterfall; it may come crashing down at some point, it may have it’s ups and downs, but in the end, it will continue to flow.” —Author Unknown
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Awakenings: 2 – Countdown to 4th of July

See on Scoop.itAwakenings: America & Beyond

Countdown: 5 – 4 – 3 – 2 – 1 to Happy 4th of July!

One day away from the Fourth of July celebration! Yep! It is tomorrow! As you continue to prepare for the festivities of Independence Day, keep in mind many of our service men and women are stationed on foreign shores where celebration may not be the topic of the hour. They are the defenders of our nation ensuring that the freedom obtained centuries ago remains in tact.

FEATURED VIDEO at Awakenings – Remember me! and MUSIC “For Freedom” by Avalon.

Sharla Shults‘s insight:

Having a loved one deployed for lengthy periods of time is tough, but it’s especially hard during any holiday. While you might be reveling in backyard BBQs, listening to patriotic music and of course, enjoying the grand finale, fireworks, the day may not be so entertaining for everyone. For those defending our independence, the red, white and blue they carry on this day may only be in their hearts.

See on awakenings2012.blogspot.com

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Awakenings: 3 – Countdown to 4th of July

See on Scoop.itAwakenings: America & Beyond

I pledge allegiance

Countdown: 5 – 4 – 3 – 2 – 1 to Happy 4th of July!

Day after tomorrow we will be celebrating the 4th of July. Whew! Seems like just yesterday and we were celebrating Christmas…well, maybe not that far back but time does seem to fly by all too quickly!

Sharla Shults‘s insight:

Go to Awakenings. As you watch the video and listen to the words of Red Skelton, keep in mind this was produced in the year 1969!

See on awakenings2012.blogspot.com

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Awakenings: 4 – Countdown to 4th of July

See on Scoop.itAwakenings: America & Beyond

Countdown: 5 – 4 – 3 – 2 – 1 to Happy 4th of July!

 Here we are four days away from the 4th of July. Topic for today: Music. Got to have music at a Fourth of July celebration! Of course, a plethora of songs can be found most befitting to this holiday.

But, one stands out over all the rest. . .

Sharla Shults‘s insight:

Awakenings features two renditions that will knock your socks off: 7 yr-old Rhema Marvanne and Star Spangled Banner- Music video from AmericaTheBeautiful.com!

See on awakenings2012.blogspot.com

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Awakenings: 5 – Countdown to 4th of July

See on Scoop.itAwakenings: America & Beyond

Countdown: 5 – 4 – 3 – 2 – 1 to Happy 4th of July!

For the next five days Awakenings will be featuring special tributes to America in recognition and honor of her independence: July 4, 1776. Let us not forget those who have fought or are fighting for our nation; they are the epitome of the human spirit called freedom!

Sharla Shults‘s insight:

OOPS! I forgot to post this one yesterday so you will two today on catnip! The beginning of the countdown features the original FIRST broadcast radio performance of “God Bless America,” an American patriotic song written by Irving Berlin in 1918, revised by him and first performed by Kate Smith in 1938.

See on awakenings2012.blogspot.com

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Awakenings: Ice Cream!

See on Scoop.itAwakenings: America & Beyond

I scream, you scream…wikipedia.org

“I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream!” 

Sound familiar? More than likely your answer is, “Yes!” Memories are quickly triggered: the beginning days of summer as a child, teenager, even adult. Do you know the who, what, when, where behind this little nitty? In case your answer is “No,” read the trivia @Awakenings and store it in your memory bank.

MUSIC VIDEO @Awakenings…

Sharla Shults‘s insight:

Welcome to summertime!  Do you scream for ice cream? What is your favorite flavor?

See on awakenings2012.blogspot.com

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Looking Ahead: 4th of July

As we approach the Fourth of July in celebration of America’s independence, take a look inside Awakenings: Embrace the past, Empower the present, Enrich the future.
Awakenings from Then ’til Now available in paperback or Kindle @ Amazon Author Central: http://www.amazon.com/Sharla-Lee-Shults/e/B007YUYUG4
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