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!

Daily Prompt: Name that… YOU!

A visit to Alastair’s Blog directed me to The Daily Post @wordpress.com where the prompt for today is reflection on one’s name. I must say I have always been grateful to my parents for the decision they made in arriving at my name. It could have been much worse and I could have hated it.  On the contrary, I love my name!

OOPS! Wrong one...I am the human!

OOPS! Wrong one…this should be the human!

My birth certificate reads Anita Sharla Lee. Anita was chosen because it was also my mother’s first name, that is, after she had it changed! Yep! She was one who did not like her first name at all. Thus, a choice: live with it or change it! Annie became Anita. The Hebrew, Italian, Ukrainian, American and Spanish meaning for Anita is grace.

For my middle name, Mom chose the name Sharla. Later on in life I asked her how she came by that name. I was very familiar with Charlotte, Charlene and Charlie but Sharla was different. She said she read the name in a comic book that depicted a story of an Indian princess. Since I have always been pleased with her choice I can say I am a “princess of smiles” because one always smiles when reading a comic book!

As to origin, I found the name Sharla referenced as being of English, American, German and French beginnings. Most references point to the English meaning of Sharla, which is “free man, strong” and the French translation of “little and womanly,” It is predominately a girl’s name. [Not sure why the reference to ‘man’ but I am definitely a girl and very womanly!]HeartofaLion

That brings us to the last name of Lee. As was the case with my middle name, search results produced many different possibilities as of origin, Celtic, American, Latin, Irish and Old English. In both Celtic and American, its meaning is healer. Latin is lion, Irish is poetic, while English is meadow or wood. This could mean that I have the heart of a lion beating poetically with healing powers of nature found in a meadow or woods! Sounds pretty good, don’t you think?

What about your name? Name that… YOU! and let me know in the comments and I will start an extension of Alastair’s list (see below) and add your name.

Other takes on the Daily Prompt:

Alastair has listed 93 other takes on this Daily Prompt on his blog! Instead of my relisting his list, visit Alastair’s Blog for my list would be the same as his list! There are some really great stories! REALLY!

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For All Writers Out There …Rethink the haibun and haiku!

Penny @TheWhyAboutThis threw out a line this evening complete with bait and hook. I bit! She talks about A writer’s gift – yours! Then presents a challenge surrounding an image prompt. Thank you, Penny, for offering an opportunity to stretch even further wielding the mighty sword of the pen.

Clouds

My view out the airplane window glimpses cotton candy clouds bringing about nostalgic thoughts when once a child. The fluffy white puffs glide effortlessly against a backdrop of clear blue sky. I see a puppy with its floppy ears and stubby tail much like my little Snookie who lived with us until old age. Hey, there’s Mickey Mouse. Can’t hide those ears, Mickey!

I smile and giggle inside not to disturb any of the other passengers. One lady glances my way with a sneering look that snarls “What are you smiling about?

I would like to tell her what I am smiling about! Life. Love. Laughter. Tears. Sorrow. Happiness in tomorrow. Everything that makes living worthwhile. Helping. Lending. Comforting. Mending.

I look her square in the eye and grin. A Cheshire grin! Then, turn back toward the cotton candy clouds of my imagination.

Clouds glide mid-air
Rippling motions, life emotions
Aping a lazy stream

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Free Write Friday #3: After Midnight…

FreeWriteFridayBadgeDoesn’t seem like it has been a week since I participated in Kellie Elmore’s Free Write Friday. Time seems to get away with not enough hours from one day to the next. Of course, if a day were 48 hours, I would probably still claim not enough time. C’est la vie!

While I may not participate every week in Kellie’s writing prompt, I will surely check out each week’s scenario. This week it is a Time & Place Scenario. Here is how it goes:

It’s after midnight. You find yourself in an eerie yet, magical swamp. You hear whispering and see flashes of light… What happens?

Goodnight on Fairie Swamp Garden (Photo credit: echoroo)

Photo credit: echoroo

On the edge of silence, soft whispers of the night penetrate the darkness. I stand alone wondering what happened to the others. How did we get separated? Lights flash in the distance. . .but we forgot the flashlights. My knees are knocking, my heart is pounding, chills are running up and down my spine, my palms are sweaty and ringing in my ears are my father’s last words, “Nothing good ever happens after midnight!”  DADDY!

Of course, being the poetess that I am, I could not stop there.

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Midnight in the Swamp – Dream or Reality?

Alone in the darkness
Thoughts eerily sway
When was the last time
I ventured this way?

Once in my dreams
Within a magical land
Flashes across the sky
Fuse as if hand in hand

Shattering the sky
A mosaic in black
Announces its fury
As though under attack

Moss-laden trees
Cast shadows of ghosts
Purple-black silhouettes
Make the perfect hosts

How can I be there?
This can’t be real
Only moments ago
We kissed
love’s seal

I twist and turn
Toward whispers I hear
Hoping and praying
It is you who are near

A clash of thunder
Jolts me awake
I reach across the bed
Your hand I take

Eerie, yet magical
Real it may seem
Feeling your warmth
Reflects but a dream

© 2012
catnipoflife

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