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!

Jan 31

Before I Fall Asleep

by catnipoflife

Dreams . . . fantasies, awakenings of hidden memories, desires. . . occur only once REM is achieved. This usually happens 90 minutes after you fall asleep. That’s an hour and a half! 

Question is “What happens in that time of pre-REM? or What do I do before falling asleep?” Is there a key or magic dust, which allows me to fall asleep calmly, enhancing the possibility of an oncoming dream and restful sleep? Wish I could provide THE answer but of course, I can’t. What I can do is think about what I actually do perhaps finding the trigger to falling asleep without counting sheep (or in my case, cats!). Um-m-m-m?

Let’s see…

  • Do I have a glass of warm milk? NO! (I don’t even like milk, let alone warm.)
  • Do I have a nice warm bath? NO! (Not sure I could get out of the tub. LOL)
  • Do I watch television? NO! (I hate TV these days. Same-o, same-o. Mostly bad news and as for movies, I know what is going to happen before it happens. Get some NEW material, producers!)

What do I do?

  • I thank my body for carrying me through the day.
  • I listen to meditative music 10 to 15 mins. Thank you, Alexa.
  • I read 10 pages in a book of empowerment and inspiration. 
  • I close my eyes in prayerful gratitude for all the daily blessings.

sleeping_cat1

Of course, the flip side is I am a writer. Usually after having fallen asleep at the computer, I decide to shut it down and head to bed. Once nighty-night preparations are in order, I wiggle my body under the covers and complete my 4-step ritual. Foxie, my calico cat, pounces into bed landing either on my chest or abdomen. (Glad I recently had her claws clipped!) Foxie kneads and kneads and kneads, then gives herself a bath and finally snuggles against my side. I give her a usual love pat and she purr-r-r-r-rs softly while settling down for the night.

I turn out the light, sighing softly to myself how grateful I am for my nice warm bed and I am ready to go to sleep. . . or so I think!

Can'tSleepMy brain won’t stop! I barely close my eyes when “words of wisdom” begin fleeting in and out of my mind like a swarm of bees flitting from flower to flower seeking pollen. I grab the ever-ready pad and pencil (or my cellphone) readily available on the night table sometimes turning back on the light, other times not. In earnest haste, I jot down as many thoughts as I possibly can but inevitably miss many in the process of writing them down or getting them into my notes on my cellphone. At least some are saved! But, now I am wide awake!

SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS

What is your secret to a good night’s sleep?

How do you turn off the mental noise at the end of the day?

Nighty-night! Sweet dreams. . . z-z-z-z-z-z-z-z. . .

Notice Foxie is asleep on my laptop! Busy day for her, too! Meow!

Foxie_Lap1

Humor Inspiration Reflection

3 Comments »
Aug 31

Bone or Debone?

by catnipoflife

Boned_Deboned

Shrimp are shelled, but deveined. You peel a banana, pit an olive, fillet a fish, yet deseed a tomato. BUT, what do you do when you want to remove the bones from a chicken?

Let’s Talk Chicken! We are now in a world where the chicken, domestic chicken that is, rules the roost. There are more chickens than any other domesticated bird on Earth, which makes it so far down the list of endangered species there is no need to worry. There are a plethora of chicken recipes some of which call for boneless pieces unlike Southern Fried Chicken whose lovers would never throw away the bone without gnawing it first!! Oddly enough chicken ‘fingers’ do not have bones.

Let’s get back to the question at hand: bone or debone? Other than by vegetarians, a LOT of chicken is devoured on a daily basis. That leads us to believe a goodly amount of those chickens are boned…or deboned!

Quick Stats:

As of 2014, in the United States, 8 billion chickens are consumed per year, which translates to 21,917,808 chickens per day. Americans eat 25 billion chicken wings per year, with 1.25 billion, or 100 million pounds, eaten during the Super Bowl weekend alone. (Source: Ask.com)

For some, the ‘feel’ of raw chicken does not set too well so it is left to the butcher for the boning…or deboning. All I know is when I make a purchase, the raw chicken is either whole, halved, packaged as breasts, wings, legs & thighs or boneless! No way of knowing whether the little clucker was boned or deboned. Um-m-m-m? Wonder what the butcher will say if I ask him if he bones or debones?

Boneless

Simply put if the bones are removed, the chicken is boneless. What difference does it make whether it is a boning or deboning process?

What are your thoughts on the matter…do you bone or debone a chicken?

BTW Some of you may think there’s no such word as ‘debone.’ Sorry. It exists with a definitive meaning reflective of removing the bones from (meat, poultry, or fish), especially before cooking.

Bone-BrothWhether you bone or debone, a question remains…

What do you DO with the bones?

Can’t close without a touch of catnip…

Of course, some owners declaw their cat(s) but not normally as part of a recipe!

declaw_cat1declaw_cat2

Click the link for a short article on Boning up on deBoning! Quite humorously written!

“Boning is a pain, but it makes such a majestic chicken.” — Daniel Boulud

Humor

4 Comments »
Jul 19

Bath Time

by catnipoflife

Cats are adorable and loveable offering the best cuddles ever but most of all, they are very independent. Their likes and dislikes are solely dependent on the nature of each individual feline. This is especially true at bath time. Take a peek at two extremes but get ready to LOL, then, enjoy the AW-W-W-W-W moment!

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Some Things You May or May Not Know About Cats

Things_about_Cats

Are you a cat lover? What inspiring cat moments do you have to share?

 “With their qualities of cleanliness, discretion, affection, patience, dignity, and courage, how many of us, I ask you, would be capable of becoming cats?” – Fernand Mery Her Majesty the Cat

Cats & Catnip Uncategorized Video Clip

5 Comments »
Feb 27

It’s all about the box!

by catnipoflife

Cats! What adorable creatures! Whether kittens or full grown, our feline friends bring joy and happiness with their cuddliness and antics. Being easily spoiled, each is susceptible to ‘owning’ a plethora of toys. As cat lovers, we all have meow, meow, meow stories/moments to share. We dote upon THE cat with what the cat deserves…THE best, THE craziest, THE funniest…the search is on for the most unique toy! One of the best cat toys on the planet doesn’t cost anything extra, doesn’t warrant a drive to the store, doesn’t require a lot of thought, doesn’t need batteries, doesn’t require any tools to put together and best of all is probably right now, today, this minute, somewhere in your house waiting to be had!

Cats Love Boxes

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Foxie-in-Box

Our Foxie: Click the Image

Cats love boxes
Small, medium, large
Size doesn’t matter
The cat is in charge

Inside, outside
Tipsy turvy
With holes, without
Straight or curvy

Big cat, small box
Large box, small cat
Same size, any size
Slap spat, that’s that

Skinny cat, fat cat
GOOD TIMES roll
In pure attack mode
Goin’ for the goal

Pouncin, stalkin’
Havin’ a ball
Climbin’, slappin’
None too short or tall

Hard work, at play
Time for a rest
Smaller the box
Cozier the nest

Always one
Fits just right
Safe and secure
Nite! Nite!

©2015 Sharla Lee Shults

Cutest_Kitties

Having a bad day? Adopt a kitten or give a lonely cat a home! If you already have one, let some of that friendly feline persuasion make you feel better! Somewhere around your house is a lonely empty box needing company!

l-only-wants-to-play-with-empty-box

Catnip today came from Kent Gustavson. Visit Kent’s Cutest Kitties on Google +…

Cats & Catnip Humor poetry Video Clip

3 Comments »
Nov 29

e-Hello!

by catnipoflife
At Awakenings, Catnip’s sister site, are ongoing daily celebrations, music spotlights and historical tidbits. Today, we are celebrating Electronic Greetings Day, which is November 29. Catnip wishes to purr-r-r-r-rt her own spin on the special e-greeting.
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The greeting can be robotic, get to the point so to speak…
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e-greeting
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Or a special kind of sharing rising to its peak…
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Cat-Dog-Hello1
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It can express love that touches the funny bone…
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funny-cat-card
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Or be a message of a more serious tone.
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Love-cat-kitten
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Perhaps someone is feeling under the weather…
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get_well_soon_cat_card
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Or needing encouragement for things to get better.
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Cat-encouragement
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Maybe you need to send a simple message that’s sweet
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Simple-hello
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Let the little e-birdies sing Tweet, Tweet, Tweet
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Twitter-Follow-me
Click Image
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To celebrate today, I’m happy to provide
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Cat-Hello-Have-a-nice-day
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A message to make you smile inside!
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its_your_turn
Now, it is your turn to make someone’s day,
stop what you are doing & send greetings right away! Send them to family, maybe a bunch of friends
Perhaps there is someone with whom to make amends.

An e-card needs no stamp, this you can bet
Just click send right over the Internet!

Cats & Catnip Humor poetry

3 Comments »
Nov 27

After Thanksgiving

by catnipoflife

For some of us, the glutenous meal is over, for others it is yet to come. For our pets, I suppose when enough is enough, it’s enough!

How long do we have to wear these ridiculous outfits?

How long do we have to wear these ridiculous outfits?

Thanksgiving-Humor-Cat-Hat

Before…

Thanksgiving-Dream-Cat

After…

ate-too-much

ME:-)

after-thanksgiving-cat

Cats & Catnip Humor

5 Comments »
Nov 12

LOL Cats

by catnipoflife

Smile5November 12 is designated at Days of the Year as World Architecture Day. There seems to be some confusion as to when this day’s day actually exists. In completing research for Awakenings, some very interesting cats emerged. The photos are architecturally related but, of course, digitally enhanced.

Just a little catnip to brighten your day with a smile, or two or three…heck! just break out in some hearty laughter! Only a few are featured so be sure to visit LOLcats Descend on the World’s Most Famous Architecture for the entire gallery.

Nasdaq

Whee-e-e-e-e-e!

Gotcha

Gotcha!

Mystery-Solved

Hi-yah!, Aiyah!, Eeee-yah!

Dragon-Cat

Dragoncat

How-many-cats

Watch me fly! Who’s next?

 Me-Design

 Purr-fect resemblance!

Now it is time to just relax and enjoy your day and night!

Cat-Massage

 Ah-h-h-h-h! Purr-r-r-r-r-r…

Cats & Catnip Humor

5 Comments »
Aug 9

Daily Dose of Laughter

by catnipoflife

Laughter-Sparkles-Sunlight

What is life without laughter? That is one category personally I have no clue other than it would be total boredom! With a husband that is a joke waiting to be told, a smile waiting to happen, and who considers a day wasted if not at sometime during that day making someone else laugh, there is always sunshine even on a rainy day. Sure we have our ups and downs, bad communication and misunderstandings, but who doesn’t? That is LIFE! It’s all in how you handle the moments with even the bad ones somehow allowing a smile to emerge along with flowing teardrops.

I never know at any moment in time what might he might say to knock me off my feet or send me bending double with laughter. Here are two that are totally hilarious. One a couple of years back and another recently.

My middle name is Anita. I have never really liked that name, never use it, never write it, especially since marriage. Out of the blue Jim calls me from across the room, “Anita! Anita!” I turn with a scowl look on my face responding, “Anita? Don’t call me Anita!” His immediate reply, “But, baby, I needa ya!” Get the pun?

For this one, keep in mind we just celebrated our Pearl Anniversary on July 10.

We are having some work done on our sprinkler system since the grass in the backyard is dying from all the heat and lack of sufficient water. The man putting in the irrigation system is named Jackie. Jim approaches Jackie and calls him over to the back porch, “Jackie, do you know why I love my wife so much?” Of course, Jackie responds with all sorts of commonalities and a few funnies of his own but remains somewhat perplexed because he knows Jim is going to come up with a doozie. And a doozie he did indeed. “She is beautiful, works like a hired hand, makes damn good biscuits and she doesn’t snore!”

What can I say? I love this man!

Laughter3

When it comes to laughter, there is hardly anything funnier than children and animals so let’s not stop here. Watch the video to end your day or perhaps begin a new day with a smile on your face and a laugh in your heart!

 The cats are the best! What do you think? Which is your favorite?

Make someone’s day…smile, then LAUGH!

Cats & Catnip Humor Inspiration Reflection Video Clip

2 Comments »
Jun 25

Scaredy-cat or Scared Cat

by catnipoflife

scaredy-catThere are “scaredy-cats” and then there are scared cats. As humans, some of us are startled or frightened by a slight change or movement, even to the point of being afraid of anything and everything. Others take it with a grain of salt. Cats are among those that frighten very easily.

When startled, cats usually jump (often quite high), stumble over their own feet and scamper as fast as their little legs will carry them. Their expressions are indeed priceless! Yes! Cats have expressions…anyone who says cats are expressionless have never truly watched the face of a cat. In the close-ups within the video, focus on the eyes and ears. There are moments that will make you bend double laughing while others will bring on an aw-w-w-w moment.

For your added enjoyment, a step back in the past to the Scaredy Cat in the cartoons…

scaredycat

Scaredy Cat (1948) from kili on Vimeo.

Do you frighten easily? Share your scariest moment…personal or cat!

Cats & Catnip Humor Video Clip

5 Comments »
Jun 17

‘Monday Tuesday’

by catnipoflife

Tuesday-MorningToday is Tuesday but it feels like a Monday. If I wish it were Friday (and the good genie granted my wish) then what would become of Wednesday and Thursday? Time goes by too fast as it is and definitely too precious to ever wish any day away. Time lost can never be regained. What a mess!

As for today, have you ever experienced a Monday on Tuesday? All the things that normally happen on a Monday have decided to show their ugly faces today. Maybe it is because yesterday, the Monday, was actually a pretty good day.

Monday-Tuesday

As time moves on, hopefully the ‘Monday’ in this Tuesday will be history! Could be worse, it could be raining! Is that thunder I hear in the distance?

Sophisticated-CatMaybe I should just drop everything and go get a manicure!

What kind of day are you having today? Have you ever experienced a ‘Monday Tuesday’?

Cats & Catnip Humor Inspiration Reflection

4 Comments »
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