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!

Sep 5

Impromptu

by catnipoflife

Upon looking out the window this morning onto the frontyard, I was captivated by the beauty of the yellow hybiscus. When first purchased, it was such a tiny little plant and has struggled since day one to survive. At one point, I just knew it was not going to make it but I continued to nourish it daily giving it ‘soothing talks’ on my morning rounds. Okay! Stop laughing!

In a 1986 interview, England’s Prince Charles discussed his gardening habits, commenting “I just come and talk to the plants, really. Very important to talk to them; they respond.”

The theory that plants benefit from human conversation dates to 1848, when German professor Gustav Fechner published the book Nanna (Soul-life of Plants). The idea is a popular one, and has spawned several more books and even an album—recorded in 1970 by an enterprising dentist—titled “Music to Grow Plants By.” But will crooning compliments to your ficus really have any effect on its growth? Read MORE. . .

Dew on Hybiscus
(In my frontyard)

Of course, along with sharing catnip’s morning observation must come some attempt at adding a touch of poetic finesse. . .

loveliness in flowers
 gilds the lawn
 sparkling is the dew
 morning does spawn

each droplet a shard
 evoking broken glass
 transparent, not cutting
 together en masse

with a close sniff
 comes a tickle of the nose
 to be ne’er as redolent
 as that of the red, red rose

©2012
catnipoflife

Do you croon compliments to your ficus or flowering plants? What are your favorite ‘tunes’?

Penny for your thoughts?

PoetrybySharla Reflection

40 Comments »
Sep 4

by catnipoflife

This is so unique and adds something special to nothing.

It highlights nothingness within a place where nothing exists and

transforms it into something.

Brilliant!

Reblog

2 Comments »
Aug 28

Beautiful Blogger Award & Liebster Award

by catnipoflife

Since entering the blogosphere and finding my place in blogland, I have met some amazing people  not only from the United States but from around the world – India, Belgium, France, New Zealand, Endgland, Canada – places I have only visited in my dreams (maybe National Geographic, of course). Now, I find myself communicating with ‘friends’ across countries and oceans on a daily basis. During these visits, I have laughed and cried finding myself drawn into families that have endured hardships and overcome adversities beyond measure. So, before I graciously accept and pay forward two new awards bestowed upon catnipoflife, a HUGE THANK YOU goes out to all of my followers and visitors. Your support and inspiration are daily beacons providing a guiding light for my writing. I do try to reciprocate as often as possible with visitations across the web letting you know I visit your site by Liking or commenting. Should I not pay you a visit in a reasonable amount of time please drop by catnip and give me a little nudge♥

Onward to the awards. . .

Just recently, catnipoflife has received nominations for two awards. Instead of doing two separate posts, I’m going to combine the two together mainly because of time constraints in completing the requirements. Each have their own set of ‘rules’ but instead of treating them independently, I am going to let my nominess select the one they would like to sparkle on their own website. The Beautiful Blogger Award received does not contain any question/answer specifications. However, the Liebster Award does. Since catnip has previously received this award click Liebster Award or the Liebster Award logo and refer to its rules and questions. Should you find your name in this previous list and you have not responded, remember, there is no time limit. It has not expired!

The first award is the Beautiful Blogger Award honoring sites that share inspiration.

Received from Shirley Sorbello

Catnipoflife is shining in the heart of one of her followers, Shirley Sorbello, which makes catnip gleam in return. Shirley has been inspired by the writings on catnipoflife and has graciously nominated her for the Beautiful Blogger Award. It is always so heart warming to know when catnip’s thoughts, pictures, and/or videos have touched someone in a special way. Thank you, Shirley!

A BIG HUG AND THANK YOU, SHIRLEY!

The requirements for the Beautiful Blogger Award are:

  • Copy the Beautiful Blogger Award logo and place it in your post.
  • Thank the person who nominated you and create a link back to their blog.
  • Nominate 7 other bloggers for their own Beautiful Blogger Award.

The second award is the Liebster Award honoring sites with 200 followers or less.

Catnipoflife is deeply moved to be nominated by Christine Hammon. Christine is the author of A Hairdresser’s Diary which has received 5-Star reviews. Her story carries you on a journey from a life where she longs to be loved to one where she is not only loved but adored. It embraces accomplishment of her dream only to see it shattered most unexpectedly. You will find yourself at the intersection of many life-changing events where you will want to reach out to her, share in the moment, and lend a helping hand when so urgently needed. You will laugh at the incredibly funny stories, cry at thoughts of the uncontrollable pain, and share with her the most memorable endeavors.

As mentioned earlier, click Liebster Award or its logo at right for access to information and its rules.

 
 Now, I get to pay the award forward to those that have inspired me! Such awards are really great for they hold a two-fold purpose: It is not just the receiving of the award…it is the giving of the award! What a wonderful way to build an online community!
And the nominees are. . .

Serendipity

My Own Heart

Valerie Davis

Kick Back Moments
 
A Taste of Bliss
 
GREATPOETRYMHF’S Weblog
 
Fortyteen Candles

shadetheraven
 
this man’s journey
 
Mondrak’s Blog
 
linneann
 
The London Flower Lover
CONGRATULATIONS to all but most of all, hugs to all of my devoted followers!
Please LEAVE A COMMENT so I know you have received the notification and accept the award!
 

Awards/Nominations Reflection

30 Comments »
Aug 26

by catnipoflife

Had not planned a post for catnip today but sometimes inspiration comes when least expected. Upon visiting Serendipity today, I found catnip in the morning where you can observe life at its best, listen to life’s songs, embrace life’s bounties, breathe the breath of life and savor life to its fullest!

Inspiration Reblog Reflection

6 Comments »
Aug 19

Awakenings: Life = Risk

by catnipoflife

Today catnipoflife’s sister site, Awakenings, received inspiration from Don in Massachusetts. He posts quotes for daily inspiration with spashes of humor embedded within great photography. Sometimes he gets pretty risqué but even then presents a great message.

Click HERE for Life = Risk!

Click HERE for book info!

Awakenings from Then ’til Now
Tate Publishing
Coming Soon!

Awakenings Inspiration

20 Comments »
Aug 16

Tears Cleanse the Heart

by catnipoflife

Life can be described as an avalanche of unexpected tears. These may arrive as soft teardrops or unyielding sobbing. There is simply no way around tearful emotions for they constantly simmer within the heart. From the most passionate of lovers to the coldest of cold hearts, tears can be the tie that binds or become the final straw. They may appear within a fleeting moment or build up over a period of time.

From a surprise reaction, a past recollection, a new beginning or an anticipated, as well as unintended, ending, tears can swell so emotively they become hotter than a smoldering cauldron. These are the times when we feel life has thrown a curve that we simply don’t understand. Because of the lack of understanding, emotions can quickly turn to anger. As a result, anger becomes the knife that severs.

Sometimes there is just a need to cry. Let the tears flow for they are the dewdrops of an early morn or the pouring summer rain that cleanse, nourish and refurbish the human soul.

What is life as you see it…

Is it a loving embrace
Or a solitary place?

Does it reflect a sense of devotion
Or is it filled with senseless emotion?

Are there moments of unchangeable dread
Or have you solidified your life’s thread?

How do you greet the morning…

Is it with a gentle smile upon a happy face
Or a frown wishing you were in a different place?

Do you bring sunshine to a rainy day
Or does the rain take the sunshine away?

Are there thoughtful images of someone dear
Or do remembrances of sadness appear?

What awaits you at the close of day…

Is it time with caring family
Or just another anomaly?

Does sunset bring an admiring, restful glow
Or do thoughts detail more than you need to know?

Are you with friends ready to make merry
Or are you alone and solitary?

Life IS as you see it…

As life’s proceedings command a new-found way
Greet each morning as the dawn of a new day

If you are dangling on the edge
Come back with a fresh, new life’s pledge

Be a sister, brother, lover or friend
Cherish each moment to the bitter end

Make the most of it!

Life is filled with countless challenges to endure
Times of uncertainty, times when you are sure

While tears may flow like falling rain
Let them cleanse easing any pain

Within the shadows learn to cope
Keep faith alive as well as hope

©2012
catnipoflife

Inspiration PoetrybySharla Reflection

15 Comments »
Aug 7

Inspiration: Tranquility

by catnipoflife

[At the end of this posting is a slideshow you do not want to miss!]

With the unrelenting rain still in our midst, thoughts today shift to moments of tranquility. While the rain can definitely be soothing within melodic tunes, its rhythm can be somewhat unsettling as echoes of thunder break the silence and flashes of lightning zigzag across an already bleak sky. Let’s close our eyes and let our minds become absorbed in a less stressful atmosphere.

Picture this. . .

Cathy Marshall Two Sun Morning

A soft haze engulfs the scene as early morning fog slowly begins to lift. Everything in sight begins to shimmer with the earliest rays of sunlight casting reflections in droplets of dew. You are alone. With coffee cup in hand, you gaze out the window as eyes shift across the lake and begin to pan the horizon. Thoughts drift to the day before and events that now set the stage for all the tomorrows to come. What a great morning for a walk along the rocky shore of the lake! Coffee will have to wait.

Old Hickory Lake, Tennessee, USA

In the distance, you spy the old dock built by your grandfather when he was a young man, stout and strong. The visions of fishing with cane poles, laughing at his worn-out jokes, and hopes of catching ol’ granddaddy catfish bring on a soft laugh and a smile. You walk on. You stop at the dock peering down the long stretch of planks as it juts outward as if reaching for the other side of the lake but never making it. You pause.

Ol’ Granddaddy Catfish

As you stroll the dock, sunbeams engulf your whole being like a warm cloak being draped across your shoulders. You peer down at the water just in time to see tiny tadpoles dancing in the morning light. A splash a few yards away gets your attention knowing it is that ol’ granddaddy catfish teasing and tempting you to drop a freshly baited hook in the water. He will just have to be content on playing about in the water and enjoying one more day in the lake for on this day you do not have your fishing pole. His lucky day.

The panoramic view from the end of the dock is green with envy as the tree-line shore masks long forgotten cabins in the background. They had been abandoned many years earlier for the owner had died leaving no one as heir. Broken windows and battered boards shield only the ghosts that linger in the shadowy stillness of both the daylight and the darkness. You wonder about the stories that could be told if any of those old cabins could talk. But, perhaps, it is a good thing the remaining walls could not speak for you have far too many secrets of your own whose stories best not be aired.

Taking off your shoes, you lay them aside and take a seat on the end of the dock. Dangling your legs over the edge, your toes begin to swish back and forth across the top of the cool water disturbing the stillness of the lake with ripple after ripple. In the next few moments, you are completely surrounded by only the scenes of tranquility.

“Tranquil moments are treasured moments: moments where time seems to stand still, thoughts drift away to a magical place and worry becomes a thing of the past.” ~catnipoflife

 
 

Don’t leave without sharing your thoughts.
What do you ponder in your tranquil moments?

A Quote for Today Inspiration Tuesday Teaser

35 Comments »
Aug 7

Rainy Days and Mondays

by catnipoflife

A rainy day in Georgia today reminded me of The Carpenters and the hit tune Rainy Days and Mondays. Playing the tune, watching and listening as the rain pounded the tin roof of the porch invited me to record a brief encounter with the rain on a Georgia afternoon.

Relive your rainy days and Mondays as you listen and revive memories of the days and times of
The Carpenters.

Did you have a Sunny or a Rainy Monday? What about this day perhaps gave you inspiration?

Monday Musing Reflection Video Clip

22 Comments »
Jul 29

Do you push when you should pull?

by catnipoflife

The Farside – Gary Larson

You walk up to a door, you push and push, the door will NOT open, no matter how hard you push. Frustration sets in as you push again, even harder. You sheepishly look around to see if anybody is looking when you notice the sign on the door says: PULL.

How many times have the events of a day delegated reactions of opposite direction? Did you turn left when you should have turned right? Did you put your left foot forward when it should have been your right? Did you say ‘yes’, when you should have said ‘no’? Did you think twice or just go?

Within these musings resides one essential question:

How many times do you find yourself pushing and pushing when in actuality, it’s time to pull – to pull away, to pause, to reflect, to let go and let God?

      “Pull the string, and it will follow wherever you wish. Push it, and it will go nowhere at all.”
–Dwight David Eisenhower (American 34th President (1953-61). 1890-1969)

A Quote for Today Inspiration Reflection

34 Comments »
Jul 26

Pen Pals

by catnipoflife

Motorcycle Postman, 1912 (Library of Congress)

Do you remember waiting in anticipation for the postman to arrive? Let me clarify that which you are anxiously awaiting. . .it is a letter from someone much different from yourself and living in a far away land. That’s right. . .a hand-written letter, not typed nor texted, but actually penned in the best cursive one could produce. It could have even been debated whether the letter itself was the most important or that wonderful foreign stamp.

Needless to say, should I mention this to one of my daughters, now an adult, or perhaps I should say granddaughters, she would more than likely react in complete astonishment. “Mother, you have got to be kidding! Write a letter? That would take way too much time! I can contact anyone in the world with a click of a button.”

So true today, but not in the days long, long ago and not anywhere near as personal.

The memory that someone, somewhere once took the time and trouble, I might add, to pen their thoughts ever so carefully, fold the paper and crease it gently with his/her own hands, then, post it with a well-chosen stamp lay embedded in the knowledge that days or weeks had to pass with hopes of receiving an equally personal response. Those days or weeks of anticipation were filled hour upon hour with thoughts of excitement and imagination!

Did you have a pen pal? What do you remember?

“Dear Pen Pal, you are a ray of sunshine on a cloudy day. Please write back.” ~catnipoflife

Inspiration Reflection

22 Comments »
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