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!

A Pristine Side of Winter

IceCrystalsAwaken inner thoughts of beauty and solitude even in the bleakness of Winter. Put your imagination to work with some new, rather unique, visions of Jack Frost. While it may be br-r-r-r cold outside, there is so much beauty to behold during the season of Winter. Yes, that’s right! Don’t be misled by visions of the drab, dreary, gloomy side of Winter but look around at the amazing sights that can only be encountered in the coldest season of the year.

Relish in the Winter spirit. The cold, crisp air refreshes the lungs with a quiet walk where the only sounds are the crunching of ice crystals underfoot. Listen to the wind-chimes as the North Wind sends a swift brush of cold through the air.  Examine every tree, shrub, plant and field as it displays its own uniqueness having been gently touched by nature’s paintbrush of downy white.

You can find solace deep within yourself once you are lost in a daydream that explores the magical mysteries of Winter. Cleansing, refreshing, invigorating! Then, enjoying the warmth of a cozy fireplace after such an exhilarating experience invites a steaming hot cup of white chocolate cocoa spiked with a stick of cinnamon:)

Jack Frost invites you to experience a pristine side of Winter. . .

(Be sure to click the tiny square at the bottom right to watch the video in full screen view.)

Related Article:

Who’s Walking Whom? (boomersandbooks.wordpress.com)

 

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…for love, age does not matter!

OldWoman&Cat

… those blessed little creatures will always find a way to remind us that we matter….

Matters of the heart care not whether young or old—
A yearning for love, desire to be wanted, longing to be needed
A rekindling of joyful moments long ago gone cold…

Analogy for Aging

Aging—an ever-changing presence
Mirrors life’s essence

The view atop a mountain’s peek
Echoes not a single word
Music of a baby’s first cry—
Sweetest solo ever heard

Ocean waves during a storm
Crest majestically on their own
Vision of a child’s first steps—
Rocking and reeling, never alone

Fiery aura of dusk and dawn
Casts brilliant hues with every view
Youth’s outlook on love and life—
Promising, yet demanding debut

Natural ambiance of early spring
Unleashes new living entities
Expressive power of a young adult—
Racial, ethical identities

Falling leaves of autumn
Whirl whimsically through the air
Age of midlife crisis—
Unsettled over graying hair

Time for sweet reflection
Sets inner smiles aglow
Twilight years of old age—
Wisdom youth should know


©2012 catnipoflife
Sharla Lee Shults

“Aging is an inevitable process.
I surely wouldn’t want to grow younger.

The older you become, the more you know;
your bank account of knowledge is much richer.”

—William M. Holden (Author, n.d.)

5 Comments »

Top 20 Earth Pictures found on Stumble Upon | Earth Pictures

See on Scoop.itRoad Tripping

Everybody knows that Stumbleupon is an great source for beautiful photography, nature, pets, arts and much more.

Enjoy the Top 20 Earth Pictures Found on Stumbleupon

See on www.earthrandom.com

3 Comments »

Moving Autumn

Photo Credit: Garden Stop Sign – Rosanne Jordan

STOP! Take a few moments to just sit back, relax and enjoy the Piano Instrumental – Moving Autumn

soothing clear waters
wind magically
amid chatoyant
gems of autumn

Thanks goes to Peggy Strack @Kick Back Moments for sharing this great video on her blog. Peggy is the author of A Stop in the Park, which is quickly gathering nothing but 5-star reviews. After reading her book, I have decided while it does encompass ‘a stop in the park’ it is definitely ‘a stop in the heart’! Highly recommended good reading!

29 Comments »

Fire in the Sky

Photo Credit: catnipoflife

A step into the backyard at twilight into a glorious sunset…

*****

flames etch the horizon

scorching into memory

its fiery sadness

brandishing the heart

Sunset,jpg

Photo Credit: catnipoflife

searing the soul

*****

*****

slow with descent

melting in splendor

darkness engulfs

close of day

as the last ember glows

*****

A beautiful sunset stills the mind, calms the heart…become lost in its splendor. ~catnipoflife

22 Comments »

Autumn Gold

A touch of impromptu catnip from a morning drive. . .

Autumn

Photo Credit: Sharla Shults

your leaves shalt not wither

before illuminating my soul

~catnipoflife

“Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns.”
 ~George Eliot

22 Comments »

Nature’s Nightlife

“Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul.”
—John Muir (Environmentalist, 1838–1914)

Today’s catnip journeys into the realm of the night: a place of darkness where there is light, a place of shadows but not of fright, a place serene in tranquil scenes, a place where you may or may not have been. . .

 

Nature’s Nightlife

Nature by day renders amazing views
From zesty pastels of spring
To autumn’s golden hues

Butterflies and daisies go hand-in-hand
As endless summer meadows
Stretch forth over the land

Winter time glistens a personal glow
Adding magic to the air
Mosaics in the snow

Ah-h, such beauty by day, what of the night?
Does nature curl up and sleep
Totally out of sight?

Doesn’t nature’s nightlife buzz and flurry
Watching, waiting, wondering
With patience, no hurry?

Nocturnal gardens remain fascinating
Ugly weeds during the day
At night begin blossoming

Gypsum’s voluptuous trumpet flowers
Challenge French perfumes
While hosting dark after hours

Night owls, sleepwalkers and insomniacs
Witness fleeting brilliance
Deep forest greens to delicate lilacs

Dusk ’til dawn, exotic blossoms unfurl
Quaking, twisting and popping
Within nature’s night world!

catniplogosm1©2012
catnipoflife

“I only went out for a walk and finally concluded to stay out till sundown, for going out, I found, was really going in.”
—John Muir (Environmentalist, 1838–1914)

What is your favorite sight or sound

of nature’s nightlife?

Related Article

Be sure to visit Len @MYOWNHEART.ME for a personal reflection on night life. It is great with an amazing video at the end!

27 Comments »

The science of nature is absolutely fascinating! Next time you see an insect you just may have a different view after this reblog.

Make sure you did not forget to visit Tustel Ico’s insect series before leaving.

Make Something Mondays's avatarMake Something Mondays

Post image for Macro Photos of Insects Covered in Water Droplets

David Chambon has always had a passion for wildlife photography, and that passion shines through in his stunning series of dew-covered insects. For more amazing insect photography check out Tustel Ico’s insect series. You can also see more of David’s work on his website.

macro dew covered insect photos (1)macro dew covered insect photos (2)macro dew covered insect photos (3)macro dew covered insect photos (4)macro dew covered insect photos (5)macro dew covered insect photos (6)macro dew covered insect photos (8)macro dew covered insect photos (7)macro dew covered insect photos (9)macro dew covered insect photos (10)

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Remember to Breathe

To all my Canadian friends or anyone desiring to travel to Canada – AWESOME! As catnipoflife puts it: Breathe the breath of life!

Canada is like your attic, you forget that it’s
up there, but when you go, it’s like “Oh man, look at all this great stuff!”
~Anonymous

17 Comments »

The World of the Extraordinary

Sometimes it is silent
Yet its still voice is heard
Sometimes it is swift
Like the flight of a bird

Sometimes you miss it
Other times its voice is clear
Sometimes you wonder
Is it far away or near?


Sometimes it is bright
Yet hides inside shadows
Sometimes you find it
Openly in meadows

Sometimes you feel it
Without slightest of touch
Sometimes it whispers
Inspiring as such


Sometimes it is alone
Or so it seems
Sometimes it is shared
In life, in dreams

Sometimes it is real
Often it is imaginary
It is the pulse of life
The world of the extraordinary

“If you let yourself be absorbed completely, if you surrender completely to the moments as they pass, you live more richly those moments.”
~ Anne Morrow Lindbergh

4 Comments »