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

Wintertime vs. Winter Time

by catnipoflife

Awakenings being catnip’s sister site often appears here through Scoop.it! Only a small portion of those posts are scooped. It is always hoped each of catnip’s visitors clicks the link for the entire post since bits of historical trivia allow time to embrace the past, empower the present, enrich the future for you and America. Yesterday as I was working on Awakenings I realized this post IS catnip. So, if you are followers or visitor of both sites, this one will lift you up twice for the entire post appears here!

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January 31: the 31st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. With 1/12 of the year gone, 334 days remain until year’s end. Winter is in full swing with visions of hope for an early spring buzzing around in our heads. That implies already looking ahead wishing time away so we can pack up boots, heavy coats and jeans replacing them with flip flops, tee-shirts and shorts. 

Time can’t hold us down but moves us forward, keeps us on our toes and immerses us in memorable scenes of the past, present and future. It is our best friend, often our worse enemy. We have too much time on our hands, not enough time to do the things that need to be done or just barely get by as time flies without warning.

winter_time

eliseenchanted.deviantart.com

We cry out in the name of time, time, time!

Winters come, winters go. They will always be a part of the cycle of life beginning a season of dormancy awaiting rebirth. Mosaics on frozen ponds and lakes stretch outward in all directions, cracks and crevices revealing life thriving underneath. One tree hangs on to its leaves while others stand barren baring scarred limbs naked to the earth and sky. Gone are the plush and green replaced by shades of gray often covered in blankets of white.

Thus, we live the Winter with thoughts of “I can’t wait until Spring arrives?” When wintertime arrives, do we simply wish away the winter time?

Wintertime vs. Winter Time 

Winters of the past
Aged not forgotten
Images frozen still
Long ago begottensimple_dividerTime within winter
Slowed to a crawl
Breaths unlabored
After toils of Fallsimple_dividerWinters of the present
Snowy fields impart
Stormy times ahead
Yet stillness of heartsimple_dividerTime within winter
Spans hours inside
Hopes and desires
Lay calm firesidesimple_dividerWinters of the future
What truly lies ahead?
Without needless worry
Living the moments insteadsimple_dividerTime within winter
Ensues time well spent
Without a single moment
Wond’ring where time went simple_dividerWintertime, any time
Past, present, future
Build upon images
Visions that nurture

©Sharla Lee Shults

If-we-had-no-winter

Awakenings Inspiration PoetrybySharla Reflection

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Jan 15

Moving Right Along…

by catnipoflife

January seems to be on the speed track with the month already at its halfway mark. Time is moving right along at a pace much faster that we probably all prefer. Yet, with the passing of time lies the anticipation of the natural elements of early spring. Glory in the springtime initiates countless visions: greening hills, warming sun, tulips, pansies and wildflowers popping!

But, WAIT!! Am I being somewhat premature? The presence of ol’ man winter is still felt, chilling to the bone. That is, of course, unless you are relaxing on the beaches of sunny California, along Florida’s Emerald Coast, in the Florida Keys or perhaps cruising the turquoise waters of the Caribbean. Ah-h-h-h! Sandy beaches, lounging chairs, suntan oil, basking in warm sunbeams, diving into cool waters—pleasure within an oasis of calm & relaxation!

Okay! Okay! Okay! Back to reality. . .

Before even splashing our mental coloring books with the hues of springtime, we must endure winter’s final chill or last blanket of pure white. As Terri Guillemets once quoted, “The color of springtime is in the flowers, the color of winter is in the imagination.“

So, put your imagination to work with some enduring visions of Ol’ Man Winter leading to the new birth of spring. Visual images featured today come by way of Marilyn Armstrong @Serendipity. Marilyn is an awesome blogger enlightening her visitors and followers with her unique, often humorous writing along with her own awesome photography. She is also a published author. Check out her book The 12-Foot Teepee: A Survivor’s Tale @amazon.

Visions of Ol’ Man Winter

Snowcovered-Foliage

January brings ice palaces and snow
With plants lying dormant underneath
February stirs the depths of winter
Echoing sounds of chattering teeth

First_Snow

Cold sun amid afternoon shadows
Heralds colder temps at night
Warm blankets, cozy fires
Beckon cuddling up oh-so tight

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Winter time glistens
Adding its own personal glow
Pulsating with magic in the air
Creating mosaics in the snow

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Attuned to the winter cold
Hibernation’s a natural affair
With shorter days, longer nights
Sleeping resembles that of a bear

Winter-Woods

Sentiments of the winter season
Affirm human nature’s lassitude
Reflections echo the past and present
Offering a melancholy mood

Old-Number2

Nature in its own pristine beauty
Soon flourishes after winter’s thaw
Prickly, bristly thorns and spiny things
Will emerge cloaked in springtime’s awe

catniplogosm1©2014 catnipoflife
Sharla Lee Shults

Inspiration PoetrybySharla Reflection

6 Comments »
Jan 8

Inspiration: Solace in Winter

by catnipoflife
Photo Credit: Marilyn Armstrong @Serendipity

Photo Credit: Marilyn Armstrong @Serendipity

How do you greet Winter—

Bitter, drab and dreary
Frosty sights and sounds
Anything but cheery…

 A silent ghostly presence
Chilling to the bone
Outwardly uninviting
Wishing it ‘Be gone!’?

Br-r-r-r-r is the sound
Silvery is the sight
From dawn to dusk
Bitterness through the night

This hoary side to Winter
Is that all there is to see—
A shroud of dreariness
Heaviness of heart to be?

Solace in Winter
Restores warmth to the very soul
Lifting up heavy hearts
As magical moments unfold

catniplogosm1©2014 catnipoflife
Sharla Lee Shults

Yes, indeed, Winter brings chills to the bone but with it comes extraordinary beauty, grace and even a sense of magic. For those encountering snow, early, early morning reveals a new dusting of silvery white from Nature’s paintbrush swishing over, under, around and through everything in sight. Ice-glazed water glistens in the daylight as tiny birds peck away for a single droplet. The gracefulness of snowflakes whirl and twirl around and around floating effortlessly, landing softly one atop another. Person after person stroll in the midst, bundled up like Eskimos, giggling as the cold bites each nose and resemble the main characters within a magical snow globe scene.

Of course, we know there is a flip side to the coin depicting this scene. Whipping winds, fast-falling stinging snow, blizzard warnings, subzero wind chills do not seem so inviting. Shoveling snow, scrapping windshields, steering away from snow banks, donning three to four layers of clothing are commonplace when treks outdoors must be made.

Regardless of the coin’s side, there is solace in Winter that touches the soul even in its coldest moments…

Where do you find solace in Winter?

Inspiration PoetrybySharla Reflection Video Clip

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Dec 27

Angels in the Snow

by catnipoflife

“Angels in the Snow” is featured on catnip’s page catnipoflife poetry. Expressions on this page are in five categories: 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! I do hope you enjoy reading and hopefully will find inspiration from words reflective of yesterday, today and tomorrow.

In case you have not visited catnipoflife poetry, “Angels in the Snow” is reposted here since it is befitting to the Winter season. After reading, hop on over for more of catnip’s poetry. Just click catnipoflife poetry.

Observe life at its best. . .

AngelsintheSnow
Angels in the Snow

Wintry days bring chills to the bone
Inviting the cozy fireplace
Sips on steaming cups of cocoa
Add warmth to eagerly embrace

Icy ponds and lakes form mosaics
Under the weight of sleds and skates
Hearts melt, hands clasp firmly together
Balancing two perfect soul mates

Day’s end sends heartbeats pounding
As we race for all our mighty worth—
Slipping, sliding, twisting, turning
Hurrying across the frozen earth

Snowflakes shine in the setting sun
Reflecting pure rawness of nature
Each one caught quickly disappears
Melting under the slightest pressure

A snowball fight puts us on our backs
Giggling and laughing all the while
Eyes meet along with a gentle kiss
Ending the battle with a smile

Lying on the snow-covered ground
We gaze upon the sky’s lustrous glow
Arms and legs reach upward and out
Making wondrous angels in the snow

CatnipLogoSm

©2012 catnipoflife
Sharla Lee Shults

“An angel can illuminate the thought and mind of man by strengthening the power of vision.”
 —St Thomas Aquinas (Italian Dominican Priest, 1224–1274)

PoetrybySharla

7 Comments »
Dec 21

A Pristine Side of Winter

by catnipoflife

catniplogosm1©2012 catnipoflife
Sharla Lee Shults

Awaken 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.

Even within the bitterest cold of winter one can find breathtaking beauty.

Ice-Cardinal

Inspiration Nature PoetrybySharla Reflection

7 Comments »
Dec 19

Beauty in Winter

by catnipoflife

The harshness of Winter chills the bones but warms the soul…


Display images to see an amazing photo!

Inspiration Reflection

7 Comments »
Dec 5

LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW

by catnipoflife

While we may not necessarily be excited about the snow, we will always enjoy the music of Frank Sinatra!

Inspiration Quick Post Reflection Video Clip

6 Comments »
Feb 20

Kitten in the Snow

by catnipoflife

With winter comes days that chill right to the bone. Unlike our furry friends, we don our heavy coats, boots, woolen socks, mittens and scarves to ward off the bite of the frigid air. Of course, we know the soft fur of our little friends keeps them warm without the need for all the extra ‘gear’ but that does not necessarily mean they do not feel the cold.

BUT… does the cold inevitably keep them indoors? See the slideshow ‘Come play with me!’ after the poem!

WhiteKitteninSnow

Winter’s Berth

A mound of silky white fur
Amid cushions of bottle green
Reflects hues of icy blue
Off crystal dewdrops barely seen

Teeny tiny silver moons
Draping from hairy stems
Tickle a pink little nose
Like frosty pearlized gems

Stretching and yawning
Rising above home turf
Tiny paws reach forth
Scratching in winter’s earth

Within a few steps
Visions begin to blur
Chilly winter winds
Softly lift the long fur

Delicate hints of sunlight
Peeping through bleak gray skies
Grant fleeting moments of warmth
Around wide-open eyes

Suddenly through the bitterness
A little hand reaches down
“Nosy Nettie, why are you here
Among plumage turned gray brown?”

With a special purr-r-r
Ever so thankful to be found
The snow white fur ball
Bids farewell to the cold, cold ground

©2012 catnipoflife 
Sharla Lee Shults

The purr from cat to man says, ‘You bring me happiness; I am at peace with you.’
—Barbara L. Diamond (Writer, n.d.)

Touch of Catnip: Come play with me!

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Cats & Catnip PoetrybySharla Slideshow

28 Comments »
Dec 2

Awakenings: Winter Awakenings

by catnipoflife

Photo Credit: Marilyn Armstrong

See on Scoop.it – America

Winter’s awakenings have come with the first signs of snow knocking at the door in many parts of the country. The coldest part of the year brings with it short days and long nights, hazardous driving, shoveling driveways/walkways, bundling up from head-to-toe, chills and fever, cozy fireplaces, and so much more BUT not without intermingling wonder, amazement and excitement.

BE SURE TO WATCH THE VIDEO – Dog Having a Blast in the Snow !

See on www.awakenings2012.blogspot.fr

Awakenings Scoop.it

4 Comments »
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