The Envelop, Please…

Catnip apologizes in being behind in accepting and paying forward many awards. My sincerest apologies to those who bestowed so much honor on catnipoflife.

The first to be recognized is Gys @ Love Poems French & English by Gys. Please visit Gys where you will not only fall in love with her poetry but also her photography. Thank you, Gys, for this honor! Gys has also honored catnip with the Gargie Award which will come later.

The ‘rules’ for One Lovely Blog Award are simple: Thank the blogger who nominated you and link to their post, state 7 random facts about yourself, nominate those you feel deserving of the award. For this last part, I have seen the number of nominations vary from 5 to 15. We will leave this open as a matter of choice.

7 Random Facts About Me

1) I waited until my 50s to experience my first broken bone. Tripped and fell in front of a swarm of students changing classes. I was their teacher.

2) My two favorite foods: onion and chocolate. Not necessarily together

3) My very first pet was a dog. Go figure!

4) I love puzzles! Wonder if love of geometry has anything to do with it!

5) My husband calls me ‘octopus’ arms!

6) I adore Greek mythology.

7) The country I would most like to visit is Ireland.

ONE LOVELY BLOG AWARD goes to…

Seeta @http://seetarn.wordpress.com/

Kurt @http://kurtrees.wordpress.com/

Prodigal Daughter @http://iprodigaldaughter.wordpress.com/

Joseyphina’s World @http://joseyphina.wordpress.com/2013/03/14/all-i-want-to-say-is/

Christy @http://poeticparfait.com/

The second to be recognized is Alastair @ Alastair’s Blog. You are encouraged to visit Alastair where you will be enlightened with photography, music, poetry and some of the funniest videos you will ever see. He not only bestowed the Reader Appreciation Award but also Tagged catnipoflife. For more information on Alastair, visit Awakenings, catnip’s sister site. Awakenings just received the Reality Blog Award from none other than Alastair. Thank you triple time, my dear sir!

The Reader Appreciation Award carries with it similar ‘rules’ as most other awards. Here are the requirements for accepting this award:

1) Thank the blogger who nominated you and share a link to that blog. DONE!

2) Attach the award icon to your site. DONE!

3) Answer some specific questions. Unlike many awards which just ask for some random things about you, this asks specific questions as follows:

• Your favorite color? – Sky blue
• Your favorite animal? – The cat
• Your favorite non-alcoholic drink? – Cappuccino
• Facebook or Twitter? – I have both, but I’m more Twitter oriented
• Your favorite pattern? – Checkered
• Do  you prefer getting or giving presents? – Giving, but never turn one down
• Your favorite number? – 5
• Your favorite day of the week? – Each new day that arises
• Your favorite flower? – Yellow Daisy
• What is your passion? – Writing, mostly poetry

4) And finally, offer “pay it forward” nominations, advising those bloggers that they have been nominated and how to accept. I’ve listed a few nominees for the award below. This is the best reason to accept blogging awards — to spread the word about other inspiring blogs!

The READER APPRECIATION AWARD goes to…

ALL MY WONDERFUL VISITORS, FOLLOWERS & FRIENDS WITHOUT WHOM I WOULD NOT BE HERE! THANK YOU FOR YOUR VISITS, LIKES & COMMENTS! GRAB THE BADGE, FOLLOW THE RULES AND PAY IT FORWARD.
I APPRECIATE YOU ALL!

A double ‘whammy’ from Len @myownheart.me: The Beautiful Blogger Award and The Very Inspiring Blogger Award. Len is a beautiful person with a heart of gold and inspiring thoughts whether standing in the sun or walking in the rain. She writes from the heart, short stories and poetry, and has a second blog God’s Glory.

Here are the rules of the award:

1 . Display the award logo on your blog. DONE!
2. Thank and link back to the person who nominated you. DONE!
3. State 7 things about yourself. DONE earlier in this post!
4. Nominate 7-15 bloggers for this award.
5. Notify those bloggers of the nomination and link to their blog.

Two BEAUTIFUL BLOG AWARDS go to…

The London Flower Lover @http://thelondonflowerlover.wordpress.com/

Life in the Foothills @http://salmonfishingqueen.wordpress.com/

Marbles in my Pocket @http://charleslmashburn.wordpress.com/

Hot Rod Cow Girl @http://hotrodcowgirl.com/

Kick Back Moments @ http://pstrack.blogspot.com/

Thanks again to Alastair, this time for tagging catnip. Blog tag is a little more encompassing than the other awards. I will forgo the ‘random facts’ since that has just been addressed in another award. I do opt to include the questions since there none have been posed earlier in this post.

The rules are:

1. Post these rules. DONE!
2. Post a photo of yourself (if you want to) and/or eleven random facts about yourself. Already posted facts, below is a photo.
   
3. Answer the questions given to you in the tagger’s post. See below.
4. Create eleven new questions and tag new people to answer them. See below.
5. Go to their blog/twitter and let them know they have been tagged. As soon as this is posted.

Induction into FHA (Future Homemakers of America), 1961-62

Questions for me to answer:

1. What is your favourite TV program? NCIS
2. What is your favourite film? Step Back in Time with Christopher Reeve and Jane Seymour
   
3. Do you like cake? Yes, but prefer pie
4. Do you believe in Angels? Yes, I have a guardian angel.
5. Do you believe in fate? Yes. We live, we die, that is our destiny.
6. What kind of vehicle do you drive? (If you drive) Ford Taurus
7. Who is your favourite superhero? Wonder Woman
8. Do you know the Star Trek “odds and evens” rule? No
9. What is your favourite memory? Making mud pies! (Yep, I ate them!)
10. If you had the chance to help colonise another planet, would you? You bet!
11. What was your first job? Teaching high school math and science. I was barely 21 years old and some of my students were 18!

Questions for my recipients:

1. Who was the greatest influencer in your life?
2. What do you think is the best book you have ever read?
3. If money were no option, what new car would you buy?
4. Which do you prefer as a pet, dog or cat?
5. What has been your greatest challenge?
6. What is the greatest gift you ever received?
7. Which do you prefer, sweet or salty?
8. Would you like Daylight Savings Time to last all year long…NO clock changes?
9. What are your hobbies (outside the Internet)?
10. Which do you do the most: cook at home or eat out?
11. What is your favorite sport?

TAG, YOU’RE IT…

Marilyn @Serendipity http://teepee12.com/

Claire @ClaireCappetta http://clairecappetta.wordpress.com/

Autumn @Autumn Sunshine http://autumn-sunshine.net/blogs/

Terry1954 @http://terry1954.wordpress.com/

Taylor @http://taylorfulks.com/

Raani @http://raaniyork.wordpress.com/

A Year of Thankfulness

Today is a day of celebration and catnip is all dolled up for the occasion:

catnipoflife‘s 1st anniversary!

This past year has been incredible in the blogosphere! So much joy is received each time a Like or comment is posted with recognition that one of YOU has truly enjoyed my inspirational poetry, novice pictures, impromptu writings and humorous catnip. The purpose for this blog has always been to inspire:

echoes of the heart, remembrances from the past and catnip of life.

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Thankfulness from my heart to yours!

Without you,
This blog would no longer be
Without you,
My words no one would see

Without you,
The cat would cease to purr
Without you,
Catnip would no longer spur

Because of you
The cat seldom whines
Because of you
The sun always shines

Because of you
Catnip whirs and whirs
Because of you
Vision never blurs

You’re the inspiration
Soft fur and sharp claws
Spurring me onward
To write just because

You’re the inspiration
Through which I write
You’re the reason
I’m up late at night

©2013 catnipoflife
Sharla Lee Shults

Blessed Day and Sweet Dreams

7 Writers Get To Strut Their Stuff (The Seven-Line Challenge)

Wow! Today has been a busy day! I have uncovered several awards from some of my followers and a tagging. Because of the time involved in the award acceptance process I am going to tackle the tagging first.

Raani York: http://raaniyork.wordpress.com has tagged me in the 7-line challenge. Well, Miss Raani (that’s Southern addressment you understand), you really presented a challenge for me. My genre is poetry so 7 lines are virtually impossible since most of my poems are comprised of quatrains in iambic pentameter. That means a specific rhythm is maintained within every four lines of verse. Ah-h-h! Lightbulb! You only get to read 7 lines…the 8th is left to the imagination. Brilliant!

Here are 7 lines from page 77 of Awakenings. Keep in mind that Awakenings is America’s story, your story. It spans five centuries from the 17th century to present day 21st century. It allows you to uncover how your past experiences, as well as your ancestry, connect to the present, and ultimately define your future. The except below is found within Whisperings of the Past at the end of the 17th century (1600-1699). The pureness of heart, the intellect of the mind, and the spirit of the soul were Puritan beliefs instrumental in forming the foundation for America. Basic principles focused on family, loyalty, and honor to the highest degree.

What poetic justice
Do your words impart?
Those self-inflicted
War of mind and heart

Are the ways of the world
Really much different today?
Mere diversions of thought…

It is now my turn to tag 7 other writers, whose works are varied both in product and stage, to keep the challenge going. Today I have selected avid followers from Google+.

Yves Johnson – http://elderyvesjohnson.wordpress.com/

Louise Malbon-Reddix – http://www.victoryroadwellnesscenter.com/blog/

Trish Jackson – http://romanticreviewramble.blogspot.com/2013/01/the-7-line-challenge-tagged.html

Jeanette Andersen – http://jeanettesandersen.blogspot.com/2013/01/7-writers-get-to-strut-their-stuff.html

Seeta Rajesh Nawagekar – http://seetarn.wordpress.com/2013/01/31/7-writers-get-to-strut-their-stuff-the-seven-line-challenge/

Roxana Jones – http://roxanajones.com/

 

Carole McKee-Spalino – http://author-carole-mckee.blogspot.com/2013/01/7-linechallenge.html

This is your mission:  Go to lhine 7 on either page 7 or page 77 of your manuscript and do a post with the next 7 lines, then tag 7 people to keep the challenge going! This a short and savvy way to see what others out there in the blogosphere are writing.

AULD LANG SYNE: The Good Old Times

NOTE: Don’t leave without watching the video below! In the meantime, let’s start with a slideshow!

Click the little caboose…

As we soon will say goodbye to 2012, it is very important for me to thank all of catnip’s visitors and followers for some good old times throughout the year! You made (and continue to make) my day with your visits and especially when you left comments. By entering my world, you let a part of me inspire a part of you which in turn inspires others. Writing is a gift but only worthwhile if it tugs at the heart of its readers. One can write, write, write but if that written word is not read, nor acted upon, then its message is lost and becomes mere dust on a shelf, ashes in the wind.

Catnip is definitely graced with many wonderful followers. My goal in the new year is to visit each of you with the same gratitude you have shared with me. I’ve got a lot of visiting to do so I had better get started! I will not give up until each one has been visited, Liked and catnip added as your latest follower!

catnipoflife has been honored by Len @myownheart.me with being one of her Most Influential Blogs of 2012. Thank you, Len, but it is YOU who truly inspires me!

The Most Influential Blogs of 2012 Received from Len @myownheart.me

I never know on any given day who might be the most influential. Today it is Arlen Shahverdyan  from whom I would like to share a video he featured on his site today. In addition, catnipoflife would like to recognize Arlen as one of her Most Influential Blogs of 2012. Arlen is Armenian, fond of writing and is an eloquent speaker. He has already published 3 books (from 2008 to 2012).

Read more about Arlen, his writing, his poetry, his blog, his goals HERE! While visiting be sure to leave him a comment to let him know you stopped by and of course, he would love for you to become a Follower.

As with any award, the next step is to examine the rules.

The Rules…SURPRISE! There are NO RULES except you MUST pay it forward, and that means, sometime in the next six (6) months you “should” choose the blogs you deem worthy of your label of The Most Influential Blogs of 2012. Those that have influenced you the most!

That’s it, no exception, no ands, ors, ifs or buts! There is ONE added notation:

EVERY blog I follow inspires me in some way so this award is quite difficult in choosing those that have had the most impact on my life this year. So, understand Arlen is just the beginning. He is the first to be followed with recognition of others within the six (6) month time frame. That means stay tuned, visit often for your name may be the next Most Influential Blog of 2012!

All aboard! If you missed the ride in the beginning, Take the Train Along with Me now! Click on the caboose and enjoy the scenery! It may take a minute to load but well worth the wait!

Do you remember Floyd Cramer? Click HERE for more @Awakenings. . .

CONGRATULATIONS 200th Follower!

catnipoflife is celebrating her 200th follower! For some, this is only a drop in the bucket. But, for catnip, this is a milestone: she has exceeded the limitations of the Liebster Blog Award and is no longer considered a ‘newbie’, new kid on the block, novice, noobonaught, or nooblet!

With this announcement comes the opportunity to recognize the 200th sign-on: [Drum roll, please...]

Dan @hurdlestohappiness

Here is a little about Dan in his own words:

My name is Dan, and I am currently a student at the University of Central Florida, majoring in Creative Writing and double minoring in Spanish and Hospitality Management. I recently completed my first book, a self-help for teens, with hopes of it being published in the near future. This blog is meant to give you a deeper look into the life of a teenager wanting to become a published author, as well as offer tools and tips of advice to help you ultimately achieve the life-long goal of Happiness.

Gifts of Appreciation in Celebration

As catnip’s 200th follower, she would like to provide a few gifts in celebration. So, Dan, I do hope you will accept with pleasure. . .

First gift…

The Versatile Blog Award: catnipoflife recently received this award from Poems French & English by Gys. [This award was the very first award received by catnip last spring. Click HERE for her info.] Having perused your blog, I discovered the categories Achieving Happiness, My Writing Process, Poetry and Travels. With versatility comes accomplishment and accomplishment indeed is evidenced in your many blog awards that honor writing purposely, skillfully and with talent.

As with any award, there are rules:

1. Thank and to link the blogger who nominated you.
2. Show the award logo on your blog.
3. Write a post on the appointment.
4. Nominate 15 other bloggers (or any number of your choice, more or less) and inform each.
5. Tell 7 things about yourself.

Second gift…

Super Sweet Award: catnipoflife graciously accepts this award from Ute Smile. [This is catnip's second, the first coming from Len @myownheart.me a few months ago. Info can be found HERE.] Everyone loves sweets, some more than others! With this award, comes naming your favorites!

Here are the rules:

Nominate a baker’s dozen of other bloggers and answer these five questions in your own blog posting. Be sure to inform those upon which you bestow the award.

1. Cookie or cake?
2. Chocolate or Vanilla?
3. Favorite sweet treat?
4. Time when you crave sweets the most?
5. Sweet nickname? (If you don’t already have one, what would you like it to be?

Third gift…

Awakenings from Then ’til Now: catnipoflife‘s sister site Awakenings recently featured The Next Big Thing highlighting the soon to be released Awakenings from Then ’til Now. An additional gift to you is a copy of this book signed by me, the author. To receive your signed copy, I will need a mailing address. Should you not want to publicly display your address, you may email it to me @poetrybysharla@gmail.com . There are no rules, of course, in acceptance of this gift but perhaps you might consider a review.

Fourth gift…

A Bookmark: What is the gift of a book without a bookmark! Yep, one is included so when you take a break from reading you won’t lose your place in time. The book covers five centuries from the 17th century to the 21st century. What does the past whisper to you? opportunities for reflection occur intermittently throughout each chapter. Happy journeying and journaling!

Five is catnip’s “number” so there is a Fifth gift…

The Next Big Thing: An invitation is extended to you for an interview to be included on catnipoflife and Awakenings as an addition to The Next Big Thing, which is a series of blog posts where authors talk about their work using the same ten questions. At the end of the blog you can tag other authors who will do the same thing a week later. So not only do others get to find out more about your book but you also connect your site to some other interesting writers. The Next Big Thing is a hot topic in the writers’ world so say ‘yes’ and tag along!

Before closing, catnip thanks all of her followers for their time visiting and leaving comments. Any day is a good day to gather a little catnip of life!

Very Inspiring Blogger Award

Inspiring Blogger Award

Within the month of December, catnipoflife has been honored with three nominations for the Very Inspiring Blogger Award. Marilyn @Serendipity (who also bestowed this award upon catnip’s sister site Awakenings), Ute @Ute smile and Gys @French & English Poems by Gys. That leaves me breathless and thereby virtually speechless.

Almost. . .

It has been less than a year since catnip entered the blogosphere. She has been elated and overwhelmed by the acquaintances and friendships gathered along the way. Every journey in life takes one down many paths…some in the right direction and others take unexpected turns that keep perspectives in order and provide avenues to explore in different facets of life. Within each directional turn comes encounters that leave a lasting impression – most often positive but occasionally questionable. C’est la vie!

catnip is very pleased to accept this award with the utmost gratitude and thereby pays it forward to a few who continuously inspire her. Understand each blogsite/weblog/cyber diary shines with its own light of inspiration…some endearing, some picturesque and others humorous, while many encompass all three!

But before the list comes…

The Rules

Display the award logo on your blog.

Link back to the person who nominated you.

Tell at least seven things about yourself that you would like to share.

Nominate other bloggers for this award and link to them. [Your choice and number]

Notify your chosen bloggers of their nomination and the award’s requirements.

Things about myself that I haven’t explicitly said before (hopefully)

1. I enjoy helping my husand in his wood-working shop any time I am allowed:>)

2. My favorite movies are ghost stories (without all the fake blood and gore).

3. Caligraphy is my specialty.

4. Boston is a city I want to visit on the way to getting Maine lobster. (Yummy! Don’t have to fret about NY cheesecake…hubby bakes the best ever!)

5. Can’t wait until the next fall festival to ride the carousel.

6. If I had my way and the means, I would have a Jaguar. (Nothing wrong in having dreams!)

7. In my next life, I will return as a cat. (Aren’t you surprised?!.)

My Nominees (the envelope please)

Alastair @Alastair’s Blog

Arlen Shahverdyan @Arlen Shahverdyan. the author’s blog site

Barbara @ Life in the Foothills

Christine Hannon @A Hairdresser’s Diary

Deirde Tolhurst @Thoughts and Prayers 

Diane @The One Thing I Know for Sure

Hot Rod Cowgirl @Hot Rod Cowgirl’s Blog 

Len @MyOwnHeart.me

Lesley Fletcher @Inspiration Import 

Mary Helen @greatpoetrymhf 

Rosemary Adkins @ Extraordinary Dreams of an Ireland Traveler  

The Team @The London Flower Lover

Blog of the Year 2012: 6 Stars! Now, 7 and beyond!

In the original blog post about the Blog of the Year Award 2012, I extended THANK YOUs to

Jana @cjanas Dreams for my first nomination of the “Blog of the Year 2012” award,

Penny @TheWhyAboutThis for my second and

Alastair @Alastair’s Blog for my third.  

Catnip has now reached the top of the pyramid with 6 STARS!

Hugs and a huge Thank You goes to each of the following. . .

Lori’s Song 4th star

Raani York 5th star

Seetarn 6th star

In addition, catnip received a message this morning that awarded her even a 7th star: Thank you…

Gys 7th star 

and then,

Micki Peluso 8th star

plus Wendell Brown 9th star

While there are many, many stars in the blogosphere, one shines brightly from Heaven above. Rest in peace Sandra McLeod Humphrey . You will always be a shining star, our guiding light, an inspiration for all! We miss you immensely!

Update: Since catnip has exceeded the 6 stars, she would like to bestow additional stars to the following:

Pat Garcia

“The true art of receiving is being able to give back to those who have given so much to me!”~catnipoflife

Blog of the Year 2012

With the holiday season comes blessings galore and a time of giving/receiving thanks, giving/receiving presents and giving/receiving awards! The blogosphere is bursting at the seams with ways of sharing with others that which is so graciously received.

Doesn’t that make the blog awards more special that any other? Think about it: you don’t put them on a shelf, display them behind glass doors, store them in a box, hide them in a closet or hold onto them to use later only to eventually have them become used up, tattered, torn or wasted away.

What do you do? You pass them along, pay them forward, share with others to be shared with others who share with others and the beat goes on.

There is definitely something to be said about this virtual world of ours: it is a world of sharing, caring and preparing: Sharing around the world, Caring for others, Preparing for the future. Whatever endeavor you are engaged in at the present moment or seek in days to come, there is always someone willing to tell you his or her story which will in turn provide a beacon of light down a sometimes dark highway.

So, without further adieu, let’s get to the next award…one that requires very little demand and keeps on giving.

Believe it or not…

Yes, an actual “current” Blog Award!

Thank you Jana @cjanas Dreams for my first nomination of the “Blog of the Year 2012” award. Thank you Penny @TheWhyAboutThis for my second and Alastair @Alastair’s Blog for my third.  As you will learn in the information to follow, catnipoflife has earned Three Stars. It is amazing how many wonderful, creative and talented bloggers there are in the blogosphere.

I’m guessing, no actually I know, that every single blogger I’ve met in my blogging journey so far should have this award. As with the receiving of any award, the difficult part is deciding who will be on the receiving end.

So here is what you need to know about:

‘Blog of the Year 2012’ Award

(This has been copied word for word for accuracy. It is suggested you do the same…makes posting easy!)

Do you know a blog that deserves an award?

Do you have special blogs that you love to read?

Which blogs do you bookmark and follow?

Would you like to give them an award this year?

Then the ‘Blog of the Year 2012’ Award is for you!

The ‘rules’ for this award are simple:

1 Select the blog(s) you think deserve the ‘Blog of the Year 2012’ Award.

2 Write a blog post and name/tell us about the blog(s) you have chosen – there’s no minimum or maximum number of blogs required – and ‘present’ them with their award.

3 Please include a link back to this page Blog of the Year 2012 Award and include these ‘rules’ in your post (please don’t alter the rules or the badges!)

4 Let the blog(s) you have chosen know that you have given them this award and share the ‘rules’ with them

5 You can now also join The Facebook group – click ‘like’ on this page ‘Blog of the Year 2012’ Award Facebook group and then you can share your blog with an even wider audience

6 As a winner of the award – please add a link back to the blog that presented you with the award – and then proudly display the award on your blog and sidebar … and start collecting stars…

Yes – that’s right – there are stars to collect!

Unlike other awards which you can only add to your blog once – this award is different!

When you begin you will receive the ‘1 star’ award – and every time you are given the award by another blog – you can add another star!

There are a total of 6 stars to collect.

Which means that you can check out your favorite blogs – and even if they have already been given the award by someone else – you can still bestow it on them again and help them to reach the maximum 6 stars!

‘Blog of the Year 2012’ Award Badges

There are six badges for you to collect – you can either ‘swap’ your badge for the next one each time you are given the award – or even proudly display all six badges if you are lucky enough to be presented with the award six times!

~

Need to know more? Check out the FAQ page

And Congratulations! on being chosen for the ‘Blog of the Year 2012’ Award!

~

‘Blog of the Year 2012’ Award – thumbnails

Here are the 6 awards in thumbnail size for your sidebar – feel free to Right Click and save any of the images on this page:

        

          

So there you go those are the rules and the name of the game.

The blogs listed below possibly have at one time or another bestowed and/or received an award from catnipoflife or her sister site, Awakenings. Some responded with the utmost gratitude, some do not venture into the award arena and some simply did not respond. Those of you who enjoy playing I look forward to your own post and those of you who chose not to that is okay, too. I have fulfilled my desire to let you know how deserving you truly are and how much you mean to me. 

For those of you who want to play, the ball is in your court!

[BTW If you want to play and I have somehow missed you, I hang my head shamefully but will raise it proudly and promptly add you to the list!]

A Hairdresser’s Diary

Alastair’s Blog

Arlen Shahverdyan

Aspire. Motivate. Succeed.

A Writer’s Journey

Being Chirpy

Brian T Shirley

brucelouisdodson

Books That Sow

Chief Writing Wolf

clairecappetta

Cosmuse

Country Side Poet

DeirdreTolhurst

Dicy McCullough

D J Stutley

Don in Massachusetts

Extraordinary Ireland

Forever Poetic

Fortyteen Candles

Free Tag Zone

Greatpoetrymhf’s Weblog

Gys

Hot Rod Cowgirl

Inspiration Import

I.O.U. Sex

Jana’s Dreams

Jeanette S Andersen

Jen Owenby

Jen’s Thoughts

Kick Back Moments

Life in the Foothills

LadyLovelyBlogger

linneann

Lori’s Song

Magic in the Backyard

Make Something Mondays

Maleko’s Art

Marbles in my Pocket

Menopausal Mother

MyOwnHeart.me

Northwest Photographer

Pieces

Poetree Creations

Potato Chip Cats

Queen’s End

quirkybooks

raaniyork

Sandie’s Snippets

Serendipity

shadetheraven

Shirley Sorbello

Solid Happiness

Some Assembly Required

Stutley’s Tales

Surviving Life My Cats

Susan Ekins

Taylor Made Thoughts and Doodles

Texas, a Cat in New York

The Blazing Trail

The Fat and the Skinny

The London Flower Lover

The One Thing I Know For Sure

The Thoughtful Life

The Why About This

Thoughts and Prayers

Valerie Davis

Writing My First Novel

Daisy Award, for you and for me!

It is on rare occasion that a connection is available to the creator of an award. This time the beginning link in a chain of unknown number of recipients is Subtle Kate. In Kate’s own words on June 28, 2012, “I would like to start a new award. It’s called the Daisy Award.  Daisy’s are very sweet flowers, but they are stealth with hardiness. They’ll come up anywhere and beat the frost.  This award is for the brave.”

So with out further ado… there are of course rules to follow:

Thank the person who nominated you. Thank you, Claire Cappetta .

Claire is a creative writer having recently retired from the financial world to concentrate on the dream of publishing a first novel. That dream has just come to fruition with the release of A Broken Ring. CONGRATULATIONS, Claire! (Read the First Chapter.) Claire’s story follows a woman’s journey through relationships, domestic abuse, inspiration and empowerment. Although a difficult topic to cover, the story is heartwarming and inspiring.

Tell your readers seven unusual things about yourself. Alright I’m having a tough time with this! Because what is unusual about me?! There are ‘things’ that we all like and dislike but it is the word ‘unusual’ that has me stumped. I don’t have six toes (on one foot) nor one eye in the middle of my forehead! But, I DO have. . .

1. one grey streak in my hair that has been a part of me since I was a teenager

2. the wasp waist of the 19th century

3. Morton’s toe

4. a love for cappuccino but my morning coffee must be black – NO cream, NO sugar

5. a fondness for iguanas

6. an affinity for cats that is hard to explain

7. the heart of a tomboy

Nominate several worthy bloggers: Since my ‘number’ is 5 I have elected to bestow this award upon 5 brave bloggers. As I pondered the recipients of this award from catnip, the following immediately came to mind with reasons why they are the bravest of the brave:

1. Serendipity: Marilyn Armstrong tells it like it is…no fluff, lays it on the line, whether you like it or not, tells it like it is. She will tease you with her humor, enlighten you with her photography and will shower you with tidbits of knowledge just to test you and see what you think. She has endured her own personal hardships being a cancer survivor.

2. A Hairdresser’s Diary: Chris Hannon is a victim of a major car accident that took her livelihood away as a hairdresser, make-up artist and model. She is a self-taught artist who learned to paint to help her deal with daily chronic pain. She is also a poet and has published a new book ‘Versify’. Amazing stories of her life as a hairdresser are published in her book A Hairdresser’s Diary.

3. A Writer’s Journey:  Micki Peluso began writing as a catharsis to heal the wounds of the death of her 14 yr-old daughter at the hands of a drunken driver. She has recently released her first book, a memoir – about her daughter’s death – . . .AND THE WHIPPOORWILL SANG. It’s a funny, poignant celebration of her daughter’s life more than a eulogy of her death.

4. Northwest Photographer: Bob Milke is a veteran. He served his country, your country, my country in Vietnam. He is also a great photographer. He makes you feel you are there when you view his photos. He frequents the Portland, OR Zoo and I do believe the animals await his visits. You will see what I mean when you visit Bob @ Northwest Photographer. Check out the expressions (‘smiles’) on the animals’ faces!

5. Taylor-Made Thoughts & Doodles: Taylor Fulks’ story is one of turmoil through a childhood of sexual abuse. Her debut novel My Prison Without Bars: The Journey of a Damaged Woman to Someplace Normal has just been released. On her blog, Tayor hopes to share the bits of information gleaned from her journey and encourage others, hopefully, to share their knowledge and expertise.

CONGRATULATIONS brave souls and keep writing!

The Masters Award is presented to Ed Parkinson (and Invitation to his Exhibition)

See on Scoop.it – catnipoflife

The Masters Award

The Masters Award is passed along to ONE blogger at a time.It began with Barbara @ Life in the Foothills (http://salmonfishingqueen.wordpress.com/?s=masters+award).  Its journey so far has included stops, enduring visits and accolades to…

The Masters Award (http://thewhyaboutthis.com/?s=masters+award)

The Masters Award (http://jakesprinters.wordpress.com)

The Masters Award (http://catnipoflife.wordpress.com/2012/11/13/the-masters-award/)

The Masters Award (http://greatpoetrymhf.wordpress.com)

Today, the announcement of the latest recipient of The Masters Award is made by Mary Helen Ferris to Ed Parkinson @www.spiritualartblog.com.

See on http://greatpoetrymhf.wordpress.com/2012/11/25/the-masters-award-is-presented-to-ed-parkinson-and-invitation-to-his-exhibition/#comment-6840