Leap Year - watch out all you single men!

It is LEAP year!!!

And I am jumping for joy!!

This only rolls around once every four years, so there is reason for excitement!

This day is added to the calendar in leap years as a corrective measure, because the earth does not orbit around the sun in precisely 365 days. Who figured that out???

The reason I love Leap Year is because some folk traditions dictate that a woman may ask a man to marry in a leap year, some traditions are more specifically for Leap Day.

Watch out you single guys... Leap Day begins in approximately five hours... tick, tock...

I am a Putnamaniac ready for Leap Year and all the single men that come with it!!!

Best hikes with fellow Putnamaniacs ever!!!! At Thompson Dam!

So, you like to get outside?

Enjoyable, fun friends, of all ages are an added benefit, right??

Well, then, welcome to Putnamania!

There are tons of outdoor destinations, beautiful and peaceful in all seasons.

There are also fun and wonderful new friends to find everywhere you go.

I am lucky and have met outstanding Putnamaniacs since I moved here.

Yesterday afternoon some of us got together for a late afternoon hike at the Thompson Dam.... we found old farm relics, we found waterfalls, we found stone walls, we found upside down trees, and we almost certainly heard Bigfoot!

I am a Putnamaniac because I love my friends, Putnamaniacs themselves, of all ages!

Joy!!! As is Suzanne Joy - My little seesta!

Joy, Joy, Joy!

The dictionary says: Joy, [joi] ,noun

1.the emotion of great delight or happiness caused by something exceptionally good or satisfying; keen pleasure; elation

2.a source or cause of keen pleasure or delight; something or someone greatly valued or appreciated

3.the expression or display of glad feeling; festive gaiety.

4.a state of happiness or felicity.

I say JOY means all this and more - it has a special meaning for me. 

As I was quickly approaching my 8th birthday, my mother was quite pregnant. I kept hoping that baby would arrive just for my birthday - what a great gift. 

The names for a boy and girl were chosen (since that was back in the day that you didn't know what you were having until it poked it's self out and let you know they had arrived). If a baby girl arrived, her name would be Jody Gail. 

A week after my birthday, my little sister arrived!!! I WAS SO EXCITED!!! Mom brought her home, and I was ready to meet little Jody Gail. However, Jody Gail didn't seem to fit and she was named hereafter Suzanne Joy!

We have had a ton of fun over the years in telling Sue she was named Joy because we knew she was going to bring us much joy, and joy she has delivered.

This Christmas, at a gathering of neighbors at my condo, my fast walking neighbor (mentioned in a previous blog "Her boots are made for walking") brought me this little item - that says JOY on it. I set it on the windowsill next to the pictures I have of my brothers, Skee & Si, and sister, Sue. It brings me joy, as do they!

I am a Putnamaniac because I have a lot of joy in my life!

Fortune's Gale blew some sweet sounds my way!

Since moving to Putnamania I have discovered some great people and places. It is kind of like that snowball rolling down hill - the more you meet, the more more you meet, and so it continues to grow.


An exceptionally vibrant and energetic friend is Kristin Orr of Fort Hill Farms, in Thompson, CT. She is interesting and got that way because she is interested in everything - she is like a sponge soaking up as much knowledge, entertainment & information as possible - constantly.

I am like a piggy back sponge that soaks up all of this information that Kristin has gathered. That makes me very lucky!

Last weekend Kristin introduced me to an amazingly talented person - Gale B. Gardiner.

Gale was performing at Fort Hill Farms, playing the autoharp (AMAZINGLY), sometimes a guitar, and singing like an angel, actually causing me to fight back the tears on a few occasions.  I mean, I was sitting right there and listening to heaven on earth at the ever peaceful Fort Hill Farms. I could have stayed there forever, feeling like I must have won some sort of lottery to be the luckiest person in the world.

I now am the proud owner of some of Fortune's Gale B Gardiner's music. You can check her out, learn more about this wonderful soul, and even buy her music at cdbaby.com (just click and it will bring you right there).

If one of your goals is to expand your horizons, learn as much as you can, and introduce yourself to new things to enjoy everyday, then let me introduce you:

Putnamaniacs, meet Gale B. Gardiner! Enjoy!

I am a Putnamaniac because Fortune's Gale blew some sweet sounds my way!

How Sweet it is!

James Taylor is a classic, with tons of well known and well loved songs.

His words, such as "How sweet it is to be loved by you", "Whenever I see your smiling face", "Shower the people you love with love" are quoted all the time.

His songs are played and performed endlessly.

As a matter of fact, I have a particularly entertaining and apropos story that goes along with mile for mile with some of the words to JT's song Sweet Baby James.

My long time bud, who is always game to do things with me, and makes everything fun, invited me to a concert last summer, to see none other than James Taylor!

We met and hit the road, heading straight into Boston.  I couldn't for the life of me picture where we were headed for an outdoor concert in the middle of a heavily paved section of Beantown... But we found the street, parked, lugged our stuff to the address he had, and were faced with the bad news...

Not only was the concert not in Boston, but it was in on the other side of the state, at Tanglewood - way out in Lenox, MA, near the NY State line. The night's concert also started rather soon...

Of course we decided to make the best of it, hopped in the car, and drove literally from Boston to Stockbridge. We couldn't help but think of these lyrics to Sweet Baby James...

So was the turnpike from Stockbridge to Boston

The Berkshires seemed dream-like on account of that frosting

With ten miles behind me and ten thousand more to go.

We felt like we had ten thousand miles to go to get to the concert!

Finally we made it to the concert, set out our blanket on the grass, opened the wine, which promptly spilled all over my pants, heard two songs, and then the concert ended!

We packed up, trecked back to the car, and hit the long road home, listening to JT cd's all the way, and laughing at this night that will have a legacy of foolishness that you can only share with a good, long time friend, 


What a good story to tell! And much to my bud's dismay, I have told it often!

So, this year we got tickets again - but we are older and wiser. We know where we are going, we are going to get there early, and we are going to stay over in the area so we can explore the next day.
Although it will be a blast, I have the feeling we will never be able to top our first trip to Tanglewood to see the Great James Taylor!


Check out James Taylor back in the day, performing "How Sweet it is", and I dedicate the lyrics to not only of my best buds, but all of you:

I needed the shelter of someone's arms and there you were
I needed someone to understand my ups and downs and there you were
With sweet love and devotion
Deeply touching my emotions
I want to stop and thank you baby
I want to stop and thank you baby
How sweet it is to be loved by you
How sweet it is to be loved by you

I close my eyes at night
And wonder what would I be without you in my life
Everything was just a bore
All the things I did seems I'd done'em before
But you brighten up for me all of my days
With a love so sweet in so many ways
I want to stop and thank you baby
I want to stop and thank you baby
How sweet it is to be loved by you
How sweet it is to be loved by you

You were better to me than I've been to myself
For me, there's you and nobody else
I want to stop and thank you baby
I want to stop and thank you baby
How sweet it is to be loved by you

I am a Putnamaniac because I know how sweet it is to be loved by you - all of you!

Friends say "I love you", which makes it easy to pass on!

Reason # 45,234,127 that I love Putnamania and that I am a Putnamaniac....

I just hung up from a phone conversation with the very first friend I had when I moved to CT from RI some years ago.

She never fails to amaze me with her honesty, humor, good warmheartedness... and love.

We don't ever have enough time to visit as often as we should, but whenever we talk, whether in person or on the phone, it is real.

A few great memories I have of this friend are:
*W used to sweat it up every morning at 6am, laughing the whole time at Curves
*We tried to move a 80,000 lb tv, by ourselves (what were we thinking??)
*She hugged me with tears in her eyes on the day years ago that I was moving from CT to PA
*She called me every single week when I moved away to PA for a short time (coincidentally within just a couple of miles of her two grandsons...)
*As she pulled up next to me at a red light, she revved her engine, and asked me if I wanted to race

The best thing, though, is that every time we say goodbye, we say " I love you" to each other. She makes that so easy, as I do love her, and she says it naturally and honestly.

It makes it easier for me to do this with others that I truly love.

It does not come as easy to me to speak what I really feel (especially in person, and one on one), but my friend is an inspiration to me - she emits the message to live life, love life, enjoy life and to tell the ones you love.

I hope you have someone in your life that brings out something in you that does not come out so easily on its own.

I am a Putnamaniac because I love Deeda Bissonnette, and she makes it easier for me to tell other people I love, too!

Lassie - a beautiful dog that made us cry every Sunday night!

Dawleyville was quite an interesting place to grow up in, for many reasons.

An oft repeated routine occurred on our Sunday nights.

This consisted of me & my little brother Skee watching the Wonderful World of Disney and then Lassie.

Lassie never failed to make us cry our eyes out! Mom would sweep us away from the TV and go through the whole explanation of how Lassie was simply a TV show, and that it was all pretend...just to entertain us. She assured us that next week Lassie would return home and everything would be fine for both the dog and his boy, Timmy.

So, we sobered up, enjoyed our week, and the next Sunday night, the entire process repeated all over again! (We were into "repeats" before we even knew what they were)! We were such saps for a couple of little kids.

Check out the opening of the Lassie Show on youtube here. Hearing these tones almost makes me want to cry all over again - but for a lot of different reasons now.

How time flies and memories remain.

I am a Putnamaniac because I saw a dog today that reminded me of Lassie and the emotional Sunday nights in Dawleyville!

Putnam PD has great officers, including the 4 footed kind!

Putnam has very interesting police officers...including Manny Quin, and not only one - but two 4 footed members.

As the existing canine, Cero, is advancing in his years of service, an officer thought it may be time to start planning and fund raising for a new canine. These requests were answered and goals fulfilled by the ever generous townsfolk of Putnamania and surrounding areas within a month!

 (Putnam police Officer Brian Castle and police dog partner Cero, left, 

sit with Officer Mike Termini and his new partner, Aron. 

The owner of Aron’s kennel gave the $6,200 puppy to the department for free).

In ONE MONTH enough was raised to support and train Aron, the new 4 footed officer, plus a car was donated for 3 years, plus the kennel donated the dog himself after learning of the great generosity of our area.

I find this amazing! But not really....Putnamaniacs always chip in and pull together for whatever need we have.

The Norwich Bulletin had a nice story on this. If you would like to check out all the details, click here.

I am a Putnamaniac because this town is tight knit and generous, and we love our 4 footed police officers!

Humpty Dumpty came to Putnamania!

YES - Humpty Dumpty really came to Putnamania.

His arrival was announced via a text on my phone late the other night.

Check out the reports (very visual - parental discretion advised):

Clearly Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall.... whereabouts undisclosed, but it was in Putnam.
Clearly Humpty Dumpty had a great fall....

Poor Humpty. I think he was eaten later that night - no need in wasting all that protein and all!

I am a Putnamaniac because my friends knew I would love the Humpty Dumpty pictures and sharing in the fun they had in their Putnamania kitchen the other night!

The Farmer's Cow President's Day Tour

If you have President's Day off - Monday February 20th, you might want to check this event out.

A great event for family friendly fun!

The Farmer's Cow is offering:
Winter on the Farm, Monday, Feb. 20th, 1-3:30 pm
Join us for a tour of our dairy facility and enjoy our NEW Up Early coffee and hot chocolate at the annual President's Day Farm Tour at Graywall Farms! See first-hand how The Farmer’s Cow milk is produced, learn about farming, and watch the cows being milked at 3 pm. Please dress appropriately for the outdoors, wear boots! This event is weather-dependent, please check our website for updates. Click here for directions.
Graywall Farms, 49 Chappell Rd, Lebanon, CT 06249
Toll Free Office: 866.355.COWS    Day of Event Information: 860.634.7607

I wish I had the day off!!! I would vote to GO!

I am a Putnamaniac because The Farmer's Cow had a great tour lined up for President's Day!

Her boots are made for walking - really fast!

Today is dedicated to my neighbor Patty and the song that pops into my head whenever I see her, or more appropriately, when I hear her.

She is a little pint of peanuts... but she can move - FAST!

I know when she is either coming or going from her condo because I hear her FAST footsteps out there...
I still can't figure out how she gets those little legs moving so FAST!

She walks no matter what the weather... I think she took the postal creed to heart - "Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds."

Whenever I hear her FAST steps, the old Nancy Sinatra  song "These Boots are Made for Walking" pops right into my head. Isn't it funny how one thought always leads to another and another and another...

So, as I enjoy all of my neighbors for many reasons, I enjoy Patty because she moves FAST, gives a lot to all the people in her life, and she accomplishes so much every day - and that is always an inspiration that gets my boots walking and gets my brain humming, too.

I am a Putnamaniac because I love all my neighbors here in Sabin Landing for so many reasons - and our boots are made for walking!

Nights of Carol Burnett and combing my mom's hair

Life really goes by just way too fast.

It feels like only yesterday when there were only three tv channels to choose from.

There were so many variety programs on.

Ed Sullivan, Glen Campbell, Sony & Cher, The Smothers Brothers, and on the list goes. I guess like we have reality tv now, back then there was variety. TV shows were all about singing, dancing, comedy, skits...

When I was a young gal, my dad worked the 2nd shift... and my Saturday night treat was being allowed to stay up and watch Carol Burnett with my mom. It started at 10 pm, which has always been way too late for me.

The deal was that as long as I combed my mom's hair, I could stay up to watch the show. If my combing started to slow down, Mom would ask "Are you getting tooooo tired???" - that whipped me back to life!

My mother would laugh so hard at the skits... most times they were over my head, but I laughed to see my mother enjoying herself so.

I hope you have some great memories from your youth, too. Do you agree that you wish you could have more simple times like that?

See some clips from the Carol Burnett show here... live tv and simple comedy.

I am a Putnamaniac because the good old days were watching Carol Burnett and combing my mom's hair on a Saturday night.

Wine and Chocolate winter visit - all Putnamaniacs are welcome!

When I have a little spare time, I love to have people over to visit the best condo in Putnamania!

I used to wait till I had spare time, but that didn't happen often. Now that I am older and wiser, I make the time.

This Saturday, February 18th, from 4-6 pm, I invited all my condo neighbors to a Wine & Chocolate get together.

It will be a nice way to visit for a bit - and the phrase "It's a small world" always comes into play. Someone always knows someone's mom, or worked with their aunt, etc. You know how it goes!

So, I would also like to invite not just my condo neighbors, but Putnamaniacs worldwide to stop by! We'd love to see you and share a laugh or two.

Here are the details:
When:  Saturday, Feb 18th, 4-6pm
What:  A Feel the condo love get together! ....With Wine and Chocolate (but it will be a low fat treat)
Where:  At Marcy's 

Come and visit! No need to bring anything, but I thought maybe everyone would like a chance to stop in and say hi to each other and see how our winters are going!
(However, if you would like to bring something for the Daily Bread food bank, perhaps brownie mix, cake mix, cookie mix ~ something to go along with the chocolate theme... I am always happy to deliver items to the food bank)!

I am looking forward to a nice visit with good people - and some wine and chocolate! 

I am a Putnamaniac because I am now wise enough to take the time to plan pleasant get togethers with good people! 

Muskrat love on an early morning in my backyard!

A great benefit to my condo is that I live on the River.

The view is scenic, untouched nature in all seasons, and provides lots of entertainment for me.

As I lie in bed at night, the river streams on by, lulling me to sleep.

The first thing I do in the morning is grab my glasses and look out the window to see what is going on out there. Sometimes it is a deer, or a woodchuck, or some ducks splashing down in the river like it is a ride at the Woodstock Fair....sometimes it is nothing much more than whatever is growing during that particular season....

HOWEVER, just the other morning I was treated to two muskrats running along the river bed - first one way, then the other way. (My Poppa Moone would have said they were probably playing a game of "grab ass"...).

I was amazed to see them running back and forth - and I myself was running back and forth from the bedroom window to the living room window, so I didn't miss a moment of their frolics. Of course, they were probably looking up at me thinking they should keep running back and forth so they wouldn't miss a moment of me and my frolics!

Whenever I see a muskrat, I always think of the song that was oddly popular when I was a kid  - Muskrat Love by the Captain and Tennille. Check out this blast from the past on youtube here.  What are the chances a song like this became so popular??? But none the less, it sure was popular! I sang it many a time!

I hope you enjoy your home and the view from it as much as I do!

I am a Putnamaniac because sometimes early morning Muskrat Love goes on in my backyard!

George Clooney dropped off a Valentine for me in Putnamania!!!

So once again you wonder why I am a Putnamaniac???????

OHMYGOODNESS!!!

I just got home from work on Valentines Day and spotted a box at my front door.

It was wrapped so beautifully, with a big fancy red bow.

An aroma that could only contain the most deliciousness in the world was seeping out of the box and into my sweet tooth.

So what on earth could this be???

As it turns out, George Clooney took time from his busy schedule for his special dream gal and only true love (that'd be me), and delivered this exquisite delectable delight!

I mean - come on!!!! 

Who takes the time to bake a gigantic heart shaped cookie, surrounded by what would be my only food group if I could get away with it (M&Ms), tops it off with the M.D. + G.C.,wraps it up more gorgeously than I have ever wrapped any present in my life, and even includes a card from George (the secret undercover Putnamaniac) Clooney....

Putnamania is LOADED with amazing people! My eyes keep leaking at how amazingly thoughtful this was! And although I do think George Clooney is dreamy, I love my everyday Putnamaniac people a gazillion times more!

I am a Putnamaniac because my fellow Putnamaniacs are thoughtful beyond my wildest imagination! xoxoxoxoxoxoxo

I choo choo choose you for Valentine's Day!

I love the Simpsons. It just fits my sense of humor very nicely.

One of my favorites was the Valentines Day episode where ever smart Lisa Simpson gives ever dumb Ralphie Wiggum this card:

Here is Ralph's reaction: Click here.. 

Good fun!

I am a Putnamaniac who is so glad that I have Choo Choo Chosen wisely in the friends I have and that I Choo Choo Chose Putnamania to be my home sweet home!

Everyday people - Concrete People

Whitney Houston's passing recently, as with all famous people's passing, brings our emotions to the surface.

An acquaintance of mine noted that it seems that we should focus our love, admiration, and adoration on the concrete people that are in our lives every day - people that we actually know.

And although I admire people of talent -
(I love music, books, movies, sports  - my world would be quite boring without them),
I understand these superstars' lives must be filled with challenges that I thankfully will never have to overcome.

I must admit that I admire "everyday people" even more than any celeb. We show up everyday without all the glory and fanfare.

The guy that posted his feelings I mentioned above is an everyday guy. He does not have a glamorous job, but he shows up every day and does it. He has a sense of humor and a wife that he loves.

How many people do you know that fit into that category? This probably describes most of your family and friends. So do you tell them how valuable they are to you? Maybe you should...

One of Whitney Houston's great songs speaks to the everyday person -

"Everybody's searching for a hero, People need someone to look up to
I never found anyone who fulfilled my needs, A lonely place to be
So I learned to depend on me, I decided long ago, never to walk in anyone's shadows
If I fail, if I succeed, At least I'll live as I believe
No matter what they take from me, They can't take away my dignity
Because the greatest love of all, Is happening to me
I found the greatest love of all, Inside of me
The greatest love of all, Is easy to achieve
Learning to love yourself, It is the greatest love of all"

Check out Whitney belting these fine words out here on youtube. 

Give me everyday people any day of the week. They keep us running.

As Sly and the Family Stone says:

"Makes no difference what group I'm in, I am everyday people"

Check out the Everyday People classic song on youtube.

I am a Putnamaniac that is an everyday person and loves & admires all the everyday people that I know!

Spring is in the air....well at least it is in the garage!

My brother and Uncle have birthdays in February.

Although this February and our entire winter has been wonderfully mild and gentle to us (and we really did need a break after last winter), it is still February in New England.

As a sign of spring, we got both Si and Uncle T horseshoes and chairs for their yards for this upcoming spring, summer, and fall - and hopefully many more to come. (Blue for Si to match his eyes, and red for T to match his dump truck).

So although they can't get out and pitch them quite yet, surely this is a sign of spring in the air - even though it is just in the garage for now.  Right???

I am a Putnamaniac because spring is just around the corner - and it is already in the air in my garage!

It is complicated - the result is mighty fine & unusual ice cream - here is the scoop

You've heard of heaven on earth? Of course you have.

I visited it today and so did my tastebuds!

Fort Hill Farms in Thompson CT is just like a slice of heaven on earth - like a vacation away from it all - like you are in a storybook away from the real world - like beauty to behold as far as the eye can see in all seasons.

Fort Hill Farms is also a working dairy farm, part of the Farmer's Cow. They offer the Farmer's Cow products, such as ice cream - and not just any old run of the mill ice cream.

Owner-Farmer-Gardener-Lavender Harvester-All Around Person Extraordinaire, Kristin Orr, has made "It's Complicated" Lavender Streep Honey Ice Cream for Valentine's Week.... She filled me in about the complicated making of this ice cream and the origination of the name, as she filled me up with such tastiness that I can't even begin to describe the sensation my taste buds experienced....

The movie, It's Complicated, starring Meryl Streep, Alex Baldwin and Steve Martin amongst others, features a scene with them eating lavender honey ice cream. Kristin has also met Meryl Streep.

Voila - tie all these things together, and you get Fort Hill Farm's "It's Complicated" Lavender Streep Honey Ice Cream. Get it???? It is AMAZING!

Fort Hill Farms will be open daily now through next Sunday (February 19th) from 11 am - 4 pm. If you get a chance, please take a ride to this destination... it is just off Rt 44 in Thompson, CT, right over the RI line or take Exit 99 off of Rt 395 if you are coming down from MA.

It is an adventure that you will love, and ice cream that compares to none. I will warn you that if you are wise enough to visit, you will be called back to Fort Hill Farms with the sirens of nature calling to you.

As I was driving away from Fort Hill Farms, this sign spoke to me:

I thought.... NO - Thank you for having me!

(By the way, there is a container of ice cream in my freezer right now - I am hoping it makes it through the night, as it is for my mom tomorrow. I may have to tape my mouth shut until she gets here)!

I am a Putnamaniac because I have met amazing people like Kristin Orr of Fort Hill Farms, and tasted her most delicious Lavender Honey Ice Cream!

Valentines Day card for little old me!

You wonder why I am a Putnamaniac??

I just got home, opened the mail, and in it is a Valentines Day card from 3 fellow Putnamaniacs, including the youngest and most entertaining Putnamaniac I know - Seth!!
(Coincidentally, I bought Seth a great birthday card that I spotted tonight, with all sorts of fart jokes on it - I can't wait for his birthday)!

What a great surprise the Valentines Day card was!!! (Much better than the electric and gas bills)! Putnamaniacs are really all one big happy family, and I am so glad to be a part of it!

Great, open, generous, caring, and friendly people are everywhere here in Putnamania. Home Sweet Home!

I am a Putnamaniac because there are great people here!

Icey Creamy for Valentines Day at Fort Hill Farms!

The best way to my heart is through my stomach!

Fort Hill Farms in Thompson, CT, is offering a specialty ice cream - "It's Complicated" Lavender Honey Ice Cream - made with love and lavender.

I can't wait to see what it is all about. Actually I don't care what it looks like.
I should say, I can't wait to taste what it is all about!  I plan on heading over as soon as I get done volunteering at the Habitat ReStore this Saturday afternoon.

You can try some out yourself at Fort Hill Farms from February 11 - February 19, 11 am - 4 pm.

Let me know what you think. Of course it may take me a FEW taste samples until I can offer a good opinion! Mmmmmm mmmmm mmmmmm!

I am a Putnamaniac because I can taste the delicious and unusual ice cream at Fort Hill Farms for my own Valentines Day treat!

New car smell and smile!

One big perk to living in a small town with small roads set at 35 mile an hour speed limits is that you can check out a lot of sights while driving home at night.

There is a local car dealership on my path home - about a mile away from my best condo in Putnamania. It has the big glass windows in its display room, so you can look right in and check things out. Since I am nosy, I look.

Tonight I spotted some big smiles and handshakes happening. Looked like someone just bought a new car! I could almost smell that new car smell!

I not only love "new car smell", I love thinking back on my first "new" car when I was a lot of years younger. Although it wasn't really a new car at all - it was new to me. I washed it so often that a neighbor used to tell me I was going to wash the paint right off it. (I have had this "neat and clean" thing going on for quite some time as you can see)! When my first really brand new car came along, it was every bit as thrilling - as has each one been ever since.

Then I thought about the feeling I had when I bought my first house! It even had a garage, albeit detached, but it was still the first time I'd had a garage in my entire life! I felt like a queen, and have felt that way ever since, in every other home that I have bought for myself.

It sure is easy to become used to what you have, take it all for granted, and perhaps not even appreciate it once you've had it for a while. I for one, will always appreciate what I have, especially since I have worked pretty hard to get it.

I've loved every minute of all the experiences from start to finish!

Do you remember all your "firsts" and "new" purchases?

I am a Putnamaniac that loves new car smells and smiles, as well as so many others!

All things are looking up (and pointing up)!

I love the steeples around New England. They are so scenic!

Originally they served two purposes:
1) They stood out on the horizon so travelers of yesteryear could easily find towns and their places of worship.
2) They were symbolic of reaching towards heaven.

Driving home last night, with the full moon rising, this steeple in Brooklyn caught my eye more than it usually does. The sky was just right. It almost looks fake. I pulled over and took these shots.

Wow! Mother Nature sure is an amazing gal!

I am a Putnamaniac because all things are looking up, including the many beautiful steeples!

Do you enjoy time with yourself?

The Last Green Valley had an organized hike scheduled for last night at the Thompson Dam, but since I got there a bit early, I decided to get a move on all by myself.

Thompson is a town that borders Putnamania, and I had been to the Thompson Dam once before, for a cross country race. That event didn't really give me much of a chance to look around, since I had my eyes on the ground, roots, rocks, and all other tripping hazards that day!

Yesterday, I took my time. There were some folks I passed along the different trails - out walking their dogs or just themselves, but for the most part I was all by myself.

WONDERFUL! Not that I am a completely anti-social person, but I always enjoy time with myself and am quite comfortable doing things by myself.

To stand and gaze upon a place that you have never seen before is just breathtaking to me. My breath was taken away yesterday!

I even stopped and took a little video at this waterfall.

Get out and enjoy time with yourself! Getting to know yourself is the best thing you can do!

I am a Putnamaniac that enjoys time with myself at such lovely places as the Thompson Dam, watching the full "snow" moon rise!

Pink and White Bathrobes!

On top of all the the other things I love about going out for a jog around Putnamania is that I never know what I will see!

This morning I saw an older lady, in her bright pink bathrobe and white hat (the kind with the flaps that go down over the ears) out in her driveway bringing some wood in for the fire.

Then I saw a lady in a white bathrobe out of her porch smoking away like there was no tomorrow.

Bear in mind, that although we really have had a mild winter, it was still pretty chilly out this morning - sort of cold to be out in a pink or white bathrobe!

Of course for all the fun sights I get to see, I am sure folks drive by me and say, "What a sight! There is that wacky lady out in her jogging tights, cut off sweatpants and same yellow sweatshirt as always"!

I am a Putnamaniac that loves to see all the sights I can while getting in some exercise!

Good times - these are some good times!

You know when sometimes a song just gets stuck in your head??

Sometimes it is something stupid like The Chicken Dance (see this great version from the Lawrence Welk show)... Yikes!

Sometimes it is something popular and overplayed on the radio, like Moves like Jagger (check it out here). 

Sometimes it is a great blast from the past - like Good Times by Chic -  that also has simply spectacular words that can mean a lot to you, if you listen...

Good times, These are the good times, Leave your cares behind , These are the good times
Good times, These are the good times, Our new state of mind, These are the good times
Happy days are here again, The time is right, For makin' friends...

(especially when you have made lots of top notch friends, like I have over my lifetime, and so many recently here in NECT)!

Take a look at this great video of Chic performing Good Times accompanied by the Sugar Hill Gang! Classic - Fun!

So, I enjoy a good song when it is stuck in my head. It makes me appreciate things!

I am a Putnamaniac because these are good times with good friends here in Putnamania!

THE-ater THE-ater - double the fun in Putnamania!

Putnam is so spoiled!

We have TWO, that is right - TWO GREAT LOCAL THEATERS!

I will have my fanny placed in a seat at The Bradley Theater on Friday night, and this same bottom will fill a seat at the Black Box Theater on Saturday night!

I love entertainment, and these TWO local theaters are right here in Putnamania, no more than a couple of miles away from my home sweet home. What fun!

Come along with me whenever you'd like. Both theaters run shows all year long. You will see one of the many reasons that I am a Putnamanaic! You will also see why talent has eluded me, because everyone on the stage has it all, including my share!

I am a Putnamaniac because I will be filling up the seats in both of our local theaters this weekend!

Involvement to the max - You can make a difference in Putnamania!

One reason I love Northeast CT -  Putnamania in particular, is because it is quite easy to become INVOLVED.

I love involvement, simply because I prefer being busy & productive. This leaves no time for moping around and/or feeling sorry for myself.

Today was "involvement" to the max, and I am actually not exaggerating one bit about all of these things I managed to participate in today (along with a total 2 hour commute and 9 hours of work).

Take a look at this list!

*I contacted PAWS (Pound Animals are Worth Saving) after I got news that our condo association would like to have a few PAWS bins for refundable cans and bottles. We throw in our refundables and the PAWS folks pick them up and cash them in to help offset the costs of capturing, spaying, neutering, shots, cat litter & food, etc.

*I stopped at the Daily Bread food bank in town with a very large donation from one of my neighbors who works for a food distributor. It took me a couple of trips to bring his generous donation in.

*Next I stopped at the Habitat ReStore, for the monthly committee meeting (as well as buying a sink for Uncle T's garage). I felt a little guilty at not having put myself on the schedule for this coming Saturday, so I added myself on for that, too.

*When I got home, there was a nice business card from The Last Green Valley, thanking me for my support for them by displaying my Green Lights for the Green Light Celebration.

*Lastly, I received an enjoyable delivery of all sorts of fantastic items from The Farmer's Plate. I now have gifts stocked up for all sorts of occasions, and this was my type of shopping - online and delivered to my front door.

Sometimes I maybe over involve myself, but I still like it better than the alternative!

I am a Putnamaniac because you can be involved easily and make a difference in your community here!