This cute little park just popped up in Putnamania! I xoxo it!

Sometime in the last week or 2 this cute little kid's park appeared at the Recreation Park!

It is so bright and clean and fun looking!

I just love it! xoxoxox

I am a Putnamaniac because this great little kid's park just popped up recently!

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder ~ @ local business Carmen's Salon

Picture this:

I was slogging (slow jogging) in the hotness at the Willimantic Reservoir/Airport...

Hotter than hades...

Hair up in a pony tail and headband...Standing straight up with sweat!

What a sight I must have been...I mean even on a good day I am not so good, but after 5 miles in the New England heat...Yikes!

As I was running towards my final approach, a perky gal approached me, reached into her pocket and asked if she could give me her business card!

Carmen's Beauty Salon
248 South Street
Willimantic, CT 06226
80-423-1011

Wow! That is networking at its finest.

This gal will succeed because she knows what it takes to get it done! Handing out business cards, with a smile on her face, in 95+ degree weather, while out for a jog!

I am a Putnamaniac because local businesses in Northeast CT know how to do it right!

I wish I were....right here!

People always say "I wish I were there" or "I wish I were at that other place."

This is where I love to be!

Home from work, on my porch, feet up, in Putnamania.
(Granted the feet are up for picture taking purposes only - I can't sit still for long)...

Quality of life in Putnamania is sky high for me.

If your quality of life is not up to par, Putnamania may be the place for you.

Great community, great people, great properties.

I know a few outstanding realtors that can help you find your "where you wish you were".

I am a Putnamaniac because it is where I live and wish I were all the time!

If a tree falls in the forest ~ Putnamania/snake version

We've all heard the rhetorical, thought provoking, conversation starting question:
"If a tree falls in the forest and no one is there to hear it, does it make a sound?"

I have my own version of this based on a recent early morning experience.

Jogging down a quiet country road at about 6am, I heard a rustling in the tall grass and brush along side the road. I suspected a squirrel, maybe a bird....

I took a look.

It was a gigantic black snake!

I screamed and jumped like a girl!

(Note: this was not the actual "snake", since I didn't have my camera with me,

and even if I did, I was screaming and running in the opposite direction)!

Then I looked around to see if anyone saw me do this.

No one was around.

No one saw me. Whew!

So, my question is, if a girl screams at a snake and no one is there to hear it, does it make the blood curdling sound I think it did??

I am a Putnamaniac that likes to philosophize and scream madly while out jogging down country roads!

Baby, we've got fireworks and we beat even Disney!

Baby, we've got fireworks.

Putnam fireworks are this Sunday, July 1st in Rotary Park (Kennedy Drive), click here for google map to get you there.

Before the big, bright show in the sky, Cold Train will play some music, starting at 7:15pm. 

Disney might have some good fireworks, but we beat them by a mile!

What a great way to celebrate summer and the US of A.

Great family fun, great date night, great all the way around!

See you there, Sunday night!

I am a Putnamaniac because Baby, we've got fireworks and they beat all others!

Lucky for Life? You bet I am!

Two things out of the ordinary happened today.

One was: an acquaintance unexpectedly passed away. His extended family of friends have rallied together to handle this shock to their system. Friends helping friends. The worst in life can bring out the best in people.

Another odd thing was: as I was entering a "quickie mart" to buy myself a rare lottery ticket, a young man opened the door for the lady ahead of me, and then held it open for me as well. He went from being first in line to third in line. Politeness in Northeast CT is not rare, but it is still such a wonderful surprise when others let others ahead of them in this busy world.

So, I bought my "Lucky For Life" ticket. Then I turned to that polite young man behind me and forked over $2 and told him to buy himself a "Lucky For Life" ticket, too, since I appreciated his polite and kind manner.

The look on his face was priceless. I hope he wins!

Kindness, politeness, thoughtfulness... pass it on.

I am a Putnamaniac because I am Lucky for Life, surrounded by amazing people!

Returnable PAWS

PAWS is a great organization here in Northeast, CT.

Pound Animals Worth Saving.

PAWS. 

They take donations of our refundable bottles and cans (worth .05 each).  They use the funds to buy cat food, cat litter, help pay for the trips to the vets...

That is not asking a lot for all they do.

There are PAWS bins all around town that you can drop your refundables into, and they are picked up daily by volunteers.

My neighbors know I think this is worth doing, I even tried to get a bin here at the condos.

I just got home, and there was a great surprise from one of my neighbors... a bag full of refundables for me to deliver to a PAWS bin! How great is that!? I have awesome neighbors!

I am a Putnamaniac because I believe that every little bit helps, and a whole lot of littles add up to a lot!

Park benches

Putnam has a great River Trail.

It is always loaded with walkers, joggers, roller bladers of all kinds.

The Red Shirts of the Follow the Fifty Models of heart health glow as they travel the trail.

Dogs' tails wag wildly as they travel the trail.

It is a great place to get some fresh air.

There are also the traditional park benches along the way, so you can take a load off and enjoy the view, and maybe a little chit chat with a pal.

Recently I saw a nice old gentleman taking advantage of one of those benches. He looked quite content sitting in his summer hat enjoying the day.

Isn't that what everyone should do once in a while?

Come and visit Putnam and it is guaranteed that you will enjoy it!

I am a Putnamaniac because we have great park benches on our River Trail!

Home Sweet Home ~ What a welcome!

This is the 5th home I have owned. I've never spent a whole heck of a lot of time in any of them...
That is ok, since I prefer to be busy...
However, some day I plan to spend a lot of time enjoying my home, whether it be here in this beautiful condo, or in another place, I know it will be in Putnamania...

This is the gorgeously green welcome I got when I got home tonight!

I am a Putnamaniac that loves my Home Sweet Home and the welcoming green-ness of summer!

AC/DC ~ so many meanings!

AC/DC - so many meanings!

There is of course the rock band AC/DC - they did shake me all night long...

There is the electricians AC/DC - Alternating Current/Direct Current.

For me, it means Air Conditioning/Definitely Cool...

I've owned 5 homes now, and all have had central air except for the first one. Although I love the summer and hot weather, I want to sleep in comfort - and air conditioning is the way to go!

Recently I had to sleep over at work, on the 2nd floor, on a humid night with the temperature of about 98... not so much fun... However, it sure did make me appreciate all the great homes I have bought myself with good old fashioned American hard work - and central air!

So although AC/DC can mean so many things to so many people, I urge you to investigate central air for your home. You may be so pleasantly surprised at the ability to have it done economically where you live.

I am a Putnamaniac that loves AC/DC - I am THUNDERSTRUCK ~ and Air Conditioning is Definitely Cool!!!

Momma had a baby and its head popped off!

I used to play this silly game with my two best girlfriends, Kristen & Erica.

All you need is a hot summer day and the appropriate weed.

Here it is!

You simply wrap the tail of the weed around the top of the weed ~ pull ~ and when the top flies off you say "Momma had a baby and its head popped off!

Great fun for all ages!

I am a Putnamaniac because I like to entertain myself with simple games like this!

Willimantic was really romantic this afternoon!

Love was in the air at the Willimantic Reservoir/Airport this afternoon on the walking path.

Fact 1) There was an older couple walking the path, holding hands.

Fact 2) As I approached these hand holding love doves, my ipod began playing the Beatles' I wanna hold your hand.

Fact 3) I found this heart shaped rock along the side of the path.

I rest my case. Love was in the air for certain!

I am a Putnamaniac because I can write my own love stories with the scenes I see before me every day!

Fishing - for your own kind of fun!

People are fishing all over the place in Northeast CT.  People of all ages, shapes, sizes, gender.

They are in waders in the lakes, they are in boats in the ponds, they are on the shores of both.

As I jog by, I see them enjoying themselves immensely while casting or simply dangling that line out there.

I think they must be crazy to enjoy that.

They must look at me and think I am crazy to enjoy jogging.

Fair is fair!

Everyone should find what they love to do, and then take some time each day to do it.

If you love fishing, you will love this map of fishing holes in Northeast CT, offered by The Last Green Valley. You simply scroll to the bottom of the map, and put a check in the box beside "fishing". Lo and Behold, great fishing holes will pop up. If you click on the little fishing hook(s) that appear, you will see the details on each fishing hole.  


(You will also note that this interactive map also allows other choices besides fishing to zero in on - things like hiking, camping, paddling...Use it in good health)!

I am a Putnamaniac that fishes for her own kind of fun, and I hope that you do the same!

New shoes, a little boy, and a kiss on a bald head!

When we were kids, although we were pretty poor, Mom always tried to get us new shoes and a few new clothes for the beginning of each school year.

One stop was our local shoe store, Calouri's Shoes, located on the "main drag" ~ Post Road ~ about a mile away from where I grew up. The type of shoe store where they sat you down, measured your foot, and went into the back room to bring out some shoes for you to try. They felt where your toes were, and if the shoe were wide enough for you. They had you stand up and then walk around in the shoes. They were kind of like shoe scientists!

My little brother, Skee, was always an unusual sort and charming all at the same time ~ the definition of a free spirit walking to his own drummer.

I will never forget the year that little Skee was getting his new pair of shoes...he was just a toddler and they may have been his first real pair. Mr. Calouri, who was as bald as a cue ball, was bent over in front of Skee, feeling where his toe was in the shoe. He asked Skee to stand up...Skee obliged, stood up, and planted a kiss squarely on the top of Mr. Calouri's head! What a look of surprise! Apparently he did not know about Skee's personality and the Dawley kid's appreciation of new shoes!

Calouri's Shoe Store was about good old fashioned local shopping & service. Thank goodness we have a lot of that same good old USA tradition going on here in Northeast CT.

Check out the Putnam Business Association's website to see what we have cooking around town.

Also check out Putnam! It is the place to be. People are friendly and helpful. What an idea!

I am a Putnamaniac because I love living in a local locale where you could kiss the bald head of a local businessman (well...I'm not sure about that, but they will take a handshake any day)!

First and not last visit to Bellas Bistro ~ mmm, mmm good!

Believe it or not, I had never been to Bella's Bistro in downtown Putnam before the other night.

I don't really know why... I just had never gotten there.

Thank goodness I finally went! It was awesome!!! We all had something different, including dessert, and all I can say is DELICIOUS!

My friend from Coventry, RI is a regular there. He and his wife come up so often and eat at Bella's that all the staff know him by name!

I will not be a stranger, and if anyone else wants to try out Bella's Bistro, let me know. I will be happy to join you!

I am a Putnamaniac because there are so many yummy and friendly places to go downtown!

Fat squirrel almost got stuck in the chain link fence - no lie!

Honest to goodness I thought this fat little squirrel was going to get stuck in the chain link fence the other morning! He was the fattest I have ever seen - or maybe it was just that he looked fat with his chain link belt girdling his belly - and I was oh so close to him!

(This is of course not the real squirrel I saw, since I didn't have my camera while jogging)

Setting: Early morning in Putnamania.

Act 1: He was running across the ball field....heading towards the fence.

Act 2: I was running around the corner and towards the same spot he was headed.

Act 3: Look of panic as fat squirrel realizes he is stuck in the fence and might get stuck forever (or at least till he loses a pound) with me right there to witness.

Act 4: Fat squirrel gives a final desperate heave and blasts through the fence - like something you might see in a Road Runner and Coyote cartoon.

Act 5: I laugh my fanny off while jogging down the street at 6am.

Lesson learned: It is always worth doing what you don't always want to do (like get up and jog at 5:45am) - you always get something out of life if you look around and appreciate it.

I am a Putnamaniac because I always see something to enjoy around town - even ridiculously fat squirrels!

Cat appeared in a window of a house that is once again a home ~ Inspiring!

There is a house down the road.

I don't know its story, but it sat empty and unattended for quite some time... although there was never a "for sale" sign on it, clearly it yearned for someone to live in it once again.

Good news! This house recently was sold and the new owners are moving in!

How nice to see life in that place again!

A recent glimpse made me particularly happy, as a white cat sat in the front window.

(Note that this is not the cat nor the house I mention...but it reflects the scene I happily viewed).

Houses are built to be homes, for people and their pets.

Thank goodness this once empty house is now a happy home.

If you are looking for a new home, Putnam has many great places, and I know a few great realtors that you can trust to help you in your search.

I am a Putnamaniac because a once empty house is now a home once again!

Invention needed - for inground sprinklers!

Did you ever notice that inground sprinklers seem to be set on timers and work just fine.

Great!

However, if it has rained 3 inches the day before, don't you think that the inground sprinkler system shouldn't really be needed for maybe the next couple of days?...

Wouldn't it be great if someone could invent an inground sprinkler system that sensed when it needed to turn on? So much more efficient! So much less waste!

Quick, someone smarter than me get on this! And if you already invented it, let my neighbors know!

I am a Putnamaniac that knows smart enough people to come up with this much needed invention!

Unplug - unplug it all

Recently I was at a seminar - there was this pretty obnoxious speaker, but he made one quick small point that I agreed with.

He mentioned that with email, cell phones, Ipods, etc, we were always plugged in to something.

More and more we don't spend  time with our own thoughts, to just to think things out.

That is why I do enjoy a little "me time".

For me, this "me time" is jogging. Just me and the street. Time to think about what to accomplish this day, this week, this month. Time to work through any problems. Time to smell the lilies of the valleys. Time to say hi to that kid walking to school...

I hope you take a bit of time every now and then to unplug and spend some "you time". It is well worth it, and so are you!

I am a Putnamaniac that likes to unplug to recharge my own personal batteries ~ and Putnam is just the place to do it!

Smith & Associates make me wish I owned my own little business!

I have always had a dream business...

It would be a destination - a place that you just had to go visit...

A place on a river or pond or lake...

With lots of gardens and landscapes that look picturesque even in winter...

A cozy, big, open welcoming bed and breakfasty sort of place inside, with lots of  nooks and big open areas for visiting & relaxing, entertainment of all varieties.

Unique memorable weddings & gatherings would be held there. 

There would be a room with an old fashioned Mom & Pop type store set up with irresistible items to buy.

Perfect!!!

Today I attended the grand opening of Smith & Associate Showroom, located at  The River Mill Business Center, Tower/Building 3, Floor 2, 929 Riverside Drive, North Grosvenordale, CT.

Tim Smith, owner, brains and braun behind Smith & Associates/The Farmer's Plate has a great selection of items that would go perfectly in my dream business. 

If you have or know of someone with a specialty shop that would like to offer fine & unique product, I urge you to touch base with Tim. He is a no nonsense, but fun loving businessman that knows how to get the job done. His product selection will help you rise above your competition.  Call Tim in his fine showroom at 860-924-1452.

Take one more positive step in succeeding!

I am a Putnamaniac because I have some great connections here in NECT, like Tim Smith of Smith & Associates!

 

She does work out - all the live long day at Fort Hill Farms!

A coworker recently saw this article about Fort Hill Farms in the Norwich Bulletin Newspaper (read the article here). 

He knows I am friendly with the gals that own Fort Hill Farms. (I actually love them)!

After seeing Farmer extraordinaire Kristin's picture, he asked me if she "worked out" since she was in such good shape and had such good muscles.

I told him, she works OUT alright... she works out all the live long day - from early in the morning until late into the evening on their beautiful piece of peaceful property. She lives life the good old fashioned way that it was meant to be done ~ along with the earth.

If  you have never visited, head over to Fort Hill Farms, 260 Quaddick Rd, Thompson, CT. 

I am a Putnamaniac because I am lucky enough to live just about 7 miles away from Fort Hill Farms, and like to treat myself to their Farmer's Cow Ice Cream every Saturday that I can!

What a difference a day makes with Mother Nature!

What a difference a day makes.... 24 little hours...

Check out this classic song by Dinah Washington. 

And Cher's version.

Look at Rod Stewart's take on the song. 

This song was looping in my brain the other day when I was thinking of how Mother Nature can make quite a difference in 24 hours, 24 minutes, and sometimes 24 seconds!

 

We are at Mother Nature's mercy - and she knows it! 

Haven't we all experienced crazy weather changes seemingly out of the blue?

One of our favorite sayings in New England is "If you don't like the weather, wait a minute."

Ain't that the truth!

I am a Putnamaniac because I love that a day can make such a difference with Mother Nature!

The Last Green Valley-Did you know they offer great presentations!

The Last Green Valley - It's where I live!

In case you hadn't noticed, I LOVE WHERE I LIVE!!

I had my blog all set to go for today/tonight, but like many other times, I get completely different and great inspiration for something else all together!

Tonight's inspiration was my attendance of The Last Green Valley's Annual Meeting.

Since I am not only a member of The Last Green Valley, but I'm also a "Ranger" (which is just the cool and unique name for their volunteers), I felt that it would be a nice treat for me to attend. This is so fun!!! I kid you not!!!

The event was held in Sturbridge, MA, not far from where I live, and also a part of The Last Green Valley. It is also a place I have never been. That alone would have made the evening worth it!

The Last Green Valley is a 35 town national heritage corridor in CT & MA, promoting & preserving open spaces, farming, agriculture, water, etc - all valuable treasures within our borders - TLGV also has a goal of being self-sustained by 2015. Time flies! That will be here before we know it.

If you are not a member and live in The Last Green Valley, I urge you to join. It is cheap money to join, and there are numerous events to attend as a member. That is good money spent and membership pays for itself in the enjoyment you will experience!

If you want to learn more, check out their website. It is packed with information on events (endless), businesses (offering great local products and more), farms (we need them to live), recreation (such as all of our great places to hike, bike, paddle...)

You can even have a presentation given to your group! There are four different and exciting topics to choose from, about 30 minutes each - all entertaining! A presentation would be fabulous for your civic group, a business get together, your garden club, a children's group....

Check out The Last Green Valley's video about these presentations here. Pick which presentation you'd like to have for your group/event. Then give me, Ranger Marcy, a call! 860-933-5425.

I am a Putnamaniac because I live in the Last Green Valley, and help support it, because I love where I live!

Ducks swimming in Recreation Park!

Recreation Park is right around the corner from where I live.

There are ball fields galore, swing sets, and a wicked big slide, too!

...And every time it rains heavily, the ducks get to enjoy it, too.

Since Rec Park is so close to the Little River, a particular area of the field floods and makes a nice little pond for the duckies! They swim and have as much fun as the kids do when it is dry!

It always quacks me up to see them swimming, quacking, and splashing, and having so much fun!

I am a Putnamaniac that loves Recreation Park, whether the children or the ducks are enjoying it!

Josh Groban raised my oriole up!

I swear that this happened the other day!

After work, I went to my porch, turned on the radio, opened the porch window to put the speaker out so I could enjoy some tunes in the Renegade Garden..

Josh Groban's You Lift Me Up came on...

The oriole that has been singing in the tree tops but eluding my eyes for quite some time, flew right over to a nearby branch... WOW!!!

I am a Putnamaniac because my oriole has very specific musical tastes!

Cat in the crosswalk!

While I was jogging rather early one recent morning, I saw a cat crossing the street, in the crosswalk!

No kidding!

It literally went from one side of the street to the other, and it walked right across the crosswalk.

That made me laugh - literally LOL! Picture this...

I am a Putnamaniac because even the cats obey the traffic laws!

Routine rigidness or flexibility??

What type of person are you?

Do you work best in a rigid routine?

Do you fly by the seat of your pants and go with the flow, and live flexibly??

Are you true to yourself, and do you do what works best for you?

I am and I do.

It took me a lot of years to realize that what works for someone else just might not work so great for me. I THRIVE when I do what works for me... I hope you do, too.

Suggestions from friends and family are great and can help you grow, however, deep down inside yourself, you know what you need to do to "get 'er done".

Thank goodness I found Putnamania, where I am allowed to be just me!

I am a Putnamaniac that loves a rigid routine - it works for me - and I hope you do what works for you!

Pinkalicious with little girls! It does not get any better!

Pinkalicious-  I didn't really have a clue what the heck it was.

Thanks to The Bradley Theater and The Black Box Theater, now I know!

I went to Pinkalicious, the Musical tonight with some of my bestest friends in the whole wide world - 7 year old twins, Ally & Brookie, their parents, and their Poppa. We were all dressed in pink as was the rest of the crowd.

What a great night to spend in downtown Putnamania. Dinner at Bella's Bistro, then a show with great friends at The Bradley Theater. All this within a mile from my home sweet home. Who needs the bright lights and big city? I've got the stars and the best community on earth.

It is probably close enough for you to visit, too! Come on down!

I love this town!

I am a Putnamaniac that loves my town - and now I know what Pinkalicious is all about!

Going GREEN in Putnamania!

Yuppers - we are going all green in Putnamania.

Take a peek at what I open my eyes to every day when I wake up, put on my glasses, and look out into the woods along the Little River and into my Renegade Garden.

And there is even sweet smelling green on my porch... lemon thyme....

 I am a Putnamaniac that loves when when things go all green!