Colonial Paving should be renamed THE BEST PAVING ON EARTH!

We just got our driveway done. Tore that old, nasty, dilapidated, crumbling eyesore right out.

Colonial Paving was recommended to us by someone I trust, who also had Herb from Colonial do his driveway. Plus this guy was a mailman and had the opportunity to observe the Colonial Paving team working on many jobs in his delivery routes.

The outcome is like night versus day. The old driveway was so bad, and crumbling so badly that this winter we actually shoveled a lot of it away with each scoop of snow. What a mess.

But now..... voila'! We arrive home to this big, beautiful, new and easy to maintain driveway. Great service, with great pricing, too.  They left the place as neat as a pin!

If you need driveway work or any of the other services they offer, call Herb at Colonial Paving; 860 774 8621.

You can also "like" Colonial Paving on facebook here.

I am a Putnamaniac that thinks Colonial Paving should be renamed THE BEST PAVING ON EARTH!

Putnamaniac Activity Calendar

History and political buffs ~ take note ~ Frost/Nixon begins this Friday at The Bradley Playhouse!

Frost/Nixon was originally a play, and later a movie version emerged.

From wikipedia: Frost/Nixon is a 2006 British play on a series of televised interviews that former U.S. President Richard Nixon granted broadcaster David Frost in 1977 about his administration, including his role in the Watergate scandal.

This Bradley production promises to be an interesting and enlightening show, starting this Friday night, May 30, 2014.

It is not the usual light hearted comedy, nor a rip roaring singalong musical, but some serious history will be covered here. Politics and history are indeed interesting, need to be looked at over and again,  and certainly remembered. Perhaps lessons can be learned. This play will give you the opportunity to do this. Guaranteed after the show, conversations will take place. Plenty of food for thought...

I hope to see you at one of these shows, as I will be volunteering at three of the shows. Tell me what you think once you have seen it. All opinions and thoughts are welcome. That is the beauty of our lives ~ freedom of speech.

You can "like" The Bradley Playhouse on facebook here.

I am a Putnamaniac that loves The Bradley Playhouse and can't wait to see Frost/Nixon!

Putnamaniac Activity Calendar

Memorial Day rolled around again - thank goodness!

According to wikipedia, Memorial Day is a federal holiday in the United States for remembering the men and women who died while serving in the country's armed forces.^[1] The holiday, which is celebrated every year on the last Monday of May,^[2] was formerly known as Decoration Day and originated after the American Civil War to commemorate the Union and Confederate soldiers who died in the war. By the 20th century, Memorial Day had been extended to honor all Americans who died while in the military service.^[1] It typically marks the start of the summer vacation season, while Labor Day marks its end.

Memorial Day is truly meant to celebrate those who have served and still serve our country. 

It was not meant to forget about the veterans, and just have majorly fun cookouts.

So, although I am guilty of relaxing and enjoying a wonderful 3 day weekend with people I've loved for various amounts of years, I celebrate the great life I have, with many thanks to those who made it possible for me... the many known and unknown veterans, the parents, siblings, uncles, friends, coworkers, bosses.... without you all, there is no me.

I am also proud to approach an obvious veteran, no matter their age, shake their hand and say thank you for serving. It was hard the first time, but it is easier every time I do it. 

I am a Putnamaniac that is thankful for the celebration of Memorial Day and all it brings ~ every year!

Putnamaniac Activity Calendar 

 
 

Library fondess ~ I have that fever!

After walking early this morning with my friend, (the children's librarian at the Pearle Crawford Library in Dudley, MA), I was thinking about libraries & librarians and the effect they have on us.

Since we were little kids, my mom wheeled and then walked us over to the Davisville Free Library, down the road from our house.

We so loved to go! We got to pick out our own book each time, from ALLLLLL those choices!

That same excited bursts forth from me each time I venture into the Putnam Library to this day.

As a bit of a hobby, and perhaps something to keep me busy when I ever get to a life with a slower pace, I try to write children's stories starring Farmer Nubbins as the main character. One of the is about a library, of course. Here it is:

 

Can you guess one of Farmer Nubbins’ favorite places to go?
It is in a building that was built long ago.

Farmer Nubbins likes to walk to this special place.
When he opens the door and walks in, he gets a big smile on his face.

Once inside he learns about people, places, and things.
And he also learns which planet is encircled by rings.

This place has many desks and lots of shelves.
And you can also find out about fairies, trolls, and elves.
 
You can borrow things, if you have a special card.
Anyone can get one, it is not very hard.

Sometimes the kids get to make different crafts.
Once they made paper boats and popsicle stick rafts.

Another thing that happens here is the weekly story hour.
Hear stories of such things as princesses trapped in high towers.

Have you figured out this place by using the clues?
The animals here are not alive or in cages, so it is not the zoo.

A lot of you may guess that this place is a school.
That guess is close, you’re getting warmer, and that is cool!

Here are a few more hints to help you out…
You should speak softly here, please don’t shout.

This place has thousands of books to read.
That is a big hint indeed!

Farmer Nubbins is at his local library.
Libraries are great places, don’t you agree?

You should visit the library in your school or your town.
Pick out a book, pull up a chair, and sit right down!

Story Notes:
My mom used to walk us to the Davisville Free Library all the time when we were kids. We got so much enjoyment during those walks and learned an appreciation of reading at a young age. Part of the walk included crossing over the train track bridge, which is another whole story altogether.  We enjoyed the outdoors and the exercise to get there, as well as the time spent together, and finally an escape to another time and place through our stories. What could be better? 
Written 2006

I am a Putnamaniac that loves libraries and librarians!

Putnamaniac Activity Calendar 

Destination: Free Concert in Rotary Park, thanks to Putnam High School Wednesday night!

Here is your challenge for the week:

Find a great, free, fun concert in Rotary Park, open your lawn chair, have a seat, tap your toes, hum along, clap, jump up and give a standing ovation!!!!

That might seem like it could be a difficult challenge.

This week in Putnam, it is easy! Thanks to Putnam High School's music department, you can experience all of the above this Wednesday evening, May 21st, 2014, starting at 6:30 pm, at their FREE concert in Rotary Park.

It is a chance to relax on a week night, and get pumped up for the Memorial Day weekend coming hot the heels of this great concert.
Be ready for some fun, and be sure to cheer loudly!

I am a Putnamaniac that loves FREE concerts in Putnamania's Rotary Park!

Putnamaniac Activity Calendar

Grandma's molasses reminds me of... well, my grandma!

I've been cooking a lot lately... I mean a lot!

Long gone and sorely missed are the days of eating a bag of steam fresh veggies at the end of a day and moving on to more entertaining and fun things!

All this cooking brings back memories, though. Lots of great memories.

Just a look at this jar of molasses now residing in my kitchen cabinet makes me smile and relive so many old days...

Grandma's Molasses - yup, that is all it takes for a flood of memories of my grandmother, Nanna Moone, and all her great cooking.

This jar is in residence now for its role in the old family baked bean recipe. It has been handed down for at least 3 generations, and those beanies always get rave reviews and requests for encores! Apparently, I have now picked up the baton and am a family maestro! 

Remembering not only my great moments with Nanna, a Nanna who lived next door to me until I was 10 years old and her bean recipe, but also her recipe for gingerbread. It was one of the first recipes I made as a kid, on a cold winter day, to warm up the house, and fill it with the smell and taste of deliciousness.

Ahhhhh, I dropped a spoonful of this memory inducing nectar into my coffee this morning, and recalled every tasty moment of the past.

I hope that you can enjoy a bit of a good memory today, too.

I am a Putnamaniac that loves Grandma's Molasses and all the memories the sticky sweetness brings with it!

Putnamaniac Activity Calendar

The great adventures you can find walking through the stacks in your library!

I have a kindle, but it is rarely used.

Nothing against technology, because I do love and appreciate that, but.....

What I really love is being able to walk into the library, without a clue of what I want to read (although I always do have an ongoing "reading to do list").

By simply strolling in and out of the rows and rows of books, alphabetically listed by authors' last names, something always catches my eye. What is it exactly? Sometimes recognition of a name I've heard but never read. Sometimes an old author with a new book, or one I'd previously missed. Sometimes it is just the name of the book called out "read me"!

"Walk Gently This Good Earth" by Margaret Craven was my latest found treasure. That name certainly caught my eye, and the book caught a special place in my heart. Ms. Craven has another book called "I Heard the Owl Call My Name". That has been added to my reading wish list!

Since I was a kid, I loved visiting my local library, and Putnam Public Library and our librarians are the greatest.

Long live the library!

I am a Putnamaniac that loves to read what I find in the shelves of the Putnam Library!

Putnamaniac Activity Calendar

Give me land, lots of land... or even just a little!

Do you love having a yard????

I DO !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

After owning a few homes, with yards, then a few condos, without yards, I am happy to report that living in a house again, with a yard is FABULOUS!!!!

 shot of portion of front yard

shot of one small bed in back yard, recently adorned by a plethora of daffs
There are 2 more gardens already cooking, and the yard is like night and day compared to last fall when we bought it!

Of all the homes I've owned, and loved, I never really became that attached to the house, but more to the yards. Clearly that tradition is continuing.

The current yard is a bit unusual and certainly a challenge since the former owner was absent for the last few years. Things take over if you don't keep up! The positives are that it is the last house on a dead end street, with nothing but swampy woods to the side, and it is a flat, sunny, bright piece of property. Some might find some negatives, but not me!

Some of my happiest moments each morning and evening are doing the walk around yard and garden tours!

I hope you love your yard, or car, or hobby, or music, or art, or kayak, or whatever it is you love as much as I love my yards!

I am a Putnamaniac that loves having a yard! Any yard!

Putnamaniac Activity Calendar

 

Skunks? They are morning creatures, too!

Early morning peace and quiet are so enjoyable.

The hustle and bustle have not yet begun, and it is a great time to spend quality time by yourself... or with a good friend taking a nice walk!

Apparently, some skunks agree with this policy, too.

This morning as I opened the door to meet my friend for an early morning walk (approximately 5:20am), there was a rather large skunk across the street on my neighbors lawn....

Obviously he was on the way to meet his friend for their early morning walk, too.

Thank goodness he did not meet with his demise like the fellow in this classic song: Dead Skunk in the Middle of the Road!

I am a Putnamaniac that is an early riser, along with a few skunks!

Putnamaniac Activity Calendar

How do you spell Putnam??? BIZZZZZ-EEEEEEE

Little know spelling fact: you do indeed spell Putnam BIZZZZ-EEEEEE!

Do you think that makes sense?

Of course it does!

That is because Putnam is such a happening place, that you can keep busy forever! It is a ton of fun as well!

It keeps me so busy lately that I have not been able to keep up with doing a daily blog.... they are getting to be every few days now, all because I am out and enjoying all the fun that not only Putnam, but all of Northeastern CT has to offer.

If I am neglectful about blogging, my "go to" sources for local business information and local fun, which I happily share with you are:
WINY Radio's great event page ~ scroll through this list for always updated and never ending fun (thanks to Kerri Price for keeping us current and posting all of this info) and Discover Putnam's Facebook page.

Be sure to visit often if you are not a NECT dweller. It is easy to get here and well worth every visit! See you around!

I am a Putnamaniac that loves to keep BIZZZZ-EEEEE and HAPPY in Putnamania!

Putnamaniac Activity Calendar