Wednesday, July 30, 2014

First Friday's August Theme is Architecture - see what The Last Green Valley will celebrate ~ and provide your input!

Another First Friday is just 2 days away, this Friday night, August 1st, 2014.

Downtown Putnam once again opens their doors, sidewalks, and even streets to vendors, artists, performers, and fun times all the way around for another First Friday (held on the first Friday of every month from May through October).

This year's First Fridays have embraced the themes of arts and culture. This month's theme is architecture.

As usual, I will be volunteering in The Last Green Valley's booth, spreading the word of The Last Green Valley; where it is, what it is, what we do!

The Last Green Valley will celebrate the theme of architecture by reminding local folks of Henry Chandler Bowen's Roseland Cottage, and by introducing not so local folks to this beautiful and historic piece of architecture.


Stop by The Last Green Valley's booth and tell us about what your first impressions were when you went to Roseland Cottage for the first time.
WHAT? You have never been? You must add it to your "to-do" list. It is just a quick ride away from downtown Putnam.

I'll also have some fun little nature temporary tattoos for the kiddos... ladybugs, butterflies, frogs...

You can "like" First Fridays and The Last Green Valley on facebook

I am a Putnamaniac that can't wait for another First Friday and to celebrate architecture this month!
 



 

Monday, July 28, 2014

Are you afraid of flying monkeys??? Find out at the Wizard of Oz at The Bradley Playhouse!

How do you feel about flying monkeys?

Specifically the ones that were in the Wizard of Oz.

As a kid, I got to go next door to my grandparents to watch the Wizard of Oz...

My grandmother kicked out my older uncles and set me up on the couch with some snacks. Oh the joy of living next to your grandparents as a little kid.

I snuggled up on the couch, like a queen, all by myself and watched... I loved when it turned from black and white to color - that yellow brick road and the greens of Oz!

Then...... dun, dun, dun... the flying monkeys appeared!!! My head was quickly under the pillow! They still get to me this day!

As a life long fan of most of the Wizard literary, theatrical, musical and cinematographic productions I have tried to enjoy them all. I've read the Baum book, I've seen the movie, I've read Wicked, Son of a Witch (one of the best books ever), and a Lion Among Men by Maguire, I've seen the musical Wicked a few times.

And now..... drum roll please.... I have the chance to see the Wizard of Oz at our local theater, The Bradley Playhouse! There will be flying monkeys!!! There will be great music and song!!! There will be great acting!!!

The show dates are:
 Aug. 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16 at 7:30 p.m. • Aug. 3, 10, 17 at 2 p.m.

Get tickets here at The Bradley Theater website.  It is a show that you will NOT want to miss!

Tonight, as a welcome in for this upcoming show, this beautiful rainbow appeared in Putnam: 

Of course, I began signing "Somewhere over the rainbow", not quite in tune like Judy Garland did, nor as good as The Bradley Playhouse's Dorothy will, but still I know my dreams do come true in Putnamania!

I am a Putnamaniac that is still a tad fearful of flying monkeys, but can't wait to see them at The Bradley Playhouse's Wizard of Oz!


 
 

Sunday, July 27, 2014

How do you choose a photo to enter in a contest when every shot is great because you live in a beautiful place?!

Do you have an awesome photo that you took in The Last Green Valley?

Then you should absolutely enter the contest to get your photo in their 2015 calendar!

Here are the details from The Last Green Valley's website:
The Last Green Valley is looking for inspiring photographs that celebrate life and capture the unique spirit of the National Heritage Corridor.  TLGV's annual calendar will feature photographs submitted during the 2015 Calendar Photo Contest.  Each photograph must be in color digital format, sized to 8 x 10 inches and with at least 300 d.p.i  The subject must have something to do with the exceptional natural and cultural resources of The Last Green Valley.  The photo can be close up, long shot, aerial shot - but convey the special quality of our beautiful region.   For more details about the calendar and photo contest requirements, click on the links below.
Local Photographers Wanted - Press Release
2015 Photo Contest Entry Form

 I was so lucky to have entered and won a spot in the 2014 calendar with this photo - and it was nothing but pure luck to be driving to work on the most gorgeous winter day ever:

A couple of my friends were also featured in the 2014 calendar with some fabulous shots, too.

The 35 towns in The Last Green Valley are so picturesque, it is hard to take a bad picture. I can barely decide what to enter this year!

So, come on, enter!!!

I am a Putnamaniac that just thinks everywhere in The Last Green Valley is so photogenic!


Friday, July 25, 2014

I love these types of showers - Delta Aquarid meteor shower - fully dressed of course!

As a  kid I remember hanging out with the other neighborhood kids.

As we got a bit older, we stayed out a bit later.

There was nothing like hanging out in the dark with your pals.

Yes, we even used to play kick the can, or some equivalent that morphed into our own neighborhood game.

Then, we'd settle down and listen to some tunes, laying in the grass and looking up into the sky, watching the stars, and occasionally a shooting star. My first one was so exciting, and I still get that excited when I see a shooting star to this day (or should I say "night").



It is the best feeling ever.....

Whenever I see or hear about an upcoming meteor shower, I start planning in advance and hoping the weather is with us, because it is a chance to see a whole lot of shooting stars!

Looking at my 2014 calendar from The Last Green Valley, which is loaded with all sorts of interesting nature facts, I see here is our chance! This coming Monday, July 28, the Delta Aquarid Meteor Shower is on  display! I am warning you now, so you can plan to get some rest ahead of time to view this (or have a lot of coffee ready to go)!

Click here for information galore on the Delta Aquarid Meteor Shower.

I am so lucky to live in The Last Green Valley, without a ton of night time lighting, which makes sky viewing superb!

I am a Putnamaniac that loves these types of showers ~ Meteor Showers!



Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Are you a never giver upper?

Maybe a "never giver upper" is not technically a real description or adverb, but it should be!

Would you describe yourself as a "never giver upper"?

You should if you keep trying no matter what.

Perhaps as a child, stuff was not always easy-breezy for you... some school work proved tough, and got a little tougher as you got older. It was better to be moving and doing something than sitting and reading text books. You might have loved to play basketball, and in all sports your best skill was not giving up, practicing endlessly and still having a blast riding the bench in your early years. You kind of needed to put a lot of effort into everything.

Over the years you discover this stick-to-itiveness can amount to more than a hill of beans. You find a way to do whatever it is you need or want to do in the easiest manner possible. Routine, discipline and endurance get you to your goals.

As you age, you discover life sometimes throws unexpected curves at each of us, and you still never give up.

I used to be a lot better at grinning and bearing it than I have been lately.... there is no excuse for that, nor will there ever be. I was still not giving up, but I was taking a road less high than I should have, with my chin hanging low at times. Last night I vowed to be ultra attentive to this and not sink, no matter what circumstances.

Tonight my hubby and I ventured out for some chinese din-din, and we all know what fun the fortune cookies can be. These are what we got. The fortune cookie gods were looking are way.

Patience is the key to joy
and
Life is full of wonders...explore what's around you

These cookies said a mouthful before they became a mouthful.

I am a Putnamaniac that is also a never giver upper!



 


Tuesday, July 22, 2014

Don't miss Les Mis' or you will be miserable!

Les Mis'erables. 

Unless you have been under a rock for all of your born days, you have heard of this great literature and all other artistic pieces that have branched out from it.

I've read the book, seen the musical show in Boston on a huge stage, seen the movie, seen the musical in Providence on a slightly smaller stage, read the book again, listened to the cd a bazillion times, watched endless youtube clips... So yes, I am a fan.

The story itself is compelling. Victor Hugo personalizes a look a living through a historical brutally time during the French Revolution. As we look back in history, we tend to look at facts only, and we forget that people did live their lives through those terrible times. Anne Frank and Eli Wiesel are just a few who have needed to remind us of those lives...

Although Les Mis' is fiction, it rings true to a portrayal of the everyday man and woman thrust into a life and time's events that they had no control over.

As with many great pieces of literature, the book was made into a musical with some of the most heart touching music and lyrics ever.

We all remember Susan Boyle's performance of "I dreamed a dream", as that song can ring true to us all for a variety of reasons. Susan herself was the epitome of those lyrics.

This big show, featuring superstars from NECT and other local New England talents, will be playing at the Hyde School in Woodstock, CT on August 1, 2, 3. Check out the schedule and purchase tickets here. 

Do not miss this show! As I am on a tight budget at this time, perhaps the tightest of my life (vowing not to touch savings from all my earlier years), I have my tickets and am going to this show! I can skip a few meals as this will be totally well worth it. Budget your money and get to the show. Tickets are only $20 (and just $15 for the Saturday afternoon show)!!!!

I am a Putnamaniac that will not be miserable. I am going to Les Mis'!



 

Sunday, July 20, 2014

Reminder News' Denise Coffey is phenomenal to say the least!

The thesaurus can come in handy at times, but today it was not so much.

I wanted a word to sum up Denise Coffey of the Reminder News.


One word to wrap up a kind, fun, friendly, impossibly hard working and helpful woman who never stops. She makes the energizer bunny seem a lazy fur ball.

As you can see by the blog title, I settled on phenomenal... and it is settling because it does not come close to describing Denise.

If you know Denise, you know what I mean.

If you do not know Denise, you know her work through her stories and pictures in the Reminder News. She is everywhere, covering all of our events ~ and we have a lot happening around here in Northeast CT, and all the while she is smiling and unassuming about the whole thing.

After seeing her at the al Fresco concert and River Fire in Putnam's Rotary Park, I realized that someone should do a story about Denise Coffey.

Look for this phenomenal person and give her a big "thank you for being you" the next time you see her!

I am a Putnamaniac that can't find words to describe Denise Coffey's awesomeness!


Friday, July 18, 2014

Time goes lightly with early morning songs (birds and Harry Chapin's)!

Early this morning I went out for my wake up jog.

It puts my mind in such a good place ~ a happy way to start the day.

The birds were singing away - in fact I heard a mockingbird belt out 5 different imitations on my way past him.

Back in the yard, I fiddled and putzed about ~ deadheading, weeding, watching dragonflies light on vinca vine, enjoying the eye candy of pink, blue and velvety purple morning glories... ahhhhh. Time was completely forgotten.


I was singing Harry Chapin's song "Let time go lightly" in my mind.

Then it occurred to me that I had to get ready and go to work, where time does not always go by so lightly.

Do you have a place and/or thing that you love to do so much that time goes by lightly? Tell me about it!

Here are the sweet lyrics I was singing this morning ~ he says a mouthful:
I let time go lightly when I'm here with you,
I let time go lightly when the day is through.
I keep a watch on time when I've have work to do,
I let time go lightly with you.

Morning, a time for breaking ground and sowing seeds,
and yet we give up our sunshine
so we can buy what we need.
That leaves the evening, to share a fire with a friend or two,
to lose sight of the hours
To go lightly with you

Old friends, they mean much more to me than the new friends,
Cause they can see where you are,
and they know where you've been.
Music, has been my oldest friend, my fiercest foe,
cause it can take me so high,
(High.....) Yes it can make me so low.

When I was a child my mother would help me along
She'd rock me to sleep and sing me a song.
So I learned to love the music of all the tunes in my mind
the changing of chords, the rhythm of time.

Yes I let time go lightly with you, and a fire, and a friend or two
With you and a fire and a friend or two
A friend or two and you 

I am a Putnamaniac that loves when time goes lightly! 



Wednesday, July 16, 2014

A new feathered song can make your heart take flight in moments!

I was not enjoying drudging along at the end of this day... but I was still drudging.

Finally home, cooked & enjoyed dinner, doing dishes, thinking I was feeling a bit pooped out, when from out of the corner of my ears I heard a bird song...

It was not one that I was familiar with, and I make it a point to be familiar with as many as possible.

The sponge got tossed and splashed into the suds, and out the back door I went with my bird book in hand.

The bird's unique song was sung and drifted so lovely on the summer evening's air.

Still, I could not spot the feathered opera star...

I inched closer to the source, as quietly as I could.

The singing stopped, a flutter of wings took its place.

My lovely and unknown bird was gone...

If you want to learn more about bird songs and calls, check out this great Cornell website - you will be hooked! 


I am a Putnamaniac that urges you to keep your ears open for moments of joy!






Monday, July 14, 2014

Real Diamond and River Fire ~ a sure great time. I'm a BELIEVER!

This Saturday night you MUST be in Rotary Park in Putnamania!

Do NOT be a "Solitary Man", but come on down and say "Hello Again" to a wonderfully fun filled night! Walk, bike, drive or come along with "Brother Love's Traveling Salvation Show".

If you fear becoming chilly as the night progresses, feel free to be "Forever in Blue Jeans".

What is the excitement?

Real Diamond, the premier Neil Diamond tribute band is "Coming to America" - specifically Putnam, CT. As soon as Real Diamond finishes up an uninterrupted show, the River Fires will be lit and be "Crackling Rosy" for you to enjoy for another 90 minutes.


Bring lawn chairs, a blanket, or sit by the river bed, and enjoy some "Love on the Rocks". 

Turn on your "Heartlights" and hear a "Beautiful Noise"!

When the night is over it will be bittersweet to have it end... but sing no "Song Sung Blue", because you will have these wonderful memories forever.

For more great event listings, be sure to check out the WINY Radio Event page.

Oh yes, and remember, THIS IS ALL FREE!

I love Neil Diamond, and also the hilarious movie, Saving Silverman, which is about a Neil Diamond cover band, featuring Jack Black and Jason Biggs - pure hilarity - check out this scene here, and if you have not watched this movie yet, add it to your "to do" list!

I am a Putnamaniac that loves the great shows that happen here!



 
 

Sunday, July 13, 2014

Johnston and Associates ~ Made our dream come true, and we are loving it!

Closing in on a year (we are at the 10 month point now) since the purchase of a home that we thought had great potential, inside and out, we have realized that potential and are loving it! The house is lovely, and the yard and gardens are amazing after a lot of work. We had the vision!

Check out the change in the sunroom before and after pics ~ this is my favorite room now, which I knew would be great!

Before- we ripped down the drop ceiling, tore off wallpaper, and then some...

After- I love this room, with new ceiling, paint, new floor, new windows, and my cozy stuff...

How did we do this?
With a lot of hard work after the purchase, and for assistance extraordinaire with the purchase, we thank Rachael Johnston of Johnston and Associates with all of our hearts. 

If you are looking to buy and/or sell your property, please contact Johnston and Associates!

They will make your dreams come true!

I am a Putnamaniac that had her dreams come true thanks to Johnston & Associates!



 
 

Saturday, July 12, 2014

Wicked Witch... I think not.. you be the judge!

When you think witch, what do you think?

Local wonder Linda is cast as the Wicked Witch... she looks unassuming here, but I have seen her act - so hold onto your horses fans!

I think The Wizard of Oz!

Are there more classic witches?

No WAY!

The Bradley Playhouse will be offering this witchy green delicious musical show on these dates:
Fridays, August 1, 8, 15 at 7:30pm
Saturdays, August 2, 9, 16 at 7:30pm
Sundays, August 3, 10, 17 at 2pm

The Bradley recently posed a query on their facebook page:
Do you remember when you first saw The Wizard of Oz? Share your memories with us on our Facebook page!

Of course I am a lot about memories (I am turning into my grandfather, and that is ok by me), so I chimed in: 
I went next door to see it on my grandparents tv, since they had a color set, and we only had a black and white. My grandmother cleared out all my older and teasing uncles, and gave me the couch! I love that memory, so thank you for prompting it!

What is your Wizard of Oz memory?


Get your tickets, enjoy a great show, and bring back the memories at The Bradley Playhouse!
"Like" The Bradley Playhouse on Facebook.

I am a Putnamaniac that loves The Wizard of Oz, witches good and bad!


Happy friends!

I am so happy I have happy friends and family!!!


Even when things are not going their way, they are happy!

They smile!

They are funny!

They are brave!

They look at the brighter side!

YIPPEE!!!

To say I treasure my friends and family is a "no-brainer".

Life is good. Period. End of story!

Enjoy these goofy, happy songs on youtube!

I am a Putnamaniac that hopes you have happy friends and family, too!


Thursday, July 10, 2014

Picking up garbage with your best pal pre-6am ~ GREAT way to start the day!

Some days your blogs just write themselves....

Or as in today's case, your best friend forever writes it for you.

Honest to goodness, I had today's blog title filled in at approximately 6:30am.

I just sat down now at 10:54pm to complete the blog, when I hear "bing".... a facebook notification that I was just "tagged".

This is what it said:

at 5:30 this morning Marcy B. Putnamaniac Dawley and I set out for our morning walk, with plastic bags in hand. We have decided to pick up trash left behind by others while we walk. By the time we got back to the top of Center Street, we each had a full bag of trash plus more that would not fit in the bags, .2 cents for our Daily Bread donation jar, a Lego man with no hair, and a broken fishing pole. I must say Putnam is looking pretty good today, thanks to my fellow Putnamaniac !

  
A walk with your BFF is always a great way to start the day, and it was even better today as we took pride in our community and are chipping in to make it a better place. Plus we got extra exercise from all that bending and stretching we did! GENIUS!

I am a Putnamaniac that is so happy to have a BFF who is on the same page with me every day!



 

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

Surprises in the brush... like wild raspberries!!!!

Tonight as I was taking the nightly grand tour of the best yard in Putnamania, I came upon wild raspberries!!! YAY!! Right there in front of my eyes and for the picking! How did I miss them previously? Jimmy cracked corn, and I don't care. I found them, and I picked them!

Wild raspberries have a special place in my heart, since they remind me of childhood, and my younger sister in particular.

After having grown up in a somewhat "unusual" situation at times, I like to take those memories and turn them into my "Farmer Nubbins" stories. Farmer Nubbins is fashioned after my father, and all the stories are based on true events.



My raspberry memories helped me write this one, as someone once critiqued as not believable. (Have they heard of Barney the Purple Dinosaur??):


Story notes:
This story is based on one of the many stories based on my sister Sue, now all grown up and in law school. As a little kid she was always “Suzy” and she thank goodness has always marched to the beat of her own drummer. (One of our grandmothers insisted on calling her Suzyanna…).
We would spot her at 5am on many Rhode Island summer mornings, as she came strolling out of the woods carrying her “berry bucket”, wearing her long blue Easter dress, and big winter boots. Someone once told me this story was way too unbelievable.
Two thoughts about that comment:
1) Isn’t that the point of stories AND
2) They never met my sister!
My mom has had that “berry bucket” for years…
written May 2006

Farmer Nubbins’ Berry Bucket Breakfast

Farmer Nubbins awoke to a day of warm, fresh air.
He got up, got dressed, and combed out his hair.

The first thing on Farmer Nubbins’ mind was to have a good breakfast.
His stomach grumbled, since last night’s supper was the meal he ate last.

Farmer Nubbins poured his juice and looked out of the window over the sink.
He couldn’t believe what he saw, he rubbed his eyes and then blinked.

Coming from the woods was a little girl, Suzyanna.
She had on her big boots and her hair up in a bandana.

Farmer Nubbins went outside to greet his tiny neighbor.
When Suzyanna came to visit, he was always glad to see her.

“Suzyanna, what are you doing outside so early?”
“You must have gotten up before dawn, quite surely.”

Once Farmer Nubbins got closer, he could see she was covered with scratches all over.
“Now Suzyanna, where have you been? You don’t get scratches like that from walking in clover.”

Suzyanna said she’d thought it looked like a fine day for picking berries.
Although they had lots of sharp briars, getting a bucketful always made her merry.

Suzyanna showed Farmer her bucket full of berries, ripe and red.
“You did a great job of picking berries this morning,” he said.

Suzyanna replied, “I’ll make you a deal, we can call it a trade.”
She offered Farmer Nubbins some berries… in exchange for some Band-Aids.

They went up the walk and right up the stairs,
Then they sat down at the kitchen table and chairs.

Suzyanna washed her scratches and put the band-aids in place.
She actually even needed a few on her face.

Now that the band-aid part of the deal was complete,
they got ready to fill their bowls so they could eat.

They filled up their bowls with lots of berries & cornflakes,
and then they made some delicious raspberry pancakes.

Farmer Nubbins and Suzyanna ate their berry breakfast
Until they were filled up,

then they washed and dried all the dishes,
down to the last dirty cup.

”Well, Suzyanna, thank you, that was a great way to start off the day,
But now I must get outside to care for my animals without further delay.”

Farmer Nubbins waved goodbye to Suzyanna as she walked off up the street.
Suzyanna waved back to Farmer Nubbins, carrying her bucket with the rest of the berries for more berry treats.

I am a Putnamaniac that loves wild raspberries and my little sister!







Sunday, July 6, 2014

James Taylor and the Berskhires might think they are up 3-0, but I say NAY to that!

The other day I made my third trek to see James Taylor at Tanglewood, located in the beautiful Berskshire mountains on the MA/NY state lines.

It might appear that I am 0 for 3 in these missions to have some enjoyment.

Facts and stats:

Year 1: My best bud had tickets, invited me, I accepted the invitation. He noted it was an outdoor venue. We drove into the city of Boston, found the address he was looking for, which looked like nothing but a concrete jungle everywhere. We parked. We hoofed all of our picnic type items to the door of this behemoth building, where a kindly security told us we were supposed to be in Lenox, MA for this particular concert. That is on the other side of the state of MA - a good 2 hour drive, but we decided to go for it anyways. Off we went, arrived, parked, sat down, where my bud promptly spilled most of the bottle of wine on me! JT sang his last song, and it was over. We listened to some JT cds on the long drive home. But.... we still had fun and a great story to tell.

Year 2: My best bud and I planned much better, and we knew where we were going. Got out of work after just a half day, and had a room ready for us when we got up there. We got to the hotel early, before concert time, and opened it up to a smell of what must have been the world's longest and smokiest smoking party. Holy cow! We opened all the windows and bought candles and assorted deodorizers, etc., if efforts to clear out the stench. The concert was wonderful, but when we got back to the hotel, the smoke-not-so-tastic aroma was overpowering. We swam in the pool, took a shower and thought with all that fresh air and water in our lungs, we could make it through the night. However, I was as sick as a dog the next day, and the plan to hike in the area turned into a long car ride home. Yuck. But.... we still had fun and a great story to tell.

Year 3: JT took last year off. He was pooped from doing so many political fund raisers, and he decided to give me a  break and not bust my chops for one summer.

Year 4:  Just occurred. I had bought tickets months and months ago, when I had a different job than I do now, and would have been able to get out of work after a half day again, in order to have ample travel time. Not so anymore... scheduled to work till 5pm left only 3 hours to get up there and settled. The car was loaded and ready to go, my hubs came and picked me up, and we hit RT 395. Immediately my good old faithful car's dials went crazy, spinning and revving in a not good to travel a long distance sort  of way. We turned around, unloaded the car, and loaded the truck. We were off... again. Traffic on the MA Pike was bumper to bumper a lot.... the skies were growing darker as we went. The traffic into Tanglewood was endless as well, and now it was pouring viciously along with much thunder and lightning. It took us 3-1/2 hours to make what should have been a 2 hour drive. We slushed in through all the mud, set up our chairs and umbrellas along with all the other wet JT loving attendees. I did not bring my camera or phone in for photos, since everything was truly drenched, but I drew this sketch up, and it sort of looked like this from where we sat...


We were soaked and missed some of the show... But.... we still had fun and a great story to tell.

I am a Putnamaniac that thinks the score is 3-0 me, and not the other way around!



 

Saturday, July 5, 2014

Flooring -pretty important component of any building! Basto Flooring can help!

Flooring is important!

Have you ever had to deal with a crappy floor?

Over the years, I've met a few sub-par floors, and it was not fun.

However, a nice floor is like a slice of heaven. Easy to care for and keep clean, a nice compliment to your room, solid ~ gorgeous!

If you are looking to build a new home or business or perhaps improve your current flooring situation, give experienced Basto Flooring a call.


Recently I had the pleasure to meet Jennifer Basto. She is pleasant, honest, organized, energetic and has great character. Her husband, business owner Kevin Basto is certainly of equal measure.

Although Basto Flooring is a new business, these folks have tons of experience, and they have decided they can best serve you in their new business. You will receive exceptional customer care. You will love your new floors.

Call Basto Flooring at 860-315-5590, and see their website here. 

I am a Putnamaniac that loves nice floors and loves local people who use their skills to serve the local community!




Thursday, July 3, 2014

oooooohhhhhhhh ahhhhhhhhhhh, Putnam fireworks this Sunday

Don't miss out! Putnam always throws a stupendous party to celebrate independence day!



Details (thanks to WINY Radio's great events page):

SUNDAY, JULY 6
ROTARY PARK, PUTNAM
4:30 P.M. ~ “LITTLE BIG BAND”
7:00 P.M. ~ “THE WADE ELLIOT BAND”
FIREWORKS AT DUSK

In the meantime, check these fireworks out. They are ALMOST as good as Putnam's!

Next time I see you, we will be "oooohhhhhhhing and ahhhhhhhhing" together!

I am a Putnamaniac that loves fireworks!


 




 

Wednesday, July 2, 2014

Peace ... and chicken grease! I love rhymes!

Peace is available if you give it a chance.



I spotted this tonight in a parking lot.

Seriously, is it not a sign to give peace a chance?

Of course!

I know a very good man that ended many of his conversations with the phrase "Peace and chicken grease".

Does that make sense???

Not really, nor does another friend who replies often with "I'll try my best but I'm no Mae West"!

Have fun. Enjoy peace and always trying your best!

I am Putnamaniac that will give peace a chance!



 


Tuesday, July 1, 2014

Caution, caution ~ Cops ahead!!!

Picture this....

Early 1960's in small town Rhode Island (yes, the state...the smallest in the union)...

A small street, with sidewalks on each side ~ straight, flat, easily sped upon, although the speed limit is a mere 25 mph.

It is named School Street, because even with no imagination, you can figure out there are schools on it. As a point in fact, there are also churches on it.

Zoom in on a small boy, standing on the side of the street with his blonde crew cut hair. He waves furiously at passers by, yelling "Caution, Caution, Cops ahead"....



Approximately 1/4 of a mile further north on the street, sits a town police officer with his radar gun, quite a new technology at the time, aimed at on-comers, generally speeding, but today moseying by.

What gives, wonders the cop?

The passers by probably do not hear what the boy's message is, but they are compelled to slow down to attempt to learn.

The cop eventually gives up and heads back to the station.

The young blonde boy heads to the woods to catch a salamander.

This story is not fabricated. It is the story of my father (NKPD police) and my younger brother, Skee. That is a story that will never leave my mind, ever.

I am a Putnamaniac that is always cautious of cops ahead!