When my feet hit the ground, instant smiles are produced!

Yesterday I went for a jog after work - outside - in the air - my feet on the ground - alongside a river - birds singing!

Today, I was a bit short of time, but decided to stop at a local walking path and take some photos for work.

The minute my feet hit the ground, I was elated! Huge smile! Very happy!

I was not unhappy before I got there, mind you, but I could feel quite a big sense of excitement and elation to just be outside - hearing the water roaring by, the birds singing, seeing a beaver swimming along for quite some time.

I was there for maybe a total of 20 minutes.

Why do I not take at least 20 minutes every day to give myself a thrill?

Life can be improved so easily!

Why do we forget that?

GET OUT AND DO WHAT MAKES YOU ECSTATIC! Don't forget to do it - just a few minutes each day!

I am a Putnamaniac that loves to get my feet on the ground!

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Do you know about the Children's Tumor Foundation?

Do you know about the Children's Tumor Foundation?

I think you can guess by the name of this, it is probably not a lot of fun.

At this time, there is no cure.

However, folks who have this are certainly outgoing and hard working!

The president of the Connecticut chapter is a young, smart, beautiful woman that lives in Thompson, and who also has NF.

I think that their website can elaborate far more efficiently and succinctly that I can, so please visit this site: http://www.ctf.org/

A great way to show your support locally is to join an NF Walk. We will be having one in September in Putnam. We all like to walk. We all like to help our fellow man. Please sign up and join the walkers if you can! If you are not close to Putnam, find a walk near you.

I am a Putnamaniac that believes in supporting mankind!

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The Knights of Columbus Hall in Thompson is a GREAT place to hold your event!

Twice recently I had the pleasure to visit:
Riverside Knights Banquet Hall
1017 Riverside Drive
North Grosvenordale,CT
860-923-2967

Today I attended a craft fair, and just a few weeks ago attended a fund raiser there. 

I will admit that it is not that exciting to look at from the outside, but once you get inside, you will be very pleased!

It is a big and open room - great for birthday parties, wedding receptions and dances, as well the the sort of functions I already mentioned, and anything else you can think of, too!

Downstairs there is a kitchen, bar and dining area. They cooked all day there today for the craft show vendors and attendees.  The prices were very low and the quality and service were good!

If you are local and planning an event, seriously give the Knights of Columbus a call! See you they can do for you.

I am a Putnamaniac that is very impressed with the Riverside Knights of Columbus Banquet Hall!

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Empty Bowls fills bowls for others in need!

Easiest blog EVER!

Empty Bowl Project to benefit Daily Bread Food Pantry. 

In case you didn't notice the details:
Saturday, March 21st (THIS SATURDAY)!
2 seatings: 4:45 and 6 p.m.

$20 for a bowl and dinner.

Bowls made by Sawmill Pottery.

Soups made by local restaurants & great cooks.

Benefits to our local food bank.

You leave with a full belly, a handmade bowl, and a sense of community.

Pay it forward. Repeat that action as often as you can.

I am a Putnamaniac that thinks Empty Bowls is pure genius!

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Neil Diamond, a 78 year old Italian man, my BFF make for an emotional night!

Generally I am one who loves to show my very happy & enthusiastic emotions, and keep the sad ones to myself.

That theory and practice went out the window tonight.

As I was leaving the parking lot from a good day's work, on time, I had a text from my friend's husband.

She is my BFF and like a little sister to me... I love her to pieces.

Her mother passed away. Today. It was also my BFF's anniversary today. What a day for her.

As I drove north on Rte. 395 and cried my eyes out, my heart was breaking for my dear friend.

My hubby is not a fan of seeing me upset or crying, so I pulled myself together before arriving home. I was picking him up to head out to the Neil Diamond concert in RI. Neil is a class act and was on my bucket list. (Barry Manilow is still on that list)!

So, off we went, with me only having a moment to text my BFF a few x's and o's .... I know her heart is breaking, and I can't help her, nor make it stop.

Once the hubs and I arrived at the concert, we received upgraded seats. Awesome! Very good seats.

As I sat down, I said hello to the couple next to me. The old fellow had me at "hello". We chit-chatted about technology, like cell phones and computers, which he and my hubby quickly agreed were "no good"! The wife and I humored the men folk. This gentleman told me he was 78. They were the cutest couple ever. All dolled up and still going out on dates!

Neil Diamond was fabulous.

I almost cried 8,788 times....

Why?

The old fellow next to me- 78 years young - sitting next to his bride and singing at the top of his lungs, then clapping and whistling after every song was just amazing.

Music gets to me. All I could think of was my BFF and this couple beside me.

All I could think of was how life can get you.

It always goes on.

I am sure that adorable couple sitting next to me have had some bad, sad, and trying times in their day, but tonight, they were acting like teenagers again.

I just wish my sweet friend was not having a trying time right now.

I know they have to come, but if they could all just be "sometime in the future..." with that future to never come.

I am a Putnamaniac that wish me and Neil could make everything ok for my BFF

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Putnam Lions Dog Park = A Roaring Success!

Dog Park - Roaring?

Wait a minute.

 Dogs don't roar!

Am I mixed up? 

I think not!

The Putnam Lions Dog Park IS indeed a roaring success!

It is always full of both 4-legged and 2-legged creatures!

Today I stopped in to take a picture of three dogs hanging out and enjoying the snow.

 You can see there is a large area, and they do have separate sections for large and small dogs. 

This guy looked like a porcupine!

These friends needed a drink to refresh them after all the running around!

Kudos to the Putnam Lions Club for their vision and hard work to bring this dog park to us. It is amazing to see how many do use it, respect it, and enjoy it.

Park at the Farmer's Market Pavilion, 18 Kennedy Drive in Putnam, and you will see the dog park right there. Enjoy!

And be sure to thank a Putnam Lion for helping bring this great community project to us all!

I am a Putnamaniac that loves that the Putnam Lions Dog Park is a ROARING SUCCESS!

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Excitement with Florence in the Walmart parking lot!

Did you hear a ruckus in the Putnam Walmart parking lot this morning?

A lot of hooting and hollering and laughing?

That was me!

Why the cause for excitement?

I mean, you know I HATE shopping...

Well... as I was leaving the store, I spotted Florence headed in.

I yelled "FLORENCE!!!! HELLO, IT IS MARCY!!!"

Then I ran over for a hug of rather large proportions coming from a petite little lady!

Florence was one of my sweet neighbors when I owned the condo.

I LOVE Florence, and I had not seen her in ages!!

We hugged and caught up a bit, then parted.

It was awesome! I am so lucky to know so many great people!

I am a Putnamaniac that was thrilled to have the excitement of seeing Florence in the Walmart parking lot this morning!

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Stew & Story enjoyed at The Inn at Woodstock Hill

I just got home from dropping off my friend and former neighbor off after enjoying a great night of "Stew and Story" at the Inn at Woodstock Hill. 

It was her idea.

I had never been.

It.......... was............ AWESOME!

The Inn itself is just fabulous, and I have enjoyed it in the past, but this "Stew and Story" was my first.

Tables are set so nicely with cheese, crackers, fruit...

A choice of a few soups is all yours, including a vegetarian choice! Refills if you'd like are offered, too. A bowl full of assorted rolls.

And if this all wasn't nice enough, after you are through enjoying a nice meal, you gather to listen to a reader.

The first tonight chose Ernest Hemmingway. He is not one of my favorites, as he can be quite depressing... However the reader chose a rather nice piece.

Back to the tables for a light dessert and coffee. Relaxing, enjoyable.

And then another reader, who in the case of our second offering was actually a story teller. She told 2 lovely tales!

The night was certainly enjoyable, and I will absolutely do it again!

Price = $25 each. That bill is common now a days, and I feel like all things considered, (the setting, the service, the food, the entertainment, the atmosphere, and a great night out with a friend & the hubby), I got the bargain of the century!

I suggest that you keep your eyes open for the next time a "Stew and Story" at the Inn at Woodstock Hill is on, and make your reservations, or just go for lunch or dinner!

You will love it.

I am a Putnamaniac that just loved every minute of Stew and Story at the Inn at Woodstock Hill!

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Embarrassing but thankful moments in life ~ like when your old timer neighbor snow blows your driveway for you!

Talk about embarrassing moments...

Last night before we went to bed, me and the hubby voted that if the snow total wasn't that outrageous in the morning when we got up, that we would just leave it, and at the end of the day we would do the cleanup after we got home from work.

During the night, we heard the plow come and go a few times.

We did the usual tossing and turning that this winter has brought to a lot of folks.

When it was time to get up and get a move on, we voted. Drive through it and clear it at the end of the day.

Off he went.

As I got ready, loaded my car and was about to leave, I could hear an engine of sorts right outside my garage door. I looked out and saw my old timer neighbor snow blowing our driveway!

How embarrassing!

I went out to ask him what he was doing, and of course to thank him. His reply was that he just liked to keep busy, and by keeping moving he keeps moving. I agree with that attitude. I hope I continue to keep moving, too! He will be getting a Dunkin Donuts gift card tomorrow morning so he can enjoy a hot cup 'o joe with his friends ~ on us ~ very thankful neighbors!

I am a Putnamaniac that was embarrassed and thankful all at the same time!

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Impossible not to love & admire Kies Orr of Fort Hill Farms!

Do you know Kies Orr?

She is inspiring to say the least. 

Kies is one of the family members that runs Fort Hill Farms in Thompson, CT. 
They are also one of The Farmer's Cow family farms. 

Basically I know Kies through her hard work, and through her momma, Kristin, who is majorly proud of both Kies and her sister, Lily. 

But I also know Kies because of the hard worker and sensible person she is. All through her school years, Kies was up and out with the dairy cows, then went to school. After putting in a full day of school and participating in the usual after school activities, such as running on the track & field team, back to work at the farm it was. Dinner, homework, a little sleep. Next day, repeat.

Kies spoke often on the local radio station, WINY, throughout her high school career, as a mouthpiece for the FFA program, and also as a guest on "Redmen Roundup", the weekly spotlight on the high school's sports stars. Eloquent and at ease all while being clear and concise. That was Kies' style, because that is who she is.

That was just up through high school. 

Next it was off to college, where Kies was still working harder than many I have known.

That sounds like an awful lot of work, and not much spare time, doesn't it?

Yet she has never uddered.... I mean uttered one complaint. Why would she? This is her. This is her life. She is true to herself. 

I was inspired not for the first time tonight again as I read Kies' facebook post:
"Why do you "farm" people ask me, "If the future is so bleak? Why keep on losing money when another job you can seek? You've got a choice to make a change, why do you stick it out? We just don't understand your mess and what's the fuss about?" I look at them they'll never know, nor will they understand. The joy, the pride, the peace I feel when standing on this land. I took this picture this morning after milking was done, sunrise over the cows and the barn just melts my heart. This dairy farm runs through my blood and I won't give it up for anything!"

You go Kies! You are an inspiration and impossible not to love!

I am a Putnamaniac that thinks Kies Orr is pretty much amazing! 

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