PAWS!

Northeast CT has lots of paws, as I am sure a lot of areas do.

Stray cats multiply like crazy.

We've got another kind of PAWS here in Northeast, CT, too.

PAWS is Pound Animals Worth Saving.

They work hard to find good homes for way too many cats. 
They do it with way too much of their own time and money. 
An easy way to contribute is to bring your returnable bottles and cans to their drop off boxes (they are all over town - in front of WINY Radio, Putnam Supermarket, corner of Grove & Perry Streets, etc). If you know of somewhere else that they can place a bin, contact them (maybe your apartment complex, work place...).

The shelter is located at Windy Acres Florist, 244 Route 171 in Woodstock, Connecticut. We have adoption hours from 11 to 3 P.M. on Saturday and we can arrange for other times during the week.  For an adoption application email Lydia@paws-ct.org

They need more foster homes and also more volunteers to help at the shelter, so if you’re able to help even a few hours a week, contact Kathy at Windy Acres at 860-928-0554 or Lydia at 860-480-1104.

I am a Putnamaniac because some people have made PAWS their cause!

Have you ever actually gone into a food bank?

We all hear about food banks, and we donate to them, too.

It gives us a nice warm, fuzzy feeling, and it is the right thing to do if we can donate, even just a little.

When lots of people chip in a little, it all adds up.

But... have you ever gone into a food bank?

People of all ages are in there asking for help. I am sure it is not easy for most of them.

It is an eye opener.


It sure does make me thankful for my life so far.

I am glad food banks, like the Daily Bread in Putnam, are available for those who have times of need.

Always chip in to your community when you can, in any way you can, since you never know if you may be on the other side of the fence and need help yourself.

I am a Putnamaniac because bringing in donations to the Daily Bread Food Bank opens my eyes, and I am proud it serves so many!

Random fun things in Putnamania!

Some of the odd and random things that I love about Putnamania:

People use the buttons on the stop lights for crossing the streets. They don't just run out in front of you.

People are friendly and take a moment to smile and say hi!

WINY Radio - positive local radio with everyone there is just as hyper and excited about life as me - well...probably more, and they love BARRY MANILOW, too!

We have Manny Quin, the best mannequin police officer in the world! He even has his own facebook page!

We have awesome waterfalls!

I could go on and on and on!

But you know I will, every single day!

I am a Putnamaniac because there are tons of random fun things here!

Victoria Station, a cozy place to visit with friends!

There is a great little place in downtown Putnamania, Victoria Station.

It is actually not "little" at all, it is very large, but so very cozy and comfy.

It reminds me of the coffee place on the old tv show, Friends, where all the friends used to hang out.

There is seating all over the place, so you can grab a treat, some coffee or hot chocolate, and sit a spell.

It was nice to relax during this busy time of year with some good friends, so stop in there and visit soon, or at any time of year.

Victoria Station offers much more, such as rooms to hold your special functions.

Check them out, and watch out.... if you visit Putnam often, you will soon become a Putnamaniac, too!

I am a Putnamaniac because I can meet and visit with my friends at great places like Victoria Station!

Annie! Enough said!

I love theater - especially musicals! Probably because I can't sing or dance worth a hoot, but love to try anyways!

Putnamania is lucky to have two local theaters; the Black Box Theater and the Bradley Playhouse, too.

The last show of the 2011 Season at the Bradley was Annie, and I was front and center, surrounded by some good imported RI friends, including twin sisters I have known since the day they were born (one on my lap the whole time, and the other who lost a tooth during the show), and their beautiful Mom & Dad, as well as one of my best buds of all time!

Nothing is better than going to a show a mile away from your home on a bright sunny day just before the holidays, with some great people you have loved for a major part of your life.

Be sure to get out and enjoy some fun times with the ones you love, all year long!

And remember, You are never fully dressed without a smile. 
Check out this song, one that you don't hear every day from Annie.

I am a Putnamaniac who always dresses fully, including my smile!

Cookie swap food drive is a success!

I had this idea.

I get lots of ideas.

Sometimes they are good ideas. This one was good!

I invited all my fellow condo-ers over today for a  cookie party.
I just asked them to bring something for the food or diaper bank in exchange for a plate of homemade cookies.

SUCCESS!!! People are so good!

Take a look pre-party:

And here is an after party look:

Some fine fellow condo Putnamaniacs took the time to visit and give of themselves today!

EXCELLENT DAY!

I am a Putnamaniac because I am always astonished by the generosity of average every day folks who are in this area!

Farmer Nubbins visits Putnamania and tells a little story!

 This Putnamaniac had a crazy, animal filled household growing up. I did not always think it was so entertaining growing up, but since then I realize it was quite entertaining. I created Farmer Nubbins, who is a child friendly version of my father. Here is one of my favorite memories and Farmer Nubbins' stories.

 Farmer Nubbins’s Whistling Pigs

Have you ever heard a whistling sound
coming from a pig?

Guinea Pigs whistle loudly even though
they aren’t very big.

Farmer Nubbins learned how loud his
Guinea pigs could whistle one day,
when they escaped from their cage and
tried to run away.

The noise began when Farmer Nubbins
opened his door.
He had just gotten back from the Guinea Pig Store.

“Wheet-Wheet, Wheet-Wheet” was all
Farmer Nubbins could hear.
It was so loud, he had to cover his ears.
“How on earth can I catch these escaped whistling pets?”
“Shall I try to scoop them up with my net?”

Farmer Nubbins didn’t have good luck with the net at all.
It made the pigs whistle louder and
caused Farmer Nubbins to fall.

“Wheet-Wheet, Wheet-Wheet” the guinea pigs squealed.
“We would love to be outside running around in the field!”

Farmer Nubbins thought maybe he could catch
these fast pigs in his sack.
He got up from the floor, where he had
fallen on his back.

Farmer Nubbins dumped all the guinea pig
treats onto the floor.
Now he had a sack ready for this tricky chore.

”Wheet-Wheet, Wheet-Wheet” whistled the pigs with delight.
“We’re hungry, and we haven’t eaten since last night!”

As Farmer Nubbins figured out how to
catch the whistlers in his sack,
they all tip-toed over to the pile of treats for a snack.

The guinea pigs gobbled the treats,
as Farmer Nubbins set his trap.
But the pigs ate so much, they soon needed a nap.

Imagine Farmer Nubbins’s surprise
when he turned around with a smile and saw
those whistlers asleep in a big pig pile!

Now that the pigs were so fast asleep,
Farmer Nubbins could catch them all
without making a peep.

He moved the snoring pigs one at a time,
not taking too long,
and he got them all back safe in their cage where they belong.

Over the years the whistling pigs did get loose every now and then,
But now Farmer Nubbins knew the secret of getting them back into their pen!

Story notes:
This story is based on a true story of Guinea Pigs getting loose in the Dawley basement and evading capture for many weeks. Every time the basement door would open, you would hear that piercing “Wheet - Wheet” whistling as it echoed throughout the “Dawleyville” house! We all still laugh at this “Farmer Nubbins” story to this day at family gatherings. February 2006

 I am a Putnamaniac that loves when good old Farmer Nubbins comes to visit in my stories!