4H camp time of year! We have one right here in Northeast CT!

Did you get to go to a camp when you were a kid?

I did! Girl Scout Camp Hoffman in RI is where I experienced a lot of fun!

Right here in Northeast CT we are lucky to have the Windham/Tolland 4H camp.

The camp is holding a Free Open House this weekend so you can see what it is all about:
Saturday June 1st and Sunday June 2nd, 2013 from 2-4 pm.

The Windham/Tolland 4H camp is wildly popular and offers both day camp and sleep over camping opportunities.

The list of activities is endless and makes me wish I were a kid again so I could attend!

You can "like" the Windham/Tolland 4H camp on facebook and keep up to date with all the doings.

I am a Putnamaniac that loved to go to camp as a kid!

Putnamaniac Activity Calendar

Pops in the Park with Putnam High School Band tonight!

Nothing to do tonight?

Feeling like you need to get outside as much as you can at this time of year?

Like toe-tapping tunes?

Head out to Rotary Park (Kennedy Drive in Putnam) for the final Putnam High School Band Concert of the year!

The "Pops" themed concert start at 6:30 pm.

Be there, tap your toes, and don't forget to cheer on the talented youth of our community!

I am a Putnamaniac that enjoys the Putnam HS Band!

Putnamaniac Activity Calendar ~ Summer fun!

You Can't Take it With You ~ but you can certainly enjoy it ~at the Bradley Playhouse!

Next up at the Bradley Playhouse is You Can't Take it With You!

This will be the first time I've seen it, and since I am smart enough to volunteer at the Bradley, I will get to see it a few times!

Here is the synopsis according to the Bradley Playhouse's website:
"This madcap comedy will keep you on your toes as you try and keep up with the zany doings at the Sycamore household. Alice Sycamore falls in love with Tony Kirby and invites his parents to dine on an inappropriate evening. The happy madness of the Sycamore clan and their acquaintances does not sit well with the stuffy Kirbys, and marriage seems out of the question. Ex-Duchesses, fireworks manufacturing, a printing press, and an income tax collector add to the mix resulting in an evening of laughter."

A season ticket to the Bradley works for me. It ensures that I will not miss out on a show ~ I look forward to them all!

If you have never been or have not been in a while, give yourself a treat and head to downtown Putnam to see You Can't Take it With You. You will walk out quite satisfied and feeling full of fun!

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

I am a Putnamaniac that loves The Bradley Playhouse, and although I can't take it with me, I am happy to go there as often as possible!

Putnamaniac Activity Calendar

Not learning to fly... Learned to fly!

As mentioned in the past, I stop at the Windham Airport to jog on my way home from work. I love to see the small planes landing and taking off. They literally come in right beside you, if you are at that part of the path.

Awesome.

Every single time I am there, and see those planes, I think of my friend, Kyle.


Kyle is less than half my age, and has always been a hard worker and all around good guy since he was quite young.

He wanted to learn to fly, and he did.

Kyle started taking lessons, and now has his Commercial Pilots Certificate.

This was a recent post on Horizon Aviation's facebook page:
“I am learning to fly because it is something that I have always wanted
to do, but I thought it would always be out of reach. I assumed if I wanted to learn to fly I would need to go to some far away college, where the costs would far out way the benefits. However, during one of my college classes a student told me that Horizon Aviation existed right at T.F. Green, in Providence, Rhode Island. So, I checked out the website and spent some time thinking about whether or not to call. I eventually did call and set up an Airman’s flight and after that flight I was hooked and knew I wanted to make a career in Aviation.” Kyle Schnaible just finished earning his Commercial Pilots Certificate with us and is now going a step further and is about to earn his Certified Flight Instructors certificate. Awesome job Kyle.

How awesome is it while I am spending some quality time jogging with myself, I get to think of how proud I am of Kyle and his accomplishments, while singing Tom Petty's Learning to Fly in my head!

It is exceptionally awesome! 

I am a Putnamaniac that is very proud of my friend, Kyle, that learned to fly!

Putnamaniac Activity Calendar

  

Giant Jenga - a few blocks of wood can create a lot of silly fun!

Our family knows how to have silly, simple, cheap fun.

With the guidance of our momma, we've used our imaginations for years, since money was scarce back in the day.

Although we have all surpassed our childhood imaginations in providing good lives for ourselves, we continue the silly, simple, cheap fun.

Witness the family Memorial Day cookout.  Mom got her friend to cut up a bunch of blocks of wood, and voila ~ we had a gigantic jenga game! 3 teams of 3 removed and stacked... for a long time... much longer than any of us expected ~ until the tower fell!

The classic example of bringing home a big box for a kid to play with. That is all we really need, isn't it?

Go have some simple, silly, and cheap fun today!

I am a Putnamaniac that loves simple, silly, and cheap fun!

Putnamaniac Activity Calendar

Let the parties begin in Putnam ~ with the flags flying high along the streets!

Tonight when I pulled into town, the flags were up and flying high on the poles in town.

Glorious!!!

And so starts the summer party season in perfect Putnam (which I am quite in love with if you hadn't noticed).

Big WINY Radio birthday bash Sunday night in Rotary Park - FREE concert with the M-80 band - FREE cupcakes - FREE friendship and smiles!

Monday morning is Putnam's Memorial Day parade which will undoubtedly bring tears to my eyes, repeatedly. There are some mighty fine veterans here in Putnam, and everywhere. I am thankful for what they gave up of themselves for my comfort today.

It took me approximately 45 years to find my home sweet home, and now that I am here, you will never get me to leave. If you don't live in a community such as mine, you might not know what I am talking about, but you are surely welcome here anytime!

I am a Putnamaniac that is ready for our summer fun to begin!

Putnamaniac Activity Calendar

DKH = Day Kimball Hospital = Fabulous First Visit for me!

I went to Day Kimball Hospital for the first time yesterday morning for the usual woman type test.

Color me tickled pink by their "service".

Approximately 12 minutes passed from the time I arrived/parked and then drove back out of the parking lot.

The greeter was friendly and efficient. The ladies doing the paperwork were friendly and efficient. The woman that administered the test was friendly and efficient.

I mean, I did not get to look at more than 2 pages of People Magazine!

What a wonderful experience.

Although I hope to continue on my path of good health and not need a hospital visit, ever (knock on wood, fingers crossed and all that jazz), I am very happy to know that Day Kimball Hospital is only a mile or so away.

I am a Putnamaniac that was very impressed with Day Kimball Hospital and all their staff!

Putnamaniac Activity Calendar

Risk taker or Non-Risk taker??? Which are you?

I am pretty much a wuss.

Therefore, I am a Non-risk taker.

I get no rush from pushing the limit. Two feet safely on the ground makes me pretty happy.

I know this is not the case for everyone.

Yesterday afternoon I stopped for my usual jog after work, even though the weather report was not the best, but since I had brought my shorts and changed into them, of course I had to jog.

The skies were dark in the distance and closing in. Thunder could be seen from a few directions. Lightning could be seen from those same directions.

I went as fast as I could go since I didn't want to be stuck out in a thunder storm! I was scared!

As I was almost back to my car, others were just headed out, strolling along with no sense of urgency. They are the risk takers!

Which way do you live?

I am a Putnamaniac that is not a risk taker!

Putnamaniac Activity Calendar

Someplace Special really is SPECIAL!

Putnam (and Putnamaniacs) are so lucky to have so many good places to go out to eat.

Many of them have outdoor seating for when the weather is just perfect... like this time of year.

One of my many favorites in Someplace Special, and yes, they do have outdoor seating. 

The food has always been great, and the staff is outstanding as well.

If you have never visited downtown Putnam, check it out. If you have visited downtown Putnam, you know it is really Someplace Special!

I am a Putnamaniac because Putnam really is Someplace Special!

Putnamaniac Activity Calendar

 

Motorcycle Love! You surely have seen this!

Surely you have seen what I see often, as recently as this morning...

...A motorcycle parked and the rider (or riders) standing beside it, looking at in lovingly, and simply admiring the heck out of it.

I am not a motorcycle person, but I sure do appreciate the love the bikers have for their bikes.

That is a great thing about life. You can find what you love, get it, and stand back and admire it. Whether it be a garden, a car, a flag, a book, a business... whatever. Find your passion.

 I am a Putnamaniac that loves to see the bikers admire their bikes, and people find whatever passion is them!

Putnamaniac Activity Calendar

Marcy T-Rex shadows!

Shadows can be so interesting and artistic... and sometimes scary!

I love when your shadow is really tall and long!

I don't like it so much when it is short and squat.

Today as I was jogging after work, my shadow looked like a Marcy T-Rex! No lies! I had a very big bottom, very small top, and the way my arms & hands were looked just like a T-Rex.

If you are wondering if I had a fun run after work tonight, the answer is YES!

I am a Putnamaniac that had a T-Rex shadow running with me tonight!

Putnamaniac Activity Calendar

Tonight is the year's Willimantic Third Thursday kickoff ~ I'll be there with The Last Green Valley!

Last year was the first time I'd been to the monthly Third Thursday Street Fests in Willimantic, CT.

WOW!

They shut down the main road in town and load it up with vendors, food, music, art, and FUN!

Click here to see all the details and schedule on the Third Thursday's website. 

Since I volunteer at the fest for The Last Green Valley, I get to go to this street fest every month ~ which is held on the Third Thursday of each month ~ hence the fest's name.

If you are looking for something to do this summer, on a Thursday night, take a ride to Willimantic. You will be amazed and entertained at their Third Thursdays!

Be sure to find me at The Last Green Valley's display. I am not only a volunteer Ranger, but I am also a member. The Last Green Valley is a valuable and inexpensive member supported organization. The Last Green Valley works tirelessly to support, promote and protect the irreplaceable land, air & water in our 35 town area, designated as a National Heritage Corridor. I encourage you to become a member of The Last Green Valley.

I am a Putnamaniac that loves to volunteer for The Last Green Valley at Willimantic Third Thursday Street Fests!

Putnamaniac Activity Calendar ~ for summer fun in NECT!

This is going to sound so simple and stupid, but it is feeling so true!

I try, with relative ease, to find something positive and/or to be thankful for every day.

Today presented me with quite a few nice things.

However, I am so pooped out, that the thing I am most thankful for tonight (and every day... and night) is my comfy home, particularly my bedroom, and most specifically right now, my bed!

This sounds so simple, and perhaps stupid, but I live in a beautiful, quiet, peaceful condo.

The river rolls by out back.

That is all I hear when I get in bed.

How perfect is that? I treasure it, and am so thankful for the simple comforts that I work so hard to have.

Nighty, night. I hope you have such a fine thing to look forward to at the end of the day.

I am a Putnamaniac that is happy to have a comfy home and bed!

 Putnamaniac Activity Calendar - filling up with fun summer events!

Don't spit into the wind ~ or throw rocks!

I've spit into the wind a few times in my day.

The repercussions are not good. Lots of times that spit flies right back and lands on you. Eweeeee!

Today while I was jogging into the wind, but not spitting into it, I came across some young teen girls, trying their darndest to throw rocks down into the water... straight into the very strong wind.

The rocks were not going far.

The girls were getting frustrated, but couldn't seem to figure out why the rocks weren't flying that far.

Really???

I slowed down and let them know if they went up around the corner. where the wind would be blowing with them, the rocks would really fly. They did it. They had much more fun.

I'm willing to bet it takes them a few times to figure out not to spit into the wind.

After this jogging and thinking session, you know what song was playing in my mind....
Jim Croce's "You don't mess around with Jim".  Enjoy!

I am a Putnamaniac that tries not to spit into the wind (and onto herself)!

Putnamaniac Activity Calendar

Hello Life, slow down ~ you move too fast!

I would like life to take note, and slow down!!!

It just feels like every day goes by a little too fast for me. I figure I need about 127 more years to get everything done that I want to do!

When I was a kid, it seemed that you always wanted time to go by... and some thing you were waiting for would take forever to arrive... for example, waiting for summer vacation so you could play all day, waiting for the next school year to start so you could see if your brain still functioned & what cute boys were in your class, waiting for Christmas Eve and the anticipation of Santa's arrival, waiting to turn 16 so you could get your driver's license...

 Here is a picture of me & Skee with Poppa Dawley after seeing Santa had arrived ~ finally! Proof that life does go by too fast...

All those years ago, my grandmother told me that someday soon time would go by much too quickly. I'm not sure exactly when this happened, but it did happen, and it was a long time ago. I want life to slow down, it goes too fast, I want to make the mornings last!

Which brings us to a great classic video of Simon & Garfunkle... look how young they were when they performed this song, Feeling Groovy.

I am a Putnamaniac that wants life to slow down, I gotta lot more fun to get in!

Putnamaniac Activity Calendar

M - O - T - H - E - R ~ what does this mean to you?

M = marvelous, magnificent, magical, motivating

O = outstanding, observant, offbeat, optimistic

T = terrific, talented, thoughtful, trustworthy

H = heart warming, heavenly, handy, happy, healthy

E = energetic, easy going, entertaining, excited

R = radiant, reassuring, reliable, remarkable

Since Mothers Day is this Sunday, May 12th, 2013, I thought up a few adjectives that describe my unique and fantastic mother!

Here is a shot of my momma on one of her adventures...

I remember watching the show Nova on PBS many years ago, and it was about conception and birth. How stinking amazing is it that a tiny sperm reaches a tiny egg, fertilizes it, and somehow that thing so tiny you can't even see it develops into you and me. Then you Mothers have this little creature for the rest of your days ~ because no matter how old one is, your mother will always be your mother. All this blows my mind!

What do you say about your momma or a woman you may be close to?

Think of some nice adjectives and let her know just how you feel.

I am a Putnamaniac that loves my amazing M-O-T-H-E-R!

Putnamaniac Activity Calendar

Feel good story of the day ~ my neighbor is coming home from rehab ~ on her 91st birthday!

My next door neighbor fell and hurt her ankle during the last bad snowstorm.

That seems like a million years ago now that the good weather is with us (how easily we forget).

I am sure it seems even longer to my neighbor as she has been in a rehab facility since then, working to strengthen herself enough to come back home.

The good news is that tomorrow is the day she is released! And it is her 91st birthday.

How can you beat that??

I have a balloon, card and plant ~ as well as my lovely rendition of Happy Birthday ~ ready for her tomorrow!

 I am a Putnamaniac that is thrilled my neighbor is coming home for her 91st birthday!

Putnamaniac Activity Calendar

Did you march in Memorial Day parades when you were a kid? I did!

When I was a kid, I marched with the brownies and girl scouts in the Memorial Day town parade, held in Wickford, RI.

We practiced forever! Of course you know I was very nervous about marching wrong... not sure what I thought the repercussions would be for bad marching, but I didn't want to find out.

Inevitably it was a freezing cold and rainy day, but we marched our best! And even with all the worrying, it was fun!

The family tradition carried on. Here is a picture of my brother, Si, the one with the big drum, marching with the Davisville Middle School band ~ approximately 1984. I made the little cut out musical note to add to my photo album all those years ago.

As Memorial Day approaches, I look forward to the parade. Putnam's will be held Monday, May 27, starting at 10am. It will make me cry numerous times, for numerous reasons.... memories, thankfulness, appreciation....

Did you march in the parade? Do you still go and enjoy them?

 I am a Putnamaniac, a former marcher, and a current Memorial Day Parade lover!

Putnamaniac Activity Calendar

 

I know what some people were doing during Hurricane Sandy ~ Have you noticed tons of pregnant gals lately?

Since we have survived the winter and are now enjoying a most beautiful spring in New England, it is easy to forget about the wrath of Hurricane Sandy back last October (2012) ~ especially if you were not totally devastated by it.

However, I think I know what some folks may have been up to during those days without power, and therefore tv, radio, computers, lights....

In the past week I have seen at least a dozen pregnant ladies ~ looking to have a beautiful bouncing baby within the next month or so.

Do the math. It adds up!

And I think it is no coincidence that the aerial view of a hurricane looks just like the uterine scan pictures that soon to be moms show me of their unborn baby. Right???

 Take a look around and see if you see a lot of expectant moms glowing from head to toe!

I am a Putnamaniac that knows what some folks were up to during Hurricane Sandy!

Putnamaniac Activity Calendar

It is all in your perspective... Is the glass half full ~ or half empty?

Everyone has heard the old expression about looking at the glass being half full or half empty.

It is all about your perspective of things.

Lots of things are this way, and you can look at them any way you choose. That is one thing we still all have control over ~ our thoughts and feelings.

Tonight as I was jogging, in my slow jogging style, I passed some walkers on the path. As I passed, I overheard them say "Someday we will be able to run like that."

Well, that is about the first time that my slow jogging has been categorized as running, but it was all in their perspective!  I am glad that they are positive about their fitness goals, and YES, they can do it! Someday they will be running if they stick to it, and work at it every day.

I am a Putnamaniac that is a glass half full person and no one is taking that away from me!

Putnamaniac Activity Calendar

Turtle, turtle time!

As reported previously on many occasions, I have admitted to being a slogger (slow jogger) that loves to check out the scenery and do some serious thinking while pounding the pavement.

This morning was truly delightful and a perfect example of why I love to slog (slow jog) along.

As I crawled along side the Little River in Woodstock and Putnam, I saw about 264 turtles (no exaggeration) out sunning themselves on the rocks in the river.

It was awesome! I love to see that sort of thing, and I am not too sure why such things make me happy, but they sure do!

I hope you saw some something ~ anything ~ equally delightful today, and every day.

Look and you will find it!

I am a Putnamaniac that was happy to have some turtle, turtle time today!

Putnamaniac Activity Calendar

There is a new flag a flying in the neighborhood!

Living in a condo comes with lots of rules and regulations.

It is all for the common good, though, and certainly keeps property values up, so even though I don't like to squash individuality, I comply.

We are allowed to buy (at a hefty overinflated price) an American flag from the condo association, and they install them for us ~ all the exact same flags and poles, installed in all the same spots by each door, for consistency and neatness.

Not everyone has chosen to have a flag. I myself fought the huge desire to get one for a couple of years because of that "frugalness" embedded in me. Finally I gave in. I could no longer resist the grand old flag. My flag proudly flies when the weather allows.

A very sweet flag loving couple, who are my neighbors, were in the vessel "SS Frugal" with me. Of course they want a flag, but it just seemed silly to pay what was being asked. Being level headed New Englanders, they resisted.

However, my neighbor is an armed forces veteran. Every veteran should have a flag to fly, don't you think? I do.

Today, they are proudly flying their new flag!

If you can think of some nice surprise or treat to get for someone you love, you should do it! It doesn't even have to be something that costs money. Listen to what people say and act on it once in a while.

I am a Putnamaniac that loves the new flag flying in our neighborhood!

Putnamaniac Activity Calendar

Sure I learned how to fly ~ over the handlebars of a bike years ago!

Pretty surely my name is not Grace.

In fact, I'm sort of klutzy.

Prime example:

Years ago I saved and saved and babysat and saved and babysat, until I had enough money to buy a brand spanking new 10 speed bike. Those were just coming into vogue back then. If you come from RI, you might remember the little Benny's store in downtown East Greenwich.  ~not the big, new fancy once, but the little one right downtown. That is where I got my wheels.

Promptly I rode it down to the elementary school, where my much younger sister was just finishing up a grueling day of kindergarten. I plopped her on the crossbar, carefully wrapped an arm around her, and off we went.

The glitch was her umbrella was swinging over one of those twirly handbar ends, got stuck in one of the front spokes, and flipped us right up and over into the street.

I landed first and was knocked out cold.

My sister landed on top of me, got up and walked the rest of the way home.

I came to as a neighborhood friend going by dragged me out of the street. I picked up my glasses from the middle of the road and looked around for my sister. I figured they must have hauled her off in the ambulance. I would never forgive myself.

In the meantime, I was feeling a little woozy myself. I'd hit so hard I even formed scabs inside my ears! But I made it home, and my mom put me to bed.

Every time I woke up, I asked where my sister was. I was sure they were hiding the worst from me. As it turns out, she was outside playing, having fun!

So, indeed, I did learn how to fly, even if it was just over my handlebars. I also learned to be a bit more respectful of bikes! Perhaps that is why I prefer a nice jog, because now when I trip and fall, the pain is still considerably less than an air flight crash landing!

I am a Putnamaniac and an ungraceful flier! 

Putnamaniac Activity Calendar

Note-aholics UNITE!

Are you a fan of notes?

Baby, I am!

I have paper & pen ~ and therefore notes ~ in my car, beside my bed, in the kitchen, by my desks (at home & work).

I even take a pen to the bathroom with me (at home & work), because you just never know when a thought will strike you!

Maybe not so oddly enough, all of my friends are like this, too.

We have a lot to get done, and do not want to miss out on anything. We feel a sense of accomplishment when the items/activities are crossed off the list, and even more so when the list is complete!

Sure, it is easy to make fun of us "Note-aholics" if you are not one, but you gotta notice how much we get done!

I am a Putnamaniac and also a Note-aholic!

Putnamaniac Activity Calendar