UPS, Fedex, Postal Service. They are in the delivery business.
Packages filled with gifts, flowers, foods, shot puts...I'm sure you've gotten all sorts of things delivered by these fine folks.
Today in Putnam, a UPS man delivered kindness and a helping hand.
An older woman was struggling on the side of the road, trying to get something into her car.
The big brown trucked pulled right over, UPS guy jumps out, hoists whatever it was into her back seat, hops back in his truck and was on his way.
The woman stood there looking at the truck with her mouth agape, then a big smile took over. A big, ear to ear smile that makes you smile right along with her.
Who says there are no more nights in shining armor (or at least in a brown shirt and shorts)???
I am a Putnamaniac thanks to the UPS man who delivered more than packages today!
Friday, October 8, 2010
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Rudy Pauls is the best loser!
Recently I saw an ad in the local newspaper that Rudy Pauls, runner up from a recent season of the Biggest Loser show would be speaking at the Putnam Middle School. How convenient. That is about 1 mile from my home.
My momma is a huge fan of that show. She fills me in on the details of each season. I can't watch it since it makes me cry whenever I attempt to sit through an episode.
We planned a night of it! Mom would come up, we'd have our nice sensible dinner, then go hear Rudy speak, and end it with a pajama party.
Now frankly, I do a lot of things with my mom because I know it will make her happy. She is easy to please. I could offer to take her to the dump to watch the seagulls, and she'd love it! It is that easy. So basically, I was along for the ride. I thought it'd be interesting, but it was FABULOUS! It was INSPIRING!
Kudos to someone who made a life changing decision to have a better, healthy life for himself and his family. Not only did he succeed, but he is willing to share, honestly, in order to inspire perhaps even one person.
My momma is a huge fan of that show. She fills me in on the details of each season. I can't watch it since it makes me cry whenever I attempt to sit through an episode.
We planned a night of it! Mom would come up, we'd have our nice sensible dinner, then go hear Rudy speak, and end it with a pajama party.
Now frankly, I do a lot of things with my mom because I know it will make her happy. She is easy to please. I could offer to take her to the dump to watch the seagulls, and she'd love it! It is that easy. So basically, I was along for the ride. I thought it'd be interesting, but it was FABULOUS! It was INSPIRING!
Kudos to someone who made a life changing decision to have a better, healthy life for himself and his family. Not only did he succeed, but he is willing to share, honestly, in order to inspire perhaps even one person.
I am a Putnamaniac thanks to having big losers like Rudy Pauls live, work, and speak in the Quiet Corner!
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Smell those falling leaves
Fall always has me conflicted. What about you?
On one hand, I love the cool, refreshing nights...
On the other hand, I hate that the days are getting so much shorter - waking up in the dark, getting home in the dark...
On the other hand, there is a new sharp clarity to the colors that surround us...
On the other hand, the gardens are winding down, and getting ready for a long winter's nap...
On the other hand, Pats football games and homemade soups rule the households on Sunday...
On the other hand, there are no more River Fires or outdoor concerts until next summer...
On the other hand, it is so nice to snuggle down deep under the comforter every night...
On the other hand, one knows these things can only lead to the dreary days of winter.
Apparently this Putnamaniac has become an octopus for this blog and I now have run out of hands.
Tomorrow, go right out and take a deep breath. Smell the outdoors, the cooling earth, the falling leaves. It is really one of the best things about New England. Take a big sniff.....ahhhhhh....... you know that smell - those crispy leaves as they crunch under your feet. That is a great smell!
I am a Putnamaniac thanks to the great smell of falling leaves!
On one hand, I love the cool, refreshing nights...
On the other hand, I hate that the days are getting so much shorter - waking up in the dark, getting home in the dark...
On the other hand, there is a new sharp clarity to the colors that surround us...
On the other hand, the gardens are winding down, and getting ready for a long winter's nap...
On the other hand, Pats football games and homemade soups rule the households on Sunday...
On the other hand, there are no more River Fires or outdoor concerts until next summer...
On the other hand, it is so nice to snuggle down deep under the comforter every night...
On the other hand, one knows these things can only lead to the dreary days of winter.
Apparently this Putnamaniac has become an octopus for this blog and I now have run out of hands.
Tomorrow, go right out and take a deep breath. Smell the outdoors, the cooling earth, the falling leaves. It is really one of the best things about New England. Take a big sniff.....ahhhhhh....... you know that smell - those crispy leaves as they crunch under your feet. That is a great smell!
I am a Putnamaniac thanks to the great smell of falling leaves!
Monday, October 4, 2010
A Plethora of Waterfalls
Are you lucky enough to have a waterfall in your town? I am!
Are you lucky enough to have many waterfalls in your town? I am!
I can think of 3 right off the bat...
*Cargill Falls by WINY Radio on Rt 44
*The falls by the Putnam WPCA building on Peake Brook Road
*The falls behind Rhodes & Nightingale Mills (seen from Bridge Street, and starring in this picture)
Are you lucky enough to have many waterfalls in your town? I am!
I can think of 3 right off the bat...
*Cargill Falls by WINY Radio on Rt 44
*The falls by the Putnam WPCA building on Peake Brook Road
*The falls behind Rhodes & Nightingale Mills (seen from Bridge Street, and starring in this picture)
Most days I am lucky enough to see at least one of the falls.
Other days I am really lucky, and see them all, a few times!
On windy days, the spray mists your windshield as you sit at the red light.
After heavy rains, they are loud and furious...and mesmerizing.
People stop on the bridge and enjoy them all the time. I am in that fan club myself.
I am one lucky Putnamaniac thanks to the plethora of waterfalls in town!
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Sunsets painted on the canvas of The Quiet Corner
Red sky at night.... You've heard that old saying, right?
Tonight it was red sky extraordinaire! It was also pink sky, lavender sky, purple sky, red sky, orange sky. Not as fancy sounding as some of the crayola colors, but still a big WOW to the eye balls!
Driving from RI to CT I started to glimpse hints of the glorious sunset that was in the works.
Passing bodies of water with colorful reflections in them should have caused distracted motorists to crash. Luckily we are trained 24/7 at multi-tasking, so it was easy to enjoy the views and not crash into another car.
At the top of a big hill on Rt 101, an older gentleman stood at the end of his driveway, arms crossed, and just gazed at Mother Nature's work.
Going down that hill, my phone rang. It was my neighbors. They wanted to know if I was home. I know them well enough to know they enjoy the finer things and are always willing to share with me.
"Are you calling about the sunset?" I asked.
"YES!" they repied.
They wanted to make sure I didn't miss the remarkable, fleeting beauty of the moment. How nice is that?
I hope you enjoyed a sunset as perfect as I did today. But if you didn't, close your eyes, and think back to one you have witnessed. I'll bet it is every bit as nice. No picture can replace the paintings on the canvas of your memories.
I am a Putnamaniac thanks to neighbors who will share sunsets with me, even from miles away!
Tonight it was red sky extraordinaire! It was also pink sky, lavender sky, purple sky, red sky, orange sky. Not as fancy sounding as some of the crayola colors, but still a big WOW to the eye balls!
Driving from RI to CT I started to glimpse hints of the glorious sunset that was in the works.
Passing bodies of water with colorful reflections in them should have caused distracted motorists to crash. Luckily we are trained 24/7 at multi-tasking, so it was easy to enjoy the views and not crash into another car.
At the top of a big hill on Rt 101, an older gentleman stood at the end of his driveway, arms crossed, and just gazed at Mother Nature's work.
Going down that hill, my phone rang. It was my neighbors. They wanted to know if I was home. I know them well enough to know they enjoy the finer things and are always willing to share with me.
"Are you calling about the sunset?" I asked.
"YES!" they repied.
They wanted to make sure I didn't miss the remarkable, fleeting beauty of the moment. How nice is that?
I hope you enjoyed a sunset as perfect as I did today. But if you didn't, close your eyes, and think back to one you have witnessed. I'll bet it is every bit as nice. No picture can replace the paintings on the canvas of your memories.
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Just Ducky
GORGEOUS DAY!! After a few days of rain, heavy rain, which we needed, the rivers seemed a little fuller.
How can I tell??
Easy.
While jogging I could hear the river running as I loped along beside it. I haven't heard that sound in a while.
When I got home, I opened the porch windows, and hear two loud "KA-SPLASH"es in the river behind my house. Figuring some kids on the other side must be chucking some huge rocks in, I went to take a peek. It was then that I heard a bunch of splashing and the good old "quackkkkk, quackkkkkk" of a family of mallard ducks. They were quite happy to have water in that river again! Last week they would have been up to their webbed feet and duck knees in mud if they landed in that spot!
I am a Putnamaniac when everything is just ducky in the rivers!
How can I tell??
Easy.
While jogging I could hear the river running as I loped along beside it. I haven't heard that sound in a while.
When I got home, I opened the porch windows, and hear two loud "KA-SPLASH"es in the river behind my house. Figuring some kids on the other side must be chucking some huge rocks in, I went to take a peek. It was then that I heard a bunch of splashing and the good old "quackkkkk, quackkkkkk" of a family of mallard ducks. They were quite happy to have water in that river again! Last week they would have been up to their webbed feet and duck knees in mud if they landed in that spot!
I am a Putnamaniac when everything is just ducky in the rivers!
Friday, October 1, 2010
Walks in the Rain...
Today's best uplifting sight in Putnam was on the River Walk.
Rain has been falling, if not pummeling us all day, along with very high winds, as we catch the tail end of some tropical storm barreling up the coast. Fine. We really need the rain after a very dry summer. Time to replenish. No one was complaining. Yet not a good day for outdoor activities.
As the end of the day arrived, the rain weakened into some big drops, and some drizzle, with occasional dry moments.
As I drove by the River Walk, and elderly lady was walking, with her gigantic ear phones, and an umbrella in hand....just in case. New Englanders like to be prepared. She was strolling along with such an absolute look of contentment on her face.
My hopes are that some day 20+ years from now, someone will drive past me as I am walking those same steps with a big smile on my face.
I am a Putnamaniac thanks to pleasant walks (and walkers) in the rain!
Rain has been falling, if not pummeling us all day, along with very high winds, as we catch the tail end of some tropical storm barreling up the coast. Fine. We really need the rain after a very dry summer. Time to replenish. No one was complaining. Yet not a good day for outdoor activities.
As the end of the day arrived, the rain weakened into some big drops, and some drizzle, with occasional dry moments.
As I drove by the River Walk, and elderly lady was walking, with her gigantic ear phones, and an umbrella in hand....just in case. New Englanders like to be prepared. She was strolling along with such an absolute look of contentment on her face.
My hopes are that some day 20+ years from now, someone will drive past me as I am walking those same steps with a big smile on my face.
I am a Putnamaniac thanks to pleasant walks (and walkers) in the rain!
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