Now that I am working 2nd shift, and since I am not a late night person, I really love and appreciate my nights off. I have tonight off! Hence my excitement!!
A trek to the library and a new book brightened this evening even more!
Next was a trip to the grocery store, and while I was looking into all the surly shoppers' eyes, I was beaming! I have the night off! I am happy to stand in line at 5pm on a Thursday night!
Stepping out into the parking lot, the sky was dusky and gorgeous...that blue at the top, purple in the middle, and red/orange/yellow at the horizon kind of sky... The lights of town were twinkling, as well as the holiday lights in the park. The ducks were flying over the river, trying to decide if they should touch down or not. The piles of snow and their melty trails were starting to freeze up as Mr. Sunshine was headed to bed for the night.
GORGEOUS! And I got to see it and feel the crispy air on my face!
It is amazing that by not having something as simple as seeing the sunsets and your town at dusk let you appreciate it all the more when you do get to see it. Enjoy everything that is good!
I am a Putnamaniac because the simple things make it so enjoyable to me!
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
THIS is why I am a Putnamaniac! Good Samaritans exist!
The past few days have been busy - Christmas (was awesome!), then with all this snow and wind I haven't gotten out much except to go to work and back. While driving, I was concentrating on not crashing, so I didn't stop to "smell the roses" and appreciate my Putnam like I enjoy doing.
I just read a post on a friend's facebook, which emphasizes why I am a Putnamaniac:
"Jane Doe" got stuck in a snowbank last night in Pomfret and a carfull of good Samaritans pulled her out! They left before we could get their names. Who were those good deed doers??? Thank you!!!"
That is how it is here in the Quiet Corner. You see and hear about things like this all the time.
I am a Putnamaniac because we are surrounded by good Samaritans!
Friday, December 24, 2010
Conspiracy of friends and neighbors...spread it like a virus!
I just stopped on my way home from work and took this shot of this great phrase at WINY radio's broadcast house. Read it. Think about it.
As I've mentioned in previous blogs, I have great neighbors, which is a part of what makes me a Putnamaniac.
My next door neighbors (an elderly mom and her daughter) are so thoughtful. In fact called me last night to invite me to their home for a gathering of friends who would be caroling together. This proves they are great neighbors, and our condo builder was top-notch. If they'd heard me singing through the walls, they would not have invited me to carol!
Other neighbors are as awesome. They wave to me when I am jogging. They make sure I got home from volunteering at the ReStore safely. They post wonderful messages on their business marquees. They engage in the conspiracy of love.
I am a Putnamaniac because we conspire to do wonderful things!
Thursday, December 23, 2010
I saw HIM making a practice run last night! Honest!
Working 2nd shift has very few advantages for someone who'd rather get up, get moving, and enjoy the evenings off... however I am adjusting.
Last night I had a big payoff while getting out of work at 1am... the flakes were flying, it was quiet and peaceful.. except for that jingling sound somewhere in the distance... it kept ringing in and out of my ears. Could it be??? Nah... Maybe I had the Christmas music up too loud, or water in my ear, or something.
As I drove home enjoying my cozy town of Putnam, I thought of Christmas and how people get so flustered and carried away by it all. You see the frenzied look of shoppers trying to buy something, anything, and for what goal? Shouldn't Christmas' gifts be for the innocent children? People put a lot of pressure on themselves emotionally and financially to live up to some crazy expectations. Truly try to enjoy the spirit of Christmas every day. If you see a gift that someone will enjoy in July, buy it then and give it to them! If you notice a fun event to do in September, invite someone who will enjoy it, and do it then! Spreading the cheer out all year long is easy and fun to do!
Otherwise certainly make Christmas an enjoyable day, filled with anticipation of giving and receiving hugs and kind words. Then make those anticipated moments come true. Hug away, and tell those you see that you love them.
Now, back to last night... The jingling I heard got louder and seemed closer as I approached the Little River. As I drove over the bridge, I glanced up, still thinking about Christmas hugs. And what did my wondering 4 eyes appear amongst the floating snowflakes, but a flying sleigh and 8 tiny reindeer.
With jolly old Saint Nick urging them on, he waved down to me, and continued on his practice flight!
WOW! "IT" is almost here, so enjoy it for what it should be. Good times together with those you love. Keep that spirit up every day!
I am a Putnamaniac because Santa does his practice flights in my neighborhood!
Last night I had a big payoff while getting out of work at 1am... the flakes were flying, it was quiet and peaceful.. except for that jingling sound somewhere in the distance... it kept ringing in and out of my ears. Could it be??? Nah... Maybe I had the Christmas music up too loud, or water in my ear, or something.
As I drove home enjoying my cozy town of Putnam, I thought of Christmas and how people get so flustered and carried away by it all. You see the frenzied look of shoppers trying to buy something, anything, and for what goal? Shouldn't Christmas' gifts be for the innocent children? People put a lot of pressure on themselves emotionally and financially to live up to some crazy expectations. Truly try to enjoy the spirit of Christmas every day. If you see a gift that someone will enjoy in July, buy it then and give it to them! If you notice a fun event to do in September, invite someone who will enjoy it, and do it then! Spreading the cheer out all year long is easy and fun to do!
Otherwise certainly make Christmas an enjoyable day, filled with anticipation of giving and receiving hugs and kind words. Then make those anticipated moments come true. Hug away, and tell those you see that you love them.
Now, back to last night... The jingling I heard got louder and seemed closer as I approached the Little River. As I drove over the bridge, I glanced up, still thinking about Christmas hugs. And what did my wondering 4 eyes appear amongst the floating snowflakes, but a flying sleigh and 8 tiny reindeer.
With jolly old Saint Nick urging them on, he waved down to me, and continued on his practice flight!
WOW! "IT" is almost here, so enjoy it for what it should be. Good times together with those you love. Keep that spirit up every day!
I am a Putnamaniac because Santa does his practice flights in my neighborhood!
Monday, December 20, 2010
Charities (not really 1 of the 12 pains of Christmas)
You know that funny Christmas song, "The 12 pains of Christmas"??? Charities are the 7th pain. Listen - you will hear it in there amongst the hangovers, rigging up the lights, etc.!
Through a friend, I have met a lovely elderly woman, Sister Alice, who dedicated her entire life to others.
As I am not traditionally religious (I do not belong to or go to a church, nor do I pray in the usual fashion), I do believe that you should be a good person, be responsible for yourself, treat others as you'd like to be treated, live as an example to others, and lead a life filled with actions that you are proud of.
So while I was cleaning Sister Alice's apartment the other day, and having very interesting conversations with her as usual, I got to thinking about charities. Sweet Alice gave me a calendar that she had received from some distant charity that she had always donated to. This is a woman who has had little to no income her entire life, yet she gladly donated the little bit she had. Materialistic things don't mean that much to her. She sees a bigger picture.
I worry about the elderly (and all people for that matter) being scammed or taken advantage of by groups looking for donations. The best solution is to donate locally.
It is all too easy to see that people locally need help. It is good practice to donate something of yourself locally as often as possible. Food banks are everywhere. Find one and donate once a month. Diaper banks are the newest thing. If you have looked at the price of diapers, you wonder how young, struggling families can afford it all. (And yes, I do consider that people should plan accordingly, but sometimes stuff happens and they can just get into a bind). Be willing to help out a little bit, often. Many places need time donated, so if you can, donate some of your time, too.
Putnam's local radio station, WINY, is a great source to us here in the Quiet Corner. They hold events at their broadcast house all the time, do promos on air, and post on their website. It is easy to give a little at a time. We have a very generous area, and all walks of life & income levels chip in.
So, I have learned from Alice that although she is not monetarily wealthy, she is as rich as it comes, in goodness and life experiences. Make yourself a richer person, and be good to your community.
I am a Putnamaniac because the local charities are NOT a pain at Christmas or throughout the year!
Through a friend, I have met a lovely elderly woman, Sister Alice, who dedicated her entire life to others.
As I am not traditionally religious (I do not belong to or go to a church, nor do I pray in the usual fashion), I do believe that you should be a good person, be responsible for yourself, treat others as you'd like to be treated, live as an example to others, and lead a life filled with actions that you are proud of.
So while I was cleaning Sister Alice's apartment the other day, and having very interesting conversations with her as usual, I got to thinking about charities. Sweet Alice gave me a calendar that she had received from some distant charity that she had always donated to. This is a woman who has had little to no income her entire life, yet she gladly donated the little bit she had. Materialistic things don't mean that much to her. She sees a bigger picture.
I worry about the elderly (and all people for that matter) being scammed or taken advantage of by groups looking for donations. The best solution is to donate locally.
It is all too easy to see that people locally need help. It is good practice to donate something of yourself locally as often as possible. Food banks are everywhere. Find one and donate once a month. Diaper banks are the newest thing. If you have looked at the price of diapers, you wonder how young, struggling families can afford it all. (And yes, I do consider that people should plan accordingly, but sometimes stuff happens and they can just get into a bind). Be willing to help out a little bit, often. Many places need time donated, so if you can, donate some of your time, too.
Putnam's local radio station, WINY, is a great source to us here in the Quiet Corner. They hold events at their broadcast house all the time, do promos on air, and post on their website. It is easy to give a little at a time. We have a very generous area, and all walks of life & income levels chip in.
So, I have learned from Alice that although she is not monetarily wealthy, she is as rich as it comes, in goodness and life experiences. Make yourself a richer person, and be good to your community.
I am a Putnamaniac because the local charities are NOT a pain at Christmas or throughout the year!
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Boot Scootin'....oops, I mean Boot Skating!
That nice little impromptu pond under the swings at the playground I wrote about the other day (12/13/10), is now frozen into a tiny little skating rink (still partially under the swing set).
The ducks who'd been swimming there previously were lucky enough to get out of there before their DA's were frozen in place. (For you who don't know what a DA is, it was a popular boys' haircut of the 50's and 60's.... it was named because it resembled a part of a Duck's anatomy. The D was for Duck, the A was not for anatomy, nor arm... ask someone older about this phenomenon. They can fill you in on what the A was for).
Since the ducks abandoned this now frozen rink, today it was occupied by a young family. A mom, little toddler girl, and boy of about 8 years old or so were boot skating in the glowing sun on this cold afternoon.
They went to the playground of course, to use the swings, but since they were iced in, they made the best of it and were boot skating like crazy together. Laughing, falling, sliding, hooting together in the fresh air!
Have you boot skated since you were a kid? It is a lot easier than actual ice skating since you usually have on boots (or shoes of some sorts) where these little rinks appear. Have fun and boot skate! Just be careful you don't fall and break your noggin' or something else. (Pre-wrapping yourself in bubble wrap to avoid injury is also advised)!
I am a Putnamaniac because you can see families boot skating at the playground!
The ducks who'd been swimming there previously were lucky enough to get out of there before their DA's were frozen in place. (For you who don't know what a DA is, it was a popular boys' haircut of the 50's and 60's.... it was named because it resembled a part of a Duck's anatomy. The D was for Duck, the A was not for anatomy, nor arm... ask someone older about this phenomenon. They can fill you in on what the A was for).
Since the ducks abandoned this now frozen rink, today it was occupied by a young family. A mom, little toddler girl, and boy of about 8 years old or so were boot skating in the glowing sun on this cold afternoon.
They went to the playground of course, to use the swings, but since they were iced in, they made the best of it and were boot skating like crazy together. Laughing, falling, sliding, hooting together in the fresh air!
Have you boot skated since you were a kid? It is a lot easier than actual ice skating since you usually have on boots (or shoes of some sorts) where these little rinks appear. Have fun and boot skate! Just be careful you don't fall and break your noggin' or something else. (Pre-wrapping yourself in bubble wrap to avoid injury is also advised)!
I am a Putnamaniac because you can see families boot skating at the playground!
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Frosty Falls!
You might remember Frostbite Falls from childhood if you are old enough. That is where cartoon characters Bullwinkle and Rocky lived!
Today in Putnam, and actually lots of days in the wintertime, we have quite Frosty Falls. These falls are enjoyable year round. People are always stopping by for a view on their walks. It is very tranquilizing and hypnotic.
Enjoy this short video of our Frosty Cargill Falls:
...and a nice still shot, too:
I am a Putnamaniac because I love the mesmerizing, hypnotic Frozen Falls!
Today in Putnam, and actually lots of days in the wintertime, we have quite Frosty Falls. These falls are enjoyable year round. People are always stopping by for a view on their walks. It is very tranquilizing and hypnotic.
Enjoy this short video of our Frosty Cargill Falls:
...and a nice still shot, too:
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