Welcome in the New Year as you see FIT (fit being the key word)!

Here's hoping for a great first day to the new year of 2014!

There are swimming events around and about - like penguin plunges and polar bear plunges... not quite for me, since I hate swimming when it is 99 degrees and sunny outside!

However, there are so many other options to take advantage of.

Of course, you can go for a jog, walk, hike, paddle, bike ride all by yourself or with friends...

OR...

You can check out a brand new place to hike with an organized event, like the CT DEEP is offering.

I have only been on the walking/jogging path of the Mansfield Hollow Dam near the airport... but I have never traveled the nether regions of the park. So tomorrow, this will be my choice!

 Of course tomorrow's colors will not be quite the same as pictured here in this great aerial shot!

Mansfield Hollow State Park’s hike begins at 11:00 AM.
  Mansfield Hollow State Park will be hosting two hikes.  The 2.2 mile hike is a relatively flat loop starting from the parking lot on Bassetts Bridge Road along the dike towards route 89 in Mansfield.  This easy wide beautiful trail will eventually turn into a deeper wooded section looping back to the parking lot.  Hikers will see lots of beautiful pines and a brief overlook of the reservoir on the way back.  The 4.5 mile hike goes on trails past the boat launch and wrap around the lake at Mansfield Hollow.  Hikers will view a number of scenic points along the way overlooking the reservoir.

As a part of the country's First Day Hikes, all 50 states have something to offer. What a refreshing and invigorating way to start a new year!

Here's hoping that you will welcome in the new year as you see fit!

I am a Putnamaniac that will ring in the New Year fitfully - and stay fit all year long!

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Downhill faster than 35 on Heritage Road ~ well at least it felt like that!

Why is it that when you are driving, the little hills and inclines are barely noticeable?

But, get out there on your legs, and they suddenly grow into mountains!

Treading uphill, it feels like you are in a stream of molasses, your legs weigh 600 lbs, and you are panting like Lassie after a big rescue!

Then you reach the summit, high five the stop sign there that marks your half way point, and turn around.

A whole new world!

Heritage Road ~ downhill ~ 35 miles per hour! No problem. I am going faster than 35 miles per hour on the downhill run... well, at least it feels like that!

Perception is everything!

Get out and perceive as often as you can. It is a blast! Even the uphills!

I am a Putnamaniac that loves to go faster than 35 mph downhill on foot on Heritage Road ~ at least it seems that way!

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Downtown Putnamania - always lovely, any time, any day!

Downtown Putnamania is a work of art all by itself.

The architecture of the buildings is beautiful.

Flags are flying everywhere.

People are happy to be here.

Take a peek:

The Post Office

Putnam Congregational Church - and you can't even see the steeple in this picture!

The Cargill Trust Building- being renovated for Noma Kitchen & Home

The Flying Carpet's Tree - and just a glimpse of the lovely decorations

Victoria Station is quite lovely! 

 

 Another shot of the Montgomery Ward Building from Antiques Marketplace

 

The pictures say it all - and this is just a small glimpse. Come visit and see for yourself!

I am a Putnamaniac that loves lovely downtown Putnam!

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Seeking wallets in WalMart and other such tales from vast lands of the lost....

Let me be clear that I am not picking on Big Box stores, like WalMart, Home Depot, etc.

Although I do support locally owned businesses as much as possible, the big box stores also employ many local people - many of my friends, so there can be a place for both types of businesses to exist side by side in this world.

However, by virtue of their size, the big box stores are a challenge at times.

Recently I was grabbing a few items in our local and newly refurbished/transformed Super WalMart. There was an elderly gentleman, walking with the assistance of his cane, asking an "associate" where the men's wallets were. He moaned "You are the 4th person I've asked and all anyone can tell me is - look in the men's department". He was nearing his wits end. We've all been there.

Coincidentally, I had recently executed this same search mission, with success. I knew just where the men's wallets were! My cart and I marched right over to this man and led him to the wallets. We both were happy!

Another funny adventure in big box land I had a long time ago was in a newly opened Home Depot near the first home I bought in RI. I was looking for some lattice for under my porch.

The "associate" saw me searching and searching, approached me and asked if he could help. When I mentioned I was looking for lattice, this nice fellow (with quite an accent) brought me directly to the ladders, and proudly said "Laddiss". Hmmmmm, I shook my head, said "Lattice" very clearly, and even drew a picture of the criss cross lattice patterns.... He shook his head, pointed to the ladders and said "Laddiss". I gave up and left the store. Looking back, this is quite funny, but not so much at the time for a non-shopping fan like me!

The lessons here are that sometimes in shopping, like in other aspects of life, you are on your own. It pays to know how to depend on yourself - but it is also good to help others when you can. It is also good to have a sense of humor, even if it shows up after the fact!

 

I am a Putnamaniac that can find the humor in shopping - most times!

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Words of wisdom by Dickens - and not his most famously quoted line!

On the days preceding most Christmases, I will re-read Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol. It is a good exercise, and it seems that every time you read it, you take something new away.

We all know Dickens' most famously quoted words of "God Bless Us, Every One."

This year as I finished up the classic, words in the second to last paragraph of the book, after Scrooge's transformation, struck me as Dickens' wisest words. They are common sensical words that we all have experienced, should always keep near to our heart, and abide by when we question our own good acts:

"Scrooge was better than his word. He did it all, and infinitely more; and to Tiny Tim, who did NOT die, he was a second father. He became as good a friend, as good a master, and as good a man, as the good old city knew, or any other good old city, town, or borough, in the good old world. Some people laughed to see the alteration in him, but he let them laugh, and little heeded them; for he was wise enough to know that nothing ever happened on this globe, for good, at which some people did not have their fill of laughter in the outset; and knowing that such as these would be blind anyway, he thought it quite as well that they should wrinkle up their eyes in grins, as have the malady in less attractive forms. His own heart laughed: and that was quite enough for him." 

Great, great, great words. Be happy with yourself. Do not worry what others will think of your good and positive actions, because you know you are doing the right thing.

I am a Putnamaniac that loves the inspirational words of Charles Dickens!

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Danged rubber neckers... guilty as charged!

Recently I found myself guilty of rubber necking.

Yes! Driving down Kennedy Drive in Putnamania, I glanced to my right, and up into a tree, above the River Trail that ambles along side of the Quinebaug River.

I spotted a gigantic thing! Gigantic!!!! Majestic!!! A bald eagle!!!!

Photo courtesy of the CT DEEP website - click here to learn more about bald eagles

I pulled over and jumped from my car, as the glorious being spread its wings and took to the air. WOW!!!

As I drove away, still in the shocked and amazed afterglow of being so lucky to see this creature, I spotted it again further up the river! Once again I pulled over to enjoy Mother Nature's beauty. 

A concerned State Police pulled up beside me to make sure I was ok! Was I ok???? 

"Sir" I hooted, "Look at the eagle!!!!"

He smiled, waved and enjoyed the view for a moment before he was off to more serious duties.

Since then, I have jogged and driven past this stretch of the Quinebaug as often as possible, rubber necking the entire time. I'm bound to get lucky again!!! 

This rubber necking must run in our family, as I can recall my mother's only car crash occurred  approximately 50 years ago as she was driving over the Davisville Road train bridge, eating a banana, and watching Mr. Ballou paint the sign in front of his oil business. 

Rubber necking - use it for good, not for evil!

I am a Putnamaniac that is guilty of recent rubber necking hoping for another glance at that big old bald eagle!

Putnamaniac Activity Calendar

A recipe box filled with histories of family and friends....What a thing to reminisce with!

Today I was looking for my grandmother, Elsie Moone's, date square recipe so I can make it for Christmas Day.

She was a GREAT cook, chef, chief bottle washer... piano player, and more.

I found the recipe, and I also took a stroll down memory lane looking at all the recipes I have received from family and friends over the years.

Many of these were given to me at my wedding shower, way back in 1982, before I got married to Tim, for a short time.

Tim and I didn't make it, but these recipes sure did. They include some from my mother's aunts, my father's aunts (all since passed away), and many friends I still have and love to pieces.

Want a fun time... pull out your recipe box and stroll down memory lane.

The funny thing is that I don't think in over those 30+ years I have even made most of the recipes, but I love them because they are my link to these loving people.

I am a Putnamaniac that loves my recipe box filled with a loving history with family and friends!

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