Love Actually - the ending

One of my favorite movies ....  Love Actually

What would I do without you?

When it come down to it, should we need to be in an airport to show our love for our friends and family?  Try practicing it each day - a kind gesture is all that is needed.

Living My 60th Year - Apples, Apples and more Apples

Apples, Apples, and more Apples.

It's that time of year..... Apples, Apples, and more Apples.

This year, my farm partner, Pam, decided that we needed to pick apples.  We had three plots in the community garden this past summer and planted veggies like you couldn't believe

Summers are great as there is so many choices of all kinds of veggies.   We grew this corn and it was pretty good.  The big farm up the road grew three types of corn.  Yum!  I brought all three types to a family picnic, husks in tack as we were going to grill them.  Sweet.

My Corn Crop

It was kinda funny when the kids peeled back the husks to find out that they were different.   The drama was .....  Really we need to get kids in the garden so they know where food comes from!

Thanks Dad!

Back to apples, we picked lots and lots.  Driving back home with bushels and wondering what we were going to do..... then that moment and I had an  "ah ha".  My Dad had a dehydrator and my brother Tim had it.  So I called him and made arrangements to borrow it from him since he wasn't using it.  

Oh my goodness, I thought it was a small one.  Nope, and he and I laughed, and said simultaneously - That's Dad.

Apple Chips

 Since I had lots of apples - I tried out the apples!  That's the result and they were great!

You need to be consistent in the slices - thicker slices the longer they take to dry.

Not the prettiest apple chips, yet they were really good.  Unfortunately I need to get a routine to make the chips - the routine to eat the chips is already working!

If you are wondering how crunchy - they are not potato chip crunchy.  They are still pliable and really good!  I put some away, I couldn't believe that, and when I took that back out, they were still great.

Pork Roast and Apples

I still had lots of apples left.  Bring out the crock pot.  There is a pork roast in the pot with some apples.  Very nice.

Apple Sauce

Next - applesauce - the crock pot is great to make apple sauce.  Cut them up, put on a good amount of cinnamon and nutmeg on low for 4-5 hours.  The last hour add cranberries!   

I've made several pots of applesauce so far.   I went out and purchased more apples.  Some times, especially for applesauce, the second hand apples work just fine and I can make two batches.

Roasted Butternut /Apple Soup

My last creation to date was to make a roasted butternut squash apple soup for Christmas dinner.  It was quite the deal as I couldn't find exactly the soup recipe I wanted.  The butternut squash came out of our garden

Low and behold with a bit of tweaking, viola, an amazing soup.  Mom and Tim had some, everyone else turned up their noses - their loss!

It's been a good season for apples.  The next time I make sauce, I'm going to do some canning of the sauce.   Isn't the old saying an apple a day keeps the doctor away?  

Anyway......... Apples, Apples and more Apples.  Hope you decide to try some!

Here's to a year of catching the dreams you chase,

doing what makes you smile,

and loving the life you live.

Living My 60th Year - A Step Forward and Giving Thanks

It was a great week... some changes and some fun.

This picture - I was impressed how it came out.  The storm clouds were rushing in as it blocked out the sun.  I was driving and finally found a place I could pull over and take this picture - with my phone.  It was truly impressive how mother nature painted the sky.  The storm that came later, did just that came and went.


I had a nice surprise to attend my niece's fashion show that her class and all the classes at her high school puts on at the end of school term.  It was fun.  Very interesting how the same pattern was used by many students, yet the students chose  different fabrics and colors.  As long as she is interested in fashion and design, I'll be going to three more of these annual events!

Saturday was our Memorial Day Parade and I volunteered with the local community TV station to help video tape it.  It's an early crew call, 7 am,  to get it all set-up to begin filming at 11am.  It was a grand day, lots of folks coming out to honor those military men and women that have  given so much to our country and it's freedom.

In between all of this was the GARDEN - got to get it in.  Pam and I got the new plot - just squash - all finished!  Yeah!!   Green and yellow summer squash and some winter squashes - acorn, butternut and spaghetti.  Then we were back to the prior two plots - we are rotating the planting between the two plots.  Got about one half planted between the two.  


We are still missing a couple of solutions as to how to trellis up the peas and cucumbers and mulch to keep the weeds back.   I've done more research - should pan out this week!  Our seedlings didn't do so well, so we are out buying plants to take care of getting the garden underway.  I'm a bit disappointed, this too shall pass.  

Work was a little slow in the garden on Monday as the temperature and humidity rose.  Even with #30 sunscreen, I got really red and felt pretty sick.  Maybe I need a new tube of the stuff - ya think?

I expect to plant a little more each day for this coming week.  Pam is reworking the plan some more so that we can get them all in by the weekend - That's the plan!

Back on the home front, I've been all over the place - scattered - and not getting anything accomplished.  It's beginning to make me crazy. I finished resigning last week from the executive board of a group I was involved.  Nice to remove all the 'stuff' from my place.  Now I need to reclaim that time for me.  

I made up a list for my home....  floor by floor and space by space.  It's not a perfect plan - yet it is a plan with sufficient flexibility that should allow me to get going.   I bet there are even more items that didn't make this draft.  That is why they call them drafts!  When it is done - I expect to see the "list" empty!   I even begun a "what I have done" page in my notebook.  Helping me see progress.

Another week - it is coming together - slowly - I know, I know, it didn't happen overnight, so give me some slack!

Enjoy!  Remember to give your service people a nod of thanks!

Here's to a year of catching the dreams you chase,

doing what makes you smile,

and loving the life you live.

Day 29 - Try something new

My Twelve Days of Christmas Tree

It's the days before Christmas and all through the house and this creature is stirring and it isn't a mouse!  The last couple of days have been focused on keeping up several of the completed daily challenges. None were really new - though the concept and discipline of the challenge was new.  

This Challenge shows that the Teacher arrives as the student becomes available.  This Challenge has given me the opportunity to think over the last 30 days.  I've brushed away some old cobwebs, brought back old perspectives that had been buried in life's layers daily stuff and found moments of peace in what is a too hectic pace in life.

Many people I've shared this with were asking for the challenge for themselves or dismissing it.  Those that were asking for the challenge are possibly in the same place I am.  They need a 'friend' in the challenge to help jump start themselves.  What this challenge did for me was to keep myself in the present, even if only for a few minutes during the day.  

Last night I delivered the donate box to Savers.  I was met with much thanks from the staff for bringing my items that will help so many others... A  Feel Good Moment. There is a new donate box in it's place.

I've been toying with the idea of several other challenges - 1st of all, repeating this one - there are still a few daily challenges that could be tidied up.  Ever since the blog of cooking through Julia's cookbook, there are plenty of challenges.  I've come up with one a month for the next year - visit a museum/attraction - borrow passes from the library;  make a different salad dressing each week and salad to go with; write a blog post every day for a year from a pre-determined list of random topics.  Then there is the 365 day count down to a big birthday - that could also be a fun challenge.

New is coming, New is needed, and New is welcomed each day to open our eyes, our thoughts and our hearts.  So onward with the journey.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.

Day 29 - satisfied in the success of this challenge - donate box is now empty and awaiting new treasures to give away. 

Today's Challenge - Day 30 - Wrap Up -  and - find one item to put in the donate box.

Day 6 - Declutter the dresser

This is like a buy day.  My dresser - it's like a charm - one of the best kept spaces I have!  It's easier as I hang many of my clothes.

Picture on left is before,  the right is after picture ob the bottom drawer.  All those scarves!  Now they are rolled up so that I can see them all.  Yes, I did find a couple of items that could go elsewhere, few scarves that needed a rinsing and I found another eyeglass case  - time to donate.

Today - it was the day with my housekeeper.  Yes a housekeeper - once a month, what a great investment in my time.  This month due to our respective schedules, she came on Saturday instead of our regular Thursday.  She was so surprised of the improvements I made to the closet and to the Guest Room.

We have our assigned tasks.  I'm incharge of putting things away, therefore she can clean.  With this day's challenge, I wanted to continue some of the new tasks that popped up because of the first five days.  We did some extra cleaning, truly makes a difference.

I also got a bonus done.  She helped me put up the poinsettia garland on the hallway banister.  I was going to do it over Thanksgiving with my house guest - kinda do a deck the halls evening and decorate and enjoy the upcoming season together.  Unfortunately, those plans changed.

Today was the perfect day.   Day 6 Accomplished!


Today's Challenge - Day 7 - Clean up your mail - and - find one item to put in the donate box

Hope for our Earth - Happy New Year

Happy New Year to you and yours.  Today the first day of a new year, sometimes a somber day or a day continuing the festivities from the night before; some may be rushing out for more holiday sales or out to see a new movie; there may some that will not celebrate as it isn't their holiday; and of course there may be the infamous making of New Years Resolutions.

How ever you celebrate today, may you think about our earth.  May one of your resolutions be to take action to respect our home.   While the video is labeled loneliness, I would label it majestic, grand, and beautiful.  On this day...  enjoy the magnificent place we call home.

First Day of Winter

While all of us are getting ready for the holidays - we are coming up to the first day of winter. The Winter Solstice, the shortest day and longest night on our calendar here in Connecticut. I enjoy the the winter and love the snow.  I look forward to seeing the snow fall, smelling the fireplaces burning, and enjoying the special drinks and foods that are only winter.  To bring in Winter, I'm featuring my niece, Taylor's video she made, set to Sara Bareille and Ingrid Michaelsons's song Winter Song.  Thank you Taylor, Thank you Sara and Ingrid, .... Enjoy!



PS about 100 days till Spring :)

Spread Joy to Everyone

The season is upon us and it is the time we spread joy to those people we pass by each day. A nod, a smile, a simple greeting, it really doesn't take much. We don't know what is going on "over there". With a simple gesture, you may turn around someone's day. The reward is that you feel better and you smile deep down inside. What could happen, you may make it your daily rountine :) May you have lots of JOY in your life.

Give a Hug & Get a Hug

The holiday season has arrived. Some of us look forward to the festivies, parties, being with friends and family. There are a few humbugs and grumpies too.  So through this holiday season, I will be sending you little bits of inspirations that will raise your spirits and those around you.

Just imagine being in this square - hugs are the best, we all should have a dozen hugs a day.  Enjoy and I send you a big hug today.

Perfect Kick off to the Holiday Season

Once again I had the pleasure of having my nephew, Seamus, join me for the weekend after Thanksgiving.  It has been a whorl wind so far. 

We packed up from grandma's house, duffle and Coda, and we drove back, about an hour, to my place.  My nephew didn't stop talking.  He calls himself a 'chatterbox'.  Actually I don't think I know another kid his age (8 years) that could keep up with him.  He has an uncommon way of transforming a conversation and taking it off on tangents and all of a sudden he will say "hey, how did we get here?".  He's done it about three times in the 24 hours since he's arrived.

Thursday night isn't much, get a tour of the house, find all the light switches, reaquainte him to all the nuiances of my home so he will feel comfortable. 

Friday began with baking cinnamon buns.  It was really cute, he read all the directions including setting the clock and timer.  The Dough Boy helped out and Seamus placed the buns on the baking pan.  Mr. Eagle Eye kept watching the clock and the oven and thought it was really cool to see them rise.  Ding went the buzzer and we pulled them out - perfection was only a few dribbles of icing away.  He ate four of them along with a big banana and Aunt Patty's special/secret organge juice. 

Ok - we make the list of items to do, take care of chores and help Bob the Builder with several items he needs to take care of while we are gone.  There was lunch at Steve's; go to the Library for movies and books and get Aunt Patty's library mail; watch the movie at the Library; back home to get ready and then the real treat - go to see Santa turn on the lights!

The Festival of Lights has been my favorite thing to do since I moved to the Hartford area.  It's my way to kick off the holiday season; I get an enormous dose of holiday spirit all in one shot.  This year, the event was moved from Constitution Plaza to Bushnell Park to enable the growth of the event.  In that spirit, citizens gathered at the Plaza and walked through the city streets singing carols and picking up Santa along the way (riding a Zamboni machine) to the park. Traditions evolve, it's how they stay traditions!

So Seamus and I did just that.  We met some of the Wolf Pack hockey team and some of the cast from "A Christmas Carol", in costume, opening that evening at Hartford Stage.  We met Hartford's new mayor.   Mayor Pedro E. Segarra is a lovely man.  He took several moments to answer my questions about the downtown improvement and pointed out some of the upcoming highlights.   I introduced Seamus to the mayor.  He spoke directly to Seamus about the science museum and what a good time he will have.

Before long, the group of us began the march to the park.  Hartford's finest were on motocycles;streets closed off as we walked and sang.  Meeting up with Santa was really cool.  We moved into the park, obtained our complimentary hot cocco, and awaited the turning on of the lights.  There was a skating demo on artifical ice, and more caroling.  Hartford mounted police were there too.  It was a short lived program, a few dignitaries.  In my opinion, we need more pizzaz and I'm sure with the change in venue we will see improvements over the next years.  Since the carousel was open we walked over only to find the line was a couple of hours long.  We peeked through the windows and could see all the horses going round and round.  I promised Seamus we would come back at a time when it wasn't as busy.

We treated ourselves to IHOP for a quick dinner.  We laughed so much and then it was home, jamies and to watch part of the movie before getting ready for bed.  We said our "we are thankful fors"; I had to cut them off at ten as he'd never get to sleep.   All in All - it was a perfect day - sweet dreams.

PS  Before I forget, my eyes are heavy ....  things he wants to do for next time - ride the carousel, go ice skating, skateboarding, bake cookies, cook dinner, work as Santa's assistant, read a book, learn more words, do more math examples; make some crafts in my studio, go to Steve's, go to the art museum, make some art, then...he said .." I, like, maybe can stay at your (my) house for five weeks because KC will like me better",,,  the list goes on but I'm getting the giggles thinking of the great day I had.  Tomorrow will only get better.

PSS  This was a good one - he wanted to know... (you just can't make this up) .." if  grammie Kovack married Aunt Denise's daddy would the Filosa cousins be my cousins?  That would be cool, you can not have enough cousins".   Hey PopPop and JoJo - are you listening?

Thanksgiving Wish

Wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.

Wishing everyone a moment of time to relax this holiday weekend.

Wishing everyone enjoyment of the small things that make a holiday a special time.

Wishing everyone invention of a new tradition.

Most of all, wishing you and yours health, happiness, joy, and Peace.





Photo courtsey of controltheweb's @flicker

Earth Day 2010

Yes it is - EARTH DAY - once again. Though each day is Earth Day, hopefully we all take a moment to rejuvenate our awareness of how each day we live on our planet will affect our planet. So to begin with - see this video,,,,,
Where were you 40 years ago when we first celebrated Earth Day?  I was in high school and we helped pick up litter in the parks. Since then, I've done my best at being a greener inhabitant of Mother Earth. I've taken part in work crews to clean up roadways, clean up parks, and other types of events to encourage awareness that our planet is a place we need to take care of.

What makes me a bit discouraged at times, is why are those spaces not still clean? Don't we get it? Are we not aware of how to keep our space clean?

So many questions - So here are some answers.

First and foremost - YOU make the difference in your environment.

Let's talkTrash - if each household in the US (approximately 115 million households as projected by the US Census) could eliminate one bag of trash a month either by recyclying it or by not buying products with so much waste, that would calculate to be  inexcess of 1.3 million tons of trash not going to the land fills or being recycled into other products.

Recycling - Our town will be changing from the blue buckets to in-line recycling. There is a chance the people of the town could increase recycling and reduce trash. Just one ton less trash would save the taxpayers over $71. Not big enough $$s for you? When there is hundreds of thousands of tons a year - the $$s really add up.

Lights - turn them off and try those Energy Savers CFLs. Lowering your electric usaged not only saves you $$s it saves resources for all of us.  At first I didn't like them as I didn't feel they were bright enough. So for places that I need better/brighter light, like over my desk or my lace pillow, I have one bright light instead of the whole room.  Open your shades, wash the screens over the windows, it is amazing how much more light can enter an room.

There are hundreds of ideas you can do if you sit back and determine how YOU will impact our Earth.  YOU can make the difference.

A Surprise Visit....

Thanksgiving is now a fond memory in my life, glad to spend some time with my parents, UB, and later on with my brother Tim and his wife Sandy.  The Ffld crew flew in just in time to eat and for a little more time before flying out.  Of course not before giving a long list of gifts that they 'want' for Christmas.  Unfortunately, Seamus renegged on staying with me for the weekend!  He missed out on Santa Clause and all the great events I had planned.

I had a special surprise visit over the weekend with two great friends, Jim & Frank.  These guys lived next door to me in college and they are as much fun today as the time we enjoyed in college.  Jim and his wonderful wife, Rhonda, came in on Friday from Texas and left on Sunday, just for a baptism! 

Early on Saturday morning, Jim called to say he was in town.  A couple of calls and I met them and Frank (his wife was a little under the weather - get better Debbie - we missed you) at Sam's place in Hartford.  If you are from the area, then you know the red victoria house on Farmington Avenue.  It is the Clemens place - or Mark Twain's home.  Just lovely and since we were on the early side, we had a practically exclusive tour of the house and kitchen area!   One very interesting fact is that Sam was born and died during the viewing of Halley's Comet.  Most of is well know works were written while he lived in his Hartford Home.  Actually you could spend a lifetime learning about this truly amazing man.  We then took a took a tour of various historic streets and ended up at Avon Old Farms for a great lunch.

What a great time!  Jim & Rhonda - see you in the spring!  Frank - give hugs and kisses to everyone at home!  Wishing you the best and thanks for the surprise!

Happy Thanksgiving to All

Just a quick note to all of you.  Thanksgiving is a great time of the year.  Sometimes it is so warm and other times it is like the middle of February.  This year it looks like it will be nice and most of all, it will be spent with some of my family.

Mom and I spoke this evening and did the run down.  Two pies and cake she'll bake tomorrow, and put out the serving dishes and such.  I'm making the salad for the dinner and the special salad for mom and I.  My salad is a vegetable salad - it has just about everything in it and is very colorful and good.  I'll be making a fresh vinaigrette dressing.  She puts the turkey in the oven about midnight and by the morning - the bird is just magnificant!  I've picked up various types of bread for dinner - a soft loaf and two crusty loaves.

 I'm also bringing another Thanksgiving tradition - the indian apples.  Now if you look up indian apple and get the defination - it's not Podophyllum peltatum, native to North America; also known as May-apple, mandrake, wild lemon, raccoon-berry, and wild jalap. It's pomegranates.  I remember as a kid enjoying them to no end and always sad when we finished them.  That tradition has been passed on to my nieces and nephews.  It also seems that I'm the "incharge" on getting and supplying the indian apples for Thanksgiving and Christmas.

What are you traditions?  Are you passing them along, remember that those experiences that are passed along are great memories for down the road.

Enjoy your Thanksgiving!

PS - The Macy's Day parade begins at 9am!

Great Shopping and a Christmas Gift!

Ho Ho Ho!  Merry Christmas.  I know we haven't finished Thanksgiving dinner yet, by the way, yum yum!

A little while ago, I need to return an item to Macy's.  If you know me, I really dislike shopping.  So just before the expiration of the return period, I got it returned.  That lead me by the winter coat area.  Last winter I got away without replacing my winter coat.  I've had it awhile, it is showing wear.  It's a great coat, black, boiled wool JG Hook - classic lines.

So I'm going through the racks, more and more of the same - geez, where are the 'classic coats'? Until I turn around and on the end of a rack, this lone coat calls out to me.  With one look and touch, I fell in love.  It was so soft and with great texture - it was made from Alpaca!  It was so ridulously priced at almost $500.  When did winter coats get that expensive?  Though it was a sale  40%, and if you put it on your Macy's card - another 15%, and if you don't have a Macy's card and open one on the spot, then you'll get another 20%!  Do the Math - 40 + 15 + 20 = 75%  Now the coat will cost $187 - such a deal and I took it home.

So you say - what does the dishes have to do with the coat?  (it's a story and a half as I take a long breath)   It is easy - the new Macy's card gave me a 20% off anything I could charge for that day and the next. Hmmmm.  So I go and get a new pair of gloves for my new coat.  Then up to housewares - there must be something I can use and get this great discount.

Bottom line - I was looking through the fine china.  My china that I got right after college has served me well.  I've used it and used it on a daily basis, and it is now showing all the good lovin it has had.  Several pieces have just broke as the chips have finally become cracks.  While getting china was very low on my list of things, it would be nice to set a great table with dishes without chips and cracks even if it only for me.

So I mixed to patterns - Macy's Hotel brand and Lenox's Tin Can Alley.  Two plates from Hotel and two plates and the bowl from Leneox.  Actually they look great together and the sales clerk was liking the mixing of the two patterns. Neither pattern had enough of the right size plates.   I'm keeping my cup and saucer from my first set.  Now get this, the patterns were on sale, and if you purchase them and charge them on your Macy's card, and of course it is in the discount period - voila!  I have purchased eight placesettings for a net $49 per place setting - yes - bone china!

If you want to give me a Christmas Gift that I would really love - how about sponsoring a place setting?  Mom and Dad have laid claim to two of the place settings.  Thank you Momming and Daddy!

Trick or Treat!

.... What a holiday? When did it start? So to the research I go. The Huffington Post had a great article. The end of the Celtic year is where this 'harvest' festival seems to have come about. It was believed that at the end of this year, it was when the spirts came out to speak with the priests.

Check out "History of Halloween". It's discussion of when the first recorded history in this country was about 1915.

Of course the tricks and treats, the jack-o-lanterns, lots of costumes, and a great time to have a party! During my childhood, besides getting chocolates and apples and all sorts of goodies - we did Trick or Treat for UNICEF. I haven't seen a UNICEF box in I don't know how long? While the program exists, why are we not doing the program? Somehow it's probably a lame excuse!

This evening - I wish all those gobblins and goulish creatures - lots of treats and stay safe!

Great Time!

For those of you that have kids or access to kids, make a date with them to do some fun things. These are my youngest neice and nephew, Savannah and Seamus. Aren't the cute! this was just before the fireworks this last Saturday night at the park.





We had lots planned but had to play it by 'rain slicker' as to what we could do. On our first day, besides lunch at "Steve's" here in the center of town (it's now a tradition), and a trip to the Lucy Robbins Welles Library for some books and movies. Each of them signed up for the chores around the place so we could always have plenty of time for fun. I couldn't get out of the cooking and driving, they kept the baths cleaned, bedrooms pickup, did the recycling and trash. They did assited in meal preparation and with the planning and the grocery shopping. Though we did have to use my MasterCard.





Our first full day had a detour in the morning to one of my clients for couple of hours at Steve's School - not to be confused with Steve's for Lunch. Then off for our picnic at UConn and to see the Barns and animals. There are some 200 cows, 35 pigs, great horses, and assorted other livestock and poultry. Here we are checking out the Holsteins and my favorite, the Jerseys. After all our viewing, it was off to the UConn Dairy Bar. Husky Trak for me and Savannah and chocolate for Seamus. YUM YUM! On our way back we took a Ferry, mind you the oldest continuous operating ferry in the US no less! We were the only passengers on our crossing and the kids thought that was really special (lucky Aunt Patty!).

Saturday was a big day - we ventured into the past, how life was lived back in the 1830's, so many years ago. The simple life, in a simple town, Old Sturbridge Village. The kids were really cute when asking about no running water, and they had a chance to see it being pumped out. No indoor pluming, though they visited the out house. We picnicked on the grounds, and had our big jug of lemonade with us! That was really good as the day was quite warm - like being summer. (those of you readers not in New England - this is our first couple of days of summer!). We saw the blacksmith shop, saw how the grain was milled and even went below to the water wheel to see how a tiny stream of water could move such a great wheel. The Potters house was filled with all sorts of wares and the kids were right up front with the wet clay. Thank goodness for the wet-ones handi pak! Around one corner we were met with some sheep and took a time to baaaaa with them. We took a boat ride on the river, and then we were off to the craft house. There they each got to make dipped candles.

We were on a tight schedule - while I drove they napped and upon arriving at home we unpacked with military precision and repacked the car so we could have another picnic and see the fireworks. Parks & Rec does a great job and it was a wonderful show! It's about 40 minutes long - ask the kids it was so wonderful. (Mark the calendar now - it's the 3rd weekend in July).

What was one of the best parts of the trip was "thankful time". At dinner and just before bed, we did a few moments of sharing what we were thankful for in that day. I hope they take home "thankful time". I have been doing thankful time, I don't remember when it started so it was a long, long time ago. It was fun to hear their perspective of the same day and see from their eyes what it was important to them. Here's some Thankful thoughts... for the blue bubble gum ball, pickels on the tuna sandwich, Miss KC didn't run away, Mac&Cheese, mommy and daddy and brother and sister, oh yeah all the realitives and we actually named all of them, lots of cousins and aunts,uncles and grandparents. leggos at the Library, "yellow" - don't ask!, for the little toys in Aunt Patty's grab bag, really good treats like blue jello. I guess you can see we had lots to be thankful for - most of all - we were all thankful for the time and memories we could make together and they are already booking more time with me. Priceless.

HSO and a new Star is Born

Last evening I had the opportunity to sit at the Chubb table at the Talcott Mountain Music Festival last night. What an amazing treat! Thanks Lori. It was Hartford Symphony Orchestra conducted by our beloved Maestro Edward Cummings.

We sat up front, well worth being that close to see the muscians, and perfect placement to watch the concluding fireworks. Of course it was a patriotic theme to the night. Selections from Francis Scott Key, Jerome Kern, Edwin Bagley, John Philip Sousa, Frederick Lowe, Charles Ives, Cole Porter, Duke Ellington, Tchaikovsky, and Irving Berlin.

There were two pieces that were very special to me. First, the Armed Forces Salute - this is where each of the songs of the Army, Coast Guard, Marines, Navy, Airforce were played and those members of the audience that served were asked to stand and be recognized for their service. Wow, it was very powerful, solemn yet proud moment. One of our table guests stood up for the Army - WWII. My dad and brother, Mike were in the Navy. There was a moment for those that didn't return. For whatever reason that they decided to serve our country, thank you for your service, thank you for protecting our way of life, liberty and pursuit of happiness.

As for pursuit of happiness, mark down this name... Raymond H. Clark, III. His composition called "Cost of Combat" was premiered by the HSO last evening. What a treat for us and for this composer! To get to hear, 'for the first time', a new symphonic piece is a real treat for me. When I closed my eyes and listened, the music took me to the fields of battle, to the relief of winning, and the dawn before the storms of fighting. There were highs and lows, and overall made you feel good. It is a big piece, not long in time, but in how all the lines of music, notes for all the instruments come together to tell a story. Mr. Clark was in the audience and was asked to come to the stage and tell us about this piece and his future plans. An engaging chap, who told us that the music just came to him one night, and in less than a week, the composition was complete. What talent and the audience just loved him! By the way, he will continue to help out at Bloomfield High School when he can, but he's off to begin college this fall, yes... this musical genius is only eightteen years old. Ray - thank you for sharing.

Happy Birthday America!

Camp Aunt Patty is Open!!!

It’s going to be a great summer with lots of activities and you are invited to join in! This is far from a completed list, yet it can give you the idea that there is NO EXCUSE for a poor summer vacation.

Grand Opening of the new Connecticut Science Center will be opening next month! This has been a long awaited event, with hands-on, minds-on interactive experiences.

The two aquariums – Mystic & Norwalk have so much to see – there’s the northern fur seal and steller sea lions,Polly one of the harbor seals, 3D films, FROGS, and lots and lots to see – there may even been penquins in the near future!

Of course there is time to track around the two different parks , the Dinosaur State Park–the Dinosaur Place hmmm those large creatures walked the grounds all around Connecticut.

How about a ferry ride on the oldest ferry in the country? What about the 2nd oldest ferry? Take a ride on the oldest carousel? A visit to Gillette’s Castle. If you would like to try letterboxing , like an outdoor scavenger hunt, – I’m up to it!

We can go to the UConn animal barns – see the beef cows, sheep and horses – and if we plan it right, see the dairy calves. Of course after such a trip, we will have to try the ice cream that is made fresh from those very same cows.

Have you ever road the Trolleys here? Probably not, yet all is not lost as we can get at ride: Start at the Tolley Museum at the Shore Line Trolley Museum in East Haven or what about the Steam Train ? Did you ever take a river boat cruise on the CT River?

Into Poetry – then the sunken garden poetry festival at the Hill-Stead in Farmington is world class – a wonderful night under the stars.

We can visit the homes of Harriet Beacher Stowe and Noah Webster, and a host of incredible notables that made Connecticut their home.

The history tour could take us to the Old State House, Sturbridge Village, the State Capital,
then of course some battle grounds that date back to the 1600's.

Then there are festivals upon festivals, blue grass, jazz, oysters, antique auto's, planes, and the plain old days of just being in New England. There are plays - notably Shakespear in the park, and lots of concerts! There are places to see and go that I haven't thought of yet. Got some ideas.... pass them along.

So Make your Reservation request now! Tick Toc Tick Toc! It's the summer 2009 - Lets make it a summer to remember. Check back for more ideas and of my own haunts around the State!

Memorial Day

....... grills are getting fired up, some folks have brought in the hummels, the flag, actually hundreds of flags have been put out in town, friends and families will be getting together to celebrate the first of the three day weekends of the summer season. Thanks to those employees at the State that took the first day of their furlough.

There will be small displays of fireworks throughout the area, and there will be hundreds of parades thoughout our land. Some folks will work on those "to-dos" and the hardware box stores will do a bustling business?

Do you know when Memorial Day was first observed? Try May 5th 1868! It was observed to remember the Union and Confederate soldiers buried at Arlington National Cemetery. Do you remember the paper red poppies? I do - a poignant memory of my childhood. I wore the paper poppy in the button hole of my coat.

To help re-educate and remind Americans of the true meaning of Memorial Day, the "National Moment of Remembrance" resolution was passed on Dec 2000 which asks that at 3 p.m. local time, for all Americans "To voluntarily and informally observe in their own way a Moment of remembrance and respect, pausing from whatever they are doing for a moment of silence or listening to 'Taps."

Take a moment to remember those that have passed...... those that are serving us today.