Extravaganza - 37th Year

Kick off the 37th Extravaganza was last night.  I have been volunteering for NCTV, Newington Community TV to host this show,  making this 
my fifth year.

It is a great event.  It began last night with helicopter rides, the carnival, ice cream sundaes tie dye tee shirts, and a great band!

We have to be thankful as the weather last night was perfect and the citizens came out for the evening's festivities.  We were able to get some video of the folks waiting for their ride on the helicopters, we saw the carnival, listen to the band, missed the ice cream, and watched the kids make their tie dyed tee shirts.

It is so much fun to interview the kids that come to visit.  They get excited that they may be on TV.  The P&R staff are thankful that we cover the event as capture the fun and stories of what makes this event so memorable.

At the end of the event, Sandy and I, got our ride in the helicopter.  The end of the day ride, in my opinion, is the best.  There it was, the sun setting on the horizon and painting the sky.  What a lovely way to end the day.  

Feeling very fortunate...

Minimalism - What a difference a day makes.

What a difference a day makes as the song says.  

The minimalism challenge has come full circle.  A year ago November I began a 30 day challenge to pick up, organize, clean out, recycle, and/or reuse. Then I turned it into a monthly update.

My behavior learned during the challenge really helped me look at the stuff that accumulates in my life.  

It was a successful year......

Cabinets with just what I really need.  Easier to cook and create.  Also stopped the duplicates at the store!

The cubby space is actually usable and I can find what I am looking for!  Success is getting all like items in one place.  It keeps evolving as I determine, all those cookbooks I don't use much any longer.  Now I search my favorite sites for new ideas.

  
Dresser drawers are another place that helps everyday living.  I can find it all with no muss or fuss.

What a difference a year can make.

Last winters storm damage to the 3rd floor carpeting pushed me to clean up my bedroom, closet, dresser, bookcases and such once again.  Bags of clothing were donated during the year to those that could use them.    Boxes of books were sent to the library for the Friends sale where the proceeds help the Lucy Robbins Welles Library in Newington.   Now it is a very peaceful room to rest and relax.

What a difference a year can make.


There was time for the garden and growing lots of veggies that I am enjoying today.  Started canning some of the tomatoes and with the winter squashes have been relishing the new recipes I'm trying out.


There's a sense of peace at the garden.  Enjoying the camaraderie of my fellow neighbors, trading secrets on how to do a better garden.  What works and doesn't work in the Newington soil and weather along with a dose of politics of course.

All this is happening due to my gardening space in the garage being cleaned up and organized!  


What a difference a year can make.

1st Place Big E 2015

1st Place Big E 2015

I finally got back to my lace.   I worked on coming up with entries to the Big E this past September.  Three presentations in tatting.  I received two firsts and a second!   

The firsts are shown here.  A collar and a series of hearts.

There was my crochet snowflake project going on since last Christmas at the same time.  

2nd Place Big E 2015

I have been making needle tatted flowers to practice.  I can carry it with me and in a few minutes I have made another flower.  Then I started giving them away.  By the time I realized it, I had given away around 200!  Now I'm keeping track of who they have been given to and the story that goes with them.  Everyone should have a piece of handmade tatting lace!

Once again -  clearing out nooks and crannies and organizing the would like to do patterns vs. notes on techniques and in various forms of handwritten notes, pdfs/jpgs, photocopies and books.  It's definitely better now.


What a difference a year can make.  If you start today.......  before you know it, you'll have made a difference just for you!  Enjoy

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 publish -- Thankless Work

Thought I was done - almost!   I resigned last Thursday night; all eight executive board members were present and one member (a wife).  The executive team just sat there - not one word, not a question, nothing.  Not one person even said thank you.  

Resigning for me is very difficult because it cuts across why I volunteer.  

I was sad, feeling hurt and let down.  I spent the next day at a client and then with my farm partner for an early dinner and did some planning for our garden.  We had scheduled this date a couple of weeks ago.  I was so glad to have this distraction, a kind ear and a voice of reason to just listen to.
  

After we were done, I stopped out to visit with a few friends that were gathering in town.  That was when I was surprised that "they all knew about my resignation and NOW there are all the rumors?".

Unbeknownst to me, it was "leaked out" as one person said.  I didn't realize what big news that was and why couldn't the news be announced at the meeting we are having with all the members that was a week away?

Ok - this is drama and sounds like six graders on a playground!  You can't make this stuff up - time to begin to write the TV series.  This is childish and totally unprofessional.

One of the group I met up with Friday night , asked what was up.  I explained that I needed time for me and that I could not give time to the group any longer right now.  It doesn't mean I could not help out, I need time for me, now.  As I said ".... but not one person asked me why..."; I thought it prudent that I resign now as I would not be able to do my usual 110% job.  

It continues......  a couple hours later, the "news" was blasted on FaceBook on one of the pages I was a member and then I was locked out of the page by the Admin.  This has happened before because she didn't like that I agreed with a statement said.  I couldn't even remember and she took a week before she apologized for the behaviour.

My phone and computer began lighting up like holiday decorations.  The person that put it up was NOT at the meeting on Thursday night - so how did the information get out?  People sent me screen shots of the entry.  Let's say it is not a popular entry.  My phone/computer continue to ring throughout Saturday.   I met with several key folks on Saturday night at a graduation gathering for a friend here in Town.  I told them the same thing you read above.

The drama is not over.  Actually I've had time to reflect, who said hindsight is 20/20 was so correct.  For their irresponsibility, if I was spiteful, I say they will be getting what they deserve.  I'm not spiteful, and I would hope that it will be a lesson, learn it now or they will be dealing with internal drama and not meeting their mission!

So back to me feeling thanklessness.  When you decide to volunteer there are changes that happen to a person mentally and physically.  There is hope, optimism, passion, and a sense that your contribution will help the organization.  Personally, I don't expect much in return.  I do volunteer as I see the bigger picture and how that organization will help the community around us.  I do volunteer because I was brought up to give back to the community.

In a blog by Todd Henry - quoting "...... So much of what we do as creative is thankless. It’s process. It’s iteration. It’s cranking away with the hopes that the finished work will vindicate us (no emergencies needed). But no one sees the internal turmoil, the questioning or the little choices we make that cost us something. We make these choices because we love our craft, not because of recognition.  When we choose a path of contribution, it often means a choice to forgo recognition for our work. Commitment to excellence means doing things right even when it may never be seen by another living soul. "

Today is a new day.  I am even more committed to my decision to resign.  Nice opportunity - thanks for that, I'm on my way to better opportunities.

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

doing what makes you smile,

and loving the life you live.

Recycling Police

Every so often my social justice thermometer begins to ring like a fire bell.  Ding, Ding, Ding I can hear it, and I ask where is the focus people?

Today was one of those days.

 I have been in touch with our Town sanitation department incharge of town-wide recycling.  This past summer we switched from the blue 14 gallon bucket to inline recycling and received a large rolling recycling container.  Actually this is quite exciting as we, us taxpayers, will begin to save some serious amounts of money.  It's an easy equation, recycle and pick up is free; regular trash and we have to pay to have it hauled away.  With talking with the town today, our recycling tonnage is up 35% since August.  Back to the matter at hand.

In order to participate in this program, the Town had to supply to each of the residents/taxpayers a trash collection device like this pretty blue one.  Actually they offered three sizes, 95 gallon, 65 gallon, and 35 gallon.  Though this naive one, yours truly, couldn't tell the difference.  My community doesn't use trash containers, we have 12 yard dumpsters.

Fast forward - I receive a device and I assumed it is a 95 gallon one.   It's enormous, I couldn't fill it if my life depended on it.  We are suppose to put it out every other week.   The first collection day came by and I forgot. The second one, I was away, then finally at the third pickup (six weeks later) , the container is still not filled, but I put it out.  I'm now also noticing that I will not be able to get the car in the garage with this device in there.  I've torn apart the place, how to reorganize it, nope, not enough room.

So I called the Town, asked them if I could get a 65 gallon one instead as it is way too large and occupies too much space.  She explains that I have a 65 gallon one - geez louise - I then asked for a 35 gallon one.  The long and short of it, you have to get on a list, yadda, yadda, yadda.

Now it is October and the device is not switched out.  So I've been on the phone these last two days.  Nice folks at the sanitation department.  First I find out that I'm not on the list, so I'm put on the list - I'm #126!  There are 125 of my neighbors, actually 15 in my community, that are still waiting for a different size container. 

What comes out of these conversations, is that the 'recycling police' of the Town sanitation department needs to determine if these 125 people ahead of me are worthy of a smaller container?  Of the 12,000 plus households in Town - only 125 opps 126 folks (only 1%) are requesting a smaller size. I think to myself - are you kidding?

 I continued to break down the supervisor's logic and point why in the bigger picture these arguments don't hold trash.  His responses were genuine.  His comments indicate that  there were certain assumptions made by the Town and those assumptions that didn't take into account all type of living arrangements located here.  He began with if the Town gave some one a smaller one, then the Town would have to do it for someone else.  Yeah?  I'm confused, don't we want all to recycle?  I asked him how many more individuals have called in the last several weeks.  He indicated that not many.  (I feel like I'm doing skit from the three stooges)   Therefore, the solution is simple, take care of these few individuals and be done with it.  Mind me, I heard a laundry list of why we can't do things. 

I promised that I would attend the next Town Council meeting and speak out about this matter.  Later this week, I would be meeting with my neighbors and this item will be on the agenda. 

Before we hung up, he finally agreed that he would discussing this next week when his supervisor returns and would call me with their decision.  I thanked him, and with a little laugh, said that I'll be talking with him most likely before he calls me. 

Did we lose some perspective?

New Stove, Fridge, a work in progress

Since I moved in, I have struggled with the ever-running fridge and a stove which burners were hot or cold and not inbetween and an oven that really couldn't calibrate the temp.

 I did well with it, trying my best to cook on top.  I love to cook.  Heck baked potatoes would take 1-1/2 hrs at 350F? 

My neighbor, Jules and I have discussed at length various solutions to our kitchens.  She has the same one but just the opposite layout.  She even tried to get a new fridge awhile ago, but ran into broken delivery promises.

A couple of weeks ago, a P.C. Richard & Son opened down the street.  She's on the ball!  Bless this woman as she goes about checking prices and models and styles, etc.  She then makes an expedition to the new store, physically inspects the goods and buys.  I recieved a phone call to come on over after the install.  I was so impressed.  What a difference it made to our older style kitchens.  She's so kind that she gave me a copy of her receipt. 

I'm no fool - so I go down the next day and buy the same ones.  What is missing?  Did you guess the new range hood?  If you did, it's not missing, it is just not installed.  Later this week, the electrician will be stoping by to install the new microwave/hood and do a bunch of other small electrical repairs.

Wow - the kitchen looks so much better.  I'm considering changing out the counter tops for something updated and add the same material to the wall between the cabinets and counter.  While it isn't my dream kitchen, my electric bill will decrease, it feels newer, my cake baking won't be so challenged and I'll live with it for a few more years.

Camp back in CT with Spencer

Spencer beating the computer!

It was a great time in St. Louis, though Camp was unattended back home.  With few days back on the ground, and attempting to see if the local nieces/nephews wanted to get to camp, Spencer came out on top.  His time spot was limited as he was going to begin football practice by mid-month in August.

First of all, his dad got him to me by 8 a.m. on Thursday morning!  Spenc - what a trooper.   We took the day a bit easy only after making sure I noticed that I am now shorter than he was!  Hmmm something happened in the last six month!  He's wearing a size 10-1/2 shoe already.  We kidded each other all weekend long. 

It was an easy day - he helped in the office and made a few bucks!  Let me tell you, he's a great assistant.  Follows directions, was neat, asked great questions, and he was able to complete all the shredding in the office.  We searched the internet about some really great sneakers, got the pass from the Library and did a little bit of grocery shopping.  We also began to design his blanket! 

We went to the New Britain Youth Museum at Hungerford Park with a pass from the Library.  It was so hot outside!  We did see the various animals inside, turtles, furry creatures, fishes, and all type of rodents.  There was one snake there, oh my goodness, it was enormous.   The animals in the outside cages were not showy due to the heat.  We tried to hike around the lake, though the temperatures were soaring.  Instead we headed for home, only after going to the store and finding the exact sneakers he was looking for on-line.  I had him try them on for size and walk around.  Heck I got a bonus, and I found a pair of new sneaks for myself.

Friday was the big day - we went to the CT Science Museum again.  Of course we saw a 3D movie - The Oceans.  It was really amazing.  So today's plan was to start at the top and work our way down.  This way we should be able to see all the exhibits.  Unfortunately the car race was not there, but the mind relaxation game was.  This game is based on your brain waves.  You put a headband on and it measures your output.  The less of the output (more relaxed) the more the ball moves to your opponent!  Spencer was really good at this the year before and beat me heads down.  This year, we equally won.  Actually one game wasn't going to end until one of us got the giggles.  We agreed that it wasn't as exciting as last year, I guess we can choose something different for next year. 

Spencer shooting the ball with air

We finished up on the early side as I had reservations at the Rock Cats Stadium.  So off we went to the game.  Sad to say the Rock Cats were having a pretty bad season.  As I write this - they are 44/97 OUCH.  They were playing Akron at home.  First inning Akron gets two runs and the balance of the evening is three up and three down for both teams without much excitement until the ninth inning.  Then the excitment began.  Akron - three up and three down.  Now its the Rock Cats turn. They get hits, get a run,  and are on base (possible grand slam) with a chance to win the game.  It wasn't their night.  The fans were very generous in supporting the team.  Just as the last out was called, the announcers drop the lights and we had a fireworks display that would rival any fourth of July show.  It was fantastic.  Lasted some 30 minutes.  What a great day with Spencer.

Saturday was a family picnic.  I was up late the night before and early the next morning getting all the supplies and picnic stuff ready to bring.  The heat subsided, thank goodness!  It was going to be one of the most glorious days of summer.  We get to the park, it was a mess, I'm embarrassed.  Spencer helped with site cleanup. Family began to arrive and we began with our festivities.  I didn't see much of him as he buddied up with his cousins Trenten and Brenan for lots of fun playing bocci, some game in the woods, time at the pool.  He checked in throughout the day and that was good.  Before we knew it it was time to pack it up and take it back to base camp. 

Sunday, a lazy morning, he read the newspaper to me and had a chance to talk with his cousin, Chris in St. Louis.  We considered we could go to a movie.  One of his maternal side cousins had a bit part in an action movie.  I didn't like the trailers so we decided that the animated film would be a better choice.  We were off to see Despicable Me.  Really cute movie, the minions had me laughing,  lots of 'jokes' and who wouldn't just love the story line. 

Wow - time just flew by.  When you have the opportunity to spend time with your nephew - it's a real treat.  We had lunch and then I dropped him off.    His football schedule just arrrived.  I need to coordinate my schedule with his so I could see him play this year.

Spencer - you are a great nephew.  You made camp the best!  Designing your blanket will be very cool.  Now I need to make the pattern and samples and have you approve it.  Next year - we will find a new adventure!  Maybe the Yanks at the Green Monster?  Thanks and love you lots!

Nickelodeon's Worldwide Day of Play

This is great - on the 25th of September - Nick's programing will be shutting down from noon to 3pm.  Yes, the TV will not have any programing available.

Nick began this celebration of a Day of Play to encourage kids and families to get out and play!  Heck, it wouldn't hurt some of us adults to get out and play too.

Check out your library to borrow museum and attraction passes, ask your local parks & rec for activities, check out the website Planet Explore.  At this site, you enter your zip code and find lots of activities in and around where you play.

A great event  you can enjoy on that day is the Waterfall Festival - in the center of Newington from 10am to 5pm.  It is a great event, maybe I'll see you there?

It Bloomed!

Wow - look what I found this morning as I did my early gardening!

It's a Water Hyacinth.  I found this perennial plant  Bob's Vegetable Stand in Wethersfield at the beginning of the season.  They had explained that I need to put it into a big bucket of water and let it sit.  A month an a half has gone by, nothing happened except for happy yellow jackets that loved the water.  This moring to my surprise, it bloomed.

This plant is considered a very agressive pest and clogs water ways.  While it is a perennial, it will not survive the winter up here in the north.  It is native to South America, and is illegal to transport or have them in Texas.  Florida has had them for decades and if left unchecked, like the Kudzu, the hyacinth will choke out and kill waterways.

In the mean time, I'm going to enjoy the blooms until the frost get's here and may continue to keep this water plant in my garden for summers to come.

Recycle - Our World is in Your Choices

Our In-Line recycling trash container was delivered just before my vacation. It means that we don't have to use the blue buckets any longer, do not have to separate the paper from the cans and such. It does mean we can recycle more stuff that wasn't allowed before we came to this new level.

The Town delivered a 65 gallon container - still not sure it will work in the garage and I've asked to be on the 35 gallon container list. In the mean time, I'm looking at everything I buy and am making a conscious effort to see how much I can reduce what will be my "trash".

Found this video on the infamous 2 liter plastic bottle - some great ideas here for your home!

Budget ! DEBT!!!

Hey all, the Town finally finished the budget - ugh 2.5% increase, rounding out our new year's budget at $97 million!  Mind you it is not a balanced budget.  Town Council will be applying a surplus of $2million to fund the budget.

Ahh you could say - what's the big deal?  It's a few dollars per capita.  In my opinion, I would have taken the surplus, apply it directly to capital improvements that have been delayed or invest the surplus in attracting more business (new tax payers) to town.  To fund a shortfall in the operating budget?  Shame on you Town Council!

At least the Library's budget will stay intact as it was originally submitted.  We will continue to have Saturdays open and Sundays in the fall/winter/spring .  The Lucy Robbins Welles Library will continue to deliver superior materials, programs and assistance to our residents.  I did a quick calcuation, just in the book circulation alone, the Library delivered over $8 million dollars of value to the town in just one year.

Other interesting information that came out from this budget season.  Newington's per capita debt for past construction projects is approximately $643/ person!  The state is averaging $2,139 per capita and the US Government isn't making getting older any easier.  It rings in at $13 Trillion by the time I finish typing this entry.  Per capita debt with a population at about 308 million folks, debt for the Fed's is approximately $42,000!!!  Mind you this is a moving target.  Just think that each new baby arriving today is saddled with just about $50K of debt.

Please pay attention to your government, Call your legislators, visit them at town meetings, let them know that this mounting debt must be controlled and raising taxes to fund poorly planned and unproductive spending is NOT the answer.

Great Book Discussion

During my 'season', I often can schedule an hour to get out to clear my head.  It gives me a chance to get resettled so I may do a great job.

Lucky for me, I saw the author talk on his book on the life of Andrei Sakharov.  It didn't hurt that the author is my next door neighbor.  Jay Bergman is a professor at Central Connecticut State University specializing in Russian history.  He has worked long and hard and has accomplished a comprehensive account of Sakharov's life.

Born in 1921 in Moscow, Sakharov was a man so ahead of his time.  Not only was he a world reknown physicist, he was also the moral conscience for the Soviet Union and its people.

Need a great read - then I suggest getting this book.  Meeting the Demands of Reason: The Life and Thought of Andrei Sakharov  will enlighten what was going on during this turbulent time in history.

And to my friend and professor, Jay great job!

2 Cents makes a difference

YES !  Yippie!  Thank Goodness!  and Thanks to all the Friends and supporters that came out to support the Budget Process here in town.  This is how it works.  As pointed out in the local paper, more that 20 people spoke out against the Library cuts, and NOT ONE person spoke for the cuts.

At the special meeting of the Town Council, and unamiously, the Town Council voted to have the $28,722 put back into the budget!

That restoration of money to the Lucy Robbins Welles Library's budget means the library will be open on Saturdays during July & August 2010, and all regularly scheduled Sunday hours 2010-2011 are back in.

I was with clients that evening and finally got to turn on the local station to watch the meeting that was already in progress.  It was meant to be,  just as I switched it on - some two hours into it, the Town Council was adding the $$'s back into the budget.  About two hours later, I hopped into the car and drove down to the meeting at town hall.  Sometime by 11:15pm I was able to get up and thank the Town Council for their thoughtfulness and for recognizing the amazing resource that our Library is to our residents.

So once again - thank you to Everyone!

Library Budget and my 2 Cents!

About a month ago, our town began it's annual budget process.  The Town Manager gives his budget, then a public hearing, then the Town Council gives their budget, and a public hearing - then hocus pocus - we get a budget and a mill rate.

The first public hearing was on March 15, 2010.  The word got out in advance that the Library had to cut their budget by $28,000 and with a bit of give and take ended up with a proposal to close the library during the summer months on weekends and eliminate all Sundays during the year.  That is just wrong!

The Friends of the Lucy Robbins Welles Library went into action.  They met with patrons and residents for the few days before the hearing. On that night - over 50 individuals showed up, 18 spoke onbehalf of the Library. 

To see the public hearing - and your's truly at 14:45 on the time line, go to our public TV Station  -   http://www.nctv.org/ - look here - on the left column click on "OnLine Video" then scroll down to Archives and select the Newington Town Council Public Hearing March 15, 2010.

We may know in a day or two if the $$'s are restored!

The Greatest Voice We Have

Did you? It still makes me wonder why there is the amount of apathy in the world. Ok - right here in my back yard. I work the polls each year to sign up members of my community for a library card. So over the years, I have seen the ebbs and flows of the number of citizens that come out to vote.

It is only a mayorial election, oh it is only a dog catcher election. I say and so what! For a well run community, whether it be your small town, neighborhood, condo association, non-profit group, the state or the nation, it is your duty and your right to get out and speak with the vote.

If you need some inspiration - here are some quotes that might move you to vote in the very next election you can .....

~ Bad officials are elected by good citizens who do not vote. ~ Andrew Lack

~ Those who stay away from the election think that one vote will do no good: 'Tis but one step more to think one vote will do no harm. ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

~ The ignorance of one voter in a democracy impairs the security of all. ~ John F. Kennedy

~ There can no longer be anyone too poor to vote. ~ Lyndon Baines Johnson

~ Vote early and vote often. ~ Alphonse

~ Voting is a civic sacrament. ~ Theodore Hesburgh

By the way - Christy and I worked the Ruth Chaffee elementary school and signed up 18 folks for library cards in our two hour time slot.

Great Service

Pronto Printer of Newington - I must take my hat off to this company. They are a local print shop, you can check
out their services with a simple click. I firmly know that your success depends on those individuals/companies that are in your circle. If you need something printed - you need to hire them!

When I began working on membership for the Friends of the Lucy Robbins Welles Library I needed to set up supplies - I needed a printer just for our organization. One that thought we were a good customer. I needed #10 windows, #10 regular, #9 return envelopes. Then the membership broshure and getting the logo just right. I've needed paper cut down, I needed a copy made on very large paper. Every time I asked, they were able to supply an answer. Even if they didn't print it, they would make the arrangements.

When we began, it was easy for my office to mail merge the data and send it to print. That was okay when it was 600 members. Now we have expanded our membership the mailing is over 1100 today. The files become much larger with print and graphics and to print 1100 letters(2 pages both sides) in my office would run at least 4 hours and hopefully without any jams etc. These guys have this gigantic laser printer and they were able to print the job in 40 minutes! They have lots of other great machines that make a mailing no work at all. We worked out a price and they even added a service to fold, stuff and seal the envelopes. Oh my goodness - they completed the entire job in 26 hours.

If you need a printer - these are the guys!

It's Membership Renewal Time

Yes it is, it is that time of year to kick off the Friends of the Lucy Robbins Welles Library fall membership drive.

While we take membership throughout the year, it is the fall when the major push to have members renew. This year's letter speaks to the savings patrons have been able to enjoy because the Friends purchase 27 Museum and Attraction Passes for lending purposes. With respect to a great tradition of the Friends, it is sponsoring the Summer Reading Program. This past summer, more that 2000 adults, teens and children took part and read thousands of books.

The Friends are an amazing and vibrant group of people - over 900 members strong. Many of them are active in the committees that enable the Friends to meet its mission to support the Library with materials, programs, and events.

We are such a great group. Thank you to each member - YOU make our Library the best.

Chalk Walk - Something to do

I so love this time of year. The Big E, Durham Fair are this weekend and right here in my own back yard is Newington's Water Fall Festival and Chalk Walk competition.

This event began as an idea that the businesses and organizations have an event. We close down a street in the center of town and make it a all day party. What a great idea. I worked on the event at the beginning and it all came together as we are celebrating the sixth year.

One event - the Chalk Walk - begins at about 6:30 am. Artists pay for a space on the pavement and paint a picture. They have till about 2pm to create their works. It's amazing to watch them work away. Since it is a contest, one of these lucky artists will walk away with bragging rights and a check for $500!

The rest of the festival is grand - lots of things to do, entertainment on the stage, of course you get the best eats supplied by our local restaurants. It is alot of fun and it is FREE. Need to be outside and enjoy some fresh air - stop by the Water Fall Festival and Chalk Walk. Hours - 10 to 5pm on Market Square Newington, CT - click here for some pictures from last year

Falls into place - WOW

Sometimes it just falls into place. Windows of Opportunity are everywhere. Even when you are not looking for the proverbial "IT" somehow the karma out there just honed in on you.

Back when I moved into my place, I had the dilemma of not enough storage in the kitchen/dining area. So I tried this and that, gave up on the third idea though the "this" still seemed to be good. Couldn't decide - and pressed the "hold button". Before you know it, the winter came and went, spring flew by and then the rains and more rain. Just recently, I came into a small used cabinet. Pretty solid, top that can be used as a serving area or just for show. What is best is that it is deep enough to place my largest platters into it! Viola! WOW

I'm somewhat relieved that was done. Now with a little more PMA I stopped at one of the stores on the Tpke to see if any other 'decorating diva' was on the loose and could assist me to finish the corner of the dining area. Oh my goodness the "this" (sideboard pictured) is still at the store. I remeasured it especially the inside dimensions (as I don't need as deep a cabinet now) and will be checking out the space. It's 16.9 cubic feet of heavenly storage and I could finally get the last two boxes of my stuff made useable. How exciting is this!

Ok I'm a bit carried away on it. Let me sleep on it for a week or so. The new sale is beginning Oct 4th and it could go on sale! WOW

Memorial Ride for Officer Peter Lavery

This morning I was doing my putting around when the sounds of hundreds of motorcycles went by on the Berlin Turnpike below me all escorted by various police officers. It lasted over five minutes, then I remembered!

It was the Fifth Memorial Ride for Officer Peter Lavery. A great guy, super law enforcement officer on my local PD. The night, December 30, 2004, he responded to a domestic violence call in town. Tragically, he was gunned down in the line of duty. This one incident paralized then polarized this great community I live in.

Today - they ride again. Beautiful day, a 35 mile ride beginning and ending at McGuires Sports Bar on the Turnpike. The funds donated today will benefit the scholarship fund created in his memory. The family, who estabished this fund has raised, with the help of our community and those who support law enforcement, tens of thousands of dollars and has awarded scholarships to many deserving students beginning a law enforcement career.

Thank you to all those individuals who choose to dedicate their lives to protecting our way of life.

Tomatos - What to do?

Ok - this year I got out there early - before Memorial day - and planted a heirloom plum variety and a grape variety. I covered them at night when it was a bit too chilly. Watered them as they needed it and then........... mother nature delivered rain, rain and more rain. It's rained ever since up until about two weeks ago. Whatever flowers and leaves were on the plants were washed away.

As I write this, I have just pulled the planter out of it's spot and dumped the vine and put it away for the winter. This is a sad state of tomato affairs. I do remember being in grade school and being able to swipe a ripe tomato out of the garden and take it with me to school. Not this year.

Not all was lost as I did get some fruit. The grape variety put out three, I enjoyed two and a critter came for the third one and the plum plant put out one (can you believe that!) that never ripened and some critter took it!

I must say it is a tough summer for many of us that enjoy the home grown tomato off their own vine. I hope your garden has done better!


ps - just wait till next year - I'm going to come up with some type of comtraption that will keep the floods from taking my tomato plants and probably drive my condo board crazy.