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Life’s Treasures

Life’s Treasures

I randomly opened a book and read a passage that provided me with a message. The book is by Paulo Coelho and these are his words: “It is said that all people who are happy have God within them. And that happiness could be found in a grain of sand from the desert, as the alchemist had said. Because a grain of sand is a moment of creation, and the universe has taken millions of years to create it. ‘Everyone on earth has a treasure that awaits him,’ his heart said.” Days before

Putnam Lake on Pause

Putnam Lake on Pause

The world is going through a difficult time. But I would like to be able to bring a little joy to people while also documenting the current Covid-19 Crisis. I will be offering free portrait photography sessions in my community as a way to give back and share our stories of this time. Please direct message me on FaceBook if you wish to take part in the Putnam Lake on Pause project. At this time you must live, or run a business, in Putnam Lake, NY to participate. It takes no mo

About Those Dark Threads in Our Lives

As I sit facing the backwoods, I enjoy nature – a welcome respite from haunting thoughts about the dark threads of my life. Musing now; I never gave it much thought when younger. Here, in the winter of my years, it seems important. Threads we all have. Some are light and colorful, but it’s the dark ones that hold my attention in this moment. Thinking back, dark threads were there from my earliest recollections. I was born on one, and have sadly chosen, it would seem, to trave

Strength to Let Go

I saw you, because you let me. You were right there by my side, until you let go. You didn’t tell me, and I didn’t look back, Until I was too far out of your reach. I was thrilled. I was furious. I trusted you. I felt you let me down. It took just a moment to go from a trike to a two-wheeler, But all of these years to understand, and let go of the anger . . . Of the confused jumble of mixed feelings which made me so independent – so furious. It took until today, when it becam

Video Calls: Looking Your Best

Video calling is really stepping up to help us make it through the pandemic PAUSE. Doctor “visits,” online classes, virtual meetings, and calls to distant relatives on lock-down are making us all video stars. Of sorts. If you’ve seen yourself in a video call and feel like the picture isn’t quite right; here are a few tips to help with that. They can’t help with the haircut, but they’ll help a little. Video call tip #1: It’s a Conversation. Comport your sensibility, and yourse

Like people, the Relationships in my Garden Flourish with More Care

Back in March my company Womanswork invited readers of our newsletter to write stories for our online Story Bank about how they, as gardeners, were processing the events of the pandemic. In their stories from Florida, California, London, Boston and even Pawling, we have seen apprehension turn to resilience and optimism. The warming weather and ability to get into one’s garden has a lot to do with that! Recently a reader from Nashville wrote "My gardens are beautiful this sp

Pawling Library Continues to Work Hard for the Community

With the Pawling Library closed due to the state-wide government response to Covid-19, Brian Avery, Library Director, has his team working behind the scenes in many ways and on many projects. “Since the time when we closed, the staff and I have been primarily focused on becoming a better library when we re-open. The part-time staff has been doing professional development courses via Universal Class (free to all library card holders) and the full-time staff has been doing a co

Community Voices in the Quarantine

Tom Clemmons, Circulation Supervisor at Pawling Free Library How has the Coronavirus quarantine affected your life? There are five of us at home now. We’re mindful of the gravity of the current crisis. We wear masks and gloves and insist on social distancing when we go out. Everyone at our place is working or fulfilling school obligations remotely. How will the library move forward as this situation continues? Though the Pawling Library and Library Annex buildings in the vill

The Strength of Trees

The Strength of Trees

A heron takes flight from the edge of the lake. The tips of its broad wings touch the calm water. Behind clouds the sun is rising. Doves are heard and go unseen beneath the branches of pines. Hints of green reveal themselves in budding shrubs. Nuthatches scurry up and down and across tree limbs while beaks tap into crevices in search of seeds and insects. The frogs have awakened and their chorus rings in my ears. In the marsh there is a remnant of its past, when it had been a

Row of Honor to Recognize Everyday Heroes

Row of Honor to Recognize Everyday Heroes

The Row of Honor that has lined the shore of Lake Gleneida in Carmel every Memorial Day and Veterans Day for nearly a decade was installed Wednesday to recognize and give thanks to our everyday heroes – the healthcare workers and first responders who put themselves at risk to help fight the COVID-19 outbreak, Putnam County Executive MaryEllen Odell said. “Even in the best of times it is not easy to leave your family and rush out to take care of sick people, or answer an emerg

Dedication to Students

Dedication to Students

Earlier this month Pawling schools were closed in response to the ongoing quarantine measures aimed at stopping the spread of Covid-19. However, these restrictions have not hampered the efforts of a small group of teachers, volunteers, and district personnel who have remained committed to providing valuable services for students. In recent weeks, food service employees and a team of volunteers helped to provide food for students in need who are quarantined in their homes. Me

Dear Patience

I have a bowl of angel cards in my bathroom, that I draw from each day. The card I pick becomes a focus for my day, inspired by spirit. Today I picked Patience. The accompanying book has the definition of Patience as “the will or ability to wait. To endure without complaint. Self-possession of one’s spirit.” It goes on to suggest such things as “compose and quiet your mind, a great time for introspection, be tolerant of yourself and others, demonstrate calm stability with per

ASK A REALTOR - Choosing the Right Agent

Hope this article finds you and your families safe and well. As most of you already know, Real Estate is now “on pause” per Governor Cuomo for the duration of this health crisis. Our offices are closed, no showings, no meetings, no open houses. While we’re all waiting to jump back into the market, it might be a good time to contemplate who you’re going to be jumping back into the market with. So many times, an association with a realtor is random - you’ve walked into an offi

Monogamy – May Not Be What You Think (Part 1)

Is anyone ever really married to one person at a time? I suggest: no, at least not on the spiritual level. Perhaps there is one physical body, but that, too changes over time, does it not? In addition, I submit that every married couple is actually in a relationship with the parents, siblings and all significant influencers of both in the loving relationship. Over time, these internal relationships shift, and each event impacts the relationship between the married couple. Tim

Dutchess Closes DMV Offices

On March 20, Governor Cuomo issued Executive Order 202.8. As it relates to the Department of Motor Vehicles, the following actions are implemented: [if !supportLists]• [endif]Drivers Licenses expiring on or after March 1, 2020 are extended until April 19, 2020 [if !supportLists]• [endif]Non-Drivers Identification Cards expiring on or after March 1, 2020 are extended until April 19, 2020 [if !supportLists]• [endif]Vehicle Registrations expiring o

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