Sometimes It's Okay Not to Be Okay
November 1, 2024
Have you ever had a time in your life when you just weren’t, okay? If we're honest, we all have. This Monday morning, I'm in that space. I'm not terrible, not falling to pieces, no tears—just not okay. As I self-diagnose and spend some time in introspection, I think I've discovered some answers. For starters, I tend to cram a plethora of activities into a minuscule amount of time. Anyone else have that tendency? It’s like trying to fit all my Aldi shopping bags into one little bag to save space in my car. It can be done, but my bags aren't in the greatest shape when I unwedge them and pull them out. Similarly, I know I’m not in the greatest shape when I fit too much into my schedule. It’s too easy to say yes to too many things and end up overcommitted, spread out thinner than butter on toast. This often happens when it comes to my grandchildren. They're so precious to me, as I’m sure yours are to you, and I don't want to miss a single opportunity to be with them. Unfortunately, mine aren’t local, so visits require a commute. Over five weeks this summer, I made three weekend trips to Philadelphia and one to Mechanicsburg, with just one weekend at home. Sound familiar? Learn More
The Dog Days of Summer
August 1, 2024
The Dog Days of Summer Yes, there is such a thing as "The Dog Days of Summer," and boy, have we been experiencing it lately! Just today, the backyard thermometer read 107 degrees! When I think of that phrase, I envision a dog contentedly sitting in front of a fan, head raised, with ears blowing in the breeze, attempting to cool off. For both animals and humans alike, it is a time when we become tired, irritable, and downright hard to live with. Arguments break out over the smallest, most insignificant things. We leave our air-conditioned offices only to enter our stifling cars with their flesh-burning seats, sit in road construction traffic, and finally arrive at home before our air conditioners even begin to deliver cold air. According to the Farmer’s Almanac, the “Dog Days of Summer” span from July 3rd to August 11th. In ancient Greek and Roman history, this period was associated with drought, bad luck, and restlessness, causing people to act irrationally and go a bit crazy. They believed the intense heat was due to the rising of the constellation Canis major, “The Great Dog,” which includes the brightest star in the sky besides the sun. This star was thought to cause the heat, hence the term “Dog Days.” Although this belief has been disproven, the term stuck and is still used today. Learn More
Painting the Sky with the Colors of Freedom & Independence
August 1, 2024
Friends, sometimes you just need to get things off your chest, and today is one of those times for me. You are fortunate (or perhaps unfortunate, depending on how you see it) to be on the receiving end of my current unpacking. This year's fundraising efforts for the fireworks were particularly challenging. Not only did the funds come in slowly and below the required amount within the usual timeframe, but the Chamber also faced significant criticism on social media. Many of the negative comments stemmed from a lack of understanding about how the event is organized and funded. We heard everything from accusations of misusing tax money, thinking that we were somehow a government entity, to suggestions like using parking meter money or selling hot dogs to fund the fireworks. Some of the comments were quite scathing. I vowed not to read them, but curiosity got the better of me, and read them I did. Learn More
Nature is not a place to visit, it is home
August 1, 2024
For years, I wondered what drew so many to the Finger Lakes Region. Friends often spoke of their return trips there, and I was curious to find out what kept drawing them back. Of course, I had heard of the great wine trails but had no concept of its incredible beauty. Last weekend, on a whim, I decided to find out what all the excitement was about. My husband Blain and I stocked the backpack with all the essentials, jumped in the car and headed north. Our first stop was Watkins Glen State Park. At the entrance we faced a choice: take the easy route via shuttle to the top of the trail and hike down, or tackle the nearly two-mile, 800-stone-step trail up to the top and return the same way. Naturally we opted for the challenge and began our ascent up Gorge Trail. Learn More
