Another trophy project for Go Far Go Fast is in the books. This year’s space theme had me using cans of spray insulation, glow in the dark paint and lots of little alien and astronaut figures. My husband always asks me why I don’t just call Mr. Trophy as I come home bleary eyed with glue gun booboos from building these? I’ve come to realize over the years that these little creations have helped define our event and make it a unique experience for everyone involved. My goal is to raise the standard well over what our Walmart World would like to have us think of as acceptable. We can be so much more than we realize. A handful of us who put this race on do it because we have such great hopes for the kids of our community. So here is my little contribution, a vote of confidence that I believe in them. May these little shuttles be a reminder that we will cheer them on as they blast off on race day and in life.  In the end of this build, I must thank Safari Ltd and Toy Wonders for their generous contributions in providing the figures and shuttles. Go Far Friend, Noah Ventola donated his wood working ability and materials, thank you! Their generosity is helping to build a community. Once again, Russ and Cory Hassman have come to my rescue in sharing  their graphic genius and giving the trophy it’s truly finished appearance.  Go Far wouldn’t happen each year without their behind the scene attention to detail. Thank You! Also a huge thanks to Marybeth Gossart, who was covered in glitter once again as she so lovingly built the bean trophies for those Go Far kids in our community who define the strength of little Brenna Zettergren.

So let’s get this race on! When you child say’s I can’t or I won’t, show them the better way to I can and I will. Wellness starts at home and Go Far defines it.   See you on May 31st at the Durham Fairgrounds!

As Kate rushed around desperately looking for her headphones, Peter stood with his back pack on, making funny faces at his affable companion, Miles . The morning routine is full of quest and surprises. One day the search may be for the team running jersey; headphones are always tops on the MIA list, and shoes often top the list of “where in the world”. The delectable lunches that another mother has prepared leaves me feeling guilty each day as my children head out the door. My husband has been gone for hours probably already contemplating lunch.  They stand on the porch, looking so much older and ready for this world than I am willing to accept. These days, my daughter looks  for affirmation on style which I rarely know much about. Despite my lack of fashion sense, my heart tells me she looks perfect. Peter still asks for a hug and I am so grateful for his affections. The kids stand by discussing who’s day ahead will be more arduous. They half-hear me over their discussion as I give my daily pep talk. I do think that the dog listens to me and will take my instructions to heart. We hear the rumble from the bus hulking its way up the hill. Standing by, the pets know what’s to come and they assume their bon voyage positions. From this little kitchen, we watch them leave as I have hundreds of times before. There is nothing better in life better than the rituals that are your own because they are tailor made for you.

When you settle into a home, its hard to ever imagine leaving it. Everything becomes familiar; the textures and the curves of beams, the familiar smells and creaks of a floorboards. It becomes very much a part of who you are. Our home, which was painstakingly built in 1741, has told so many stories; our own and the many families that have dwelled in it before us. The love I have for my home is real because it is here that I have raised my babies, celebrated 9 birthdays, re-discovered photography and came to fully love Middlefield. When my sister in law passed away in January, I spent hours at home thinking about my life, her past, her dreams that were cut short and my own perceivable future. In these cold and somewhat dark emotional days, I realized it was time for a change. We have always lived simply. I blame not my house, but myself. Ask anyone who comes into my home, it-is-simple. We have sparse furnishings, mostly handed down. Our towels don't match. To the chagrin of my kids, we have lived without a dryer for four years. My studio lighting lives somewhat permanently in my dining room as paintings of the ancestors sit patiently on the room’s walls posing for their head shots. Interrupting myself, like the intermission of a play, I began to think that I wanted the next act to have a very different tone to it. While I have dwelled in the footsteps of the past for the last decade, this next one will jolt me forward. So I am changing my address and perhaps changing a few of my regular notions. We’ll be moving soon, only a mile away, but a world apart. The first thing I’ll do is buy some matching towels and well see how it goes from there. I look forward to a door that’s always open for friends and a place for my family to make its next step forward. 
 

It’s a new era for my 12 year old and his friends. It’s a time to navigate the tempest waters that swirl around their budding teenage years. There’s no such thing as perfect at this age. They have insecurities, voice cracks and zits.  They have mounting homework, a social maze to contend with and gangly arms that know little control or direction. They know their childhood is waning. This image conjures memories of the film, Stand By Me, a coming of age story about 4 boys who contemplate life’s adventures all while trying to answer questions such as whether Goofy is a cow or just a dog? For the above boys, change will no doubt soon occur for each one of them. It will come fast and furious, leading them into uncharted territory. But as it all happens, the bridge from childhood to manhood will be tethered by their friendship, the only thing that has remained consistent over the years. I wish them many great adventures…and by the way, Goofy has got to be a cow…right?

Providence provides enough of an escape so that when Sunday comes around, you feel like you have adventured if only just for the weekend. While a marathon, a circus and a national cheerleading competition simultaneously converged on two blocks of Providence,  the town was undoubtedly, a three ring circus.  Here are some observations: