COVID-19 Era Pages: Then and Now
“Change is the master key. A man can wear out a particular part of his mind by continually using it and tiring it, just in the same way as he can wear out the elbows of his coat. There is, however, this difference between the living cells of the brain and inanimate articles: one cannot mend the frayed elbows of a coat by rubbing the sleeves or shoulders; but the tired parts of the mind can be rested and strengthened, not merely by rest, but by using other parts.” — Winston Churchill
Nimble neurons.
Riding on the edge of the ocean still, The Crown S1 Ep 8 via Netflix. One of the best decisions to watch and think and learn during pandemic. Horses and dogs, humans in conflict, beautifully and sweeping in scope; cinematic.
Not anymore. While standing at a polished stone slab that serves as counter, looking at the red-brown garnets amid the black, gray, white that may be gneiss. Waiting for physical therapy, stuck in time. Yet eyes still transmit to the CPU that is a brain. Sanitized pens stand in one container. Used ones go here. Slow, yet still observing details like a human camera.
Netflix. When watching The Crown , the ocean and riding scenes are powerful panoramic interludes, a human mind behind the story and how it is told. Collaborative. Remember to think for yourself and read summaries after viewing anything, ask questions about what is true and that which is a storytelling device. Admire the bridges and art of narrative. Suspend your belief and go with what enriches and engages the imagination. Then spool back and stand apart from it all. Don't go along with the crowd; think. Watch a segment of The Crown before sleeping and see how the rich images color your dreams in a good way. (By the way, have not ever paid much attention to royalty but have devoured books on world history and biographies, so viewing this series is a treat. “The Crown is a historical drama streaming television series about the reign of Queen Elizabeth II, created and principally written by Peter Morgan, and produced by Left Bank Pictures and Sony Pictures Television for Netflix.” — Wikipedia
Reading more about Winston Churchill and history because of the viewing, learning at a much reduced pace, but a mind digests all it feeds on. Subscribing to Netflix, one of the best decisions in a pandemic, along with three publications and three newspapers delivered. Getting more adept at telehealth although the device for viewing overheats toward the end of a session. Must find a solution, review how to circumvent this. Crawl before you walk.
Learn from wise people who have faced storms and wars. Their words and experiences span time, found in books, told in stories that are worth watching. Music, series, art, science, business, entrepreneurs. Find the excellence and keep going. Some cheer, a round up. (Hunker down settle in for the winter ahead and at hand; wear your mask and keep listening to science and medicine, smart leaders who care like a good parent does. For more, see our Resources page.)
For 2020, the Jedidiah Wilcox Mansion is featured ornament in the series of Meriden landmarks produced by Meriden Public Library Local History Department (since 1994). Each pewter medallion is manufactured by Woodbury Pewter. All proceeds are used to purchase books, periodicals, archival supplies, and other history items. Cost is $10 (cash); credit/debit, $11. Checks should be made payable to Friends of Meriden Public Library. If ordering by mail, include $5 for shipping and handling. Mail to Friends of Meriden Public Library, 106 Miller St., Meriden, CT 06450. For more information call (203) 238-2346. Cost is $10 (cash); credit/debit, $11. Checks should be made payable to Friends of Meriden Public Library. If ordering by mail, include $5 for shipping and handling. Mail to Friends of Meriden Public Library, 106 Miller St., Meriden, CT 06450. Call (203) 238-2346 to confirm.
Wilcox Mansion may be gone but it is not forgotten.
Bookstore volunteers, hoping for posted images of your shelves, so supporters can keep helping by buying books; pick and pay you to ship them or arrange for curbside pick up appointment. (Miss browsing and conversations but that can return if all sacrifice now and stay home, work remote, find solutions to support each other and businesses.)
Always more to read, learn, know. What is so obvious, yet not seen? And why.
Giving a window into small business and holiday offerings throughout winter. Spread only kindness, compassion, patience; doing what is right is leadership by example.
Freshly made and festive wreaths seen at Uncle Bob's Garden Center.
What is that detail to the left on this vintage card.
We had a blast picking out a stack of books at @chbooksdc today. It was a dream to have the store to ourselves for an hour! Check it out for a fun, safe way to support a great independent bookstore in DC. pic.twitter.com/py0CxDZSKb
— Alyssa Noth (@LlyssaBrooke) November 28, 2020
Recently noticed. Tovah Martin tips. UConn Master Gardeners shared knowledge. Connecticut barns and outbuildings, history of buildings and use, place.
Octagon barn in Southbury detail, from the Connecticut Barns project. Image is linked to the site for more exploration.
“Preservation Connecticut (at the time, The Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation) was awarded a grant from the Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism (now the State Historic Preservation Office) to document significant, historic barns in Connecticut for inclusion on our barns web site, www.connecticutbarns.org, where the data, historical narrative and analysis, images gathered and other barn related information can be retrieved by visitors, residents, scholars, and barn enthusiasts from across the country.
Historic barns in Connecticut had been almost completely undocumented. As outbuildings, barns had rarely been included in National Register of Historic Places listings until the last decade when the total context of a historic site increasingly has been considered essential to historic significance. With each barn that is lost another piece of the state’s rich agricultural history disappears. The statewide survey took place from 2006-2010 and involved the participation of more than 400 volunteers all over Connecticut.”
“For as wood is the material of the carpenter, and marble that of the sculptor, so the subject matter of the art of life is the life of the self.”
― Epictetus, Discourses and Selected Writings
After decades in news media, including community weeklies, dailies, freelanced on the side. Lateral move to business magazine, became managing editor and left to co-found statewide business magazine. Took it online, loved that challenge more than 12 years ago (also learned coding and site building, working all remote with teams, FTPs). Started digital magazine to write about all I loved, small business, small farms, horses, animals (huge business), entrepreneurs, science, events but also drew on everything learned in corporate world, finance, startups, VC, travels, technologies. Saw the connections and cross pollination possible between two very different worlds. Business is a universal language, solving problems and finding ways to get things done. People. Oh. Having served in the USAF as a female on the flightline many decades ago also was an education that has proved valuable because working with diverse team to achieve goals (get the aircraft flying to achieve mission) taught the value of teamwork — keep learning and work beside people from all walks of life. Now, so many newsletters and sites, updates and emails — who will aggregate the feed of news, features, food, opinions, photography, technologies? Something to think on for a bit. Attention and time.
"Another way of looking at it is that the hallway is blocking my sleeping spot, he says. #dogsoftwitter #Dog @dogandpuplovers @dogcelebration @dog_feelings @ProfCj @ok32650586 @MooDogPress @bigfluffydogs @MeetRescueDogs @mydogiscutest pic.twitter.com/2hKCvim1PC
— Bryan Marquard (@BryanMarquard) November 30, 2020
The cover, linked to the online book.
“Read on from the first sentence that arrests the eye. Then turn to another. Make a voyage of discovery, taking soundings of uncharted seas.”
Winston Churchill