A Red Nose

It was a beautiful day, so I decided to spend part of my afternoon in Portland, Oregon visiting two parks that this city is well-known for, the International Rose Test Garden and The Japanese Garden. Since Portland is called the Rose City, my first stop was the Rose Garden. The 550 varieties bloom from June into the fall, and during my visit in mid-September the three hillside terraces looking over the downtown was alive with color and fragrance.

On my way to the roses I first came to the children's playground and noticed a man and woman soaring high on the swings. That looks like fun, I thought, and paused to tell them so. Immediately after I got the words out of my mouth I looked closer at the man. Was that a red nose he was wearing? I just had to ask, "Why are you wearing a red nose?"

"Because this is our day to have fun and the red nose reminds us of that."

This is a very wise man, I think. What could be a simpler and more effective reminder to have fun than wearing a red nose? I mean, how could anyone wear a red nose and not have fun?

So, imagine my surprise when, two days later, I am in a store in Florence and spot a bin of red noses. Without hesitation, I buy two, because although I think I've got this "fun" thing pretty well figured out, it never hurts to have a reminder around. The other (?) because there may come a day when someone in my life needs a red nose, and I'll be ready.

Cruising Connecticut with a Picnic Basket, by Jan Mann

Greetings from Sunny Florida!

I decided to finish the last of my edits for Cruising Connecticut's 2nd Edition while vacationing in Florida. The fact that I could be outdoors during the winter months and picnic has inspired me.

Picnicking at beaches and parks is universal of course, but I found distinct differences between my home state of Connecticut and my vacation state of Florida. For example, at the Stamford Museum & Nature Center, I talk about fending off the ducks looking for a free handout; at Lido Park in Sarasota, it is the seagulls, and the squirrels, and even raccoons, whose normal nocturnal nature has been turned upside down from being fed by visitors. And, instead of the shells and stones I collect at Hammonasset Beach State Park, at Casperson Beach in Venice, I join the folks who are collecting shark's teeth.

Whatever the setting, an ideal picnic is still the same: delicious food eaten outdoors, preferably combined with good company and a fun activity. And, although I may have had a head state on the picnic season, everyone will soon be able to catch up. March 20th is the first day of spring; with its promise for new growth and new beginnings, more relaxing times and outdoor fun, it's the perfect time to dust off your picnic basket and get ready for picnicking in Connecticut.